[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 172 (Wednesday, September 7, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 53204-53211]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-17673]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention


Strengthening and Expanding HIV/AIDS Treatment, Care and Support 
for Prostitutes and Their Associated Sexual Partners in the Republic of 
Haiti as Part of the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief

    Announcement Type: New.
    Funding Opportunity Number: CDC-RFA-AA158.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 93.067.
    Key Dates: Application Deadline: September 29, 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 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 2 in the Caribbean. 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 Haiti are to treat at 
least 25,000 HIV-infected individuals; care for 125,000 HIV-affected 
individuals, including orphans.
    Purpose: An essential element of preventing new cases of HIV in 
Haiti is to ensure that groups engaged in high-risk behavior \1\ have 
adequate access to screening, treatment, and care facilities. Haiti's 
HIV prevalence rate in adults is reported to be 5.6 percent, according 
to the 2004 Annual Report of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/
AIDS (UNAIDS). Access to prevention and treatment is limited among the 
Haitian population because of an underdeveloped public health 
infrastructure and a lack of clinical capacity.
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    \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.
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    This cooperative agreement seeks to fund HIV/AIDS education, 
prevention, and treatment activities targeted at prostitutes and their 
associated sexual partners in Haiti, including by discouraging men from 
visiting prostitutes. Extremely high-risk groups are a priority for the 
national prevention effort in Haiti.
    Prostitutes and their associated sexual partners have received 
little to no attention in the Haitian national prevention effort to 
stop the spread of HIV/AIDS. Prostitutes in Haiti engage in an illegal 
profession, and are thus very secretive and loosely organized through 
informal and often clandestine networks, and establishing a 
relationship with them to provide education, prevention, care and 
treatment is very difficult. This high-risk population needs to be much 
more engaged in the national prevention effort against the spread of 
HIV/AIDS in Haiti.
    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

[[Page 53205]]

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 
with 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: 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 the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (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 Haiti. 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 Haiti 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. Establish anonymous clinics in Haiti for populations engaged in 
high-risk behavior \2\ to address prevention, treatment and care to 
decrease the transmission of HIV/AIDS.
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    \2\ 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.
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    2. Develop targeted local-language campaigns in Haiti to promote 
prevention, care and treatment for prostitutes and their sexual 
partners, including to discourage men from visiting prostitutes. 
Awardees may not implement condom social marketing aimed at prostitutes 
without promoting abstinence and faithfulness messages to current and 
potential clients of prostitutes.
    3. Develop referral networks with local Haitian organizations 
(including faith-based groups) that provide advanced care and treatment 
and support for HIV-positive persons.
    4. Develop and implement an effective monitoring and evaluation 
strategy according to the strategic-information guidelines established 
by the Office of the Global AIDS Coordinator, and report the required 
indicators to the Office of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator in a 
timely manner.
    5. Ensure that program objectives and work plan take into account 
and are consistent with regional U.S. Government efforts to monitor and 
combat trafficking in persons. Awardee must be prepared to work with 
other organizations funded by the U.S. Government to conduct anti-
trafficking programs in the Carribean region, especially in the border 
area between Haiti and the Dominican Republic.
    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: 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 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

[[Page 53206]]

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 equipment and commodities for new partner clinics 
acquired through a transparent and competitive process.
    11. Provide funds to renovate three existing clinics that provide 
care to prostitutes and their associated sexual partners.
    12. Provide drugs to treat sexually transmitted infections (STI) 
and opportunistic infections (OI), acquired through a transparent and 
competitive process.
    13. Support an electronic medical record (EMR) database system; 
provide and support a surveillance database system for case 
notification.
    14. Provide and install hardware necessary for the use of database 
systems, and provision of technical assistance on database use and 
maintenance needs.
    15. Support operational research, and technical assistance for 
operational research.
    16.Support the annual technical review of service delivery programs 
of new clinics.
    17. Assist in organizing partner network meetings. (Such support 
will not include financing.)


