[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 163 (Wednesday, August 24, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 49623-49629]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-16816]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention


Cooperative Agreement To Build Local Capacity To Respond to the 
HIV/AIDS Epidemic in the Caribbean, as Part of the President's 
Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief

    Announcement Type: New.
    Funding Opportunity Number: CDC-RFA-AA157.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 93.067.
    Key Dates: Application Deadline: September 19, 2005.

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    Authority: This program is authorized under sections 301 and 307 
of the Public Health Service Act [42 U.S.C. 24l and 2421, as 
amended, and under Public Law 108-25 (United States Leadership 
Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria Act of 2003) [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.
    With an average adult HIV prevalence of 2.3 percent, the Caribbean 
is the second-most affected region in the world, according to the 2004 
Annual Report from the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS 
(UNAIDS). Overall, the highest HIV-infection levels among women in the 
Americas are in Caribbean countries, and AIDS has become the leading 
cause of death in the Caribbean among adults aged 15-44 years 
(Caribbean Epidemiology Centre, Pan-American Health Organization 
(PAHO), World Health Organization (WHO), 2004). A regional response to 
HIV/AIDS is necessary in the Caribbean because of population mobility, 
the limited response capacity of individual countries, and the need for 
a multisectoral, collaborative strategy (A Study of the Pan Caribbean 
Partnership Against HIV/AIDS 2004).
    Purpose: The purpose of this funding announcement is to build 
progressively an indigenous, sustainable response to regional HIV 
epidemic in the Caribbean through the rapid expansion of innovative, 
culturally appropriate, high-quality HIV/AIDS prevention and care 
interventions, and improved linkages to confidential HIV counseling and 
testing and HIV treatment services by targeting rural and other 
underserved populations in the West Indies.
    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.
    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 performance goal(s) for the HHS/CDC National 
Center for HIV, Sexually Transmitted Disease and Tuberculosis 
Prevention (NCHSTP) within HHS: Increase the proportion of HIV-infected 
people who are linked to appropriate prevention, care and treatment 
services; strengthen the capacity nationwide to monitor the epidemic; 
develop and implement effective HIV prevention interventions; and 
evaluate prevention programs.
    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 the Caribbean. 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 the Caribbean will review. 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.
    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 above. For each of these 
activities, the grantee will give priority to evidence-based, yet 
culturally adapted, innovative approaches.
    Capacity-building technical assistance activities covered under 
this cooperative agreement are limited to the following:
    1. Strengthen organizational infrastructure of HIV prevention, care 
and treatment programs located within the Caribbean Region.

[[Page 49624]]

