[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 160 (Friday, August 19, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 48727-48734]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-16429]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention


HIV Prevention, Care and Support, and Confidential Counseling and 
Testing in Lagos State and Rivers State in the Republic of Nigeria, as 
Part of the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief

    Announcement Type: New.
    Funding Opportunity Number: CDC-RFA-AA187.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 93.067.
    Key Dates: Application Deadline: September 12, 2005.

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    Authority: This program is authorized under Sections 301(a) and 
307 of the Public Health Service Act [42 U.S.C. Sections 241 and 
242l], as amended, and under Public Law 108-25 (United States 
Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria Act of 2003) 
[U.S.C. 7601].

    Background: President Bush's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief has 
called for immediate, comprehensive and evidence-based action to turn 
the tide of global HIV/AIDS. The initiative aims to treat more than two 
million HIV-infected people with effective combination anti-retroviral 
therapy by 2008; care for ten million HIV-infected and affected 
persons, including those orphaned by HIV/AIDS, by 2008; and prevent 
seven million infections by 2010, with a focus on 15 priority 
countries, including 12 in sub-Saharan Africa. The five-year strategy 
for the Emergency Plan is available at the following Internet address: 
http://www.state.gov/s/gac/rl/or/c11652.htm.
    Over the same time period, as part of a collective national 
response, the Emergency Plan goals specific to Nigeria are to treat at 
least 350,000 HIV-infected individuals and care for 1,750,000 HIV-
affected individuals, including orphans.

Purpose

    The purpose of the program is to provide HIV prevention, care and 
support, and confidential counseling and testing to persons at 
increased risk of HIV infection in Lagos State and Rivers State, 
Nigeria.
    The Global AIDS Program (GAP) within the U.S. Department of Health 
and Human Services (HHS) has established field operations to support 
national HIV/AIDS control programs in 25 countries. HHS/GAP exists to 
help prevent HIV infection, improve care and support, and build 
capacity to address

[[Page 48728]]

the global AIDS pandemic. HHS/GAP provides financial and technical 
assistance through partnerships with governments, community- and faith-
based organizations, the private sector, and national and international 
entities working in the 25 resource-constrained countries. HHS/GAP 
works with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Health 
Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), the National Institutes 
of Health (NIH), within HHS; the United States Agency for International 
Development (USAID); the Peace Corps; the U.S. Departments of State, 
Labor and Defense, and other agencies and organizations. These efforts 
complement multilateral efforts, including the Joint United Nations 
Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS); the Global Fund to Fight HIV, 
Tuberculosis and Malaria; World Bank funding; and private-sector 
donation programs.
    Under the leadership of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator, as part 
of the President's Emergency Plan, the U.S. Department of Health and 
Human Services (HHS) works with host countries and other key partners 
to assess the needs of each country and design a customized program of 
assistance that fits within the host nation's strategic plan.
    HHS focuses on two or three major program areas in each country. 
Goals and priorities include the following:
     Achieving primary prevention of HIV infection through 
activities such as expanding confidential counseling and testing 
programs, building programs to reduce mother-to-child transmission, and 
strengthening programs to reduce transmission via blood transfusion and 
medical injections.
     Improving the care and treatment of HIV/AIDS, sexually 
transmitted diseases (STDs) and related opportunistic infections by 
improving STD management; enhancing care and treatment of opportunistic 
infections, including tuberculosis (TB); and initiating programs to 
provide anti-retroviral therapy (ART).
     Strengthening the capacity of countries to collect and use 
surveillance data and manage national HIV/AIDS programs by expanding 
HIV/STD/TB surveillance programs and strengthening laboratory support 
for surveillance, diagnosis, treatment, disease-monitoring and HIV 
screening for blood safety.
    The U.S. Government seeks to reduce the impact of HIV/AIDS in 
specific countries within sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, and the Americas 
through the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (The Emergency 
Plan). Through this new initiative, HHS/GAP will continue to work with 
host countries to strengthen capacity and expand activities in the 
areas of (1) primary HIV prevention; (2) HIV care, support, and 
treatment; and (3) capacity and infrastructure development, especially 
for surveillance and training. Targeted countries represent those with 
the most severe epidemics where the potential for impact is greatest 
and where U.S. Government agencies are already active. Nigeria is one 
of these targeted countries.
    To carry out its activities in these countries, HHS is working in a 
collaborative manner with national governments and other agencies to 
develop programs of assistance to address the HIV/AIDS epidemic. HHS'' 
program of assistance to Nigeria focuses on several areas of national 
priority, including scaling up activities and funding for HIV 
prevention, care, and treatment; improving the national blood safety 
program; HIV sentinel surveillance; and supporting the National AIDS 
and Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) Control Program.
    Measurable outcomes of the program will be in alignment with the 
numerical goals of the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief and 
one (or more) of the following performance goal(s) for the CDC National 
Center for HIV, STD, and TB Prevention (NCHSTP), within HHS: By 2010, 
work with other countries, international organizations, the U.S. 
Department of State, USAID, and other partners to achieve the United 
Nations General Assembly Special Session on HIV/AIDS goal of reducing 
prevalence among young persons 15 to 24 years of age; reducing HIV 
transmission; and improving care of persons living with HIV. They also 
will contribute to the global goals of the Emergency Plan which are as 
follows: within five years treat two million HIV-infected persons with 
effective combination anti-retroviral therapy (ART); prevent seven 
million new HIV infections; and care for ten million HIV-infected and 
affected persons, including those orphaned and left vulnerable by HIV/
AIDS. Some of the specific measurable outputs from this program will be 
the number of young people who receive HIV behavior-change 
interventions through the program; the number of persons trained to 
provide HIV behavior change services for youth; the number of community 
leaders, religious leaders, and parents involved with the program; the 
number of young people who receive confidential counseling and testing 
and care and support through the program; and the documentation of the 
impact of the program on reducing the risk of infection in youth (up to 
30 years of age) in Nigeria.
    This announcement is only for non-research activities supported by 
HHS, including CDC. If an applicant proposes research activities, HHS 
will not review the application. For the definition of ``research,'' 
please see the HHS/CDC Web site at the following Internet address: 
http://www.cdc.gov/od/ads/opspoll1.htm.