    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,\3\ correct and consistent condom use.
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    \3\ 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.
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    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.
     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 the 
following:
    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: $2,250,000 (This amount is an estimate, 
and is subject to availability of funds).
    Approximate Number of Awards: One.
    Approximate Average Award: $450,000 (This amount is for the first 
12-month budget period, and includes direct costs.)
    Floor of Award Range: $400,000.
    Ceiling of Award Range: $450,000 (This ceiling is for the first 12 
month budget period.)
    Anticipated Award Date: October 15, 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, 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 and for-profit organizations may 
submit applications, such as:
     Public, non-profit organizations
     Private, non-profit organizations
     For-profit organizations
     Small, minority-owned, and women-owned businesses
     Colleges
     Universities
     Hospitals
     Community-based organizations
     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

[[Page 53207]]

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)
    In addition, applicants must meet the criteria listed below:
    1. Be indigenous to Haiti
    2. Have documented experience in strengthening and expanding HIV/
AIDS treatment, care and support for prostitutes and their associated 
sexual partners
    3. Have established working relationships with prostitutes and have 
documented experience in providing care to them
    4. Demonstrate current or past capacity to coordinate activities 
with HHS and other agencies of the United States Government

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, your application will be considered non-responsive, and 
will not enter into the review process. You will be notified 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 that your application 
did not meet submission requirements.
     HHS 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.
    Electronic Submission: HHS strongly encourages the applicant to 
submit the application electronically by using the forms and 
instructions posted for this announcement on www.Grants.gov, the 
official Federal agency wide E-grant Web site. Only applicants who 
apply on-line are permitted to forego paper copy submission of all 
application forms.
    Paper Submission: Application forms and instructions are available 
on the 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. The narrative must be submitted in the following 
format:
     Maximum number of pages: 30. If your narrative exceeds the 
page limit, only the first pages which are within the page limit will 
be reviewed.
     Font size: 12 point unreduced
     Paper size: 8.5 by 11 inches
     Page margin size: One inch
     Double spaced
     Numbered pages
     Printed only on one side of page.
     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 include the following items in the 
order listed:
     Executive Summary--Provide a clear and concise summary of 
the proposed goals, major objectives and activities required for 
achievement of program goals, and amount of funding requested for 
budget year one of this cooperative agreement. Additionally, provide an 
outline of goals and objective to be addressed in years two through 
five.
     Need--Describe the need for such services in Haiti. 
Include any data on STI and HIV prevalence rates.
     Capacity--Demonstrate the current capability/capacity of 
organization.
     Expansion--Identify and secure appropriate (accessible and 
discreet) and suitable rental property for new voluntary confidential 
counseling and testing (VCT) clinics in the following locations: Cap 
Ha[iuml]tien; Jacmel; Gona[iuml]ves; or Saint Marc. The confidential 
VCT clinics should be well-equipped to deliver prevention, care, 
treatment, and referral in local languages for prostitutes and their 
associated sexual partners, including by discouraging men from visiting 
prostitutes.
     Personnel--Recruit and hire clinic personnel to provide a 
comprehensive HIV/AIDS service-delivery facility to address the needs 
of the target population. This should include STI screening and 
treatment, confidential HIV testing and counseling, and referrals for 
care and treatment for HIV-positive persons.
     Training--Coordinate local language training of local 
health care professionals, including physicians, nurses, lab 
technicians, pharmacy technicians, community health workers and peer 
educators, in the following:
    1. STI screening and treatment training.
    2. Confidential counseling and testing (CT).
    3. Design and implementation of care.
    4. Monitoring and evaluation of programs.
    5. Maintenance of laboratory equipment.
    6. Laboratory safety and proper disposal of biohazardous materials 
protocol.
    7. Use of universal precautions and the management of needle-stick 
or splash injuries.
    8. In-service trainings for lab personnel to review new and best 
practice techniques and solicit ``insider insight''--an account of 
implementation success, and challenges in an effort to identify gaps in 
resources or effectiveness of particular protocols.
     Laboratory Capacity--Provide basic laboratory services in 
support of HIV/AIDS diagnosis and treatment:
    1. Perform CD4 counts.
    2. Perform complete blood counts.
    3. Perform HIV rapid testing.
    4. Perform confirmatory HIV/AIDS testing.
    5. Test for sexually transmitted infections (STI).
    6. Provide counseling of test results.
    7. Provide referrals to appropriate prevention, treatment care and 
support services.
     Drugs and Commodities--Procure drugs and commodities 
through a transparent and competitive process:
    1. STI drugs for HIV-positive persons.
    2. Condoms. Awardees may not implement condom social marketing 
aimed at prostitutes without also promoting abstinence and faithfulness 
messages to current and potential clients of prostitutes.
    (The awardees must obtain all appropriate approvals required by HHS 
to purchase any medications.)
     Outreach--Provide educational services in awareness, 
prevention and

