[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 135 (Friday, July 15, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 41022-41029]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-13937]



[[Page 41022]]

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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention


Cooperative Agreements for Tribes and Tribal Organizations for 
Tobacco Prevention and Control

    Announcement Type: New.
    Funding Opportunity Number: AA066.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 93.283.
    Application Deadline: August 15, 2005.

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    Authority: 301 (a) and 317(k)2), [42 U.S.C.,241 (a) and Section 
247b(k)(2)].

Background

    Among American Indian and Alaska Native men and women, rates of 
smoking are substantially higher than smoking rates in any other U.S. 
subgroup. In 2000, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 
(CDC), Office on Smoking and Health (OSH) began efforts to specifically 
address the burden of tobacco use among American Indians and Alaska 
Natives (AI/AN). The five-year cooperative agreement Program 
Announcement (PA) 00065 focused on building capacity and infrastructure 
to prepare tribes and tribal communities, to conduct evidence-based 
tobacco control and prevention activities. CDC funded seven tribes and 
tribal organizations under this cooperative agreement which ends in 
September, 2005 (e.g., recognized governing body of any Indian Tribe; 
any legally established organization of American Indians and Alaska 
Natives which is controlled, sanctioned, or chartered by such governing 
body or which is democratically elected by the adult members of the 
community to be served by such organization and which includes the 
maximum participation of Indian Tribe members in all phases of its 
activities (25 U.S.C. 450b). The work that was conducted by the 
grantees improved the capacities of tribes and AI/AN communities to 
conduct culturally-competent tobacco control and prevention activities, 
especially in populations where tobacco is held in high esteem and is 
used for ceremonial, medicinal, and other cultural purposes. The 
grantees were also instrumental in developing culturally appropriate 
education materials which need to be tested for their relevance and 
usefulness in other regions/tribes.

Purpose

    The purpose of this program is to support American Indian and 
Alaska Native (AI/AN) tribes and tribal organizations to: (1) Lead 
regional efforts to prevent and reduce the use of tobacco and exposure 
to secondhand smoke (capacity program) and (2) conduct evaluation and 
implementation of culturally relevant and community competent tobacco 
control and prevention strategies for use with broader AI/AN 
populations in addition to continuing regional capacity building 
efforts (implementation program.) This program addresses the ``Healthy 
People 2010'' focus area of tobacco use. This announcement is related 
to the two primary goals of: (1) Increasing quality and years of 
healthy life; and (2) eliminating health disparities among segments of 
the population, including differences that occur by gender, race or 
ethnicity, education or income, disability, geographic location, or 
sexual orientation.
    Measurable outcomes of the program will be aligned with the 
following National Tobacco Control Program goals:
    (1) Prevent initiation of tobacco use among young people.
    (2) Promote cessation of tobacco use among youth and adults.
    (3) Protect the public from secondhand smoke exposure.
    (4) Identify and eliminate disparities in tobacco use among 
population groups.
    Measurable outcomes of the program will be in alignment with the 
following performance goal for the National Center for Chronic Disease 
Prevention and Health Promotion (NCCDPHP) Office on Smoking and Health 
(OSH): Reduce cigarette smoking among youth.
    This announcement is only for non-research activities supported by 
CDC/ASTDR. 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/apspolll.htm

Activities

    Awardee activities for this program are as follows:
A. Capacity
    1. Establish a technical Program and assist tribes and/or AI/AN 
populations with data collection, identification and dissemination of 
resources, training and education development and implementation, 
evaluation, and other needs.
    2. Identify experts and train AI/AN leaders.
    3. Establish AI/AN tobacco control and prevention councils and 
partnerships. Promote and facilitate collaboration among tribes, tribal 
organizations, and non-tribal partners such as national, state, and 
local tobacco control organizations or networks (e.g. American Cancer 
Society, state and local health departments, etc.)
    4. Develop communication systems for sharing and disseminating 
information.
    5. Identify policies that benefit tribal communities.
    6. Identify and leverage resources.
    7. Develop a plan and set priorities for building capacity and 
infrastructure.
    8. Identify and document proven and promising strategies in AI/AN 
communities.
    9. Participate in regional and national information sharing 
exchange.
    10. Provide administrative and financial management of the program.
    11. Evaluate progress towards program objectives.
    Performance measures for Capacity activities include:
     Program Management: Identify and hire staff with 
appropriate competencies to manage a Capacity Program Center. A 
suggested minimum number of staff is one to two full-time equivalents 
(FTEs), including one FTE Program Manager and one (or a half-time) FTE 
Program Specialist. Performance will be measured by evidence that the 
applicant has dedicated human resources to administer and manage the 
program effectively.
     Financial Management: Appropriately use funds to maintain 
the program based on the scope of work within the approved Annual 
Action Plan (AAP) and budget. Performance will be measured by 
successful and timely completion and submission of Financial Status 
Reports and Semi-Annual and Annual Progress Reports that detail 
progress, barriers and completion of program objectives identified in 
the AAP.
     Program and Evaluation Plans: Develop annual action and 
evaluation plans with active participation from members of represented 
tribes or from members of the Board of Directors. The AAP should 
include: Description of program goals and objectives, strategies or 
activities to meet the objectives, responsibility areas, and 
timeframes. An evaluation plan should include a logic model linking 
activities to outputs and short-term and intermediate outcomes using 
Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound (SMART) 
program objectives. Performance will be measured by evidence that the 
annual program and evaluation plans have been