Activities

    The recipient of these funds is responsible for activities in 
multiple program areas designed to target underserved populations in 
Nigeria. Either the awardee will implement activities directly or will 
implement them through its subgrantees and/or subcontractors; the 
awardee will retain overall financial and programmatic management under 
the oversight of HHS/CDC and the strategic direction of the Office of 
the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator. The awardee must show a measurable, 
progressive reinforcement of the capacity of indigenous organizations 
and local communities to respond to the national HIV epidemic, as well 
as progress towards the sustainability of activities.
    Applicants should describe activities in detail as part of a four-
year action plan (U.S. Government Fiscal Years 2005-2008 inclusive) 
that reflects the policies and goals outlined in the five-year strategy 
for the President's Emergency Plan.
    The grantee will produce an annual operational plan in the context 
of this four-year plan, which the U.S. Government Emergency Plan team 
on the ground in Nigeria will review as part of the annual Emergency 
Plan for AIDS Relief Country Operational Plan review and approval 
process managed by the Office of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator. The 
grantee may work on some of the activities listed below in the first 
year and in subsequent years, and then progressively add others from 
the list to achieve all of the Emergency Plan performance goals, as 
cited in the previous section. HHS/CDC, under the guidance of the U.S. 
Global AIDS Coordinator, will approve funds for activities on an annual 
basis, based on documented performance toward achieving Emergency Plan 
goals, as part of the annual Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief Country 
Operational Plan review and approval process.
    Awardee activities for this program are as follows:
    1. Provide HIV prevention interventions in local languages to out-
of-school youth (up to 30 years of age) who are engaged or could become

[[Page 48729]]

engaged in high-risk behaviors \1\ in Lagos and Rivers State, 
particularly at motor parks. Awardees may not implement condom social 
marketing without also promoting abstinence and faithfulness behavior-
change interventions.
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    \1\ Behaviors that increase risk for HIV transmission include 
engaging in casual sexual encounters, engaging in sex in exchange 
for money or favors, having sex with an HIV-positive partner or one 
whose status is unknown, using drugs or abusing alcohol in the 
context of sexual interactions, and using intravenous drugs. Women, 
even if faithful themselves, can still be at risk of becoming 
infected by their spouse, regular male partner, or someone using 
force against them. Other high-risk persons or groups include men 
who have sex with men and workers who are employed away from home. 
Awardees may not implement condom social marketing without also 
implementing abstinence and faithfulness behavior-change 
interventions.
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    2. Implement basic care and support in Lagos State, particularly at 
motor parks.
    3. Strengthen and expand existing linkages with private and public 
health facilities for confidential screening/testing of HIV and related 
diseases.
    4. Provide confidential counseling and testing in Lagos State, 
particularly at motor parks. Strengthen and expand existing linkages 
with private and public health facilities for confidential screening/
testing of HIV and related diseases.
    5. Collect and analyze data on all of these services.
    Awardee should ensure that all of the above activities integrate 
into the national HIV/AIDS strategy.
    Interventions should promote the ``ABC model.'' Methods and 
strategies should emphasize abstinence for youth and other unmarried 
persons, mutual faithfulness and partner reduction for sexually active 
adults, and correct and consistent use of condoms by those populations 
who are engaged in high-risk behaviors. Behaviors that increase risk 
for HIV transmission include engaging in casual sexual encounters, 
engaging in sex in exchange for money or favors, having sex with an 
HIV-positive partner or one whose status is unknown, using drugs or 
abusing alcohol in the context of sexual interactions, and using 
intravenous drugs. Women, even if faithful themselves, can still be at 
risk of becoming infected by their spouse, regular male partner, or 
someone using force against them. Other high-risk persons or groups 
include men who have sex with men and workers who are employed away 
from home. Awardees may not implement condom social marketing without 
also implementing the abstinence and faithfulness behavior-change 
interventions outlined in the preceding paragraph.
    Based on its competitive advantage and proven field experience, the 
winning applicant will undertake a broad range of activities to meet 
the numerical Emergency Plan targets outlined in this announcement.

