[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 86 (Thursday, May 4, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 26373-26380]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-6726]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES


Request for Applications for the HIV Prevention Program for Young 
Women Attending Minority Institutions--Historically Black Colleges and 
Universities, Hispanic Serving Institutions, and Tribal Colleges and 
Universities

AGENCY: Office on Women's Health, Office of Public Health and Science, 
Office of the Secretary, HHS.

ACTION: Notice.

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    Announcement Type: Competitive Cooperative Agreement--FY 2006 
Initial announcement.
    OMB Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance: The OMB Catalog of 
Federal Domestic Assistance number is 93.015.

DATES: Application availability: May 4, 2006.
    Applications due by 5 p.m. Eastern Time on May 4, 2006.
SUMMARY: This program is authorized by 42. U.S.C. 300u-2(a).
    This initiative is intended to demonstrate the need for targeting 
prevention programs to college-age minority women to increase their 
knowledge and abilities in the areas of: Understanding how the female 
body works in relation to their increased vulnerability for acquiring 
HIV/AIDS; practicing the ABC \1\--Abstinence, Being Faithful, Condoms; 
gaining empowerment skills sufficient to negotiate safe sex practices; 
and shifting their attitudes and beliefs so that health becomes a 
priority in their lives. Moreover, the program intends to address HIV/
AIDS/STDs from a cultural perspective by acknowledging the implications 
of being a young minority woman and educating them to take leadership 
in teaching their peers and partners how to live without contracting 
HIV/AIDS/STDs. Therefore, this pilot HIV/AIDS prevention education 
program will demonstrate what it takes to equip college-age minority 
women with the tools and the means to effectively communicate with 
their partners and protect themselves from HIV/AIDS/STDs. The OWH HIV/
AIDS program began in 1999 with funding from the Minority AIDS Fund 
(formerly Minority AIDS Initiative) to address the gaps in services 
provided to women who are at risk or living with HIV. Since the 
inception of the HIV/AIDS programs, the program focus has expanded from 
two to seven. These programs include: (1) HIV Prevention for Women 
Living in the Rural South, (2) Prevention and Support for Incarcerated/
Newly Released Women, (3) Model Mentorship for Strengthening 
Organizational Capacity, (4) HIV Prevention for Young Women Attending 
Minority Institutions (e.g. Historically Black Colleges and 
Universities, Hispanic Serving Institutions, and Tribal Colleges and 
Universities), (5) HIV Prevention for Women Living in the U.S. Virgin 
Islands, (6) Prevention and Support for HIV Positive Women Living in 
Puerto Rico, and (7) Inter-generational Approaches to HIV Prevention 
for Women Across the Lifespan.
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    \1\ USAID. The ``ABCs'' of HIV prevention: Report of a USAID 
technical meeting on behavior change approaches to primary 
prevention of HIV/AIDS. Washington, DC: Population, Health and 
Nutrition Information Project, 2003. http://www.usaid.gov/our_work/global_health/aids/TechAreas/prevention/abc.pdf.
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    Funding will be directed at activities designed to improve the 
delivery of services to women disproportionately impacted by HIV/AIDS.

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    The Office on Women's Health (OWH) within the Department of Health 
and Human Services (DHHS) is the focal point for women's health within 
the Department. The OWH, under the direction of the Deputy Assistant 
Secretary for Health (Women's Health), provides leadership to promote 
health equity for women and girls through gender specific approaches. 
The primary intent is to increase HIV prevention knowledge and reduce 
the risk of contracting HIV among young minority women. The OWH hopes 
to fulfill this purpose by providing funding to Minority Institutions 
to develop and implement a HIV/AIDS/STD prevention education program 
targeting young women on campus.
    The proposed HIV prevention program must address HIV prevention 
from a women's health gender-based, women-centered, women-friendly, 
women-relevant, holistic, multi-disciplinary, cultural perspective. 
Information and services provided must be culturally and linguistically 
appropriate for young minority women. Women's health issues are defined 
in the context of women's lives, including their multiple social roles 
and the importance of relationships with other people to their lives. 
This definition of women's health encompasses mental

[[Page 26374]]

