[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 101 (Thursday, May 26, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 30447-30451]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-10538]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention


Coordination of Activities Between the CDC's National 
Immunization Program and the State and Territorial Health Officials

    Announcement Type: New.
    Funding Opportunity Number: RFA AA005.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 93.185.
    Letter of Intent Deadline: June 27, 2005.
    Application Deadline: July 25, 2005.

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    Authority: This program is authorized under section 311 [42 
U.S.C. 243] and 317(k)(1) [42 U.S.C. 247b(k)(1)] of the Public 
Health Service Act as amended.

    Purpose: The purpose of the program is to coordinate the activities 
between the National Immunization Program (NIP) and the state and 
territorial health officials on issues related to immunizations for 
children, adolescent and adults. Specifically: (1) To allow exchange of 
information between the state and territorial health officials and NIP, 
(2) to inform state and territorial health officials of current, 
proposed and new legislation regarding immunization, (3) to create 
mechanisms to communicate and inform state and territorial health 
officials and partners about timely and new immunization initiatives 
and the progress of current immunization programs, (4) to encourage 
states to participate in federal and state immunization initiatives, 
and (5) to create partnerships between State health departments and 
other immunization related stakeholders, and to educate health 
officials, providers and the public on the importance of timely 
vaccination. This program addresses the ``Healthy People 2010'' focus 
areas of Immunization and Infectious Disease.
    Measurable outcomes of the program will be in alignment with the 
following performance goals for NIP:
     Reduce the number of indigenous cases of vaccine 
preventable diseases,
     Ensure that two year-olds are appropriately vaccinated, 
and
     Increase the proportion of adults who are vaccinated 
annually against influenza and ever vaccinated against pneumococcal 
disease.
    This announcement is only for non-research activities supported by 
CDC/ATSDR. 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:
    1. Coordinate immunization efforts with existing state and 
territorial health officials' health projects, Special Supplemental 
Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program, the 
Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists (CSTE), the 
Association of Immunization Managers (AIM), the National Association of 
County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) and other organized health 
related associations where immunization programs can have an impact on 
increasing vaccination coverage.
    2. Attend meetings and inform state and territorial health 
officials and other partners of issues addressed by the Advisory 
Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), the National Vaccine 
Advisory Committee (NVAC) and the immunization-related committees of 
the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials, NACCHO and 
AIM.
    3. Provide information on key immunization-related developments and 
legislative issues to state and territorial health officials, state 
immunization coordinators, appropriate adult or adolescent groups, and 
other partners via newsletters, conference calls, and other multimedia 
sources.
    4. Organize and convene meetings and workshops on an as needed 
basis for the purpose of exchanging immunization related information 
and program updates. Provide representation of state and territorial 
health officials at national meetings.
    5. Collaborate with CDC on immunization-related issues including 
vaccine supply, vaccine financing, implementation of new vaccines, 
pandemic preparedness, adolescent and adult immunization and the 
development and coordination of immunization national policy and 
evaluation.
    In a cooperative agreement, CDC staff are substantially involved in 
the program activities, above and beyond routine grant monitoring.
    CDC activities for this program are as follows:
    1. Provide technical assistance in implementing activities, 
identifying major immunization-related issues, identifying effective 
programs, and setting priorities related to the cooperative agreement.
    2. Provide scientific collaboration for appropriate aspects of the 
awardees' activities, including information on disease impact, 
vaccination coverage levels, vaccine supply and prevention strategies.
    3. Assist in development and review of relevant immunization 
information made available to federal, State and local health agencies, 
health care providers and volunteer organizations.
    4. In conjunction with the grantee, establish and implement 
mechanisms for evaluating the reach of the program and effectiveness of 
the materials produced.

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: $250,000. (This amount is an estimate, 
and is subject to availability of funds.)
    Approximate Number of Awards: 1.
    Approximate Average Award: $250,000. (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: $ 250,000. (This ceiling is for the first 
12-month budget period.)
    Anticipated Award Date: August 31, 2005.

