[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 84 (Tuesday, May 3, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 22875-22881]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-8760]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention


Expansion and Support of HIV/AIDS/STI/TB Information, Education, 
and Communication and Behavioral Change Communication Activities in 
Ethiopia

    Announcement Type: New.
    Funding Opportunity Number: RFA 05075.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 93.067.
    Key Dates: Application Deadline: June 2, 2005.

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 Pub. L. 108-25 (United States 
Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria Act of 2003) 
[22 U.S.C. 7601].

    Purpose: The purpose of this program is to improve Human 
Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/Sexually 
Transmitted

[[Page 22876]]

Infections/Tuberculosis (HIV/AIDS/STI/TB) prevention and control 
information; education and communication (IEC); and behavioral change 
communication (BCC) efforts in Ethiopia, through effective programs 
aimed at: (1) Implementing various IEC/BCC interventions following the 
ABC model: abstinence, being faithful, and correct and consistent 
condom use; (2) Providing up-to-date and accurate information to 
government and non-government partners, journalists and media 
professionals, researchers, and the general public; (3) Building the 
capacity of journalists and media professionals, in order to make them 
capable of communicating quality information to the public; (4) 
Strengthening and maintaining the best quality for a multi-target 
focused Web site of the AIDS Resource Center (ARC), to make it a 
virtual information center; (5) Supporting the regionalization of the 
ARC; and (6) Strengthening the clearinghouse function of the ARC on all 
HIV/AIDS, voluntary counseling & testing (VCT), STI and TB materials 
(print and audiovisual), including the development of high-quality 
materials.
    The U.S. Government (USG) has taken major steps to reduce the 
global impact of HIV/AIDS. Through the CDC Global AIDS Program (GAP), 
it is working with specific countries in sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, and 
the Americas. It has recently launched the President's International 
Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT) Initiative and the 
United States President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) in 
2003 to support selected countries in Africa, Asia and the Caribbean. 
These initiatives aim at strengthening national capacities for: (1) HIV 
primary prevention; (2) HIV care, support, and treatment; and (3) 
health systems and infrastructure development. Targeted countries 
represent those with the most severe epidemics and the highest number 
of new infections. They also represent countries where the potential 
for impact is greatest and where USG agencies are already active.
    As a key agency to ensure the implementation of USG's Global AIDS 
Initiatives, the President's International PMTCT Initiative, and the 
PEPFAR, CDC is working in a collaborative manner with national 
governments and other agencies to develop programs of assistance to 
address the HIV/AIDS epidemic in target countries, including Ethiopia. 
In particular, CDC's mission in Ethiopia is to work with Ethiopian and 
international partners to develop and apply effective interventions to 
prevent HIV infection and associated illness and death from AIDS.
    Ethiopia is among the world's countries most adversely affected by 
the HIV/AIDS epidemic and TB. With an estimated 2.2 million adults 
infected with HIV by the end of 2001, Ethiopia has one of the largest 
populations of HIV-infected persons in the world. The estimated 
percentage of adults, ages 15 to 49, infected with HIV is 6.6 percent. 
There have been over a million cumulative deaths due to AIDS, with 
280,000 occurring in 1999 alone. Based on 2001 surveillance data, it is 
estimated that 200,000 children are currently living with HIV and that 
one million children have been orphaned by AIDS. The principal routes 
of HIV transmission are heterosexual and mother-to-infant; HIV and 
other STIs are closely associated. The World Health Organization's 
