[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 151 (Friday, August 6, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 47932-47936]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-18099]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention


Delivery of Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission of HIV 
(PMTCT) Products in River State, Nigeria

    Announcement Type: New.
    Funding Opportunity Number: PA 04260.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 93.941.

DATES: Application Deadline: September 7, 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. 7601].

    Purpose: The purpose of the program is to improve the quality of 
life of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHAs) and their families. 
Nigeria has a population of 120 million and a current HIV sero-
prevalence rate of 5.8 percent, thus making it the country with the 
largest number of HIV infected persons in Sub Saharan Africa (3.4 
million HIV infected persons). As part of its response to the epidemic, 
the Government of Nigeria, in 2001, requested that the national 
Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT) task force team and 
the newly convened Antiretroviral (ARV) committee develop guidelines 
and protocols for implementing pilot PMTCT programs and ARV treatment 
and care programs respectively. The Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention (CDC) announces the availability of Fiscal Year (FY) 2005 
funds for a cooperative agreement program to increase United States 
support to countries in which the CDC's Global AIDS Program (GAP) is 
operating. In coordination with host (or ``in-country'') GAP program 
staff, the applicant will assist in addressing the devastating impact 
of HIV/AIDS on individuals, families, and communities in Nigeria. The 
funded organization will provide technical assistance (TA) to 
implement, monitor, and evaluate the delivery of PMTCT products in 
River State, Nigeria, to reduce HIV transmission from mother to child 
and to prolong the lives of parents infected with HIV/AIDS.
    The GAP has established field operations to support national HIV/
AIDS control programs in 25 countries. The CDC's GAP exists to help 
prevent HIV infection, improve care and support, and build capacity to 
address the global AIDS pandemic. GAP provides financial and TA through 
partnerships with governments, community- and faith-based 
organizations, the private sector, and national and international 
entities working in the 25 resource-constrained countries. CDC/GAP 
works with the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), the 
National Institutes of Health (NIH), the U.S. Agency for International 
Development (USAID), the Peace Corps, the Departments of State, Labor 
and Defense, and other agencies and organizations. These efforts 
complement multilateral efforts, including The Joint United Nations 
Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), the Global Fund to Combat HIV, TB and 
Malaria, World Bank funding, and other private sector donation 
programs.
    The U.S. Government seeks to reduce the impact of HIV/AIDS in 
specific countries within sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, and the Americas 
through the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). 
Through this new initiative, CDC's GAP will continue to work with host 
countries to strengthen capacity and expand activities in the areas of: 
(1) Primary HIV prevention; (2) HIV care, support, and treatment; and 
(3) capacity and infrastructure development, especially for 
surveillance and training. Targeted countries represent those with the 
most severe epidemics where the potential for impact is greatest and 
where U.S. government agencies are already active. Nigeria is one of 
these targeted countries.
    To carry out its activities in these countries, CDC is working in a 
collaborative manner with national governments and other agencies to 
develop programs of assistance to address the HIV/AIDS epidemic. CDC's 
program of assistance to Nigeria focuses on several areas of national 
priority including scaling up of prevention and care strategies for HIV 
prevention, care, and treatment.
    The measurable outcomes of the program will be in alignment with 
goals of the National Center for HIV, STD and TB Prevention (NCHSTP) to 
reduce HIV transmission and improve care of PLWHAs. They also will 
contribute to the goals of the PEPFAR which are: (1) Within five years 
treat more than two million HIV-infected persons with effective 
combination anti-retroviral therapy (ART); (2) care for ten million 
HIV-infected and affected persons including those orphaned by HIV/AIDS; 
and (3) prevent seven million infections in 14 countries throughout the 
world.
    Activities: The project sites for this cooperative agreement are:
    1. College of Health Technology Clinic (PMTCT Implementation 
Center) and three affiliated satellite centers:
     Civil Servants Hospital, Port Harcourt.
     Comprehensive Health Center, Rumuigbo.
     General Hospital, Okrika.
    2. General Hospital Buguma (PMTCT Implementation Center) and three 
affiliate satellite centers:
     General Hospital, Degema.
     General Hospital, Abonnema.
     General Hospital, Emohua.