[[Page 41023]]

submitted and will be reviewed routinely.
     Communication with Partners: Actively communicate and 
share information with other tribes, tribal/urban AI and AN 
organizations, networks, partners, State health departments and CDC/
OSH. Performance will be measured by participation in a communication 
system (i.e. participating on CDC sponsored workgroups or taskforces; 
meetings, conferences; and presenting and/or publishing programs 
outcomes) for the exchange and dissemination of information.
     Training and technical assistance: Provide training and 
technical assistance to Program, Tribal leaders and councils, AI/AN 
tribes and tribal organizations, non-tribal partners and other 
leadership entities.
B. Implementation
    1. Develop and tailor strategies and program interventions that 
reduce tobacco use and exposure that are derived from evidence-based 
recommendations (Guide to Community Preventive Services) Only when not 
available and in consultation with CDC OSH, develop materials, tool 
kits, pamphlets and brochures that are specific for AI/AN populations.
    2. Implement proven and promising practices.
    3. Evaluate promising programs and strategies for cultural 
relevance, community competence, program effectiveness and ability to 
replicate in AI/AN communities. Examples include policy manuals, 
cessation curricula and media campaigns.
    4. Collaborate with OSH on evaluation of interventions and 
dissemination of findings.
    5. Collect information to inform program development, 
implementation and evaluation using talking circles, focus groups and 
other activities.
    6. Develop communication systems for sharing and disseminating 
information.
    7. Continue and expand programmatic efforts with AI/AN tribes and 
tribal organizations to reduce tobacco use and exposure.
    8. Provide guidance and mentoring to Capacity Programs.
    9. Develop a plan for sustaining program efforts in the future.
    10. Provide administrative and financial management of the program.
    11. Evaluate progress towards program objectives.
    Performance measures for Implementation activities include:
     Program Management: Identify and hire staff with 
appropriate competencies to manage a Capacity Program. A suggested 
minimum number of staff is one-to-two full-time equivalents (FTEs), 
including one FTE Program Manager and one (or a half-time) FTE Program 
Specialist. Performance will be measured by evidence that the applicant 
has dedicated human resources to administer and manage the program 
effectively.
     Financial Management: Appropriately use funds to maintain 
the program based on the scope of work within the approved Annual 
Action Plan (AAP) and budget. Performance will be measured by 
successful and timely completion and submission of Financial Status 
Reports and Semi-Annual and Annual Progress Reports that detail 
progress, barriers and completion of program objectives identified in 
the AAP.
     Program and Evaluation Plans: Develop annual action and 
evaluation plans with active participation from members of represented 
tribes or from members of the Board of Directors. The AAP should 
include: description of program goals and objectives, strategies or 
activities to meet the objectives, responsibility areas, and 
timeframes. An evaluation plan should include a logic model linking 
activities to outputs and short-term and intermediate outcomes using 
Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound 
(SMART)program objectives. Performance will be measured by evidence 
that the annual program and evaluation plans have been submitted and 
will be reviewed regularly.
     Communication with Partners: Actively communicate and 
share information with other tribes, tribal/urban AI and AN 
organizations, networks, partners, State health departments and CDC/
OSH. Performance will be measured by participation in a communication 
system (i.e. participating on CDC sponsored workgroups or taskforces; 
meetings, conferences; and presenting and/or publishing programs 
outcomes) for the exchange and dissemination of information.
     Training and Technical Assistance: Provide training and 
technical assistance to Program staff, Tribal leaders and councils, AI/
AN tribes and tribal organizations, non-tribal partners and other 
leadership entities.
    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:
Capacity and Implementation
    1. Provide consultation and technical assistance in the planning, 
implementation, and evaluation of program activities.
    2. Provide up-to-date information that includes diffusion of proven 
and promising practices and current research and data in areas of 
tobacco use control and prevention.
    3. Facilitate communication activities among Capacity and 
Implementation Programs, such as holding meetings, conferences, and 
conference calls to foster the transfer of information and knowledge of 
successful tobacco-related disparities interventions and promising 
program models.
    4. Facilitate mentoring opportunities by holding workshops, 
trainings, and skill building and exchange seminars to increase 
capacity and infrastructure development of awardees.
    5. Assist in identifying and addressing issues related to 
sustainability of programs.
    6. Participate in the monitoring and evaluation of program 
activities and initiatives, including annual site visits.