    a. Provide technical assistance in the management of HIV 
prevention, care and treatment programs. Examples include, but are not 
limited to the following: (1) Organizational assessments to determine 
the needs, resources, readiness and gaps of organizational 
infrastructure systems (e.g., governance, management, administration, 
personnel, and fiscal); (2) proposal development and grant writing; (3) 
resource development, including development of reimbursement 
mechanisms, identification of other funding sources and development of 
public/private partnership strategies; (4) management information 
systems (data management); (5) strategic planning; (6) leadership 
development; (7) team building; (8) human resources management, 
including staff and volunteer recruitment, management, retention and 
training; (9) organizational quality-assurance and monitoring; (10) 
program marketing and public relations; and (11) cross-cultural 
communications.
    b. Plan and conduct site visits, study tours, conferences and/or 
meetings for member country health officials.
    c. Provide technical assistance and training in strategic planning, 
training of trainers, and manual development and dissemination.
    d. Provide organizational development of Secretariat Staff and 
Executive Board to respond to the needs of the organization. Examples 
include, but are not limited to: (1) Training; (2) skill building in 
management; (3) increasing human capacity and infrastructure; (4) 
expanding sources of funding, and securing multi-year funding; and (5) 
development of overall governance documents, including defining roles 
and responsibilities of members, Secretariat Staff, and Executive 
Board.
    2. Strengthen HIV prevention, care and treatment programs located 
within the Caribbean Region.
    a. Provide technical assistance in the design, implementation, and 
management of prevention, care and treatment programs.
    b. Develop and disseminate resource toolkits for National AIDS 
Programs in the Caribbean Region that programs can use to assist in 
planning, implementation and evaluation of programs.
    c. Translate existing resource materials for use in HHS/CDC GAP 
Caribbean Regional countries and territories.
    d. Establish peer-to-peer technical assistance networks from AIDS 
programs to AIDS programs (by optimizing cultural similarities and 
common language), including the continuation of technical exchange in 
the Caribbean Regional countries and territories; development of a 
mentoring program; and twinning relationships with the United States 
(especially in communities of the Caribbean diaspora) and other 
international AIDS programs.
    e. Identify and share technical best practices (U.S. and 
international), new research and HIV treatment regimens.
    f. Increase communication via phone, the web and regular mail, 
including translation and interpretation into the four working 
languages of the countries and territories located within the Caribbean 
Region.
    g. Facilitate program management workshops to include, but not 
limited to, general program management, resource mobilization, 
monitoring and evaluation, migration and mobility, and policy 
development.
    3. Strengthen policy development for HIV prevention, care and 
treatment programs located within the Caribbean Region.
    a. Develop issue briefs and organizational policy papers, including 
but not limited to: Stigma and discrimination; technical assistance; 
and migration and mobility, translated into the four working languages 
of the Caribbean Region.
    b. Complete regional reviews of the status and trends regarding 
HIV-related stigma and discrimination; develop a matrix of all regional 
programs and policies for combating stigma and discrimination; and 
increase member's abilities to serve as local resources for the 
mitigation of stigma and discrimination in their respective countries 
or territories.
    c. Increase the knowledge base for existing HIV-related policies 
through the completion of databases on existing regional HIV/AIDS 
policies and programs, and skill building of public health officials to 
participate in the development of country-relevant policies.
    Administration: The winning applicant 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. Provide policy and program information for rapid dissemination 
and implementation.
    2. Provide technical advice in the development of systems to 
implement HHS/CDC policies and programs.
    3. Provide consultation and scientific and technical assistance in 
planning, operating, analyzing and evaluating HIV prevention, care and 
treatment programs and program-evaluation activities.
    4. Disseminate current information, including best practices, in 
all areas of HIV prevention, care and treatment.
    5. Monitor progress in achieving the purpose of this program, as 
well as project objectives.
    6. Assist in assessing internal program operations, and in 
evaluating overall effectiveness of programs.
    7. 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.
    8. 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.
    9. Review and approve grantee's annual work plan and detailed 
budget.
    10. 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.
    11. Meet on a monthly basis with grantee to assess monthly 
expenditures in relation to approved work plan and modify plans as 
necessary.
    12. Meet on a quarterly basis with grantee to assess quarterly 
technical and financial progress reports and modify plans as necessary.
    13. 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.
    14. 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.
    15. Provide in-country administrative support to help grantee meet 
U.S.

[[Page 49625]]

Government financial and reporting requirements.
    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: $150,000. (This amount is an estimate, 
and is subject to availability of funds.)
    Approximate Number of Awards: One.
    Approximate Average Award: $150,000. (This amount is for the first 
12-month budget period, and includes direct costs.)
    Floor of Award Range: $100,000.
    Ceiling of Award Range: $150,000. (This amount is for the first 12-
month budget period.)
    Anticipated Award Date: September 23, 2005.
    Budget Period Length: 12 months.
    Project Period Length: Five 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.

III. Eligibility Information

III.1. Eligible Applicants

    Applications may be submitted by:
     Public nonprofit organizations
     Private nonprofit organizations
     Universities
     Colleges
     For profit organizations
     Small, minority, women-owned businesses
     Community-based organizations
     Research institutions
     Hospitals
     Faith-based organizations
     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 Marianas 
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)
    Additionally, applicants must meet the criteria listed below:
     Have at least three years of documented HIV/AIDS related 
program implementation experience in the Caribbean Region.
     Have, in one organization, ability and experience in 
convening and working in an on-going manner with senior public sector 
HIV/AIDS program officers/coordinators from at least 15 Caribbean 
nations on technical areas of treatment, care and prevention.
     Have experience in partnership and collaboration with 
other regional HIV/AIDS organizations.
     Be a member of the Pan Caribbean AIDS Partnership 
(PANCAP).

