[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 88 (Monday, May 9, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 24418-24425]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-9149]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES


Notice of Funding Opportunity

AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, Office of Public Health and Science, 
HHS.

ACTION: Notice.

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    Funding Opportunity Title: Public Awareness Campaigns on Embryo 
Adoption.
    Announcement Type: Competitive Grant--Initial.
    Funding Opportunity Number: OPHS-2005-EA.
    CFDA Number: 93.007.


DATES: Applications are due no later than July 8, 2005. A Letter of 
Intent (LOI) is requested on or before June 8, 2005.
SUMMARY: This notice announces the availability of Fiscal Year (FY) 
2005 grant funds for embryo adoption public awareness campaigns. 
Approximately $950,000 in funding is available on a competitive basis 
for three to four new projects each in the range of $200,000 to 
$250,000. Grants will be made for a project period of two years. This 
announcement seeks applications to develop and implement public 
awareness campaigns regarding embryo adoption. Applicants must 
demonstrate experience with embryo adoption programs that conform with 
professionally recognized standards governing embryo adoption and other 
applicable Federal or State requirements. For the purposes of this 
announcement, embryo adoption is defined as the donation of frozen 
embryo(s) from one party to a recipient who wishes to bear and raise a 
child or children.

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    The Office of Public Health and Science (OPHS) of the Department of 
Health and Human Services (DHHS) announces the availability of funds 
for FY 2005 and requests applications for grants for public awareness 
campaigns on embryo adoption.
    The OPHS is under the direction of the Assistant Secretary for 
Health (ASH), who serves as the Senior Advisor on public health and 
science issues to the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human 
Services (DHHS). The Office serves as the focal point for leadership 
and coordination across the Department in public health and science; 
provides direction to program offices within OPHS; and provides advice 
and counsel on public health and science issues to the Secretary.
    The increasing success of assisted reproductive technologies (ART) 
has resulted in a situation in which an infertile couple typically 
creates several embryos through in-vitro fertilization (IVF). During 
IVF treatments, couples may produce many embryos in an attempt to 
conceive with several being cryopreserved (frozen) for future use. If a 
couple conceives without using all of the stored embryos, they may 
choose to have the remaining unused embryos donated for adoption 
allowing other infertile couples the experience of pregnancy and birth. 
Embryo adoption is a relatively new process in which individuals who 
have extra frozen embryos agree to release the embryos for transfer to 
the uterus of another woman, either known or anonymous to the donor(s) 
for the purpose of the recipient(s) attempting to bear a child and be 
that child's parent.

Program Statutes

    Public Law 108-447, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2005, 
which includes appropriations for the Department of Health and Human 
Services, authorizes the Secretary to conduct a public awareness 
campaign to educate Americans about the existence of frozen embryos 
available for adoption.
    The FY 2005 Senate Committee on Appropriations report (S. Rep. 108-
345) contains the following statement:

``The Committee understands that there are nearly 400,000 frozen 
embryos in fertility clinics in the United States and only 
approximately 2 percent of these are donated to other couples in order 
to bear children. The Committee continues to believe that increasing 
public awareness of embryo donation and adoption remains an important 
goal and therefore directs the Department to continue its embryo 
adoption awareness campaign. The Committee has provided $1,000,000 for 
this purpose.''

    Although the House report did not include a similar provision, the 
Conference report (H.R. Conf. Rep. 108-792) accompanying the FY 2005 
Consolidated Appropriations bill states that ``The conference agreement 
includes $1,000,000 to continue the embryo adoption awareness campaign, 
as proposed by the Senate.''

Materials Review

    Grantees shall submit all materials proposed for use in the embryo 
adoption public awareness campaign grant program (including, but not 
limited to, Web sites, videos, training materials, brochures, fact 
sheets, press releases, promotional pieces, advertisements, PSA's, 
articles, mailings) to the OPHS Project Officer for review and approval 
prior to use in the grant-funded program. The review shall ensure that 
materials are consistent with the requirements of this announcement and 
other applicable grant requirements.

II. Award Information

    Funding Instrument Type: Grant.
    Anticipated Total Funding: $950,000.
    Anticipated Number of Awards: 3-4.
    Expected Amounts of Individual Awards: $200,000-300,000.
    Floor of Award Range: None.
    Ceiling of Award Range: $300,000 for the first 12 month budget 
period. OPHS will not accept and review applications with budgets 
greater than the ceiling of the award range.
    Project Periods for Awards: 24 months. The projects will be awarded 
for a project period of 24 months. The initial grant award will be for 
a 12-month budget period. The award of continuation funding beyond each 
12-month budget period will be subject to the availability of funds, 
satisfactory progress on the part of the grantee, and a determination 
that continued funding would be in the best interest of the government.
    Applications are encouraged from organizations which are currently 
operating programs that have the capability of expanding and enhancing 
embryo adoption public awareness campaigns, and that have the 
capability to conduct a rigorous evaluation of the funded project.

III. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants

    Eligibility to compete for this announcement is limited to 
particular applicant organizations. Eligibility is limited to 
organizations that can

[[Page 24419]]

demonstrate previous experience with embryo adoption and are 
knowledgeable in all elements of the process of embryo adoption Only 
agencies and organizations, not individuals, are eligible to apply. 
Eligible applicants include public agencies, non-profit organizations, 
and for-profit organizations. One agency must be identified as the 
applicant organization and will have legal responsibility for the 
project. Additional agencies and organizations can be included as co-
participants, subgrantees, subcontractors, or collaborators if they 
will assist in providing expertise and in helping to meet the needs of 
the recipients.
    Any public or private nonprofit organization or agency is eligible 
to apply for a grant. However, only those organizations or agencies 
which demonstrate the capability of providing the proposed services and 
meet the requirements of this announcement are considered for grant 
awards. Faith-based and community-based organizations are encouraged to 
apply for embryo adoption public awareness grants. Please note, 
however, that grant funds may not be used for inherently religious 
activities, such as worship, religious instruction, and 
proselytization. If an organization engages in such activities, they 
must be offered separately in time or location from the grant-funded 
program and participation must be voluntary for program beneficiaries. 
An embryo adoption public awareness campaign program, in providing 
services and outreach related to program services, cannot discriminate 
against current or prospective program beneficiaries on the basis of 
religion, a religious belief, a refusal to hold a religious belief, or 
a refusal to actively participate in a religious practice.
    Applicants should note that section 74.81 of the DHHS grants 
administration regulations (45 CFR part 74) indicates that, except for 
awards under certain ``small business'' programs, no grant funds may be 
paid as profit to any recipient even if the recipient is a commercial 
organization. Profit is any amount in excess of allowable direct and 
indirect costs.

2. Cost Sharing or Matching

    None.

3. Other

    Applicants are required to have a Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal 
Numbering System (DUNS) number to apply for a grant or cooperative 
agreement from the Federal government. The DUNS number is a nine-digit 
identification number, which uniquely identifies business entities. 
Obtaining a DUNS number is easy and there is no charge. To obtain a 
DUNS number, access http://www.dunandbradstreet.com or call 1-866-705-
5711. For more information, see the OPA Web site at: http://opa.osophs.dhhs.gov/duns.html.

IV. Application and Submission Information

1. Address To Request Application Package

    Application kits may be requested from, and applications submitted 
to the Office of Grants Management, Office of Public Health and 
Science, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 1101 Wootton 
Parkway, Suite 550, Rockville, Maryland, 20852, 301-594-0758. 
Application kits are also available online at: https://egrants.osophs.dhhs.gov or the Grants.gov Web site portal (http://www.grant.gov) or by fax at 301-594-9399.

2. Content and Form of Application Submission

    The OPHS requests that you send a Letter of Intent (LOI) if you 
intend to apply for this program. Although the LOI is not required, not 
binding, and does not enter into the review of your subsequent 
application, the LOI will be used to gauge the level of interest in 
this program, estimate the potential review workload, and allow OPHS to 
plan the review process. The information will be used to determine the 
number of expert reviewers needed to evaluate the applications. The 
narrative should be not more than two double-spaced pages, printed on 
one side, with one-inch margins, and in 12-point font, unreduced. The 
LOI should include the following information: ``Attention: Embryo 
Adoption Public Awareness Campaign Letter of Intent;'' name and address 
of the applicant institution; name, address and telephone number of the 
contact person; and specific objectives to be addressed by the proposed 
project.
    Applications must be prepared on the forms supplied (OPHS-1) and in 
the manner prescribed in the application kits provided by the OPHS. The 
application must be signed by an individual authorized to act for the 
applicant agency and to assume responsibility for the obligations 
imposed by the terms and conditions of the grant award.
    To be considered for funding, applicants must submit one signed 
original of the application and two photocopies in one package, 
including all forms and attachments. Please label the application 
envelope: ``Attention: Embryo Adoption Public Awareness Campaign.'' The 
application should be typed and should be no more than 50 double-spaced 
pages (excluding attachments), printed on one side, with one-inch 
margins, and in 12-point font, unreduced. All pages, including 
appendices should be numbered sequentially and stapled, or otherwise 
secured, in the upper left corner.
    Applications must include a one-page abstract of the proposed 
project. The abstract will be used to provide reviewers with an 
overview of the application, and will form the basis for the 
applications summary in grants management documents.
    Applicants will be required to develop and implement programs for a 
public awareness campaign on embryo adoption. Applicants are required 
to submit a plan and time line that demonstrate that the proposed 
public awareness campaign: (a) Will be competency-based, (b) has 
experience with embryo adoption programs that conform to 
professionally-recognized guidelines and other relevant Federal or 
State requirements, (c) will be pilot tested and appropriately 
modified, as necessary, before use, and (d) can be reliably evaluated.
    In the narrative section of the application, applicants are advised 
to describe the strategies and processes that they will use to design a 
public awareness campaign. The applicant should document its capacity 
to undertake a public awareness campaign focused on potential donors 
and/or recipients. Applicants are encouraged to present a description 
of approaches that may be used, as well as any supplemental materials 
(brochures, handouts, visual aids, and other resources). Moreover, 
applicants are advised to demonstrate a familiarity with and 
understanding of professionally recognized standards or practices (both 
medical and legal issues) pertaining to embryo adoption, as well as 
supportive services for potential donor or recipient couples. The 
applicant organization should clearly demonstrate its professional 
knowledge and experience in embryo adoption whether with potential 
donor or recipient populations.
    Applicants must make reasonable efforts to ensure that the 
individuals who design and implement the public awareness campaign are 
knowledgeable in all elements of the embryo adoption process and are 
experienced in providing such information. Applicant organizations 
should demonstrate that they have access to frozen embryos for