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: $1,700,000. (This amount is an estimate 
and is subject to availability of funds.)
    Approximate Number of Awards: Four to Six awards in Capacity 
program and three to five awards in Implementation Program.
    Approximate Average Award: $175,000 for Capacity programs and 
$250,000 for Implementation programs. (This amount is for the first 12-
month budget period and includes both direct and indirect costs.)
    Floor of Award Range: None.
    Ceiling of Award Range: $200,000.00 for Capacity program and 
$275,000.00 for Implementation program. (This ceiling is for the first 
12-month budget period.)
    Anticipated Award Date: August 31, 2005.
    Budget Period Length: 12 months.
    Project Period Length: Five years.
    Throughout the project period, CDC's commitment to continuation of 
awards will be on the condition that funds are available, that there is 
evidence of satisfactory progress by the recipient (as documented in 
required reports), and that continued funding is determined to be in 
the best interest of the Federal Government.

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III. Eligibility Information

III.1. Eligible applicants

    Applications may be submitted by federally recognized AI/AN tribes 
and tribal organizations. Organizations must be incorporated for the 
primary purpose of improving AI/AN health and must represent such 
interests for the tribes or urban AI/AN populations located in its 
service region. An urban organization is defined as a non-profit 
corporate body situated in an urban center eligible for services under 
Title V of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act, Pub. L. 94-437, as 
amended.
Justification for Limited Competition
    For Capacity program, competition is limited to federally 
recognized tribes and tribal organizations that will serve AI/AN 
populations that have a high burden of tobacco use and have not been 
served by a tribe or tribal organization that was funded under Program 
Announcement (PA) 00065. The target populations are tribes and AI/AN 
populations that have substantial tobacco related health disparities 
and receive minimal or no funding support for tobacco control and 
prevention program development from other sources. If an applicant is 
from a tribe or tribal organization that has been funded under PA 
00065, they can apply for a Capacity program only if they will expand 
their reach and serve tribes and AI/AN populations that have not been 
served by the applicant before. In their previous relationships with 
CDC-OSH, these awardees acquired knowledge and skills about the science 
and practice of tobacco control and prevention and can use that 
experience in working with other tribes and populations.
    For Implementation program, competition is limited to federally 
recognized tribes and tribal organizations that have developed AI/AN 
culturally-specific manuals, campaigns, and curricula and want to 
evaluate them for use with broader AI/AN populations. These tribes and 
tribal organizations may have been recipients under PA 00065 and may 
have the knowledge and experiences in conducting tobacco control and 
prevention and in developing promising and proven interventions 
appropriate for use with tribes and tribal communities. Such tribes and 
tribal organizations have prior experiences responding to the unique 
needs among this population to address the burden of tobacco use and 
resulting tobacco-related disparities in a way that is culturally 
appropriate and acceptable. Since there are high tobacco use rates 
within this target population and since Indian Tribes exercise inherent 
sovereign powers and responsibilities over their members and territory, 
and since there is a requirement that Indian Tribes be involved in the 
development of relevant and culturally appropriate approaches to public 
issues and program activities this program announcement is limited to 
tribes and tribal organizations who have a proven track record of 
working with this population and who have the abilities to reach the 
people who have not been reached within this population and to work 
toward closing the tobacco use rate gaps within this population.

III.2. Cost Sharing or Matching

    Matching funds are not required for this program.

