[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 160 (Friday, August 19, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 48764-48770]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-16448]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention


Expansion of HIV/AIDS Care Training Activities in the Republic of 
Kenya Under the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief

    Announcement Type: New.
    Funding Opportunity Number: AA174.
    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. 241 and 242l], as 
amended and Section 104 of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, 22 
U.S.C. 2151b, and under Public Law 108-25 (United States Leadership 
against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria Act of 2004) [22 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 Kenya are to treat at 
least 250,000 HIV-infected individuals and care for 1,250,000 HIV-
affected individuals, including orphans.
    Purpose: The purpose of the program is to support implementation of 
HIV treatment training programs in Kenya as part of President Bush's 
Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief. Access to anti-retroviral treatment for 
HIV in Kenya is expanding rapidly, and the needs for human capacity 
development are very substantial. The National AIDS and STD Control 
Program of the Kenyan Ministry of Health (MOH) has developed training 
curricula; there is a need for partners to conduct these trainings and 
develop and provide programs for follow up.
    Measurable outcomes of the program will be in alignment with the 
numerical goals of the President's Plan for AIDS Relief and one (or 
more) of the following performance goal(s) for the National Center for 
HIV, STD, and TB Prevention (NCHSTP) of the Centers for Disease Control 
and Prevention (CDC) within HHS: Initiate, expand or strengthen HIV/
AIDS prevention, care, treatment and support activities globally. They 
will also continue to contribute to the goals of the President's 
Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (The Emergency Plan) to prevent seven 
million new infections, provide ten million people with care and 
support (including those orphaned/vulnerable by HIV/AIDS) and place two 
million people on anti-retroviral treatment.
    This announcement is only for non-research activities supported by 
HHS/CDC. If applicants propose research, HHS/CDC 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 Kenya. 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 awardee 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 Kenya 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 awardee 
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

[[Page 48765]]

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.Adapt training materials related to a continuum of HIV treatment 
from facility-based care (including the provision of anti-retroviral 
therapy {ART{time} ) to care at the community level (home-based care), 
in collaboration with Kenyan and U.S. Government agencies and non-
governmental organizations in Kenya.
    2. Conduct classroom and practical training related to HIV 
treatment.
    3. Provide follow-up trainings, continuing medical education, and 
supportive supervisory visits for trainees to ensure optimal quality of 
program implementation following classroom training.
    4. Participate in the provision of HIV care at supported sites to 
maintain familiarity with clinical practice and the challenges faced by 
those who provide HIV care in these settings, and to assist with 
current staffing shortages at the supported clinics.
    5. Assist with integration of HIV care with other interventions, 
such as home-based care, tuberculosis (TB) treatment, malaria 
treatment, and other HIV-related care through training and supportive 
supervision.
    6. Develop plans for sustainable training programs (i.e., through 
linkages with local training facilities).
    7. Provide regular and timely reports of activities to both the 
Kenya USG interagency team and to appropriate Ministry of Health 
Officials on indicators as required by the Emergency Plan and the Kenya 
National AIDS Strategic Plan.
    Administration: Winning applicants 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.) Winning applicants must 
comply with all policy directives established by the Office of the U.S. 
Global AIDS Coordinator.
    In a cooperative agreement, HHS/CDC staff is substantially involved 
in the program activities, above and beyond routine grant monitoring.
    HHS Activities for this program are as follows:
    1. Organize an orientation meeting with the awardee to brief them 
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 awardee 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. Participate in the training of health staff for the 
program activities.
    3. Review and approve awardee'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 awardee'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 awardee to assess monthly 
expenditures in relation to approved work plan and modify plans as 
necessary.
    6. Meet on a quarterly basis with awardee to assess quarterly 
technical and financial progress reports and modify plans as necessary.
    7. Meet on an annual basis with awardee 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. Participate in technical review meetings during the 
implementation of the program.
    9. Review training materials and plans to ensure quality of these 
materials.
    10. Assist in the identification of trainees; support 
implementation of programs by the trainees; and participate in the 
evaluation of programs implemented by the trainees.
    11. Play an active role in development of curricula and training 
courses, including provision of technical assistance.
    12. Work with other stakeholders, including faith- and community-
based organizations, to continuously evaluate curriculum and training 
needs, and adapt training as necessary to meet the program needs in 
Kenya.
    13. Working with the awardee, HHS will develop a monitoring 
evaluation system to monitor the impact of the programs, consistent 
with the strategic information guidance established by the Office of 
the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator.
    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.
    Measurable outcomes of the program will be in alignment with the 
following performance goals for the Emergency Plan:

A. Prevention

    Number of individuals trained to provide HIV prevention 
interventions, including abstinence, faithfulness, and, for populations 
engaged in high-risk behaviors,\1\ correct and consistent condom use.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ Behaviors that increase risk for HIV transmission including 
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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    1. Abstinence (A) and Be Faithful (B)
     Number of community outreach and/or mass media (radio) 
programs that are A/B focused.
     Number of individuals reached through community outreach 
and/or mass media (radio) programs that are A/B focused.

B. Care and Support

    1. Confidential counseling and testing.
     Number of patients who accept confidential counseling and 
testing in a health-care setting.
     Number of clients served, direct.
     Number of people trained in confidential counseling and 
testing, direct, including health-care workers.
    2. Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC)
    Number of service outlets/programs, direct and/or indirect.
     Number of clients (OVC) served, direct and/or indirect.
     Number of persons trained to serve OVC, direct.
    3. Palliative Care: Basic Health Care and Support
     Number of service outlets/programs that provide palliative 
care, direct and/or indirect.

[[Page 48766]]

     Number of service outlets/programs that link HIV care with 
malaria and tuberculosis care and/or referral, direct and/or indirect.
     Number of clients served with palliative care, direct and/
or indirect.
     Number of persons trained in providing palliative care, 
direct.

C. HIV Treatment With ART

     Number of clients enrolled in ART, direct and indirect.
     Number of persons trained in providing ART, direct.

D. Strategic Information

     Number of persons trained in strategic information, 
direct.

E. Expanded Indigenous Sustainable Response

     Project-specific quantifiable milestones to measure:
    a. Indigenous capacity-building.
    b. Progress toward sustainability.

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: $2,000,000 (This amount is an estimate, 
and is subject to availability of funds.)
    Approximate Number of Awards: One or Two.
    Approximate Average Award: $250,000 (This amount is for the first 
12-month budget period, and includes direct and indirect costs).
    Floor of Award Range: None.
    Ceiling of Award Range: $400,000 (This ceiling is for the first 12-
month budget period.)
    Anticipated Award Date: September 15, 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, as determined by the annual review 
and approval of Country Operational Plans, managed by the U.S. Global 
AIDS Coordinator.