[[Page 47933]]

    Awardee activities for this program are as follows:
     Provide PMTCT Training of Trainers (TOTS) to at least 30 
individuals, including health care workers, at the following locations:

[cir] PMTCT Implementation Centers (2): 10 trainees
[cir] Other Hospitals: 12 trainees
[cir] Contractor's Staff: 5 trainees
[cir] Non-Governmental Organizations/Community Based Organizations/
Reproductive Health Services Outlets (NGO/CBO/RHSO) Faith-based 
organizations: 3 trainees
[cir] Total TOT Trainees: 30 trainees

     The beneficiaries of the Training of Trainers will provide 
training to other health care workers, from their respective 
institutions:

[cir] PMTCT Implementation Centers (2) x 10: 20
[cir] Contractor's Staff Capacity Building Training Workshop (training 
of NGOs/CBOs/RHSOs): 30
[cir] Total Health Care Workers Trained: 50

     Increase awareness of HIV/AIDS and PMTCT through posters, 
radio jingles, counseling services and other media. The grantee is 
expected to make 30,000 persons aware of HIV/AIDS and PMTCT.
     Provide PMTCT counseling services (both group and one-on-
one counseling services) to 20,000 pregnant women within 12 months from 
all participating PMTCT health centers and satellites under this 
initiative in Rivers State.
     Provide PMTCT counseling and Management of HIV/AIDS to 
1,000 pregnant women who have tested positive for HIV/AIDS within 12 
months from all participating PMTCT health centers and satellites under 
this initiative in Rivers State.
     Provide Voluntary HIV testing to 50 percent or 10,000 of 
counseled PMTCT pregnant women within the 12-month period. The 
distribution should be 6,000 tested in Port Harcourt and 4,000 tested 
in Buguma.
     Provide PMTCT services to 1,000 pregnant women testing 
positive for HIV/AIDS.
     Provide ARV treatment and management of 100 pregnant HIV 
infected women with symptoms/diagnosis of AIDS.
     Provide Nevirapine treatment (200 mg) to 1,000 pregnant 
HIV infected women at the onset of labor and continue treatment for the 
duration of ten months.
     Provide Nevirapine treatment (syrup 2 mg/kg) to 1,000 
infants within 24-72 hours of birth.
     Provide Breast Milk Supplement (BMS) to 100 HIV infected 
mothers opting not to breast feed their babies within the first six 
months of delivery.
     Test 1,000 infants for HIV at age 15 months.
    In a cooperative agreement, CDC staff is substantially involved in 
the program activities, above and beyond routine grant monitoring.
    CDC Activities for this program are as follows:
     Collaborate with the award recipient, the Nigerian 
Ministry of Health (MOH) and other in-country and international 
partners in the development of plans for program assistance based on 
the country needs, the CDC TA portfolio, and HIV prevention activities 
conducted by other partners.
     Provide consultation, scientific and technical assistance 
based on the ``CDC GAP Technical Strategies'' document to promote the 
use of best practices known at the time.
     Facilitate in-country planning and review meetings for the 
purpose of ensuring coordination of country-based program TA 
activities. CDC will act as liaison and assist in coordinating 
activities as required between the applicant and other NGOs, government 
of Nigeria agencies, and other CDC, GAP partners.
    TA and training may be provided directly by CDC staff or through 
organizations that have successfully competed for funding under a 
separate CDC contract.

II. Award Information

    Type of Award: Cooperative Agreement.
    CDC involvement in this program is listed in the Activities Section 
above.
    Fiscal Year Funds: FY 2004.
    Approximate Total Funding: $200,000.
    Approximate Number of Awards: One.
    Approximate Average Award: $200,000. (This amount is for the first 
12-month budget period, and includes both direct and indirect costs).
    Floor of Award Range: None.
    Ceiling of Award Range: $200,000.
    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 public and private nonprofit 
organizations and by governments and their agencies, such as:
     Private nonprofit organizations.
     Community-based organizations.
     Faith-based organizations.