III.3. Other

    If a funding amount greater than the ceiling of the award range is 
requested, the application will be considered non-responsive and will 
not be entered into the review process. The applicant will be notified 
that the application did not meet the submission requirements
Special Requirements
    Eligible AI/AN tribes and tribal organizations must meet all of the 
criteria listed below and provide evidence of eligibility by attaching 
a copy of Addendum 3, Eligibility Certification Form to the application 
proposal.
Capacity
    a. AI/AN tribes or tribal organizations with a total service 
population of at least 40,000 tribal members or urban residents who are 
enrolled members of federally recognized tribes. Tribes or 
organizations that may have been funded previously under PA 00065 are 
eligible to apply if they expand their coverage to reach the 40,000 
minimum population requirement in adjacently-located AI/AN tribes and/
or AI/AN populations that have not been previously served by a CDC 
funded tribe or tribal organization. These include tribes in the 
following states or geographical regions: Southern California, Nevada, 
Utah, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, Kansas, Oklahoma 
(excluding Muscogee Creek Nation), Minnesota, Wisconsin, Texas, 
Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, South Carolina, North 
Carolina, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Maine, 
the Navajo Nation, and American Indians residing in urban areas.
    b. At least one year of experience in operating a tobacco control 
or other public health program(s) that serves the AI and/or AN 
population.
    c. Letters of support or resolutions from Tribal Councils or 
Governments from at least 50 percent of the tribes that have not 
previously been served by a CDC funded tribe or tribal organization. 
For applicants proposing to serve urban population(s), letters of 
support from national organizations that exist to serve AI/AN health-
related interests should be provided.
    d. The mission of the applicant must demonstrate a commitment to 
improve the health of the AI/AN populations it proposes to serve.
    e. One year of experience conducting process and/or outcome 
evaluations of public health/community programs.
    f. For those applicants applying as a private, nonprofit 
organization, proof of tax exempt status must be provided with the 
application.
Implementation
    a. AI/AN Tribes and tribal organizations who have experience 
developing AI/AN culturally-specific manuals, campaigns and curricula 
and want to evaluate and implement one or more of them to achieve the 
scientific basis that it is effective for use with AI/AN populations. 
Examples of developed products include policy manuals, media campaigns, 
and cessation curricula.
    b. At least three years of experience operating a tobacco control 
and prevention program that serves the AI/AN population.
    c. Letters of support or resolutions from Tribal Councils or 
Governments from at least 50 percent of the tribes to be served.
    d. The mission of the applicant must demonstrate a commitment to 
improve the health of the AI/AN populations it proposes to serve.
    e. One year of experience conducting process and/or outcome 
evaluations of public health/community programs.
    Applications will be considered incomplete if any of the following 
eligibility requirements are not met:
     Service population requirement;
     Required letters of support;
     Required statement of commitment to improve the health of 
the AI/AN population it proposes to serve;
     Required experience in tobacco control or public health;
     Required experience in process or outcome evaluations;
     If applicable, non-profit status.
    Applicant must document eligibility requirements accordingly:
     Documentation of service population in narrative under 
``Executive Summary';
     Attachment of letters of support or resolutions in the 
appendix;

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     Documentation of mission and commitment to improve the 
health of the AI/AN population it proposes to serve in the appendix;
     Documentation of experience in tobacco control or public 
health in the narrative under ``Capacity'';
     Documentation of experience in evaluation in the narrative 
under ``Capacity'';
     If applicable, proof of 501(c)(3) status in appendix.

    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.
Electronic Submission
    CDC strongly encourages the applicant to submit the application 
electronically by utilizing the forms and instructions posted for this 
announcement on www.Grants.gov, the official Federal agency wide E-
grant Web site. Only applicants who apply on-line are permitted to 
forego paper copy submission of all application forms.
Paper Submission
    Application forms and instructions are available on the CDC Web 
site, at the following Internet address: www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/forminfo.htm
    If access to the Internet is not available, or if there is 
difficulty accessing the forms on-line, contact the CDC Procurement and 
Grants Office, Technical Information Management Section (PGO-TIM) staff 
at 770-488-2700 and the application forms can be mailed.

IV.2. Content and Form of Submission

    Application: A project narrative must be submitted with the 
application forms. A separate application is required for Capacity and 
Implementation. The narrative must be submitted in the following 
format:
     Maximum number of pages: 21. 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.
     Applicants must identify whether they are applying for the 
Capacity or Implementation program in the cover page or letter.
    Capacity applicants: The narrative should address activities to be 
conducted over the entire project period, and must include the 
following items in the order listed.
1. Executive Summary (Two-Three Pages)
    a. Describe the AI/AN tribe or tribal organization and include 
purpose or mission, years of existence, and experience in representing 
the healthcare interests of the represented tribes and/or AI/AN 
populations.
    b. Describe the represented tribes and/or AI/AN populations and 
include the population size of the total tribes/populations 
represented, geographical locations of tribes/populations, and 
proximity to applicant. For applicants who were funded under PA 00065 
and are applying to extend outreach of their services to adjacent 
tribe(s) that have not been previously served by a tribe or tribal 
organization funded by CDC describe the tribes that will be outreached, 
their population size, and geographical locations and proximity to 
applicant.
    c. Describe applicant's experience, capacity, and readiness to 
implement the program. Discuss the organizational structure and how it 
would support the implementation of the proposed program.
2. Narrative (Not More Than 18 Pages)
a. Need
    Describe the needs for developing culturally relevant and community 
competent tobacco control programs among the tribes/populations to be 
served and how the applicant will assist AI/AN tribes and populations 
in addressing the identified needs. This information should include:
     Discussion of the extent of the tobacco use problem in 
tribe(s) and/or population to be served.
     Description of the gaps, challenges, limitations and/or 
opportunities for implementing tobacco control and prevention 
strategies.
     Description of need to develop comprehensive and 
sustainable tobacco control programs among the represented tribes.
b. Annual Action Plan (AAP)
    Provide a narrative that describes your AAP including cultural 
relevant and community competent strategies to reduce tobacco use and 
exposure in the AI/AN population. In addition to the narrative, 
applicants are encouraged to use the AAP format included as Addendum 6 
to summarize the key elements of the plan. The AAP should include the 
following:
     Goals and Objectives: Develop SMART objectives to be 
accomplished during the first year. Describe possible barriers to or 
facilitators for reaching each objective.
     Strategies and activities: For each objective, describe 
the strategies to meet the objectives and accomplish the recipient 
activities.
    Timeline: Provide a timeline that identifies major activities and 
assigns approximate dates for their inception and completion.
     Tracking progress: Provide indicators of how you will 
monitor and track progress toward accomplishing activities.
     Responsible party: Identify person(s) or party(ies) 
responsible for overseeing the activities.
c. Program Management
     Describe how you will manage the project to accomplish 
recipient activities. Identify any anticipated challenges and how you 
will address them.
     Describe the proposed project staffing. Staffing should 
include the commitment of at least one to two full-time staff members 
to provide direction for the proposed activities.
     Demonstrate that staff members have the professional 
background, experience, and organizational support needed to fulfill 
the proposed responsibilities. Include curriculum vitae (limit to 2 
pages) for each staff member and job descriptions for staff not yet 
identified.
d. Capacity
     Describe relevant experiences and successes in developing 
and administering health-related programs for AI/AN tribes and/or 
populations. Be specific about the scope of programs, dates and 
duration, and whether the public health experience was at the tribal, 
regional or national level.
     Provide letters of support from at least 50 percent of the 
represented tribes. Awardees funded under PA  00065 and 
applying for a Capacity program must provide letters of support from at 
least 50 percent of the tribes which they will serve and which have not 
been previously served by a CDC funded tribe or tribal organization. 
Applicants proposing to serve urban population(s) must provide 
letter(s) of