III. Eligibility Information

III.1. Eligible Applicants

    Public and private non-profit organizations and by the Kenyan 
national government, local governments in Kenya, and their agencies may 
submit applications, such as:
     Public, non-profit organizations
     Private, non-profit organizations
     Small, minority and women-owned businesses
     Universities
     Colleges
     Research institutions
     Hospitals
     Community-based organizations
     Faith-based organizations
    Applicants must meet the following criteria:
    1. Have at least three years of documented experience in 
implementing HIV training programs in Kenya with a focus on developing 
follow-up support to ensure optimal program implementation following 
training.
    2. Have an existing program in Kenya and/or existing partnerships 
with national and local MOH staff and training institutions in Kenya 
such that the applicant can begin training activities with little 
start-up time.
    3. Have demonstrated skills related to working through, and 
building the local capacity of MOH staff at the national, provincial, 
district and facility levels to plan and implement training programs.
    4. Have experience in developing training programs across a 
continuum of care in HIV, from health facility to community.
    5. Have experience in promoting the multi-disciplinary approach to 
HIV care outlined in the policy of the National AIDS and STD Control 
Program in Kenya and the 5-year strategy of the President's Emergency 
Plan for AIDS Relief.
    Competition for this cooperative agreement is limited to the types 
of organizations listed above because of the uniqueness of the specific 
activities for this project and the location of where the majority of 
the work will be performed. The types of organizations listed above are 
those that have direct experience with performing this type of 
activity.
    The organizations listed below are those that are excluded from 
competition:
     Federally recognized Indian tribal governments
     Indian tribes
     Indian tribal organizations
     State and local governments or their Bona Fide Agents 
(this includes the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto 
Rico, the Virgin Islands, the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianna 
Islands, American Samoa, Guam, the Federated States of Micronesia, the 
Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau)
     Political subdivisions of States (in consultation with 
States)
    The organizations listed directly above are excluded from 
competition because inherently they neither have a mandate to, nor have 
the resources, skills or experience to, provide the types of services 
requested as part of this cooperative agreement.

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 you request a funding amount greater than the ceiling of the 
award range, HHS will consider your 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 be entered into the review process. We will notify you that your 
application did not meet submission requirements.
     HHS/CDC will consider late applications will be considered 
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. HHS strongly encourages you to submit your application 
electronically by using the forms and instructions posted for this 
announcement at 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.

[[Page 48767]]

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: 25 if your narrative exceeds the 
page limit, we will only review, the first 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.
     Your application 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:
     Plan--What is the plan for this project?
     Methods--What methods will be used to conduct activities?
     Objectives--What objectives will be achieved by 
undertaking this project?
     Timeline--When will activities be undertaken and 
objectives reached?
     Staff--What staff will be employed to implement the 
activities?
     Understanding--What is the understanding of this project 
and the impact it will have on HIV/AIDS treatment in Kenya?
     Need--What is the need for this project in Kenya?
     Performance Measures--What evaluation procedures will be 
used to determine if the objectives of the project are being met?
     Budget and justification of planned expenditures. Budget 
is only requested for the first year of program activities. The budget 
justification will not be counted in the page limit stated above.
    You may include additional information in the application 
appendices. The appendices will not be counted toward the narrative 
page limit. This additional information includes:
     Curriculum Vitaes
     Organizational Charts
     Job descriptions of proposed key positions to be created 
for the activity
     Quality-Assurance, Monitoring-and-Evaluation, and 
Strategic-Information Forms
     Applicant's Corporate Capability Statement
     Letters of Support
     Evidence of Legal Organizational Structure
    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 
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/pubcommt.htm. If your application form does 
not have a DUNS number field, please write your DUNS number at the top 
of the first page of your application, and/or include your DUNS number 
in your application cover letter.
    Additional requirements that 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 www.grants.gov. 
We consider applications completed online through Grants.gov as 
formally submitted when the applicant organization's Authorizing 
Official electronically submits the application to www.grants.gov. We 
will consider electronic applications as having met the deadline if the 
applicant organization's Authorizing Official has submitted the 
applications electronically to Grants.gov on or before the deadline 
date and time.
    If you submit your application electronically with 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 by the closing date and time. If HHS/CDC 
receives your submission 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 submission as having been received by the 
deadline.
    If you submit a hard copy application, HHS/CDC will not notify you 
upon receipt of your submission. 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 submission 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 submission does not meet the 
deadline above, it will not be eligible for review, and we will discard 
it. We will notify you that you 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.
     Funds may not be used for reimbursement of pre-award 
costs.
     Funds may not be used for any new construction.
     Antiretroviral drugs--the purchase of ARVs, reagents, and 
laboratory equipment for antiretroviral treatment projects require pre-
approval from HHS/CDC officials.
     Needle exchange--No funds appropriated under this 
solicitation 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, travel, supplies, and services. Equipment may be 
purchased 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 48768]]