[[Page 24420]]

adoption either directly or through partnership arrangements. 
Applicants should include information about the number of frozen 
embryos to which they have access, their history in working with either 
potential donor or recipient couples, and the organization's capacity 
to facilitate an embryo adoption public awareness campaign. As part of 
the project narrative, applicants are advised to describe the methods 
they will use to recruit, select, train and evaluate individuals who 
will implement the public awareness campaign. In the project narrative, 
applicants are encouraged to present a plan that may be used for 
working with potential donors and/or recipients under the proposed 
public awareness campaign.
    Applicants, in the project narrative, are encouraged to present a 
plan for evaluation of the public awareness campaign. The evaluation 
plan should be two tiered to address: (1) Process, including the 
planning, content and quality of the public awareness campaign 
materials provided and (2) participant satisfaction and campaign 
effectiveness. Applicants that do not have the in-house capacity to 
conduct an evaluation are advised to propose contracting with a third 
party social sciences evaluator or a university or college to conduct 
the evaluation.
    Applicants should prepare a project description statement in 
accordance with the following general instructions. Use the information 
provided in this section and the evaluation criteria section to develop 
the application content. Your application will be evaluated on the 
criteria listed, so it is important to follow them in describing your 
program plan. The narrative should contain the following sections in 
the order presented below:
    1. Project Summary/Abstract: Provide a summary of the project 
description not to exceed one page. Care should be taken to produce an 
abstract/summary that accurately and concisely reflects the proposed 
project since the abstract will be used to provide reviewers with an 
overview of the application, will form the basis for an application 
summary in official documents, and it may be posted on the OPHS Web 
site. It should describe the objectives of the project, the approach to 
be used and the results or benefits expected.
    2. Specific Aims and Objectives: Clearly identify the physical, 
economic, social, legal, financial, institutional, and/or other 
problem(s) requiring a solution. The need for assistance must be 
demonstrated and the principal and subordinate objectives of the 
project must be clearly stated; supporting documentation, such as 
letters of support and testimonials from concerned interests other than 
the applicant, may be included. Any relevant data based on studies 
should be included or referred to in the endnotes/footnotes. 
Incorporate demographic data and participant/beneficiary information, 
as well as information about frozen embryos available for adoption. In 
developing the project description, the applicant may volunteer to 
provide information on the total range of related projects currently 
being conducted and supported (or to be initiated), some of which may 
be outside the scope of the program announcement.
    Describe the specific geographic region that will be served by the 
organization. This section should include a justification for the 
selection of the region, based on, for example, geographic size or the 
number and types of ART centers in the area, and an estimate of the 
number of frozen embryos available for adoption. There are no 
geographic restrictions on where the prospective projects may be 
conducted. The OPHS will accept applications for projects of national, 
regional, or local scope. The rationale for the project scope must be 
justified in detail.
    3. Approach: Outline a plan of action, which describes the scope 
and detail of how the proposed work will be accomplished. Account for 
all functions or activities identified in the application. Cite factors 
that might accelerate or decelerate the work, and state your reason for 
taking the proposed approach rather than others. Describe any unusual 
features of the project such as design or technological innovations, 
reductions in cost or time, or extraordinary social and community 
involvement. Provide quantitative monthly or quarterly projections of 
the accomplishments to be achieved for each function or activity in 
such terms as the number of program activities to be held, or 
appropriate measurable outcomes. When accomplishments cannot be 
quantified by activity or function, list them in chronological order to 
show the schedule of accomplishments and their target dates.
    4. Evaluation: Provide a narrative addressing how the results of 
the project and the conduct of the project will be evaluated. In 
addressing the evaluation of results, state how you will determine the 
extent to which the project has achieved its stated objectives and the 
extent to which the accomplishment of objectives can be attributed to 
the project. Discuss the criteria to be used to evaluate results, and 
explain the methodology that will be used to determine if the needs 
identified and discussed are being met and if the project results and 
benefits are being achieved. With respect to the conduct of the 
project, define the procedures to be employed to determine whether the 
project is being conducted in a manner consistent with the work plan 
presented and discuss the impact of the project's various activities on 
the project's effectiveness.
    5. Organizational Profiles: Provide information on the applicant 
organization and cooperating partners such as organizational charts, 
financial statements, audit reports or statements from CPAs/Licensed 
Public Accountants, Employer Identification Numbers, names of bond 
carriers, contact persons and telephone numbers, and other 
documentation of professional accreditation, information on compliance 
with Federal/State/local government standards, documentation of 
experience in the program area, and other pertinent information.
    6. Budget and Budget Justification: Provide a narrative budget 
justification that describes how the categorical costs are derived. 
Discuss the necessity, reasonableness, and allocability of the proposed 
costs. Identify the project director or principal investigator, if 
known. For each staff person, provide the title, time commitment to the 
project (in months), time commitment to the project (as a percentage or 
full-time equivalent), annual salary, grant salary, and wage rates. Do 
not include the costs of consultants or personnel costs of delegate 
agencies or of specific project(s) or businesses to be financed by the 
applicant. Provide a breakdown of the amounts and percentages that 
comprise fringe benefit costs such as health insurance, FICA, 
retirement insurance, and taxes, unless treated as part of an approved 
indirect cost rate. Include information on the costs of project-related 
travel by employees of the applicant organization (does not include 
costs of consultant travel). For each trip, show the total number of 
traveler(s), travel destination, duration of trip, per diem, mileage 
allowances, if privately owned vehicles will be used, and other 
transportation costs and subsistence allowances. Travel costs for key 
staff to attend the grantee meeting should be detailed in the budget. 
For each type of equipment requested, provide a description of the 
equipment, the cost per unit, the number of units, the total cost, and 
a plan for use on the project, as well as use or disposal of the 
equipment after the project ends. An applicant organization that uses 
its own definition for equipment should provide a copy of its policy or 
section of its policy which includes the equipment

