[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 120 (Thursday, June 23, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Page 36388]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-12412]



[[Page 36388]]

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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

[Request for Application (RFA) AA014]


Supporting Laboratory Training and Quality Improvement for 
Diagnosis and Laboratory Monitoring of HIV/AIDS Patients in Resource 
Limited Countries Through Collaboration With the American Society for 
Clinical Pathology (ASCP); Notice of Intent To Fund Single Eligibility 
Award

A. Purpose

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announces the 
intent to award fiscal year (FY) 2005 funds for a cooperative agreement 
program to support laboratory training and quality improvement for 
diagnosis and laboratory monitoring of HIV/AIDS patients in resource-
limited countries that are part of the President's Emergency Plan for 
AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). Ultimately, this program will serve to enhance 
laboratory testing practices, and enhance the quality of laboratory 
testing services, in order to improve the effectiveness of HIV 
diagnostic, care, and treatment services and interventions. The Catalog 
of Federal Domestic Assistance number for this program is 93.067.

B. Eligible Applicant

    Assistance will be provided only to the American Society for 
Clinical Pathology (ASCP) for this project. No other applications are 
solicited or will be accepted. ASCP is a not-for-profit organization 
that has the largest and most unique data base of certified medical 
laboratory testing personnel. ASCP will be the only eligible applicant 
for the following reasons:
    1. ASCP is the largest and most influential leader in the 
certification of Medical Technologists (MTs) and Medical Laboratory 
Technicians (MLTs) in the world.
    2. ASCP is the world's largest organization representing the entire 
laboratory team of pathologists, clinical scientists, MTs and MLTs.
    3. The Board of Registry (BOR) at ASCP has issued more than 340,000 
certificates to date, since ASCP began in the late 1920's, and their 
unique data base of certified laboratorians comprise the largest 
majority of the medical laboratory work force in the U.S.
    4. The ASCP BOR prepares appropriate standards and develops 
procedures to assure the competence of laboratory personnel.
    5. The ASCP BOR certifies MTs and other medical laboratory 
personnel who meet specific academic and clinical prerequisites and who 
can attain acceptable performance levels through examination (e.g., MT 
ASCP certification).
    6. Additionally, ASCP has developed and maintains the largest 
continuing education activity in the world by offering courses targeted 
for pathologists and laboratory personnel to assure competency.
    7. ASCP provides extensive venues for continuing education for 
pathologists and laboratory personnel, including web-based programs, 
teleconferences, on-site education programs, and regional and national 
settings.
    PEPFAR activities focus on responding to an emergency situation 
while building long-term in-country capacity. Because of the complexity 
of the laboratory needs in each of the countries targeted, the number 
of countries (25) and regional programs (3) involved, the organization 
chosen to provide support should have both the technical competence and 
capacity to provide high quality simultaneous support to multiple 
countries. Selecting ASCP as the only eligible applicant is justified 
because of their vast membership and outstanding technical competence. 
Market research, through internet searches and interviews with leaders 
of laboratory service providers in international settings, indicates 
that ASCP is the only organization that is in a position to provide the 
required services to multiple countries simultaneously at the greatest 
value-for-service to the United States Government.

C. Funding

    Approximately $2,000,000 is available in FY 2005 to fund this 
award. It is expected that the award will begin on or before August 31, 
2005, and will be made for a 12-month budget period within a project 
period of up to four years. Funding estimates may change.

D. Where to Obtain Additional Information

    For general comments or questions about this announcement, contact: 
Technical Information Management, CDC Procurement and Grants Office, 
2920 Brandywine Road, Atlanta, GA 30341-4146, Telephone: 770-488-2700.
    For program technical assistance, contact: Elyse Hill, Project 
Officer, CDC/NCHSTP/GAP, 1600 Clifton Road, NE (MS-E30), Atlanta, GA 
30333, Telephone: 404-639-8181, E-mail: [email protected].
    For financial, grants management, or budget assistance, contact: 
Diane Flournoy, Contract Specialist, CDC Procurement and Grants Office, 
2920 Brandywine Road, Atlanta, GA 30341, Telephone: 770-488-2072, E-
mail: [email protected].

    Dated: June 17, 2005.
William P. Nichols,
Director, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease Control 
and Prevention.
[FR Doc. 05-12412 Filed 6-22-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P