Administration

    Awardees must comply with all HHS management requirements for 
meeting participation and progress and financial reporting for this 
cooperative agreement (See HHS Activities and Reporting sections below 
for details), and comply with all policy directives established by the 
Office of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator.
    In a cooperative agreement, HHS staff is substantially involved in 
the program activities, above and beyond routine grant monitoring.
    HHS/CDC Activities for this program are as follows:
    1. Organize an orientation meeting with the grantee to brief it on 
applicable U.S. Government, HHS, and Emergency Plan expectations, 
regulations and key management requirements, as well as report formats 
and contents. The orientation could include meetings with staff from 
HHS agencies and the Office of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator.
    2. Review and approve the process used by the grantee to select key 
personnel and/or post-award subcontractors and/or subgrantees to be 
involved in the activities performed under this agreement, as part of 
the Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief Country Operational Plan review and 
approval process, managed by the Office of the U.S. Global AIDS 
Coordinator.
    3. Review and approve grantee's annual work plan and detailed 
budget, as part of the Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief Country 
Operational Plan review and approval process, managed by the Office of 
the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator.
    4. Review and approve grantee's monitoring and evaluation plan, 
including for compliance with the strategic information guidance 
established by the Office of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator.
    5. Meet on a monthly basis with grantee to assess monthly 
expenditures in relation to approved work plan and modify plans as 
necessary.
    6. Meet on a quarterly basis with grantee to assess quarterly 
technical and financial progress reports and modify plans as necessary.
    7. Meet on an annual basis with grantee to review annual progress 
report for each U.S. Government Fiscal Year, and to review annual work 
plans and budgets for subsequent year, as part of the Emergency Plan 
for AIDS Relief review and approval process for Country Operational 
Plans, managed by the Office of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator.
    8. Provide technical assistance, as mutually agreed upon, and 
revise annually during validation of the first and subsequent annual 
work plans. This could include expert technical assistance and targeted 
training activities in specialized areas, such as strategic 
information, project management, confidential counseling and testing, 
palliative care, treatment literacy, and adult learning techniques.
    9. Provide in-country administrative support to help grantee meet 
U.S. Government financial and reporting requirements.
    10. Provide guidance on selection of focus populations to ensure 
most at-risk populations are reached. In partnership with the grantee, 
HHS will participate in field activities to identify appropriate 
populations, which are most at-risk, and conduct needs assessments. The 
grantee will establish baseline information through appropriate 
formative processes, in collaboration with HHS.
    11. Provide technical assistance on the selection of behavior or 
prevention interventions, approaches to the provision of care and 
support, and approaches to confidential counseling and testing. HHS/
CDC, in collaboration with the grantee, will conduct focus group 
discussions and in-depth interviews of potential beneficiary 
communities to determine ideal points of service, information, 
education and communication messages and channels.
    12. Assist in the coordination of core interventions with other 
providers. Based on information and data gathered from the Nigerian 
federal and state governments and interagency coordination meetings, 
HHS/CDC will assist grantee to link its project activities to relevant 
projects implemented by other stakeholders as a way to leverage funding 
and inputs, which can include lessons learned and best practices.
    13. Assist in the evaluation and assessment of interventions funded 
by this program. The grantee will negotiate project goals and 
objectives, outputs and outcomes, and appropriate time-lines for 
project activities, mid-term and end of project reviews and evaluation 
with HHS/CDC.
    14. Monitor progress in achieving the purpose of this program, as 
well as project objectives. In collaboration with grantee, HHS/CDC will 
conduct field trips to supervise and monitor project progress and 
ensure judicious use of U.S. Government resources.