[[Page 41026]]

support from national organization(s) that represent AI/AN health 
interests.
     Provide documentation of the applicant's mission and 
commitment to improve the health of the AI/AN population it proposes to 
serve.
     Describe how the applicant communicates and disseminates 
information to the served tribes and their membership (e.g. newsletter, 
Websites, meetings, conferences, etc.)
     Submit a copy of the applicant's organizational chart and 
describe how the structure supports the development of a tobacco 
control and prevention program for the organization or for the tribes 
that will be served.
    Submit a copy of the tax-exempt status, if applicable.
e. Evaluation and Logic Model
     Provide a description of the evaluation and monitoring 
process to be used to track and measure progress in meeting objectives 
in the AAP. Describe how results will be reported and used. Designate 
who will oversee the evaluation design and process.
    f. Budget and Accompanying Justification
    Provide a line item budget and detailed justification for the first 
year. The budget should be consistent with stated goals and planned 
activities outlined in the AAP. To the extent necessary, applicants are 
encouraged to include budget items for the following: Travel for the 
following meetings:
    i. Program Manager to attend a reverse site visit to Atlanta, GA 
within sixty (60) days of project start to meet with Project Officer 
and other OSH Staff and review the annual action plan, technical 
assistance needs and resources. First year only.
    ii. One to two staff to Atlanta, GA to attend the National Tobacco 
Control Program annual 2.5 day CDC-sponsored training workshop.
    iii. One to two staff to attend Annual Program Training and 
Workshop--location TBD.
    iv. If needed--a computer, modem, communication software, and a 
dedicated telephone line to support routine participation in web-
related communications with tribes and partners.
    If proposed contractors are known at the time of the application, 
provide the following:
    1. Name of contractor/consultant.
    2. Method of selection.
    3. Method of accountability.
    4. Scope of service.
    5. Period of performance.
    6. Detailed budget and justification.
    Implementation applicants: The narrative should address activities 
to be conducted over the entire project period, and must include the 
following items in the order listed.
1. Executive Summary (2-3 Pages)
    a. Describe the AI/AN tribe or tribal organization and include 
purpose or mission, years of existence, and experience in tobacco 
control and prevention.
    b. Describe applicant's experience, capacity, and readiness to 
implement the program. Discuss the organizational structure and how it 
would support the implementation of the proposed program.
    C. Describe promising programs to be evaluated for cultural 
relevance, community competence, effectiveness and ability to 
replicate.
2. Narrative (Not More Than 18 Pages)
a. Need
    Describe the need for implementing and evaluating proven and 
promising strategies, including:
     Need for developing culturally relevant and community 
competent interventions.
     Need for assisting Capacity programs in developing their 
capacity and infrastructure to deliver interventions.
     Need for assisting tobacco control and prevention partners 
with outreach efforts to AI/AN tribes.
     Need to develop comprehensive and sustainable tobacco 
control programs among the represented tribes.
b. Annual Action Plan (AAP)
    Provide a narrative that describes your AAP including cultural 
relevant and community competent strategies to reduce tobacco use and 
exposure in the AI/AN population. In addition to the narrative, 
applicants are encouraged to use the AAP format included as Addendum 6 
to summarize the key elements of the plan. The AAP should include the 
following:
     Goals and Objectives: develop SMART objectives (Specific, 
Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-phased) to be accomplished 
during the first year. Describe possible barriers to or facilitators 
for reaching each objective.
     Strategies and activities: For each objective, describe 
the strategies to meet the objectives and accomplish the recipient 
activities.
     Timeline: Provide a timeline that identifies major 
activities and assigns approximate dates for their inception and 
completion.
     Tracking progress: Provide indicators of how you will 
monitor and track progress toward accomplishing activities.
     Responsible party: Identify person(s) or party(ies) 
responsible for overseeing the activities.
c. Program Management
     Describe how you will manage the project to accomplish 
recipient activities. Identify any anticipated challenges and how you 
will address them.
     Describe the proposed project staffing. Staffing should 
include the commitment of at least one to two full-time staff members 
to provide direction for the proposed activities.
     Demonstrate that staff members have the professional 
background, experience, and organizational support needed to fulfill 
the proposed responsibilities. Include curriculum vitae (limit to 2 
pages) for each staff member and job descriptions for staff not yet 
identified.
d. Capacity
     Describe relevant experiences and successes in developing 
and administering tobacco control for AI/AN tribes and/or populations, 
including discussion of: specific developed capacities that will enable 
mentoring for other tribes and tribal organizations and relationships 
with other tribal and non-tribal partners.
     Provide letters of support from at least 50 percent of the 
represented tribes.
     Provide documentation of the applicant's mission and 
commitment to improve the health of the AI/AN population it proposes to 
serve.
     Submit a copy of the applicant's organizational chart and 
describe how the structure supports the development of the proposed 
program.
    Submit a copy of the tax-exempt status, if applicable.
e. Evaluation and Logic Model
     Provide a description of the evaluation and monitoring 
process to be used to track and measure progress in meeting objectives 
in the AAP. Describe how results will be reported and used. Designate 
who will oversee the evaluation design and process.
     Provide an evaluation logic model that links program 
activities to outputs and short-term and intermediate outcomes.
f. Budget and Accompanying Justification
    Provide a line item budget and detailed justification for the first 
year. The budget should be consistent with stated goals and planned 
activities