[[Page 30448]]

    Budget Period Length: 12 months.
    Project Period Length: 5 years.
    Throughout the project period, CDC's commitment to continuation of 
awards will be conditioned on the availability of funds, evidence of 
satisfactory progress by the recipient (as documented in required 
reports), and the determination that continued funding is in the best 
interest of the Federal Government.

III. Eligibility Information

III.1. Eligible Applicants

    Applications may be submitted by public or private national 
nonprofit organizations and by governments and their agencies that 
officially represent the chief public health officials of each state 
and territory and have the knowledge and understanding of the needs and 
operations of state health agencies, especially regarding immunization-
related programs and services.
    A Bona Fide Agent is an agency/organization identified by the state 
as eligible to submit an application under the state eligibility in 
lieu of a state application. If you are applying as a bona fide agent 
of a state or local government, you must provide a letter from the 
state or local government as documentation of your status. Place this 
documentation behind the first page of your application form.
    Justification of Limitation: Assistance will be provided to one 
applicant that can demonstrate the ability to accomplish the objectives 
stated above (See section I purpose). Applicant should be able to 
demonstrate ability to provide support to the state and territorial 
health officials on immunization-related issues and have knowledge of 
immunization policy, experience in supporting immunization programs, 
and ability to collaborate on immunization activities. The applicant 
should officially represent chief health officials from all states and 
territories.

III.2. Cost Sharing or Matching

    Matching funds are not required for this program.

III.3. Other

    CDC will accept and review applications with budgets greater than 
the ceiling of the award range.
    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 ``IV.3. Submission Dates and Times'' for more information on 
deadlines.
     Applications may be submitted by public or private 
national nonprofit organizations and by governments and their agencies 
that officially represent the chief public health officials of each 
state and territory and have the knowledge and understanding of the 
needs and operations of state health agencies, especially regarding 
immunization-related programs and services.

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

IV. Application and Submission Information

IV.1. Address To Request Application Package

    To apply for this funding opportunity use application form PHS 
5161. Application forms and instructions are available on the CDC Web 
site, at the following Internet address: http://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/forminfo.htm.
    To submit your application electronically, please utilize the forms 
and instructions posted for this announcement at http://www.grants.gov.
    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

    Letter of Intent: A Letter of Intent (LOI) is optional for this 
program. The RFA title and number must appear in the LOI. Your letter 
of intent will not be evaluated, but will be used to assist CDC in 
planning for the objective review for this program.
    Your LOI must be written in the following format:
     Maximum number of pages: 2
     Font size: 12-point unreduced
     Paragraph spacing: Double spaced
     Paper size: 8.5 by 11 inches
     Page margin size: One inch
     Printing: Only on one side of page
     Written in plain language, avoid jargon
    Your LOI must contain the following information:
     The name of the organization
     The primary contact person's name, mailing address, phone 
number, fax and e-mail address
     The mission/activities of the organization
     A description of the organization's membership, including 
the number of members in the organization.
    Application: You must submit a project narrative with your 
application forms. The narrative must be submitted in the following 
format:
     Maximum number of pages: 25. If your narrative exceeds the 
page limit, only the first pages which are within the page limit will 
be reviewed.
     Font size: 12 point unreduced
     Paragraph spacing: Double spaced
     Paper size: 8.5 by 11 inches
     Page margin size: One inch
     Printing: only on one side of page
     Held together only by rubber bands or metal clips; not 
bound in any other way.
    Your narrative should address activities to be conducted over the 
entire project period, and must include the following items in the 
order listed:
1. Background
     Provide a narrative, including background information on 
the applicant organization that includes evidence of relevant 
experience in coordinating activities among constituents and a clear 
understanding of the purpose of the project.
     Include details of past experience working with the target 
population(s). Provide information on organizational capability to 
conduct proposed project activities.
2. Program Management
     Describe the professional personnel involved in the 
management of this project and their qualifications.
     Provide evidence of an organizational structure that can 
meet the terms of the project. Include an organizational chart of the 
applicant organization specifying the location and staffing plan for 
the proposed project.
3. Objectives
     Establish long-term (5 years) and short-term (one-year) 
objectives that are specific, realistic, measurable and time-phased. 
Include an explanation of how the objectives contribute to the purpose 
of the request for assistance and evidence that demonstrates the 
potential effectiveness of the proposed objectives.
4. Methods of Operation
     Describe the operational plan for achieving each objective 
established. Concisely describe each component or major activity and 
how it will be carried out.
     Include a time-line for completing each component or major 
activity.