[[Page 48730]]

    Please note: Either HHS staff or staff from organizations that have 
successfully competed for funding under a separate HHS contract, 
cooperative agreement or grant will provide technical assistance and 
training.

II. Award Information

    Type of Award: Cooperative Agreement.
    HHS involvement in this program is listed in the Activities Section 
above.
    Fiscal Year Funds: 2005.
    Approximate Total Funding: $1,400,000. (This amount is an estimate, 
and is subject to availability of funds.)
    Approximate Number of Awards: One.
    Approximate Average Award: $350,000 (This amount is for the first 
12-month budget period, and includes direct costs.
    Floor of Award Range: None.
    Ceiling of Award Range: $350,000. (This ceiling is for the first 
12-month budget period.)
    Anticipated Award Date: September 23, 2005.
    Budget Period Length: 12 months.
    Project Period Length: Four years.
    Throughout the project period, HHS' 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, through the Emergency Plan for AIDS 
Relief review and approval process for Country Operational Plans, 
managed by the Office of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator.

III. Eligibility Information

III.1. Eligible Applicants

    Public and private non-profit organizations and governments and 
their agencies may submit applications, such as:
     Public, non-profit organizations.
     Private, non-profit organizations.
     Small, minority-owned, and women-owned businesses.
     Universities.
     Colleges.
     Hospitals.
     Community-based organizations.
     Faith-based organizations.
    We are limiting competition for this grant to the types of 
organizations listed above because of the uniqueness of the specific 
activities for this project and the location where the majority of the 
work will be performed, in multiple and diverse geographic locations 
throughout Nigeria. The types of organizations listed above have direct 
experience with performing this type of activity. We will limit 
competition to organizations that possess the following:
     A proven track record in successfully managing effective 
and sustainable health programs in Nigeria.
     Experience and ability in efficiently implementing 
programs to identify and monitor the work of sub-grantees and technical 
consultants in Nigeria.
     Extensive knowledge of the Nigerian health structure from 
the national to the district levels.
     Knowledge and working-level contacts and relationships 
with networks of Governmental Ministries at the federal and state 
levels.
     Credentials that allow the organization to work legally in 
Nigeria, and an existing office in one or more critical locations in 
Nigeria.
     Staff with appropriate local language skills.

III.2. Cost-Sharing or Matching Funds

    Matching funds are not required for this program. Although matching 
funds are not required, preference will go to organizations that can 
leverage additional funds to contribute to program goals.

III.3. Other

    If applicants request a funding amount greater than the ceiling of 
the award range, HHS/CDC will consider the application non-responsive, 
and it will not enter into the review process. We will notify you that 
your application did not meet the submission requirements.

Special Requirements

    If your application is incomplete or non-responsive to the special 
requirements listed in this section, it will not enter into the review 
process. We will notify you that your application did not meet 
submission requirements.
     HHS/CDC will consider late applications non-responsive. 
See section ``IV.3. Submission Dates and Times'' for more information 
on deadlines.

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

IV. Application and Submission Information

IV.1. Address To Request Application Package

    To apply for this funding opportunity use application form PHS 
5161-1.
    HHS strongly encourages you to submit the application 
electronically using the forms and instructions posted for this 
announcement on http://www.grants.gov.
    Application forms and instructions are available on the HHS/CDC Web 
site, at the following Internet address: http://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/forminfo.htm.
    If you do not have access to the Internet, or if you have 
difficulty accessing the forms on-line, you may contact the HHS/CDC 
Procurement and Grants Office Technical Information Management Section 
(PGO-TIM) staff at: (770) 488-2700. We can mail application forms to 
you.

IV.2. Content and Form of Submission

    Application: You must submit a project narrative with your 
application forms. You must submit the narrative in the following 
format:
     Maximum number of pages: 20 pages. If your narrative 
exceeds the page limit, we will review only the pages within the page 
limit.
     Font size: 12 point unreduced.
     Double spaced.
     Paper size: 8.5 by 11 inches.
     Page margin size: One inch.
     Printed only on one side of page.
     Held together only by rubber bands or metal clips; not 
bound in any other way.
     All pages should be numbered sequentially from page one 
(Application Face Page) to the end of the application, including 
charts, figures, tables, and appendices.
     Must be submitted in English.
    Your narrative should address activities to be conducted over the 
entire project period, and must include the following items in the 
order listed:
     Need for Services.
    Describe the proposed populations for each of the services to be 
provided (prevention, care and support, and confidential counseling and 
testing). This should include demographics; estimated HIV/AIDS or STD 
prevalence (if data is available, provide data source); and services 
currently being provided and by which organizations.
     Experience in Providing HIV Services (prevention, care and 
support, and confidential counseling and testing).
    Describe how your organization has provided these services in Lagos 
State (for Rivers State, describe experience with prevention services). 
Also describe how your organization has worked with other organizations 
providing HIV services in Lagos and Rivers State.
     Plan to Provide Prevention, Care and Support, and 
Confidential Counseling and Testing Services.