[[Page 53208]]

treatment of HIV/AIDS among current and potential clients of 
prostitutes:
    1. Develop target population-specific advertisement/health 
promotion strategies to make this population aware of clinics through 
peer education and to discourage them from visiting prostitutes.
    2. Establish baseline information regarding knowledge of HIV/AIDS 
transmission and sexual practices of the target population.
    3. Assess attitudes and behaviors within the target population.
    4. Develop and implement long-term behavioral-change communication 
(BCC) campaigns, including to make visiting prostitutes outside of 
community social norms.
    5. Promote condom distribution and correct and consistent use for 
populations engaged in high-risk behavior.\4\ Awardees may not 
implement condom social marketing aimed at prostitutes without also 
promoting abstinence and faithfulness messages to current and potential 
clients of prostitutes.
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    \4\ 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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     Develop and implement behavior change strategies and long-
term campaigns, including information; education and communication 
(IEC); targeted accessibility planning; and training programs for 
prostitutes who are seeking alternative means to address economic 
needs.
     Management and Supervision--Manage and supervise clinic 
operations and staff who perform CD4 counts:
    1. Implement report-writing requirements.
    2. Develop and implement a financial management system.
    3. Engage in strategic planning.
    4. Network with local partners within the private and public sector 
to ensure an effective patient referral system between confidential VCT 
and ART networks for patients who test HIV-positive.
    Cross-Border Collaboration: Recipient will establish partnerships 
with agencies in the bordering country of the Dominican Republic (DR) 
to provide outreach to migrant prostitutes along the Haiti/DR border. 
Monitoring and Evaluation--Implement monitoring and evaluation 
strategies to assess programmatic effectiveness, including:
    1. Number of the target population accessing clinical care.
    2. Number of referrals made to appropriate prevention, treatment, 
and care and support care networks.
    3. Number of prevention promotion activities held, including events 
to discourage men from visiting prostitutes.
    4. Number and findings of participant evaluations.
    You may include additional information in the application 
appendices. The appendices will not count toward the narrative page 
limit. This additional information includes:
     Budget Justification (for first year only)
     Curriculum Vitas or Resumes
     Organizational Charts
     Letters of Support
    The budget justification will not count in the narrative page 
limit.
    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 29, 2005.
    Explanation of Deadlines: Applications must be received in the 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 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 through Grants.gov, 
the 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 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 be 
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.
     Antiretroviral Drugs--Funds received from this 
announcement will not be used for the purchase of antiretroviral drugs 
for treatment of established HIV infection (with the

[[Page 53209]]

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.
     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 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).
     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. Sec.  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.''
    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: Electronic Submission:
    HHS/CDC strongly encourages applicants to submit applications 
electronically at www.grants.gov. Applicants can download the 
application package from www.grants.gov. Applicants are able to 
complete it off-line, and then upload and submit the application via 
the Grants.gov web site. We will not accept e-mail submissions. If the 
applicant has technical difficulties in Grants.gov, the applicant can 
reach customer service 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 submittal of the application to Grants.gov 
should be early to resolve any unanticipated difficulties prior to the 
deadline. Applicants may also submit a back-up paper submission of the 
application. We must receive any such paper submission