[[Page 41027]]

outlined in the AAP. To the extent necessary, applicants are encouraged 
to include budget items for the following: Travel for the following 
meetings:
    i. Program Manager to attend a reverse site visit to Atlanta, GA 
within sixty (60) days of project start to meet with Project Officer 
and other OSH Staff and review the annual action plan, technical 
assistance needs and resources. First year only.
    ii. One to two staff to Atlanta, GA to attend the National Tobacco 
Control Program annual 2.5 day CDC-sponsored training workshop.
    iii. One to two staff to attend Tobacco Program Training and 
Workshop--location TBD.
    iv. If needed--a computer, modem, communication software, and a 
dedicated telephone line to support routine participation in web-
related communications with tribes and partners.
    If proposed contractors are known at the time of the application, 
provide the following:
    1. Name of contractor/consultant.
    2. Method of selection.
    3. Method of accountability.
    4. Scope of service.
    5. Period of performance.
    6. Detailed budget and justification.
    For all applicants: Additional information may be included in the 
application appendices. The Appendices will not be counted toward the 
narrative page limit.
    This additional information includes:
     Curriculum Vitas, Resumes, Organizational Charts, Letters 
of Support and/or Tribal Resolutions, etc.
    The agency or organization is 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 an 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.
    For more information, see the CDC Web site at: http://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/funding/grantmain.htm.
    If the application form does not have a DUNS number field, please 
write the DUNS number at the top of the first page of the application, 
and/or include the DUNS number in the application cover letter.
    Additional requirements that may require submittal of additional 
documentation with the application are listed in section ``VI.2. 
Administrative and National Policy Requirements.''