[[Page 48731]]

    For each service, specify numbers to be served, recruitment 
strategies, services to be provided, and coordination with existing 
services. List goals and objectives in this section. Goals are broad 
statements of programmatic intent. Objectives should be specific (who 
and how many) and measurable, and describe what is expected (e.g., who 
will be tested). Provide letters of support from the State or Federal 
Ministry of Health, the National Action Committee on AIDS, or from 
other organizations providing HIV services in Lagos State indicating 
previous collaborative relationships and/or support for this program.
     Management and Personnel.
    Describe the qualifications and experience for management and 
technical staff who will work on this project. Include a description of 
responsibilities for each person. Indicate whether proposed persons are 
available to work on this project and if not, describe plans to recruit 
needed staff.
     Program Requirements.
    Program requirements may include relevant national guidelines, 
training curricula and modules, etc.
     Plan to Evaluate Programmatic Efforts and Administrative 
and Accounting Plan.
    Include a description of how you will measure services provided and 
the manner in which they were provided (i.e., quality assurance). 
Describe your plan to manage the resources of this program and monitor 
and audit expenditures.
     Budget (not included in page limit).
    Your budget should highlight any supplies mentioned in the Program 
Requirements and any proposed capital expenditure. Guidance for 
completing your budget can be found on the United States Government Web 
site at the following address: http://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/funding/budgetguide.htm.
    You may include additional information in the application 
appendices. The appendices will not count toward the narrative page 
limit. The additional information includes but is not limited to the 
following:
     Organizational Charts.
     Curriculum Vitas or Resumes.
     Letters of Support.
    The budget justification will not count in the narrative page 
limit.
    Although the narrative addresses activities for the entire project, 
the applicant should provide a detailed budget only for the first year 
of activities, while addressing budgetary plans for subsequent years.
    You must 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 HHS/CDC Web site at: http://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/funding/grantmain.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 could require you to submit additional 
documentation with your application are listed in section ``VI.2. 
Administrative and National Policy Requirements.''

IV.3. Submission Dates and Times

    Application Deadline Date: September 12, 2005.
    Explanation of Deadlines: Applications must be received in the HHS/
CDC Procurement and Grants Office by 4 p.m. eastern time on the 
deadline date.
    You may submit your application electronically at http://www.grants.gov. We consider applications completed on-line through 
Grants.gov as formally submitted when the applicant organization's 
Authorizing Official electronically submits the application to http://www.grants.gov. We will consider electronic applications as having met 
the deadline if the applicant organization's Authorizing Official has 
submitted the application electronically to Grants.gov on or before the 
deadline date and time.
    If you submit your application electronically through Grants.gov, 
your application will be electronically time/date stamped, which will 
serve as receipt of submission. You will receive an e-mail notice of 
receipt when HHS/CDC receives the application.
    If you submit your application by the United States Postal Service 
or commercial delivery service, you must ensure that the carrier will 
be able to guarantee delivery of the application by the closing date 
and time. If HHS/CDC receives your application after closing because: 
(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 have the opportunity to 
submit documentation of the carrier's guarantee. If the documentation 
verifies a carrier problem, HHS/CDC will consider the application as 
received by the deadline.
    If you submit a hard copy application, HHS/CDC will not notify you 
upon receipt of your application. If you have a question about the 
receipt of your application, first contact your courier. If you still 
have a question, contact the PGO-TIM staff at: (770) 488-2700. Before 
calling, please wait two to three days after the application deadline. 
This will allow time for us to process and log submissions.
    This announcement is the definitive guide on application content, 
submission address and deadline. It supersedes information provided in 
the application instructions. If your application does not meet the 
deadline above, it will not be eligible for review, and we will discard 
it. We will notify you that your 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 you must take into account while writing your 
budget, are as follows:
     Funds may not be used for research.
     Reimbursement of pre-award costs is not allowed.
     Antiretroviral Drugs--The purchase of antiretrovirals, 
reagents, and laboratory equipment for antiretroviral treatment 
projects require pre-approval from HHS/CDC GAP Nigeria.
     Needle Exchange--No funds appropriated under this Act 
shall be used to carry out any program of distributing sterile needles 
or syringes for the hypodermic injection of any illegal drug.
     Funds may be spent for reasonable program purposes, 
including personnel, training, travel, supplies and services. Equipment 
may be purchased and renovations completed if deemed necessary to 
accomplish program objectives; however, prior approval by HHS/CDC 
officials must be requested in writing.
     All requests for funds contained in the budget shall be 
stated in U.S. dollars. Once an award is made, HHS/CDC will not 
compensate foreign grantees for currency exchange fluctuations through 
the issuance of supplemental awards.
     The costs that are generally allowable in grants to 
domestic organizations are allowable to foreign institutions and 
international organizations, with the following