III.2. Cost Sharing or Matching

    Matching funds are not required for this program.

III.3. Other

    If you request a funding amount greater than the ceiling of the 
award range, your application will be considered non-responsive, and 
will not be entered into the review process. You will be notified that 
your application did not meet the submission requirements.
    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. Applicants must:
    1. Have experience in community HIV/AIDS programs in the Niger 
Delta Region of Nigeria.
    2. Have at least three years experience working in the Niger Delta 
Region of Nigeria relative to development assistance.

    Note: Title 2 of the United States Code Section 1611 states that 
an organization described in Section 501(c)(4) of the Internal 
Revenue Code that engages in lobbying activities is not eligible to 
receive Federal funds constituting an award, grant, or loan.

IV. Application and Submission Information

IV.1. Address To Request Application Package

    To apply for this funding opportunity use application form PHS 
5161. Application forms and instructions are available on the CDC Web 
site, at the following Internet address: http://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/forminfo.htm.
    If you do not have access to the Internet, or if you have 
difficulty accessing the forms on-line, you may contact the CDC 
Procurement and Grants Office Technical Information Management Section 
(PGO-TIM) staff at: 770-488-2700. Application forms can be mailed to 
you.

IV.2. Content and Form of Submission

    Application: You must submit a project narrative with your 
application forms. The narrative must be submitted in the following 
format:

[[Page 47934]]

     Maximum number of pages: 25 If your narrative exceeds the 
page limit, only the first pages which are within the page limit will 
be reviewed.
     Double spaced.
     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.
     Must be submitted in English.
    Your narrative should address activities to be conducted over the 
entire project period, and must include the following items in the 
order listed:
     Plan.
     Objectives.
     Activities.
     Methods of Monitoring the Project.
     Methods of Project Evaluation.
     Summary budget by line item along with a budget 
justification.
    The budget justification will not be counted in the page limit 
stated above.
    Additional information may be included in the application 
appendices. The appendices will not be counted toward the narrative 
page limit. This additional information includes:
     Organizational Chart.
     Curriculum Vitae/Resumes of Current Staff.
     Proposed staffing pattern (include qualifications) 
required to carry out program activities.
    You are required to have a Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal 
Numbering System (DUNS) number to apply for a grant or cooperative 
agreement from the Federal government. The DUNS number is a nine-digit 
identification number, which uniquely identifies business entities. 
Obtaining a DUNS number is easy and there is no charge. To obtain a 
DUNS number, access http://www.dunandbradstreet.com or call 1-866-705-
5711.
    For more information, see the CDC Web site at: http://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/funding/pubcommt.htm.
    If your application form does not have a DUNS number field, please 
write your DUNS number at the top of the first page of your 
application, and/or include your DUNS number in your application cover 
letter.
    Additional requirements that may require you to submit additional 
documentation with your application are listed in section ``VI.2. 
Administrative and National Policy Requirements.''

IV.3. Submission Dates and Times

    Application Deadline Date: September 7, 2004.
    Explanation of Deadlines: Applications must be received in the CDC 
Procurement and Grants Office by 4 p.m. eastern time on the deadline 
date. If you send your application by the United States Postal Service 
or commercial delivery service, you must ensure that the carrier will 
be able to guarantee delivery of the application by the closing date 
and time. If CDC receives your application after closing due to: (1) 
Carrier error, when the carrier accepted the package with a guarantee 
for delivery by the closing date and time, or (2) significant weather 
delays or natural disasters, you will be given the opportunity to 
submit documentation of the 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 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 personnel, travel, supplies, and services. Equipment may be 
purchased if deemed necessary to accomplish program objectives; 
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 following exception: With the 
exception of the American University, Beirut, and the World Health 
Organization, 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 prevention 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 standards(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.
     Antiretroviral Drugs--The purchase of ARVs, reagents, and 
laboratory equipment for ARV treatment projects require pre-approval 
from the GAP headquarters.
     Needle Exchange--No funds appropriated under this Act 
shall be used to carry out any program of distributing sterile needles 
or syringes for the hypodermic injection of any illegal drug.
     Prostitution and Related Activities
    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