IV.3. Submission Dates and Times

    Application Deadline Date: August 15, 2005.
    Explanation of Deadlines: Applications must be received in the CDC 
Procurement and Grants Office by 4 pm Eastern Time on the deadline 
date.
    Applications may be submitted electronically at www.grants.gov. 
Applications completed on-line through Grants.gov are considered 
formally submitted when the applicant organization's Authorizing 
Official electronically submits the application to 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 submittal of the application is done electronically through 
Grants.gov (http://www.grants.gov), the application will be 
electronically time/date stamped, which will serve as receipt of 
submission. Applicants will receive an e-mail notice of receipt when 
CDC receives the application.
    If submittal of the application is by the United States Postal 
Service or commercial delivery service, the applicant must ensure that 
the carrier will be able to guarantee delivery by the closing date and 
time. If CDC receives the submission after the closing date 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, the applicant will be given the 
opportunity to submit documentation of the carrier's guarantee. If the 
documentation verifies a carrier problem, CDC will consider the 
submission as having been received by the deadline.
    If a hard copy application is submitted, CDC will not notify the 
applicant upon receipt of the submission. If questions arise on the 
receipt of the application, the applicant should first contact the 
carrier. If the applicant still has questions, contact the PGO-TIM 
staff at (770) 488-2700. The applicant should wait two to three days 
after the submission deadline before calling. This will allow time for 
submissions to be processed and logged.
    This announcement is the definitive guide on LOI and application 
content, submission address, and deadline. It supersedes information 
provided in the application instructions. If the submission does not 
meet the deadline above, it will not be eligible for review, and will 
be discarded. The applicant will be notified the application 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.
     Funds may not be used for construction.
    If requesting indirect costs in the budget, a copy of the indirect 
cost rate agreement is required. If the indirect cost rate is a 
provisional rate, the agreement should be less than 12 months of age.
    Guidance for completing the 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
    Electronic Submission: CDC strongly encourages applicants to submit 
applications electronically at www.Grants.gov. The application package 
can be downloaded from www.Grants.gov. Applicants are able to complete 
it off-line, and then upload and submit the application via the 
Grants.gov Web site. E-mail submissions will not be accepted. If the 
applicant has technical difficulties in Grants.gov, costumer service 
can be reached by E-mail at http://www.grants.gov/CustomerSupport 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 submittal of the application to Grants.gov 
should be early to resolve any unanticipated difficulties prior to the 
deadline. Applicants may also submit a back-up paper submission of the 
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

[[Page 41028]]

by the deadline, the electronic version will be considered the official 
submission.
    It is strongly recommended that the applicant submit the grant 
application using Microsoft Office products (e.g., Microsoft Word, 
Microsoft Excel, etc.). If the applicant does not have access to 
Microsoft Office products, a PDF file may be submitted. 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 the file being 
unreadable by staff.
or
    Paper Submission: Applicants should submit the original and two 
hard copies of the application by mail or express delivery service to: 
Technical Information Management--RFA AA066, 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.
Capacity Applicants
    The application will be evaluated against the following criteria:
1. Annual Action Plan (25 Points)
    a. Are the objectives (SMART) and are they related to the 
identified needs and purposes of the program? (10)
    b. Are the strategies and activities realistic and feasible for 
accomplishing the objectives? (5)
    c. Are the roles and responsibilities of staff appropriate and are 
the timelines realistic to addressing the activities? (5)
    d. Are appropriate indicators and measures of progress indicated? 
(5)
2. Capacity (20 Points)
    a. Does the applicant describe relevant experiences and successes 
in developing and administering health-related programs? Is the 
experience on a National, Regional or Tribal level? (10)
    b. Does the applicant describe its communication and information 
dissemination with tribes, tribal membership and/or urban AI/AN 
populations? (5)
    c. To what extent does the applicant's organizational structure 
support the proposed program? (5)
3. Evaluation (20 Points)
    a. How appropriate and extensive is the evaluation plan in 
measuring progress toward objectives as well as determining the degree 
to which program requirements will be met? (20)
4. Need (15 Points)
    a. How well does the applicant describe and justify the need for 
developing, implementing and evaluating culturally relevant and 
community competent tobacco control and prevention? (5)
    b. How well does the applicant describe the extent of the tobacco 
use problem in the AI/AN tribes and/or population to be served? (5)
    c. How well does the applicant identify and describe the gaps, 
challenges, limitation and/or opportunities for implementing strategies 
and interventions? (3)
    d. How well does the applicant describe the need for developing 
comprehensive and sustainable tobacco control and prevention programs? 
(2)
5. Executive Summary (10 Points)
    a. To what extent does the applicant clearly define itself and its 
relationship to the tribes to be served, including past experiences and 
proposed plans to reach and work with the targeted population? (10)
6. Program Management (10 Points)
    a. To what extent is the management plan logical, resourceful, and 
adequate to accomplish the purpose of the project? How well does the 
applicant address overcoming any anticipated challenges? (5)
    b. How well does the applicant identify staff responsibilities and 
capabilities to carry out the activities? How useful are the documents 
provided (i.e. job descriptions and curriculum vitae)? (5)
7. Budget and Accompanying Justification (Reviewed But Not Scored)
    a. Is the budget reasonable, itemized, and clearly justified? Is 
the budget aligned with the work plan and the intended use of funds?
Implementation Program Applicants
    The application will be evaluated against the following criteria:
1. Annual Action Plan (25 Points)
    a. Are the objectives specific, measurable, achievable, relevant 
and time-bound and are they related to the identified needs and 
purposes of the program? (10)
    b. Are the strategies and activities realistic and feasible for 
accomplishing the objectives? (5)
    c. Are the roles and responsibilities of staff appropriate and are 
the timelines realistic to addressing the activities? (5)
    d. Are appropriate indicators and measures of progress indicated? 
(5)
2. Capacity (20 Points)
    a. Does the applicant describe relevant experiences and successes 
in developing and administering tobacco control programs? How well does 
the applicant describe the capacities available to deliver mentoring to 
other tribes and tribal organizations? How well does the applicant 
describe its relationships with other tribal and non-tribal partners? 
(10)
    b. To what extent does the applicant's organizational structure 
support the development of the proposed program? (10)
3. Evaluation (20 Points)
    a. How appropriate and extensive is the evaluation plan in 
measuring progress toward objectives as well as determining the degree 
to which program requirements will be met? (10)
    b. Does the applicant provide a reasonable logic model that links 
program activities to outputs and short-term and intermediate outcomes? 
(10)
4. Need (15 Points)
    a. How well does the applicant describe and justify the need for 
evaluating the proposed product? Are any previous evaluation efforts 
discussed and how extensively was the product evaluated? (5)
    b. How well does the applicant describe the need for developing 
culturally relevant and community competent interventions? (5)
    c. How well does the applicant describe the need for assisting the 
Capacity programs in developing their capacity and infrastructure to 
deliver interventions? (3)
    d. How well does the applicant describe the need for assisting 
tobacco control and prevention partners with outreach efforts to AI/AN 
tribes? (2)
5. Executive Summary (10 Points)
    a. How clearly does the applicant define itself and its experiences 
in tobacco control and prevention? (4)
    b. To what extent does the applicant describe its experience, 
capacity and readiness to implement the proposed program? (3)
    c. How well does the applicant describe the programs to be 
evaluated