(WHO) estimated TB incidence, prevalence and death rates for Ethiopia 
in 1997 were 260, 367, and 82 per 100,000 population, respectively, 
which represented 156,000 new cases, 221,000 infections and 49,000 
deaths for that year. TB cases have been increasing over the years 
coincident with the HIV epidemic; HIV prevalence among TB patients is 
estimated at 40-50 percent. Data on STIs, however, is scant. These 
statistics suggest the need for the expansion and improvement of a 
range of surveillance, care, and prevention activities and services.
    Given the complex nature of the causes and the serious impact of 
the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Ethiopia, forging a strong multi-sectoral and 
multi-level partnership and broad stakeholder involvement is 
imperative. The USG has therefore adopted an HIV/AIDS/STI/TB program 
that responds to these needs, and implementation mechanisms have been 
in place since 1998. The country is currently taking measures to 
accelerate the implementation of interventions that deliver 
comprehensive care to decrease illness and death; to lessen the number 
of children that are left orphaned by this disease; to promote 
acceptance of HIV counseling and testing services; and to strengthen 
local health care capacity. Health care facilities that are already at 
the frontline of the fight against HIV/AIDS/STI/TB are scaling up 
prevention, care, and support activities.
    Effective dissemination of surveillance and other accurate and up 
to date information regarding HIV/AIDS/STI/TB transmission, prevention, 
program development and lessons learned are important for program 
managers; those involved in advocating for expanded action and broader 
societal response to prevention; and the general public. However, lack 
of accurate and up-to-date information, and disparities in the quality 
of this information between the towns and rural areas, where over 85 
percent of the population resides, are still major challenges. There 
is, therefore, a strong need for strengthening the national ARC--the 
only ARC in the country--to better provide its various functions, 
including the Web site, a clearinghouse for information related to HIV/
AIDS/STI/TB, and support for the establishment of regional ARCs of the 
same quality.
    Measurable outcomes of the program will be in alignment with the 
following performance goal for the National Center for HIV, STD, and TB 
Prevention (NCHSTP): Initiate, expand or strengthen HIV/AIDS 
prevention, care, treatment and support globally. They also will 
continue to contribute to the goals of the PEPFAR, which are: (1) 
Within five years (by 2008) treat more than two million HIV-infected 
persons with effective combination anti-retroviral therapy; (2) care 
for ten million HIV-infected and affected persons, including those 
orphaned by HIV/AIDS; and (3) prevent seven million infections in 15 
countries throughout the world.
    The measurable outcomes of the program will be in alignment with 
the goals of the GAP, NCHSTP, to reduce HIV transmission and improve 
care of persons living with HIV.
    This announcement is only for non-research activities supported by 
CDC. If research is proposed, the application will not be reviewed. For 
the definition of research, please see the CDC Web site at the 
following Internet address: http://www.cdc.gov/od/ads/opspoll1.htm.
    Activities: Awardee activities for this program are as follows: The 
awardee is expected to manage and maintain the high quality standard of 
the ARC in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and provide technical assistance in 
the establishment of regional ARCs in the country. Specific tasks 
include:
    1. Expand the centers' collection of up-to-date and accurate local 
and international materials on HIV/AIDS, STI, and TB.
    2. Update and maintain existing ARC materials, organizational, 
funding, news, requests, and conference/calendar databases. In 
addition, develop databases for people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) and 
experts/consultants working on HIV/AIDS in Ethiopia. Develop additional 
databases as the need arises.
    3. Upgrade and maintain a multi-target focused ARC website; conduct 
usability assessments periodically and modify accordingly. Design and 
incorporate targeted sites for youth and