[[Page 30449]]

     Provide a plan for disseminating project results 
indicating when, to whom, and in what format the materials will be 
presented.
5. Evaluation Plan
     Describe the plan for monitoring progress toward 
achievement of each of the objectives.
6. Collaboration Activities
     Obtain and include letters of support, written in the last 
12 to 24 months from constituents.
     Provide any memoranda of agreement from collaborating 
organizations indicating a willingness to participate in the project, 
the nature of their participation, period of performance, names and 
titles of individuals who will be involved in the project, and the 
process of collaboration. Each memorandum should also show an 
understanding and endorsement of immunization activities.
     Provide evidence of collaborative efforts with health 
departments, provider organizations, coalitions, and other local 
organizations.
7. Budget Information
     Provide a detailed budget with justification. The budget 
proposal should be consistent with the purpose and program plan of the 
proposed project.
     Provide an itemized (line-item) budget categorized by 
objective.
    The budget proposal should be in the application appendices. The 
appendices will not be counted toward the narrative page limit.
    You are required to have a Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal 
Numbering System (DUNS) number to apply for a grant or cooperative 
agreement from the Federal government. The DUNS number is a nine-digit 
identification number, which uniquely identifies business entities. 
Obtaining a DUNS number is easy and there is no charge. To obtain a 
DUNS number, access http://www.dunandbradstreet.com or call 1-866-705-
5711.
    For more information, see the CDC Web site at: http://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/funding/pubcommt.htm. If your application form does not have a 
DUNS number field, please write your DUNS number at the top of the 
first page of your application, and/or include your DUNS number in your 
application cover letter.
    Additional requirements that may require you to submit additional 
documentation with your application are listed in section ``VI.2. 
Administrative and National Policy Requirements.''

IV.3. Submission Dates and Times

    LOI Deadline Date: June 27, 2005.
    CDC requests that you send a 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, and to allow CDC 
to plan the application review.
    Application Deadline Date: July 25, 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. 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 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.
    This announcement is the definitive guide on LOI and 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.
    If you submit your application electronically, you will receive an 
e-mail notice of receipt.
    CDC will not notify you upon receipt of your submission. If you 
have a question about the receipt of your LOI or 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 to allow time for submissions to be 
processed and logged.

IV.4. Intergovernmental Review of Applications

    Your application is subject to Intergovernmental Review of Federal 
Programs, as governed by Executive Order (EO) 12372. This order sets up 
a system for state and local governmental review of proposed federal 
assistance applications. You should contact your state single point of 
contact (SPOC) as early as possible to alert the SPOC to prospective 
applications, and to receive instructions on your state's process. 
Click on the following link to get the current SPOC list: http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/spoc.html.

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.
     Construction, renovations, purchase or lease of passenger 
vehicles or vans, or supplementing any applicant expenditure are not 
allowed.
    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

    LOI Submission Address: Submit your LOI by express mail, delivery 
service, fax, or e-mail to: Nicole Smith, Centers for Disease Control 
and Prevention, National Immunization Program, 1600 Clifton Road, NE., 
MS E-52, Atlanta, GA 30333. (404) 639-6220 (phone). (404) 639-8627 
(fax). [email protected] (E-mail address).
    Application Submission Address: You may submit your application 
electronically at: http://www.grants.gov, OR submit the original and 
two hard copies of your application by mail or express delivery service 
to: Technical Information Management--RFA AA005, 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.