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definition. Specify general categories of supplies and their costs. 
Show computations and provide other information, which supports the 
amount requested. Include information on the costs of all contracts for 
services and goods except for those, which belong under other 
categories such as equipment, supplies, construction, etc. Third-party 
evaluation contracts (if applicable) and contracts with secondary 
recipient organizations, including delegate agencies and specific 
project(s) or businesses to be financed by the applicant, should be 
included under this category. Whenever the applicant intends to 
delegate part of the project to another agency, the applicant must 
provide a detailed budget and budget narrative for each delegate 
agency, by agency title, along with the required supporting 
information.
    Budget plans should include funding for participation in two 
grantee meetings. Approximately four to six weeks after the award of 
funding, the project directors for funded projects will be required to 
attend a one-day grantee orientation meeting in the Washington, DC 
area. Toward the end of the two year project period, a second one-day 
grantee meeting may also be scheduled. During the orientation meeting, 
DHHS staff will review grantee plans regarding embryo adoption and 
discuss the implications for developing the public awareness campaign 
and related educational materials. Scheduling matters and plans for 
ensuring that the public awareness campaigns are appropriately focused 
and targeted to donors as well as potential recipients during the 
course of the project will be outlined and discussed.

3. Submission Dates and Times

    Applications must be submitted to the OPHS Office of Grants 
Management, Office of Public Health and Science, U.S. Department of 
Health and Human Services, 1101 Wootton Parkway, Suite 550, Rockville, 
Maryland, 20852. Letters of Intent should also be sent to this address.

4. Intergovernmental Review

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

5. Funding Restrictions

    The allowability, allocability, reasonableness and necessity of 
direct and indirect costs that may be charged to OPHS grants are 
outlined in the following documents: OMB Circular A-21 (Institutions of 
Higher Education); OMB Circular A-87 (State and Local Governments); OMB 
Circular A-122 (Nonprofit Organizations); and 45 CFR Part 74, Appendix 
E (Hospitals). Copies of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 
Circulars are available on the Internet at http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/grants_circulars.html.
    Applicants for discretionary grants are expected to anticipate and 
justify their funding needs and the activities to be carried out with 
those funds in preparing the budget and accompanying narrative portions 
of their applications. If applicants are uncertain whether a particular 
cost is allowable, they should contact the OPHS Office of Grants 
Management at 301-594-0758 for further information.

Submission Mechanisms

    The Office of Public Health and Science (OPHS) provides multiple 
mechanisms for the submission of applications, as described in the 
following sections. Applicants will receive notification via mail from 
the OPHS Office of Grants Management confirming the receipt of 
applications submitted using any of these mechanisms. Applications 
submitted to the OPHS Office of Grants Management after the deadlines 
described below will not be accepted for review. Applications which do 
not conform to the requirements of the grant announcement will not be 
accepted for review and will be returned to the applicant.
    Applications may only be submitted electronically via the 
electronic submission mechanisms specified below. Any applications 
submitted via any other means of electronic communication, including 
facsimile or electronic mail, will not be accepted for review. While 
applications are accepted in hard copy, the use of the electronic 
application submission capabilities provided by the OPHS eGrants system 
or the Grants.gov Web site portal is encouraged.