[[Page 48732]]

exception: With the exception of the American University, Beirut, and 
the World Health Organization, Indirect Costs will not be paid (either 
directly or through sub-award) to organizations located outside the 
territorial limits of the United States or to international 
organization regardless of their location.
     The applicant may contract with other organizations under 
this program; however, the applicant must perform a substantial portion 
of the activities, (including program management and operations, and 
delivery of prevention and care services for which funds are required).
     You must obtain an annual audit of these HHS/CDC funds 
(program-specific audit) by a U.S.-based audit firm with international 
branches and current licensure/ authority in-country, and in accordance 
with International Accounting Standards or equivalent standard(s) 
approved in writing by HHS/CDC.
     A fiscal Recipient Capability Assessment may be required, 
prior to or post award, to review the applicant's business management 
and fiscal capabilities regarding the handling of U.S. Federal funds.
Prostitution and Related Activities
    The U.S. Government is opposed to prostitution and related 
activities, which are inherently harmful and dehumanizing, and 
contribute to the phenomenon of trafficking in persons.
    Any entity that receives, directly or indirectly, U.S. Government 
funds in connection with this document (``recipient'') cannot use such 
U.S. Government funds to promote or advocate the legalization or 
practice of prostitution or sex trafficking. Nothing in the preceding 
sentence shall be construed to preclude the provision to individuals of 
palliative care, treatment, or post-exposure pharmaceutical 
prophylaxis, and necessary pharmaceuticals and commodities, including 
test kits, condoms, and, when proven effective, microbicides.
    A recipient that is otherwise eligible to receive funds in 
connection with this document to prevent, treat, or monitor HIV/AIDS 
shall not be required to endorse or utilize a multisectoral approach to 
combating HIV/AIDS, or to endorse, utilize, or participate in a 
prevention method or treatment program to which the recipient has a 
religious or moral objection. Any information provided by recipients 
about the use of condoms as part of projects or activities that are 
funded in connection with this document shall be medically accurate and 
shall include the public health benefits and failure rates of such use.
    In addition, any recipient must have a policy explicitly opposing 
prostitution and sex trafficking. The preceding sentence shall not 
apply to any ``exempt organizations'' (defined as the Global Fund to 
Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, the World Health Organization and 
its six Regional Offices, the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative or 
to any United Nations agency).
    The following definition applies for purposes of this clause:
     Sex trafficking means the recruitment, harboring, 
transportation, provision, or obtaining of a person for the purpose of 
a commercial sex act. 22 U.S.C. 7102(9).
    All recipients must insert provisions implementing the applicable 
parts of this section, ``Prostitution and Related Activities,'' in all 
subagreements under this award. These provisions must be express terms 
and conditions of the subagreement, must acknowledge that compliance 
with this section, ``Prostitution and Related Activities,'' is a 
prerequisite to receipt and expenditure of U.S. Government funds in 
connection with this document, and must acknowledge that any violation 
of the provisions shall be grounds for unilateral termination of the 
agreement prior to the end of its term. Recipients must agree that HHS 
may, at any reasonable time, inspect the documents and materials 
maintained or prepared by the recipient in the usual course of its 
operations that relate to the organization's compliance with this 
section, ``Prostitution and Related Activities.''
    All prime recipients that receive U.S. Government funds (``prime 
recipients'') in connection with this document must certify compliance 
prior to actual receipt of such funds in a written statement that makes 
reference to this document (e.g., ``[Prime recipient's name] certifies 
compliance with the section, `Prostitution and Related Activities.') 
addressed to the agency's grants officer. Such certifications by prime 
recipients are prerequisites to the payment of any U.S. Government 
funds in connection with this document.
    Recipients' compliance with this section, ``Prostitution and 
Related Activities,'' is an express term and condition of receiving 
U.S. Government funds in connection with this document, and any 
violation of it shall be grounds for unilateral termination by HHS of 
the agreement with HHS in connection with this document prior to the 
end of its term. The recipient shall refund to HHS the entire amount 
furnished in connection with this document in the event HHS determines 
the recipient has not complied with this section, ``Prostitution and 
Related Activities.''