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 
organizations 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 services for which funds are required).
     An annual audit of these funds is required 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. The audit 
should specify the use of funds and the appropriateness and 
reasonableness of expenditures.
     A fiscal Recipient Capability Assessment may be required, 
prior to or post award, in order 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 sub-agreement, 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.''
    You may find guidance for completing your 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: www.grants.gov. You will be able to download 
a copy of the application package from www.grants.gov, complete it 
offline, and then upload and submit the application via the Grants.gov 
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 a back-up paper submission of your 
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 consider the electronic version 
the official submission.
    We strongly recommended that you submit your grant application by 
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 direction 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 Section--AA174, CDC Procurement 
and Grants Office, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2920 
Brandywine Road, Atlanta, GA 30341.

[[Page 48769]]

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 will be an element of 
evaluation.
    Your application will be evaluated against the following criteria:
1. Plan (30 Points)
    Does the applicant demonstrate an understanding of the national 
cultural and political context and the technical and programmatic areas 
covered by the project? Does the applicant display knowledge of the 
five-year strategy and goals of the President's Emergency Plan, such 
that it can build on these to develop a comprehensive, collaborative 
project to meet the goals of the Emergency Plan in Kenya? 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 Kenya to achieve the goals of 
the Emergency Plan? Does the plan include quantitative process and 
outcome measures?
2. Methods (30 Points)
    Does the application include an overall design strategy, including 
measurable time lines, clear monitoring and evaluation procedures, and 
specific activities for meeting the proposed objectives? Does the 
applicant describe a plan to progressively build the capacity of local 
organizations and of target beneficiaries and communities to respond to 
the epidemic?
3. Personnel (20 Points)
    Do the staff members have appropriate experience? Are the staff 
roles clearly defined? As described, will the staff be sufficient to 
accomplish the program goals?
4. Need (20 Points)
    To what extent does the applicant justify the need for this program 
within the target community?
5. Budget and Justification (Reviewed, But Not Scored)
    Is the itemized budget for conducting the project, along with the 
justification, reasonable and consistent with stated objectives and 
planned program activities?

V.2. Review and Selection Process

    The HHS/CDC Procurement and Grants Office (PGO) staff will review 
applications for completeness, and 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:
    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 be go 
to organizations that can leverage additional funds to contribute to 
program goals.
    In addition, the following factors may affect the funding decision:
     No award will be made without the concurrence of the U.S. 
Embassy and the HHS/CDC representative for Sudan.
     HHS/CDC will provide justification for any decision to 
fund out of rank order if there are other factors beyond the 
concurrence of the U.S Embassy.

V.3. Anticipated Announcement and Award Dates

    September 15, 2005.

VI. Award Administration Information

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.
    The following additional requirements apply to this project:
     AR-4 HIV/AIDS Confidentiality Provisions
     AR-6 Patient Care
     AR-8 Public Health System Reporting Requirements
     AR-12 Lobbying Restrictions
     AR-14 Accounting System Requirements
     AR-25 Release and Sharing Data
    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.

VI.3. Reporting Requirements

    You must provide HHS/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 Activities Objectives.
    b. Current Budget Period Financial Progress.
    c. New Budget Period Program Proposed Activity Objectives.
    d. Budget.
    e. Measures of Effectiveness, including progress against the 
numerical goals of the President's Emergency Plan for Kenya.
    f. Additional Requested Information.
    2. Annual progress report, due 90 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, no more than 90 days 
after the end of the project period.
    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

[[Page 48770]]

Human Services, 2920 Brandywine Road, Atlanta, GA 30341, Telephone: 
770-488-2700.
    For program technical assistance, contact: Elizabeth Marum, Project 
Officer, HHS/CDC, Mbagathi Way, Off Mbagathi Road, Nairobi, Kenya, 
Telephone: 254 20 271 3008, 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/CDC 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. 05-16448 Filed 8-18-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P