[[Page 47935]]

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 World Health 
Organization, 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. 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, 17303 (March 28, 2001).
    All recipients must insert provisions implementing the applicable 
parts of this section, ``Prostitution and Related Activities,'' in all 
subagreements under this award. These provisions must be express 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 in 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 the 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.
     Recipients' 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.''
    If you are requesting indirect costs in your budget, you must 
include a copy of your indirect cost rate agreement. If your indirect 
cost rate is a provisional rate, the agreement should be less than 12 
months of age.
    Awards will not allow reimbursement of pre-award costs.
    Guidance for completing your budget can be found on the CDC Web 
site, at the following Internet address: http://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/funding/budgetguide.htm.

IV.6. Other Submission Requirements

    Application Submission Address: Submit the original and two hard 
copies of your application by mail or express delivery service to: 
Technical Information Management--PA 04260, CDC Procurement 
and Grants Office, 2920 Brandywine Road, Atlanta, GA 30341. 
Applications may not be submitted electronically at this time.

V. Application Review Information

V.1. Criteria

    You are required to provide measures of effectiveness that will 
demonstrate the accomplishment of the various identified objectives of 
the cooperative agreement. Measures of effectiveness must relate to the 
performance goals stated in the ``Purpose'' section of this 
announcement. Measures must be objective and quantitative, and must 
measure the intended outcome. These measures of effectiveness must be 
submitted with the application and will be an element of evaluation.
    Your application will be evaluated against the following criteria:
1. Ability to Carry Out the Project (25 Points)
    Does the applicant document demonstrated capability to achieve the 
purpose of the project?
2. Understanding of the Problem (20 Points)
    Does the applicant demonstrate a clear and concise understanding of 
the nature of the problem described in the Purpose section of this 
announcement? Does the proposal specifically include a description of 
the public health importance of the planned activities to be undertaken 
and realistic presentation of proposed objectives and projects?
3. Technical Approach (20 Points)
    Does the applicant's proposal include an overall design strategy, 
including measurable time lines? Does the proposal address regular 
monitoring and evaluation, and the potential effectiveness of the 
proposed activities in meeting objectives?
4. Personnel (20 Points)
    Are the professional personnel involved in this project qualified, 
including evidence of experience in working with PMTCT, voluntary 
counseling and testing (VCT), and HIV/AIDS?
5. Plans for Administration and Management of Projects (15 Points)
    Are there adequate plans for administering the project?
6. Budget (Not Scored)
    Is the itemized budget for conducting the project, along with 
justification, reasonable and consistent with stated objectives and 
planned 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 NCHSTP/GAP. 
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.

[[Page 47936]]

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.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/cfr-table-search.html.
    The following additional requirements apply to this project:
     AR-4 HIV/AIDS Confidentiality Provisions.
     AR-6 Patient Care.
     AR-9 Paperwork Reduction Act Requirements.
     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 in English:
    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 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: Wayne Duncan, Country 
Director, CDC Global AIDS Program--Nigeria, Metro Plaza, Zakariya 
Maimalari Street, Plot 992, Central Business District, Abuja, Nigeria, 
telephone: 234-09-670-0798. e-mail: [email protected].
    For financial, grants management, or budget assistance, contact: 
Diane Flournoy, Grants Management Specialist, CDC Procurement and 
Grants Office, 2920 Brandywine Road, Atlanta, GA 30341, telephone: 770-
488-2072. e-mail: [email protected].

VIII. Other Information

    None.

Alan A. Kotch,
Acting Deputy Director, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for 
Disease Control and Prevention.
[FR Doc. 04-18099 Filed 8-4-04; 10:33 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P