[[Page 22877]]

PLWHA in the existing ARC website. Upgrade and maintain existing list 
serve.
    4. Provide on-going technical assistance on developing strategic 
health communication programs for all HIV/AIDS stakeholders. Assist and 
support the production of print, audiovisual, and electronic HIV/AIDS, 
STI, and TB materials by all HIV/AIDS stakeholders, mainly AIDS service 
organization (ASO) partners in Ethiopia and other organizations and 
individuals interested in these types of materials.
    5. Develop high quality, research-based, IEC/BCC materials on 
relevant HIV/AIDS topics such as VCT, Prevention of Mother to Child 
Transmission (PMTCT), antiretroviral therapy (ART), Living Positively, 
care and support, as well as STI's and TB. Facilitate the regional 
adaptation of the produced IEC/BCC materials. Continually monitor and 
evaluate the produced IEC/BCC materials, including how these topics 
affect orphans and vulnerable children (OVC).
    6. Develop a clearinghouse and maintain an efficient distribution 
system for all local and international HIV/AIDS, STI, and TB materials 
(print, audio visual and electronic).
    7. Create a materials distribution and outreach plan that utilizes 
indigenous leadership, including faith-based leaders.
    8. Establish a state of the art audiovisual unit within the 
national ARC for the production, editing, duplication, and distribution 
of IEC/BCC audiovisual materials.
    9. Provide technical assistance to the Community Health Department 
of Addis Ababa University to update the existing health communication 
curriculum to incorporate recent advances in health communication 
theories.
    10. Maintain and upgrade the existing national HIV/AIDS hotline 
service and ensure services are made available to the regions. Develop 
a comprehensive national referral database for all HIV/AIDS, STI, and 
TB services. Develop/adapt all necessary hotline standards and 
procedures, training, information, monitoring and data capture tools 
for the hotline. Provide continued educational training for the hotline 
operators on HIV/AIDS, STI, TB and other related disciplines.
    11. Develop and maintain strong partnerships with the media through 
training of journalists and media professionals. Provide continuous up-
to-date and accurate information tool kits on HIV/AIDS, STI and TB for 
journalists and media professionals. Establish strong networking, and 
facilitate information exchange, amongst journalists and media 
professionals.
    12. Provide technical assistance in the development/maintenance of 
regional ARCs in all regions. These include materials acquisition; 
establishment of a networking system between regional ARCs and the 
national ARC; and providing the regional ARCs access to the national 
ARC's databases and resources. Establish a hierarchical network system 
between regional ARCs and regional HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control 
Offices (HAPCOs), which are connected to the national ARC and HAPCO. 
Adapt centrally produced communication materials for the specific 
region, and facilitate the national hotline activities in the regions. 
Provide continuous training for all regional technical staff.
    13. Establish a national information systems training center within 
the national resource center to provide continuous and extensive 
information technology (IT) training for all national and regional 
HAPCO and Ministry of Health (MOH) staff.
    14. Build the capacity of the HAPCO staff to maintain and manage an 
ARC.
    15. Provide technical assistance to improve the capacity of the 
Health Education Center (HEC) of the MOH to produce effective HIV/AIDS/
STI/TB communication materials (print and audiovisual).
    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 on designing and implementing the 
activities listed above, including, but not limited to, providing 
technical assistance to develop and implement program activities, 
training, needs assessment, selection of quality assurances, data 
management, and presentations of activities, successes and challenges.
    2. Monitor project and budget performance to ensure satisfactory 
progress towards the stated goals of the program.
    3. Assist in the selection of key personnel to be involved in the 
activities performed under this cooperative agreement.
    4. Assist in the identification and selection of sub-contractors/
consultants for activities to be performed under this cooperative 
agreement.
    5. Make available manuals, guidelines, or other related materials 
already developed by CDC-Ethiopia for other similar projects.
    Technical assistance 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: 2005.
    Approximate Total Funding: $2,000,000. (This amount is an estimate 
for the entire five-year project period, and is subject to availability 
of funds.)
    Approximate Number of Awards: One.
    Approximate Average Award: $400,000. (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: $400,000. (This ceiling is for the first 
12-month budget period.)
    Anticipated Award Date: July 1, 2005.
    Budget Period Length: 12 months.
    Project Period Length: Five 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

Eligible applicants

    Applications may be submitted by public and private nonprofit 
organizations and by governments and their agencies, such as:
     Public nonprofit organizations
     Private nonprofit organizations
     For profit organizations
     Universities
     Colleges
     Research institutions
     Hospitals
     Small, minority, women-owned businesses
     Community-based organizations
     Faith-based organizations
    U.S. based and international organizations meeting eligibility 
criteria are welcome to apply.
    Competition is limited to the above named eligible applicants 
because of the unique nature of the activities being proposed and the 
location of where these proposed activities will be conducted. The 
organizations listed will have direct experience in performing proposed 
activities in the Ethiopian context and working with Ethiopian

[[Page 22878]]

counterparts. These types of organizations have worked successfully 
with CDC and GAP in the past to implement programming in this unique 
international context, similar to that being proposed through this RFA.
    The organizations not listed above have been excluded from 
competition because they do not possess the resources, skills, or 
direct experience necessary to implement the programming and capacity 
building in Ethiopia being requested as part of this proposed funding 
opportunity.
    Applicants must:
    1. Have extensive experience in design, implementation, and 
evaluation of evidence-based BCC programs for health and HIV/AIDS in 
Ethiopia.
    2. Have at least three years experience working in Ethiopia on BCC 
programs for health and HIV/AIDS, including experience in working with 
the public sector.
    3. Have previous experience in the development of communication 
support for IEC/BCC initiatives in Ethiopia.