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 Sates 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 your application 
electronically by using the forms and instructions posted for this 
announcement at 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) 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: Thirty-five (35). If your 
narrative exceeds the page limit, we will only review the first pages 
within the page limit.
     Font size: 12 point unreduced
     Paper size: 8.5 by 11 inches
     Page margin size: One inch
     Printed only on one side of page
     Double-spaced
     Numbered pages
     Held together only by rubber bands or metal clips; not 
bound in any other way.
     Application must be submitted in English
    Your narrative should address activities to be conducted over the 
entire project period, and must thoroughly develop the program plan. 
The program plan will include a description of your program and 
strategy, objectives, activities, timelines, program experience, 
management plan and organization structure, and measures of 
effectiveness as follows:
     Program and Strategy
    Provide a description of your proposed program and the strategy for 
implementation. Include a description of the administrative, financial, 
accounting and human resource models used to build the organizational 
infrastructure capacity e.g., grant writing, fiscal management, board 
and staff development). Also, include a description of the plan to 
support capacity building and technical assistance needs of the 
National AIDS Programs located within the Caribbean Region.
     Objectives
    What are your objectives for addressing the general and focus area-
specific activities?
     Activities
    What are your proposed activities? These activities must relate to 
each of the objectives listed above.

[[Page 49626]]

     Timeline (e.g., GANNT Chart)
    Provide a timeline and list staff responsible for implementing 
activities in the first year.
     Program Experience
    Describe your organization's program experience as it relates to 
the proposed activities in this program announcement. Address the 
methods that you have used to provide similar services in the past. 
Also, include an explanation of how funds used in this cooperative 
agreement will be used differently, or in ways that will expand upon 
programs that are supported with existing or future funds. Address your 
organization's experience and capacity to provide technical assistance 
that responds effectively to the cultural and linguistic 
characteristics of your recipients. In answering this question, 
describe the types of services provided and list any culturally and 
linguistically appropriate curricula and materials that your 
organization has adapted or developed.
     Management Plan and Organizational Structure
    Describe your management and staffing plan to conduct or support 
the essential components of this cooperative agreement, including a 
description of the roles, responsibilities and relationships of all 
staff supported through this cooperative agreement. (Organizational 
charts and resumes of all key staff to demonstrate their qualifications 
may be included in the appendices).
     Measures of Effectiveness
    These 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 of this 
cooperative agreement.
     Budget and Budget Justification (Not included in page 
limit. Reviewed but not scored.) Include a detailed and justified 
budget required to accomplish the objectives for the first year of the 
project. Justify all operating expenses in relation to the planned 
activities and stated objectives. HHS/CDC may not fund or approve all 
proposed activities. Be precise about the program purpose of each 
budget item and itemize calculations wherever appropriate. Is the 
itemized budget for conducting the project, along with justification, 
reasonable, and consistent with stated objectives and planned program 
activities?
    You may include additional information in the application 
appendices. The appendices will not count toward the narrative page 
limit. This additional information includes the following:
     Curriculum Vitas/Resumes of current staff who will work on 
the activity
     Organizational Charts
     A list of culturally and linguistically appropriate 
materials that are available, and are currently being delivered.
     A description of funding from other sources 
(international, regional, local, private, etc.) to conduct similar 
activities. This should include a summary of current funds received 
with the name of the sponsoring organization/source of income, level of 
funding, description of how funds have been used and budget period. 
Identify proposed personnel who will conduct and oversee the activities 
of this project, and all funding sources supporting these individuals 
(include their roles and responsibilities).
    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 
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.pdf. 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 19, 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 on-line 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 
application 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 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 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.
     Reimbursement of pre-award costs is not allowed.