Electronic Submissions Via the OPHS eGrants System

    The OPHS electronic grants management system, eGrants, provides for 
applications to be submitted electronically. Information about this 
system is available on the OPHS eGrants Web site, https://egrants.osophs.dhhs.gov, or may be requested from the OPHS Office of 
Grants Management at 301-594-0758.
    The body of the application and required forms can be submitted 
using the OPHS eGrants system. In addition to electronically submitted 
materials, applicants are required to submit a hard copy of the 
application face page (Standard Form 424) with the original signature 
of an individual authorized to act for the applicant agency or 
organization and to assume for the organization the obligations imposed 
by the terms and conditions of the grant award. If required, applicants 
will also need to submit a hard copy of the Standard Form LLL and/or 
certain Program related forms with the original signature of an 
individual authorized to act for the applicant agency or organization. 
The application will not be considered complete until both the 
electronic application components submitted via the OPHS eGrants system 
and any hard copy materials or original signatures are received.
    Electronic grant application submissions must be submitted via the 
OPHS eGrants system no later than 5 p.m. eastern time on the deadline 
date specified in the ``Dates'' section of this announcement. All 
required hardcopy original signatures and mail-in items must be 
received by the OPHS Office of Grants Management no later than 5 p.m. 
eastern time on the next business day after the deadline date specified 
in the ``Dates'' section of this announcement.
    Applications will not be considered valid until all electronic 
application components, hardcopy original signatures, and mail-in items 
are received by the OPHS Office of Grants Management according to the 
deadlines specified above. Any application submitted electronically 
after 5 p.m. eastern time on the deadline date specified in the 
``Dates'' section of this announcement will be considered late and will 
be deemed ineligible. Failure of the applicant to submit all required 
hardcopy original signatures and required mail-in items to the OPHS 
Office of Grants Management by 5 p.m. eastern time on the next business 
day after the deadline date specified in the ``Dates'' section of this 
announcement will result in the electronic application being deemed 
ineligible.
    Upon completion of a successful electronic application submission, 
the OPHS eGrants system will provide the applicant with a confirmation 
page indicating the date and time (eastern time) of the electronic 
application submission. This confirmation page will also provide a 
listing of all items that constitute the final application submission 
including all electronic application components, required hardcopy 
original signatures, and mail-in items, as well as the mailing address 
of the OPHS Office of Grants Management where all required hard copy 
materials must be submitted.

[[Page 24422]]

    As items are received by the OPHS Office of Grants Management, the 
electronic application status will be updated to reflect the receipt of 
mail-in items. It is recommended that the applicant monitor the status 
of their application in the OPHS eGrants system to ensure that all 
signatures and mail-in items are received.
    Applicants are encouraged to initiate electronic applications early 
in the application development process, and to submit early on the due 
date or before. This will aid in addressing any problems with 
submissions prior to the application deadline.

Electronic Submissions Via the Grants.gov Web site Portal

    The Grants.gov Web site Portal provides for applications to be 
submitted electronically. Information about this system is available on 
the Grants.gov Web site, http://www.grants.gov.
    The body of the application and required forms can be submitted 
using the Grants.gov Web site Portal. Grants.gov allows the applicant 
to download and complete the application forms at any time, however, it 
is required that organizations successfully complete the necessary 
registration processes in order to submit the application to 
Grants.gov.
    In addition to electronically submitted materials, applicants may 
be required to submit hard copy signatures for certain Program related 
forms, or original materials as required by the announcement. It is 
imperative that the applicant review both the grant announcement, as 
well as the application guidance provided within the Grants.gov 
application package, to determine such requirements. Any required hard 
copy materials, or documents that require a signature, excluding the 
standard forms included in the Grants.gov application package [e.g., 
Standard Form 424 Face Page, Standard Assurances and Certifications 
(Standard Form 424B, and Standard Form LLL)] must be submitted 
separately via mail to the OPHS Office of Grants Management, and, if 
required, must contain the original signature of an individual 
authorized to act for the applicant agency or organization and to 
assume for the organization the obligations imposed by the terms and 
conditions of the grant award.
    Electronic grant application submissions must be submitted via the 
Grants.gov Web site portal no later than 5 p.m. eastern time on the 
deadline date specified in the ``Dates'' section of this announcement. 
All required hardcopy original signatures and mail-in items must be 
received by the OPHS Office of Grants Management no later than 5 p.m. 
eastern time on the next business day after the deadline date specified 
in the ``Dates'' section of this announcement.
    Applications will not be considered valid until all electronic 
application components, hardcopy original signatures, and mail-in items 
are received by the OPHS Office of Grants Management according to the 
deadlines specified above. Any application submitted electronically via 
the Grants.gov Web site portal after 5 p.m. eastern time on the 
deadline date specified in the ``Dates'' section of this announcement 
will be considered late and will be deemed ineligible. Failure of the 
applicant to submit all required hardcopy original signatures or 
materials to the OPHS Office of Grants Management by 5 p.m. eastern 
time on the next business day after the deadline date specified in the 
``Dates'' section of this announcement will result in the electronic 
application being deemed ineligible.
    Upon completion of a successful electronic application submission 
via the Grants.gov Web site portal, the applicant will be provided with 
a confirmation page from Grants.gov indicating the date and time 
(eastern time) of the electronic application submission, as well as the 
Grants.gov Receipt Number. It is critical that the applicant print and 
retain this confirmation for their records, as well as a copy of the 
entire application package.
    All applications submitted via the Grants.gov Web site portal will 
be validated by Grants.gov. Any applications deemed ``Invalid'' by the 
Grants.gov Web site portal will not be transferred to the OPHS eGrants 
system, and OPHS has no responsibility for any application that is not 
validated and transferred to OPHS from the Grants.gov Web site portal. 
Grants.gov will notify the applicant regarding the application 
validation status. Once the application is successfully validated by 
the Grants.gov Web site portal, applicants should immediately mail all 
required hard copy materials to the OPHS Office of Grants Management to 
be received by the deadlines specified above. It is critical that the 
applicant clearly identify the Organization name and Grants.gov 
Application Receipt Number on all hard copy materials.
    Once the application is validated by Grants.gov, it will be 
electronically transferred to the OPHS eGrants system for processing. 
Upon receipt of both the electronic application from the Grants.gov Web 
site portal, and the required hardcopy mail-in items, applicants will 
receive notification via mail from the OPHS Office of Grants Management 
confirming the receipt of the application submitted using the 
Grants.gov Web site portal.
    Applicants are encouraged to initiate electronic applications via 
the Grants.gov Web site portal early in the application development 
process, and to submit early on the due date or before. This will aid 
in addressing any problems with submissions prior to the application 
deadline.
    Applicants should contact Grants.gov regarding any questions or 
concerns regarding the electronic application process conducted through 
the Grants.gov Web site portal.