[[Page 30450]]

    Your application will be evaluated against the following criteria:
1. Experience (15 Points)
    Does the applicant document having experience in representing chief 
health officials from each of the states and territories and actively 
engaging them in issues and policies related to immunization? Does the 
applicant have the ability to communicate with their constituents on 
timely issues?
2. Collaboration (15 Points)
    Does the applicant's organization include representatives from each 
of the states and territories from all parts of the nation? Has the 
applicant worked with state and territorial health officials, as well 
as partner organizations on immunization issues?
3. Understanding the project (15 Points)
    Does the applicant understand the requirements, problems, 
objectives, complexities, and interactions required of this project?
4. Objectives (15 Points)
    Are the proposed objectives clearly stated, realistic, time phased 
and related to the purpose of this project?
5. Operational Plan and Timetable (15 Points)
    Are the applicant's plans to carry out the proposed activities 
feasible and consistent with the stated objectives in this proposal? 
Does the timetable incorporate major activities and milestones that are 
specific, measurable and realistic? Does the plan include dates and 
persons responsible for accomplishing tasks?
6. Staff Capacity (15 Points)
    Do the professional personnel proposed to be involved in 
administering this project and the professional personnel proposed to 
provide program leadership have the capacity to perform the work 
proposed? Do the staff have qualifications with evidence of past 
achievements?
7. Evaluation Plan (10 Points)
    Does the evaluation plan appear feasible for monitoring progress 
toward meeting the stated project objectives? In addition to evaluating 
outcomes-related project objectives, does the plan clearly describe how 
the grantee will use performance measures to track internal processes?
8. Budget (Not Scored)
    Is the budget reasonable, clearly justified, and consistent with 
the intended use of funds?
9. GPRA Goals (Not Scored)
    Will the application further NIP's GPRA goals stated in section 
``I. Purpose'' of this announcement?

V.2. Review and Selection Process

    Applications will be reviewed for completeness by the Procurement 
and Grants Office (PGO) staff, and for responsiveness by the National 
Immunization Program. Incomplete applications and applications that are 
non-responsive to the eligibility criteria will not advance through the 
review process. Applicants will be notified that their application did 
not meet submission requirements.
    An objective review panel will evaluate complete and responsive 
applications according to the criteria listed in the ``V.1. Criteria'' 
section above.
    Applications will be funded in order by score and rank determined 
by the review panel.

V.3. Anticipated Announcement and Award Dates

    Award Date: August 31, 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-7 Executive Order 12372
     AR-10 Smoke-Free Workplace Requirements
     AR-11 Healthy People 2010
     AR-12 Lobbying Restrictions
     AR-14 Accounting System Requirements
     AR-15 Proof of Non-Profit Status
     AR-20 Conference Support
     AR-25 Release and Sharing of Data
    Additional information on these requirements can be found on the 
CDC Web site at the following Internet address: http://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/funding/ARs.htm.

VI.3. Reporting Requirements

    You must provide CDC with an original, plus two hard copies of the 
following reports:
    1. Interim progress report, due no less than 120 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. Financial status report and annual progress report, no more than 
90 days after the end of the budget period.
    3. Final financial and performance reports, no more than 90 days 
after the end of the project period.
    These reports must be mailed to the Grants Management 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: Nicole Smith, Project 
Officer, CDC National Immunization Program, 1600 Clifton Road, MS E-52, 
Atlanta, GA 30333. Telephone: (404) 639-6220. E-mail: [email protected].
    For financial, grants management, or budget assistance, contact: 
Peaches Brown, Grants Management Specialist, CDC Procurement and Grants 
Office, 2920 Brandywine Road, Atlanta, GA 30341. Telephone: 770-488-
2738. 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.''
    Information about the National Immunization Program can be found at 
http://www.cdc.gov/nip.


[[Page 30451]]


    Dated: May 20, 2005.
William P. Nichols,
Director, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease Control 
and Prevention.
[FR Doc. 05-10538 Filed 5-25-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P