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.
    Special Requirements: If your application is incomplete or non-
responsive to the special 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.
     Late applications will be considered non-responsive. See 
section ``Submission Dates and Times'' for more information on 
deadlines.
     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 
5161-1.
    CDC strongly encourages you to submit your application 
electronically by utilizing the forms and instructions posted for this 
announcement at http://www.grants.gov.
    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:
     Maximum number of pages: 20. If your narrative exceeds the 
page limit, only the first pages which are within the page limit will 
be reviewed.
     Font size: 12-point unreduced.
     Double spaced.
     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.
     All pages should be numbered.
     A complete index to the application and any appendices 
must be included.
     Your application 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:
     Background--what are the underlying issues related to 
undertaking this project?
     Objectives--what objectives will be achieved by 
undertaking this project?
     Methods--what methods will be used to achieve stated 
objectives?
     Timeline--what is the timeframe for completing stated 
objectives?
     Staff--what staff will be employed to carry out the 
project?
     Understanding--demonstrate a knowledge of the elements 
involved in implementing this project.
     Performance Measures--what measures will be used to 
determine if the objectives of the project are being met?
     Budget--what are the costs associated with implementing 
the project?
     Budget Justification--how are the costs related to 
implementing the project justified?
    The budget and 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. Additional information could include, but is not limited 
to: Resumes, Letters of Support, etc.
    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: June 2, 2005.
    Explanation of Deadlines: Applications must be received in the CDC 
Procurement and Grants Office by 4 p.m. eastern time on the deadline 
date.
    You may submit your application electronically at http://www.grants.gov. Applications completed online through Grants.gov are 
considered formally submitted when the applicant organization's 
Authorizing Official electronically submits the application to http://www.grants.gov. Electronic applications will be considered as having 
met the deadline if the application has been submitted electronically 
by the applicant organization's Authorizing Official to Grants.gov on 
or before the deadline date and time.
    If you submit your application electronically with Grants.gov, your 
application will be electronically time/date stamped, which will serve 
as receipt of submission. You will receive an e-mail notice of receipt 
when CDC receives the application.
    If you submit your application by the United States Postal Service 
or commercial delivery service, you must ensure that the carrier will 
be able to

[[Page 22879]]

guarantee delivery by the closing date and time. If CDC receives your 
submission 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 submission as having been received by the deadline.
    If you submit a hard copy application, CDC will not notify you upon 
receipt of your submission. 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 submission deadline. This will 
allow time for submissions to be processed and logged.
    This announcement is the definitive guide on application content, 
submission address, and deadline. It supersedes information provided in 
the application instructions. If your submission does not meet the 
deadline above, it will not be eligible for review, and will be 
discarded. You will be notified that you did not meet the submission 
requirements.

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 not be used for research.
     Reimbursement of pre-award costs is not allowed.
     Antiretroviral Drugs--The purchase of antiretrovirals, 
reagents, and laboratory equipment for antiretroviral 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.
     Funds may be spent for reasonable program purposes, 
including personnel, training, travel, supplies and services. Equipment 
may be purchased and renovations completed 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 and care services for which funds are requested.
     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.
     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 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 recipient must have a policy explicitly opposing 
prostitution and sex trafficking. The preceding sentence shall not 
apply to any ``exempt organizations'' (defined as the Global Fund to 
Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, the World Health Organization, 
the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative or to any United Nations 
agency), but does apply to any non-governmental, non-exempt 
organization entity receiving U.S. government funds from an exempt 
organization in connection with this document.
    The following definition applies 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).
    All recipients must insert provisions implementing the applicable 
parts of this section, ``Prostitution and Related Activities,'' in all 
sub-agreements under this award. These provisions must be express terms 
and conditions of the sub-agreement, must acknowledge that compliance 
with this section, ``Prostitution and Related Activities,'' is a 
prerequisite to receipt and expenditure 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. 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 prime recipients receiving U.S. Government funds (``prime 
recipients'') in connection with this document must certify compliance 
(pending OMB clearance) prior to actual receipt of such funds in a 
written statement referencing this document (e.g., ``[Prime recipient's 
name] certifies compliance with the section,'' Prostitution and Related 
Activities.' '') addressed to the agency's grants officer. Such 
certifications by prime recipients are prerequisites to the

[[Page 22880]]