[[Page 41029]]

for: Cultural relevance, community competence, effectiveness and 
ability to replicate? (3)
6. Program Management (10 Points)
    a. To what extent is the management plan logical, resourceful, and 
adequate to accomplish the purpose of the project? How well does the 
applicant address overcoming any anticipated challenges? (5)
    b. How well does the applicant identify staff responsibilities and 
capabilities to carry out the activities? How useful are the documents 
provided (i.e. job descriptions and curriculum vitae)? (5)
7. Budget and Accompanying Justification (Not Scored)
    a. Is the budget reasonable, itemized, and clearly justified? Is 
the budget aligned with the work plan and the intended use of funds?

V.2. Review and Selection Process

    Applications will be reviewed for completeness by the Procurement 
and Grants Office (PGO) staff and for responsiveness by NCCDPHP Office 
on Smoking and Health. 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 objective review process will follow the policy 
requirements as stated in the GPD 2.04 (http://198.102.218.46/doc/gpd204.doc). The evaluation will be conducted by CDC employees outside 
the funding center.
    Applications will be funded in order by score and rank determined 
by the review panel.
    In addition, the following factors will affect the funding 
decision:
    (a) Only one Capacity program award will be made within the 
geographical regions that have not been served by a CDC-funded tribe or 
tribal organization as defined on pages 17 and 18, section a, above.
    (b) Up to one urban organization will be funded. An urban 
organization is defined as a non-profit corporate body situated in an 
urban center eligible for services under Title V of the Indian Health 
Care Improvement Act, PL 94-437, as amended.
    CDC will provide justification for any decision to fund out of rank 
order.

V.3. Anticipated Announcement and Award Dates

    The anticipated award date is 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

    Successful applicants must comply with the administrative 
requirements outlined in 45 CFR Part 74 and Part 92 as Appropriate.
    The following additional requirements apply to this project:
     AR-9 Paperwork Reduction Act Requirements.
     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.
    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.
    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.
    An additional Certifications form from the PHS5161-1 application 
needs to be included in the Grants.gov electronic submission only. 
Applicants should refer to http://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/funding/PHS5161-1-Certificates.pdf. Once the applicant has filled out the form, it should 
be attached to the Grants.gov submission as Other Attachments Form.

VI.3. Reporting Requirements

    The applicant 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 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 30 days after the end of the budget 
period.
    3. Financial Status report, due no more than 90 days after the end 
of the budget period.
    4. Final financial and performance reports, due 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: Lorene Reano, Project 
Officer, CDC, Office on Smoking and Health, 4770 Buford Hwy, MS-K50, 
Atlanta, GA 30341-3717. Telephone number: (505) 897-6478. E-mail: 
[email protected].
    For financial, grants management, or budget assistance, contact: 
Ann Gatwood, Grants Management Specialist, CDC Procurement and Grants 
Office, 2920 Brandywine Road, Atlanta, GA 30341. Telephone: 770/488-
2895. E-mail: [email protected].

VIII. Other Information

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

    Dated: July 8, 2005.
William P. Nichols,
Director, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease Control 
and Prevention.
[FR Doc. 05-13937 Filed 7-14-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P