[[Page 53210]]

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 the applicant submit the grant 
application by using Microsoft Office products (e.g., Microsoft Word, 
Microsoft Excel, etc.). If the applicant does not have access to 
Microsoft Office products, the applicant may submit a PDF file. The 
applicant may find directions for creating PDF 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-AA158, 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. Need (20 Points)
    To what extent does the applicant justify the need for this program 
within the target community?
    2. Monitoring Evaluation and Reporting (20 points)
    Does the applicant describe a system for reviewing and adjusting 
program activities based on monitoring information? Does the plan 
include indicators developed for each program milestone and 
incorporated into the financial and programmatic reports? Are all the 
indicators drawn from the Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief Indicator 
Guide, found at http://www.pepfarhaiti.com? Will the system generate 
financial and program reports to show disbursement of funds, and 
progress towards achieving the program objectives of the President's 
Plan for AIDS Relief?
    3. Work Plan (20 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 Haiti to achieve the goals of 
the Emergency Plan? Is the plan adequate to carry out the proposed 
objectives? How complete and comprehensive is the plan for the entire 
project period? Does the plan include quantitative process and outcome 
measures?
    4. Methods (15 Points)
    Are the proposed methods feasible? To what extent will they 
accomplish the numerical goals of the President's Emergency Plan?
    5. Personnel (15 Points)
    Do the staff members have appropriate experience, including local 
language skills? Are the staff roles clearly defined? As described, 
will the staff be sufficient to accomplish the program goals?
    6. Eligibility (10 points)
    Organizations indigenous to Haiti must have between three to five 
years of experience in provision of STI and HIV/AIDS care to 
prostitutes and their associated sexual partners, and must currently 
have high coverage in zones with rampant prostitution, including along 
the border between Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Organizations must 
be willing and able to undertake campaigns to discourage men from 
visiting prostitutes.
    7. Budget and Justification (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 Haiti?

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 in Haiti. The panel can 
include both Federal and non-Federal participants.
    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

    October 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

    Successful applicants must comply with the administrative 
requirements outlined in 45 CFR Part 74, as appropriate.
    The following additional requirements apply to this project:
     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-9 Paperwork Reduction Act Requirements
     AR-10 Smoke-Free Workplace Requirements
     AR-25 Release and Sharing of Data
    Applicants may 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.
    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.
    Applicants need to include an additional Certifications form from 
the

[[Page 53211]]

PHS5161-1 application in the Grants.gov electronic submission only. 
Applicants should refer to http://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/funding/PHS5161-1-Certificates.pdf. Once the applicant has filled out the form, 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, 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 
Haiti.
    f. Additional Requested Information.
    2. Annual Progress Reports are due within 30 days of the end of 
each budget period. The report should detail progress toward achieving 
program milestones and projected next year activities. You must be 
develop indicators for each program milestone and incorporate them into 
the annual financial and programmatic reports. The report should 
include progress against the numerical goals of the President's 
Emergency Plan AIDS Relief for Haiti.
    3. 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. The applicant 
must develop indicators for each program milestone and incorporate them 
into the periodic financial and programmatic reports. The applicant 
must draw indicators from The Emergency Plan Indicator Guide.
    4. Final 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: Kathy Grooms, Country 
Program Officer, CDC, NCHSTP, Global AIDS Program, U.S. Department of 
Health and Human Services, 1600 Clifton Road, MS E-04, Atlanta, GA 
30333, Telephone: 404-639-8394, Email: [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 31, 2005.
William P. Nichols,
Director, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease Control 
and Prevention.
[FR Doc. 05-17673 Filed 9-6-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P