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.''
    For U.S. based organizations interested in applying, 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.
    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
    CDC strongly encourages applicants to submit electronically at: 
http://www.grants.gov. You will be able to download a copy of the 
application package from http://www.grants.gov, complete it offline, 
and then upload and submit the application via the Grants.gov site. E-
mail submissions will not be accepted. If you are having technical 
difficulties in Grants.gov, they can be reached by E-mail at http://[email protected] or by phone at 1-800-518-4726 (1-800-518-
GRANTS). The Customer Support Center is open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. 
Eastern Time, Monday through Friday.
    CDC recommends that you submit your application to Grants.gov early 
enough to resolve any unanticipated difficulties prior to the deadline. 
You may also submit a back-up paper submission of your application. Any 
such paper submission must be received in accordance with the 
requirements for timely submission detailed in Section IV.3. of the 
grant announcement. The paper submission must be clearly marked: 
``BACK-UP FOR ELECTRONIC SUBMISSION.'' The paper submission must 
conform to all requirements for non-electronic submissions. If both 
electronic and back-up paper submissions are received by the deadline, 
the electronic version will be considered the official submission.
    It is strongly recommended that you submit your grant application 
using Microsoft Office products (e.g., Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, 
etc.). If you do not have access to Microsoft Office products, you may 
submit a PDF file. Directions for creating PDF files can be found on 
the Grants.gov Web site. Use of file formats other than Microsoft 
Office or PDF may result in your file being unreadable by our staff; or 
Submit the original and two hard copies of your application by mail or 
express delivery service to: Technical Information Management-RFA 
05075, CDC Procurement and Grants Office, 2920 Brandywine Road, 
Atlanta, GA 30341.

V. Application Review Information

V.1. Criteria

    Applicants 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. Plans for Administration and Management of the Project (25 
points)
    Does the applicant's proposal include a plan, objectives, and 
methods that meet the program objectives? Does the described evaluation 
methodology meet the plans of the project?
    2. Technical and Programmatic Approach (25 points)
    Does the applicant's proposal demonstrate an understanding of how 
to develop, promote, implement, monitor and evaluate activities listed 
above?
    3. Ability to Carry Out the Project (20 points)
    Does the applicant demonstrate their organizational capability to 
achieve the purpose of the project?
    4. Personnel (20 points)
    Are the professional personnel involved in this project qualified? 
Is there evidence of experience in working with HIV/AIDS/STI/TB?
    5. Understanding the Problem (10 points)
    Does the applicant's proposal demonstrate a clear and concise 
understanding of the general AIDS epidemic situation, the policy 
environment, and current training and research needs in Ethiopia, 
including how OVC are affected?
    6. Budget (Not scored, but evaluated)
    Is the itemized budget for conducting the project reasonable and 
well justified?

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. 
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. The review will be conducted by CDC employees outside of 
the National Center for HIV, STD, and TB Prevention (NCHSTP).
    Applications will be funded in order by score and rank determined 
by the review panel. CDC will provide justification for any decision to 
fund out of rank order.

V.3. Anticipated Announcement and Award Dates

    July 1, 2005.

VI. Award Administration Information

VI.1. Award Notices

    Successful applicants will receive a Notice of Award (NoA) from the 
CDC Procurement and Grants Office. The NoA shall be the only binding, 
authorizing document between the recipient and CDC. The NoA 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-10 Smoke-Free Workplace Requirements
     AR-11 Healthy People 2010

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     AR-12 Lobbying Restrictions
     AR-14 Accounting System Requirements
     AR-15 Proof of Non-Profit Status
    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.
    An additional Certifications form from the PHS 5161-1 application 
needs to be included in your Grants.gov electronic submission only. 
Refer to http://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/funding/PHS5161-1Certificates.pdf. 
Once the form is filled out, attach it to your Grants.gov submission as 
Other Attachment Forms.

VI.3. Reporting Requirements

    You must provide CDC with an original, plus two hard copies of the 
following reports:
    1. Interim progress report, due 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. Measures of Effectiveness.
    f. Additional Requested Information.
    2. Annual progress report, due 90 days after the end of the budget 
period.
    3. Financial status report, no more than 90 days after the end of 
the budget period.
    4. 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

    We encourage inquiries concerning this announcement.
    For general questions, 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: Tadesse Wuhib, MD, MPH, 
Country Director, CDC-Ethiopia, P.O. Box 1014, Entoto Road, Addis 
Ababa. Telephone: (Office) 251-1-66-95-33. (Cell) 251-9-228543. E-mail 
address: [email protected].
    For financial, grants management, or budget assistance, contact: 
Shirley Wynn, Contract Specialist, CDC Procurement and Grants Office, 
2920 Brandywine Road, Atlanta, GA 30341. Telephone: 770-488-1515. E-
mail: [email protected].

VIII. Other Information

    This and other CDC funding opportunity announcements can be found 
on the CDC Web site, Internet address: http://www.cdc.gov. Click on 
``Funding'' then ``Grants and Cooperative Agreements.''

    Dated: April 26, 2005.
William P. Nichols,
Director, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease Control 
and Prevention.
[FR Doc. 05-8760 Filed 5-2-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P