[[Page 49627]]

     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 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).
     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.
     You must obtain 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, in order to review the applicant's business 
management and fiscal capabilities regarding the handling of U.S. 
Federal funds.
     Funds received from this announcement will not be used for 
the purchase of antiretroviral drugs for treatment of established HIV 
infection (with the exception of nevirapine in Prevention of Mother-to-
Child Transmission (PMTCT) cases and with prior written approval), 
occupational exposures, and non-occupational exposures and will not be 
used for the purchase of machines and reagents to conduct the necessary 
laboratory monitoring for patient care.
     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.
    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 
sub-agreements 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 applications electronically at www.grants.gov. You will be able 
to download the application package from www.grants.gov, complete it 
off-line, 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

[[Page 49628]]

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 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 consider the electronic version 
the official submission.
    We strongly recommend that you submit the 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. 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--AA157, 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. Program Plan (40 Points)
    a. Is the program and strategy based on sound reasoning or 
evidence? 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 the Caribbean to 
achieving the goals of the Emergency Plan?
    b. Are the proposed program objectives specific, measurable, 
achievable and time-phased?
    c. What is the likelihood that the proposed program activities will 
accomplish the proposed program objectives and contribute to the 
numerical goals of the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief in 
Haiti and Guyana?
    d. Is the proposed timeline feasible?
    2. Program Experience (20 Points)
    Is the applicant's program experience relevant to the provision of 
the services they intend to provide? Does the staff involved have 
appropriate fluency and skill in local languages?
    3. Organizational Capacity (20 Points)
    Does the applicant demonstrate current organizational capacity to 
provide the interventions that they intend to provide?
    4. Evaluation Monitoring Plan (20 Points)
    Does the applicant propose a system for reviewing and adjusting 
program activities based on monitoring information? Does the applicant 
include indicators for each program milestone and incorporated into the 
financial and programmatic reports? Are all indicators drawn from the 
Emergency Plan Indicator Guide? Can the system generate financial and 
program reports to show disbursement of funds, and progress towards 
achieving the objectives of the Emergency Plan in Haiti and Guyana?
    5. Budget and Budget Justification (Reviewed, but not scored)
    Is the itemized budget for conducting the project, along with 
justification, reasonable, and consistent with the five-year strategy 
and goals of the President's Emergency Plan and Emergency Plan 
activities in the Caribbean?

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.
    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.

V.3. Anticipated Announcement and Award Dates

    September 23, 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-10 Smoke-Free Workplace Requirements
     AR-12 Lobbying Restrictions

    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.
    You need to include an additional Certifications form from the 
PHS5161-1 application in your Grants.gov electronic submission only. 
Please refer to http://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/funding/PHS5161-1-Certificates.pdf. Once you

[[Page 49629]]

have filled out the form, please attach it to your 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, 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 and Objectives.
    b. Current Budget Period Financial Progress.
    c. New Budget Period Program Proposed Activities and Objectives.
    d. Budget and budget narrative with justification.
    e. Measures of Effectiveness, including progress against the 
numerical goals of the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief for 
the Caribbean.
    f. Additional Requested Information.
    2. Financial status report, no more than 90 days after the end of 
the budget period. The financial report must show obligations, 
disbursements and funds remaining by program activity. Indicators must 
be developed for each program milestone and incorporated into the 
periodic financial and programmatic reports. All indicators need to be 
drawn from The Emergency Plan Indicator Guide.
    3. Annual Reports are due within no later than 90 days of the end 
of the budget period. The report should detail progress toward 
achieving program milestones and projected next year activities. 
Indicators must be developed for each program milestone and 
incorporated into the annual financial and programmatic reports. All 
indicators need to be drawn from the Emergency Plan. Reports should 
include progress against the numerical goals of the President's 
Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief for the Caribbean.
    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 Human Services, 2920 Brandywine Road, Atlanta, GA 30341, Telephone: 
770-488-2700.
    For program technical assistance, contact: Ken Hunt, Project 
Officer, HHS Global AIDS Program, Caribbean Regional Office, U.S. 
Embassy, 15 Queens Park West, Port of Spain, Trinidad, WI, Telephone: 
868-628-7325, E-mail: [email protected].
    For financial, grants management, or budget assistance, contact: 
Vivian Walker, Grants Management Specialist CDC Procurement and Grants 
Office, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2920 Brandywine 
Road, Atlanta, GA 30341, Telephone: 770-488-2724, 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 17, 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. 05-16816 Filed 8-23-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P