Mailed or Hand-Delivered Hard Copy Applications

    Applications submitted in hard copy (via mail or hand-delivered) 
are required to submit an original and two copies of the application. 
The original application must be signed by an individual authorized to 
act for the applicant agency or organization and to assume for the 
organization the obligations imposed by the terms and conditions of the 
grant award.
    Mailed or hand-delivered applications will be considered as meeting 
the deadline if they are received by the OPHS Office of Grant 
Management on or before 5 p.m. eastern time on the deadline date 
specified in the ``Dates'' section of this announcement. The 
application deadline date requirement specified in this announcement 
supersedes the instructions in the OPHS-1. Applications that do not 
meet the deadline will be returned to the applicant unread.

V. Application Review Information

1. Criteria

    Each application will be evaluated individually against the 
following four criteria by a panel of independent reviewers appointed 
by the OPHS. Before the review panel convenes, each application will be 
screened for applicant organization eligibility, as well as to make 
sure the application contains all the essential elements.
    Applicants that meet the requirements of this program announcement 
will be notified by the Office of Grants Management. A panel of at 
least three reviewers will use the evaluation criteria listed below to 
determine the strengths and weaknesses of each application, provide 
comments and assign numerical scores. Applicants should address each 
criterion in the project application. The point values (summing up to 
100) indicate the maximum numerical weight each

[[Page 24423]]

criterion will be accorded in the review process.

Criterion 1: Objectives and Need for Assistance (30 Points)

    Applicants must demonstrate a clear understanding of the 
legislative goals and demonstrate how their approach to the design of a 
public awareness campaign will contribute to achieve the legislative 
goals. Applicants must also demonstrate an understanding of the 
information and skills needed by the designated staff conducting such a 
public awareness campaign, as well as the information and service needs 
of potential donors and recipients. Applicants should provide letters 
of commitment or Memoranda of Understanding from organizations, 
agencies and consultants that will be partners or collaborators in the 
proposed project. These documents should describe the role of the 
agency, organization or consultant and detail specific tasks to be 
performed. Specific review criteria include:
    (1) Extent to which the application reflects an understanding of 
the legislative goals of the public awareness campaign for embryo 
adoption, and shows how their approach to the design of a public 
awareness campaign and implementation will contribute to achieving the 
legislative goals;
    (2) Extent to which the application clearly describes and documents 
an understanding of the need for assistance to support and/or enhance 
existing efforts regarding awareness of embryo adoption;
    (3) Extent to which the application reflects a knowledge and 
understanding of the issues faced by donors and/or recipients;
    (4) Extent to which the application reflects a knowledge and 
understanding of the medical and legal framework of embryo adoption and 
the services and resources in the geographic area in which the proposed 
project will be conducted;
    (5) Extent to which the application explains how the proposed 
public awareness campaign will contribute to increased knowledge of the 
problems, issues, and effective strategies and best practices in the 
field;
    (6) Extent to which the application reflects a knowledge and 
understanding of the challenges of developing a public awareness 
campaign and in providing support to donors and/or recipients; and
    (7) Extent to which the application presents a vision of the 
campaign to be developed, and discusses broad contextual factors that 
will facilitate or impede the implementation of the campaign.

Criterion 2: Approach (30 Points)

    In this section, applicants are expected to define goals and 
specific, measurable objectives for the project. Goals and objectives 
should not be confused. Goals are an end product of an effective 
project. Objectives are measurable steps for reaching goals. Applicants 
are advised to describe a preliminary, yet appropriate and feasible 
plan of action pertaining to the scope of the proposed public awareness 
campaign and provide details on how the proposed public awareness 
campaign will be accomplished. If the project involves partnerships 
with other agencies and organizations, then the roles of each partner 
should be clearly specified. Applicants are required to describe how 
the public awareness campaign will be evaluated to determine the extent 
to which it has achieved its stated goals and objectives. Applicants 
are expected to present a project design that includes detailed 
procedures for documenting project activities that is sufficient to 
support a sound evaluation. The evaluation design is expected to 
include process and outcome analyses with qualitative and quantitative 
components. Applicants are expected to report on their evaluation 
results in their final report to the OPHS upon completion of the 
project period. Applicants are required to describe the products that 
they will develop pursuant to the public awareness campaign. Applicants 
should discuss the intended audiences for these products (e.g., ART 
centers, adoption organizations, practitioners, professional 
organizations that work with infertile couples, potential recipients, 
or donors) and present a dissemination plan specifying the venues for 
conveying the information. This criterion consists of four broad 
topics: (A) design of the public awareness campaign, (B) 
implementation, (C) evaluation, and (D) dissemination. Specific review 
criteria include:

(A) Design of the Public Awareness Campaign

    (1) Extent to which the application reflects a familiarity with and 
understanding of professionally-recognized standards and/or other 
relevant Federal or State requirements pertaining to embryo adoption 
and supportive services for donors and recipients.
    (2) Extent to which the proposed project goals, objectives and 
outcomes are clearly specified and measurable, and reflect an 
understanding of the characteristics of the donors and recipients and 
the context in which embryo adoption operates; and
    (3) Extent to which the application presents an approach to the 
design of a public awareness campaign is: (a) competency based, (b) 
linked to embryo adoption programs which are consistent with the 
nationally recognized guidelines, (c) pilot tested and appropriately 
modified, as necessary, before use, and (d) can be readily evaluated.

(B) Implementation

    (1) Extent to which the application clearly describes and provides 
a justification for the selection of the geographic region that will be 
served by the project;
    (2) Extent to which the application presents an appropriate, 
feasible and realistic plan for scheduling and conducting the public 
awareness campaign;
    (3) Extent to which the application presents an appropriate, 
feasible and realistic plan for recruiting, selecting, and training 
individuals to provide information under the public awareness campaign;
    (4) Extent to which the application provides an appropriate, 
feasible and realistic plan for documenting project activities and 
results, that can be used to describe and evaluate the public awareness 
campaign, and participant satisfaction with the campaign; and
    (5) Extent to which the proposed project will establish and 
coordinate linkages with other appropriate agencies and organizations 
serving the target population.

(C) Evaluation

    (1) Extent to which the methods of evaluation are feasible, 
comprehensive and appropriate to the goals, objectives and context of a 
public awareness campaign;
    (2) Extent to which the applicant provides an appropriate, feasible 
and realistic plan for evaluating the public awareness campaign, 
including performance feedback and assessment of program progress that 
can be used as a basis for program adjustments;
    (3) Extent to which the methods of evaluation include process and 
outcome analyses for assessing the effectiveness of program strategies 
and the implementation process; and
    (4) Extent to which the methods of evaluation include the use of 
objective performance measures that are clearly related to the intended 
outcomes of the program and will produce quantitative and qualitative 
results.

[[Page 24424]]

(D) Dissemination

    (1) Extent to which the application provides an appropriate, 
feasible and realistic plan for dissemination of information in a 
public awareness campaign and related educational materials;
    (2) Extent to which the intended audience is clearly identified and 
defined and is appropriate to the goals of the proposed program;
    (3) Extent to which the program's products will be useful to the 
respective audiences;
    (4) Extent to which the application presents a realistic schedule 
for developing these products, and provides a dissemination plan that 
is appropriate in scope and budget to each of the audiences; and
    (5) Extent to which the products to be developed during the program 
are described clearly and will address the goal of dissemination of 
information and are designed to support evidence-based improvements of 
practices in the field.

Criterion 3: Organizational Profile (20 Points)

    Applicants need to demonstrate that they have the capacity to 
implement the proposed program. Capacity includes: (1) Previous 
experience with similar projects; (2) experience with the target 
population; (3) qualifications and experience of the project 
leadership; (4) experience and commitment of any consultants and 
subcontractors; and, (5) appropriateness of the organizational 
structure. This criterion consists of three broad topics: (A) 
management plan, (B) staff qualifications, and (C) organizational 
capacity and resources.
    Applicants are expected to present a sound and feasible management 
plan for implementing the proposed program. This section should detail 
how the program will be structured and managed, how the timeliness of 
activities will be ensured, how quality control will be maintained, and 
how costs will be controlled. The role and responsibilities of the lead 
agency should be clearly defined and, if appropriate, applicants should 
discuss the management and coordination of activities carried out by 
any partners, subcontractors and consultants. Applicants should include 
a list of organizations and consultants who will work with the project, 
along with a short description of the nature of their contribution or 
effort. Applicants are also expected to produce a time line that 
presents a reasonable schedule of target dates, and accomplishments. 
The time line should include the sequence and timing of the major tasks 
and subtasks, important milestones, reports, and completion dates. The 
application should also discuss factors that may affect project 
implementation or the outcomes and present realistic strategies for the 
resolution of these difficulties.
    Applicants must provide evidence that project staff have the 
requisite experience, and expertise to carry out the proposed public 
awareness campaign on time, within budget, and with a high degree of 
quality. Include information on staff knowledge of the medical and 
legal issues concerning embryo adoption, and experience working in this 
area. Brief resumes of current and proposed staff, as well as job 
descriptions, should be included. Resumes must indicate the position 
that the individual will fill, and each position description must 
specifically describe the job as it relates to the proposed project.
    Applicants must show that they have the organizational capacity and 
resources to successfully carry out the project on time and to a high 
standard of quality, including the capacity to resolve a variety of 
technical and management problems that may occur. If the proposed 
project involves partnering and/or subcontracting with other agencies/
organizations, then the application should include an organizational 
capability statement for each participating organization documenting 
the ability of the partners and/or subcontractors to fulfill their 
assigned roles and functions. Specific review criteria include:

(A) Management Plan

    (1) Extent to which the management plan presents a realistic 
approach to achieving the objectives of the proposed project on time 
and within budget, including clearly defined responsibilities, time 
lines and milestones for accomplishing project tasks;
    (2) Extent to which the role and responsibilities of the lead 
agency are clearly defined and the time commitments of the project 
director and other key project personnel (including consultants) are 
appropriate and adequate to meet the objectives of the proposed 
project; and
    (3) Extent to which the application discusses factors that may 
affect the development and implementation of the public awareness 
campaign and presents realistic strategies for the resolution of these 
difficulties.

(B) Staff Qualifications

    (1) Extent to which the proposed project director, key project 
staff and consultants have the necessary technical skill, knowledge and 
experience to successfully carry out their responsibilities; and
    (2) Extent to which staffing is adequate for the proposed project, 
including administration, program services, data processing and 
analysis, evaluation, reporting and implementation of the public 
awareness campaign, including related educational materials.

(C) Organizational Capacity and Resources

    (1) Extent to which the applicant and partnering organizations 
collectively have experience in embryo adoption consistent with 
professionally recognized guidelines;
    (2) Extent to which the applicant has experience in developing and 
implementing similar information or public awareness campaigns; and
    (3) Extent to which the applicant has adequate organizational 
resources for the proposed project, including administration, program 
operations, data processing and analysis, and evaluation.

Criterion 4: Budget and Budget Justification (20 Points)

    Applicants are expected to present a budget with reasonable project 
costs, appropriately allocated across component areas and sufficient to 
accomplish the objectives. Consideration shall be given to project 
delays due to start-up when preparing the budget. Applicants are 
expected to allocate sufficient funds in the budget to provide for the 
project director to attend two grantee meetings in the Washington, DC 
area. Specific review criteria include:
    (1) Extent to which applicant demonstrates that the project costs 
and budget information submitted for the proposed program are 
reasonable and justified in terms of the proposed tasks and the 
anticipated results and benefits; and,
    (2) Extent to which the fiscal control and accounting procedures 
are adequate to ensure prudent use, proper and timely disbursement and 
an accurate accounting of funds received under this announcement.

2. Review and Selection Process

    Each application submitted to the OPHS Office of Grants Management 
will be screened to determine whether it was received by the closing 
date and time.
    The results of a competitive review are a primary factor in making 
funding decisions. In addition, Federal staff will conduct 
administrative reviews of the

[[Page 24425]]

applications and, in light of the results of the competitive review, 
will recommend applications for funding to the ASH. The ASH may also 
solicit and consider comments from Public Health Service Regional 
Office staff and others within DHHS in making funding decisions. Final 
grant awards decisions will be made by the ASH. The ASH will fund those 
projects which will, in his/her judgement, best promote the purposes of 
this program, within he limits of funds available for such projects.

VI. Award Administration Information

1. Award Notices

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

2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

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

3. Reporting Requirements

    A successful applicant under this notice will submit: (a) Progress 
reports; (b) annual Financial Status Reports; and (c) a final 
performance report, including an evaluation report, and Financial 
Status Report. Reporting formats are established in accordance with 
provisions of the general regulations which apply under 45 CFR parts 74 
and 92. Applicants must submit all required reports in a timely manner, 
in recommended formats and submit a final report on the project, 
including any information on evaluation results, at the completion of 
the project period.
    The final performance report should contain an overview of the 
program from start to finish, including information on: (a) Summary of 
the project, (b) state of the major goals and objectives of the 
project, (c) list of significant accomplishments, (d) description of 
innovative features, (e) statement of significant problems encountered 
and solutions developed, (f) a complete written disclosure of any 
invention, curriculum, publication, video, pamphlet conceived or 
produced as part of the grant funded project, (g) a copy of any 
products (e.g., videos, pamphlets, journal articles, presentations, 
survey instruments, focus groups projects, pilot test reports, etc) 
developed in association with the project. The final evaluation report 
should reflect an assessment of the program. It should describe factors 
contributing to both program success and problem areas. The report 
should include a description of the project's objectives, 
interventions, evaluation model and hypotheses, findings and 
conclusions. The report should include a summary of the program 
statistics and findings. It should discuss the implications of project 
findings as they relate to the project objectives, as well as a set of 
recommendations based on the findings (where appropriate). The 
appendices to the evaluation report should include any data collection 
instruments and relevant references. Copies of any published articles, 
based on the project or project evaluation findings are also requested.
    Agencies receiving $500,000 or more in total Federal funds are 
required to undergo an annual audit as described in OMB Circular A-133, 
``Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations.''

VII. Agency Contacts

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

    Dated: May 3, 2005.
Cristina V. Beato,
Acting Assistant Secretary for Health, Office of Public Health and 
Science.
[FR Doc. 05-9149 Filed 5-6-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4150-28-P