Funds May Be Used for

     Hiring of staff needed to operate the program and the 
various activities sponsored by the program.
     Coordination of the program.
     Purchase of supplies, equipment, vehicles, and commodities 
needed to provide the interventions, acquired in a transparent and 
competitive process.
     Renovations to clinics and community facilities as needed; 
the awardee shall make the selection of any contractors to perform such 
renovations in a transparent and competitive process.
     Support for interventions to reduce socio-economic 
vulnerability of young people, especially young girls, orphans, and 
other at-risk youth.
     Conduct assessments to document the impact of various 
interventions.
    You may find guidance for completing the budget on the HHS/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

    HHS/CDC strongly encourages you to submit electronically at http://
www.Grants.gov. You will be able to download a copy of the application 
package from http://www.grants.gov, complete it off-line, and then 
upload and submit the application via the Grants.gov Web site. We will 
not accept e-mail submissions. If you are having technical difficulties 
in Grants.gov, you may reach them by e-mail at [email protected] or by 
phone at 1-800-518-4726 (1-800-518-GRANTS). The Customer Support Center 
is open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. eastern time, Monday through Friday.
    HHS/CDC recommends that you submit your application to Grants.gov 
early enough to resolve any unanticipated difficulties prior to the 
deadline. You may also submit back-up paper submission of the 
application. We must receive any such paper submission in accordance 
with the requirements for timely submission detailed in Section IV.3. 
of the grant announcement. You must clearly mark the paper submission: 
``BACK-UP FOR ELECTRONIC SUBMISSION.''
    The paper submission must conform to all requirements for non-
electronic submissions. If we receive both electronic and back-up paper 
submissions by the deadline, we will

[[Page 48733]]

consider the electronic version the official submission.
    We strongly recommend that the applicant submit the grant 
application using Microsoft Office products (e.g., Microsoft Word, 
Microsoft Excel, etc.). If you do not have access to Microsoft Office 
products, you may submit a PDF file. You may find directions for 
creating PDF files on the Grants.gov Web site. Use of file formats 
other than Microsoft Office or PDF could make your file unreadable for 
our staff; or

    Submit the original and two hard copies of your application by mail 
or express delivery service to the following address: Technical 
Information Management--AA187, CDC Procurement and Grants Office, U.S. 
Department of Health and Human Services, 2920 Brandywine Road, Atlanta, 
GA 30341.

V. Application Review Information

V.1. Criteria

    Applicants must 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. Applicants must submit these measures of 
effectiveness with the application, and they will be an element of 
evaluation.
    We will evaluate your application against the following criteria:
    1. Approach to Providing Services (30 points).
    Does the applicant describe strategies that are pertinent and match 
those identified in the five-year strategy of the President's Emergency 
Plan and activities that are evidence-based, realistic, achievable, 
measurable and culturally appropriate in Nigeria to achieving the goals 
of the Emergency Plan? Does the applicant provide goals and objectives? 
Are the objectives specific and measurable? Do they address key 
indicators (e.g., number of health care workers trained, number of 
persons provided prevention and care)? Does the applicant describe how 
it will recruit members of the target population for prevention and 
care? Is the quality of the plan for each of the interventions 
adequate? To what extent does the applicant propose to work with other 
organizations? Does the applicant provide letters of support?
    2. Experience in Providing HIV Interventions (25 points).
    To what extent does the applicant provide the required HIV 
interventions (prevention, care and support, confidential counseling 
and testing) in Lagos State? Does the applicant play a primary or only 
supporting role in providing these interventions? To what extent has 
the applicant worked with other organizations that provide HIV services 
in Lagos State? Does the applicant demonstrate knowledge of the 
cultural and political realities in Nigeria?
    3. Personnel (20 points).
    How well-qualified are the key staff (both management and 
technical) to carry out their proposed responsibilities, including by 
possessing local-language skills. Does the applicant describe a 
recruiting plan for positions not currently filled?
    4. Understanding of the Need for Interventions (15 points).
    Does the applicant demonstrate an understanding of the proposed 
target population (i.e., demographics, HIV/AIDS or STD prevalence, risk 
factors)? How well does the applicant describe existing HIV 
interventions?
    5. Administrative and Accounting/Evaluation Plan (10 points).
    Is the plan to measure impact of interventions, and the manner in 
which they will be provided, adequate? Is the plan to manage the 
resources of this program and monitor and audit expenditures adequate?
    6. Budget (Reviewed, but not scored).
    Is the budget itemized, well-justified and consistent with the 
five-year strategy and goals of the President's Emergency Plan and 
Emergency Plan activities in Nigeria?

V.2. Review and Selection Process

    The HHS/CDC Procurement and Grants Office (PGO) staff will review 
applications for completeness, and the HHS Global AIDS program will 
review them for responsiveness. Incomplete applications and 
applications that are non-responsive to the eligibility criteria will 
not advance through the review process. Applicants will receive 
notification 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. All persons who serve on the panel will be external to 
the U.S. Government Country Program Office. The panel may include both 
Federal and non-Federal participants.
    In addition, the following factors could affect the funding 
decision:
    While U.S.-based organizations are eligible to apply, we will give 
preference to existing national/Nigerian organizations. It is possible 
for one organization to apply as lead grantee with a plan that includes 
partnering with other organizations, preferably local. Although 
matching funds are not required, preference will go to organizations 
that can leverage additional funds to contribute to program goals.
    Applications will be funded in order by score and rank determined 
by the review panel. HHS/CDC will provide justification for any 
decision to fund out of rank order. No award will be made without the 
concurrence of the U.S. Embassy Abuja and the CDC representative in 
Nigeria.

V.3. Anticipated Announcement and Award Date

    September 23, 2005.

VI. Award Administration Information Award Notices

VI.1. Award Notices

    Successful applicants will receive a Notice of Award (NoA) from the 
HHS/CDC Procurement and Grants Office. The NoA shall be the only 
binding, authorizing document between the recipient and HHS/CDC. An 
authorized Grants Management Officer will sign the NoA, and mail it 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.
     AR-4 HIV/AIDS Confidentiality Provisions.
     AR-5 HIV Program Review Panel Requirements.
     AR-6 Patient Care.
     AR-8 Public Health System Reporting Requirements.
     AR-10 Smoke-Free Workplace Requirements.
     AR-14 Accounting System Requirements.
     AR-15 Proof of Non-Profit Status.
     AR-21 Small, Minority, and Women-Owned Business.
     AR-23 States and Faith-Based Organizations.
    Applicants can find additional information on these requirements on 
the HHS/CDC Web site at the following Internet address: http://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/funding/ARs.htm.

[[Page 48734]]

    You need to include an additional Certifications form from the 
PHS5161-1 application in the Grants.gov electronic submission only. 
Please refer to http://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/funding/PHS5161-1-Certificates.pdf. Once you have filled out the form, please attach it 
to the Grants.gov submission as Other Attachment Forms.

VI.3. Reporting Requirements

    You must provide HHS/CDC with an original, plus two hard copies, of 
the following reports:
    1. Interim progress report, no less than 90 days before the end of 
the budget period. The progress report will serve as your non-competing 
continuation application, and must contain the following elements:
    a. Current Budget Period Activities Objectives.
    b. Current Budget Period Financial Progress.
    c. New Budget Period Program Proposed Activity Objectives.
    d. Budget.
    e. Additional Requested Information.
    f. Measures of Effectiveness, including progress against the 
numerical goals of the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief for 
Nigeria.
    2. Financial status 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.
    4. Annual progress report, due no more than 60 days after the end 
of the budget period. Reports should include progress against the 
numerical goals of the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief for 
Nigeria.
    Recipients must mail these reports 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, U.S. Department of Health and Human 
Services, 2920 Brandywine Road, Atlanta, GA 30341, Telephone: (770) 
488-2700.
    For program technical assistance, contact: Joseph Nnorom, MD, MPH, 
GAP, Nigeria Country Team, NCHSTP, HHS/CDC, Address: HHS/CDC, U.S. 
Embassy, No. 9 Mambila Street (off Aso Drive), Maitama District, Abuja, 
Nigeria, Telephone: (234) 9-234 0783; (234) 9-670 0798, E-mail: 
[email protected].
    For financial, grants management, or budget assistance, contact: 
Diane Flournoy, Grants Management Specialist, CDC Procurement and 
Grants Office, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2920 
Brandywine Road, Atlanta, GA 30341, Telephone: (770) 488-2072, E-mail: 
[email protected].

VIII. Other Information

    Applicants can find this and other HHS funding opportunity 
announcements on the HHS/CDC Web site, Internet address: http://www.cdc.gov (click on ``Funding'' then ``Grants and Cooperative 
Agreements''), and on the Web site of the HHS Office of Global Health 
Affairs, Internet address: http://www.globalhealth.gov.

    Dated: August 12, 2005.
William P. Nichols,
Director, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease Control 
and Prevention, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
[FR Doc. 05-16429 Filed 8-18-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P