and physical health and spans the life course.
    The goals for this program are:
     Identify effective methods to educate and increase 
awareness for prevention of HIV/AIDS/STDs infection among women 
attending minority institutions.
     Develop capacity for minority institutions to adequately 
address HIV/AIDS/STDs prevention education needs of the women on 
campus.
     Establish partnerships with campus student organizations 
and community organizations to increase access to reproductive health 
education, behavioral risk-reduction information, counseling, and HIV/
STD testing.
     Develop gender centered education and prevention training 
modules on HIV/AIDS/STDs prevention education.
     Ensure health education training modules are culturally 
and linguistically appropriate for young minority women.
    The objectives for this program are:
     Increase on campus activities targeting women at risk for 
HIV infection.
     Increase knowledge of accurate HIV/STD prevention 
information among women attending minority institutions.
     Improve HIV prevention education efforts involving women 
on campus.
     Improve access to HIV health related services for women 
attending minority institutions.
    In order to achieve the goals and objectives of the program, the 
grantee shall: (1) Develop a HIV/AIDS program to provide prevention 
education for women attending the university. The program should offer 
a variety of services to the women including counseling and HIV/STD 
testing services, mental heath support, and education, etc. The program 
shall include the university student health services, inter-collegiate 
departments, and other community resources in the development of the 
program; (2) make sub-awards or funding opportunities available to 
student health services, inter-collegiate departments, student 
organizations, or other schools within the institution for the 
development and implementation of outreach activities. Note: The 
proposals for the sub-awards should include the following:
     Goal/s (specifying number of minority college-age women 
and their partners to be reached), objectives, curriculum (evidence-
based), literature, and types of professional resource persons to be 
used when conducting required pilot program activities, i.e., focus 
groups, meetings, conferences, lectures, health summits, media 
campaigns, counseling series, etc., during the academic year;
     Program Plan (specifying approach/methods; program format/
s; staff required, detailed time line);
     Evaluation pre/post tests, participant satisfaction 
surveys, activity questionnaires, etc.
    (3) Enter into a Memorandum of Understanding/Agreement (MOU/MOA) 
with program partners and resources. These entities may include student 
health services, inter collegiate departments, local health care 
entities, social services, community based organizations, etc. The MOUs 
should clearly outline the services to be provided by each of the 
collaborating organizations and whether any funds will be paid to the 
collaborating partner; (4) develop a plan to fund the services provided 
by the intercollegiate collaboration among the university officials, 
colleges, or schools within the institution; (5) ensure the sub-award 
recipients are developing and implementing an HIV/AIDS/STD prevention 
education program targeting women (and their partners) on campus. 
Request the sub-award recipients to submit reports on the activities; 
(6) hold an institution-wide wellness event (i.e. conference, seminar 
series, awareness week, etc.) that specifically addresses HIV/AIDS/STD 
prevention conference for all women campus-wide promoting the overall 
wellness among women; (7) evaluate the effectiveness of their program 
and conduct an internal or external evaluation of the program; outline 
indicators that reflect the impact on the target population, and 
provide a written analysis of the evaluation findings.
    The grantee shall also, with input from community representatives 
and college/university officials, put into place and track a set of 
measurable objectives for improving health outcomes and decreasing 
health disparities for minority women on campus. In addition, the 
grantee shall demonstrate how program activities and performance 
reflect female responsive strategies. Finally, the grantee shall 
develop a plan, in partnership with the college/university and sub-
award recipients, to continue the program activities beyond OWH 
funding.

II. Award Information

    The OWH program will be supported through the cooperative agreement 
mechanism. Using this mechanism, the OWH anticipates making twelve new 
2-year awards in FY 2006 for program activities at six Historically 
Black Colleges & Universities, four Hispanic Serving Institutions and 
two Tribal Colleges and Universities. The anticipated start date for 
new awards is September 1, 2006 and the anticipated period of 
performance is September 1, 2006, through August 31, 2008. 
Approximately $840,000 is available to make awards of up to $70,000 
total cost (direct and indirect) for a 12-month period and OWH 
anticipates that $140,000 will be available for the 2-year project 
period. However, the actual number of awards made will depend upon the 
quality of the applications received and the amount of funds available 
for the program. Non-competing continuation awards of up to $70,000 
(total cost) per year will be made subject to satisfactory performance 
and availability of funds.
    The HIV Prevention for Women Attending Minority Institutions 
program is a collaborative effort between the OWH and the Office of 
Minority Health, Office of Public Health and Science. These offices 
will provide the technical assistance and oversight necessary for the 
implementation, conduct, and assessment of program activities.
    The applicant shall:
    1. Implement the program described in the application.
    2. Develop implementation plans.
    3. Conduct an evaluation of their HIV Prevention program.
    4. Oversee that college/university sub-award recipients develop and 
implement an HIV/AIDS/STD prevention education program targeting women 
students (and their partners) on campus; Award a minimum of $10,000 
(e.g., sub-award) to university, or university department, college, or 
school, or institution liaison for program support, materials and 
student stipends.
    5. Hold an institution wide HIV/AIDS/STD Prevention conference for 
all women campus wide promoting overall wellness among women.
    6. Adhere to all program requirements specified in this 
announcement and the Notice of Grant Award.
    7. Submit required progress, annual, and financial reports by the 
due dates stated in this announcement and the Notice of Grant Award.
    8. Comply with the DHHS Protection of Human Subjects regulations 
(which require obtaining Institutional Review Board approval), set out 
at 45 CFR part 46, if applicable. General information about Human 
subjects regulations can be obtained through the Office for Human 
Research Protections (OHRP) at http://www.hhs.gov/ohrp, 
[email protected], Or toll free at (866) 477-4777.
    The Federal Government will:

[[Page 26375]]

    1. Conduct an Orientation meeting for the grantees within the first 
month of funding.
    2. Conduct at least one site visit which includes some observation 
of program process.
    3. Review time line and implementation plan.
    4. Review all quarterly, annual, and final progress reports.
    5. Provide technical assistance as needed.
    The DHHS is committed to achieving the health promotion and disease 
prevention Objectives of Healthy People 2010 and the HealthierUS 
Initiative. Emphasis will be placed on aligning OWH activities and 
programs with the DHHS Secretarys four priority areas B heart disease, 
cancer, diabetes, and HIV/AIDSCand with the Healthy People 2010: Goal 
2--eliminating health disparities due to age, gender, race/ethnicity, 
education, income, disability, or living in rural localities. 
Applicants are encouraged to indicate the Healthy People 2010 
objectives this activity will address. More information on the Healthy 
People 2010 objectives may be found on the Healthy People 2010 Web 
site: http://www.health.gov/healthypeople. One free copy may be 
obtained from the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), 6525 
Belcrest Road, Room 1064, Hyattsville, MD 20782 or telephone (301) 458-
4636 [DHHS Publication No. (PHS) 99-1256]. This document may also be 
downloaded from the NCHS Web site: http://www.cdc.gov/nchs. Also, Steps 
to a HealthierUS is a bold new initiative from the Department that 
advances the goal of helping Americans live longer, better, and 
healthier lives.
    To help implement the HealthierUS initiative, the Department 
launched the Steps to a HealthierUS program. It lays out DHHS 
priorities and programs for Steps to a HealthierUS, focusing attention 
on the importance of prevention and promising approaches for promoting 
healthy environments. More information on these initiatives can be 
found at http://www.healthierus.gov.

III. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants

    Eligible entities may include: Not for profit community based 
organizations, national organizations, colleges and universities, 
clinics and hospitals, research institutions, State and local 
government agencies, tribal government and tribal/urban Indian entities 
and organizations. Faith-based organizations are eligible to apply.

2. Cost Share or Matching

    Cost sharing, matching funds, and cost participation is not a 
requirement of this grant.

IV. Application and Submission Information

    1. Address to Requst Application Package: Application kits may be 
requested by calling (240) 453-8822 or writing to: Office of Grants 
Management, Office of Public Health and Science (OPHS), DHHS, 1101 
Wootton Parkway, Suite 550, Rockville, MD 20852. Applications must be 
prepared using Form OPHS-1. Applicants may fax a written request to the 
OPHS Office of Grants Management to obtain a hard copy of the 
application kit at (240) 453-8823.
    2. Content and Format of Application and Submission: All completed 
applications must be submitted to the OPHS Office of Grants Management 
at the above mailing address. In preparing the application, it is 
important to follow ALL instructions provided in the application kit. 
Applications must be submitted on the forms supplied (OPHS-1, Revised 
6/2001) and in the manner prescribed in the application kits provided 
by the OPHS. Applicants are required to submit an application signed by 
an individual authorized to act for the applicant agency or 
organization and to assume for the organization the obligations imposed 
by the terms and conditions of the grant award. The program narrative 
should not be longer than 25 double-spaced pages, not including 
appendices and required forms, using an easily readable, 12 point font. 
All pages, figures and tables should be numbered.
    A Dun and Bradstreet Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number is 
required for all applications for Federal assistance. Organizations 
should verify that they have a DUNS number or take the steps necessary 
to obtain one. Instructions for obtaining a DUNS number are included in 
the application package, and may be downloaded from the Web site 
https://www.dnb.com/product/eupdate/requestOptions.html.
    At a minimum, each application for a cooperative agreement grant 
funded under this grant announcement must:
     Provide Memoranda of Agreement(s) (MOA's) specific to the 
collaborating partner. If the applicant is outside the minority 
institution, an MOA with the targeted HBCU, HSI, or TCU must be 
submitted naming the individual who will work with the program, 
describe their function, and state their qualifications. The MOA must 
be signed by individuals with the authority to represent and bind the 
organization (e.g. president, dean of students, heatlth services 
director, department chair, etc. The MOA must be on letterhead specific 
to the institution. Form letters will not be accepted.
     Present a plan to implement, set up services and/or 
community partnerships to provide counseling and testing services for 
the women attending the institution, and evaluate the effectiveness of 
the program, although only a program plan with recruitment strategies 
and incentives have to be in place at the time the application is 
submitted. The program intent, plan, and curriculum must be clearly 
identified in the proposal. Applicants are encouraged to be creative in 
ways to include many different student organizations in the effort to 
educate and prevent the spread of HIV.
     Be a sustainable organization with an established network 
of partners capable of providing coordinated health services in the 
targeted community. The network of partner organizations must have the 
capability to coordinate and provide comprehensive, seamless health 
services for women and empower them with the tools necessary to prevent 
contracting HIV outreach/education activities in women's health to 
improve the health status of women in the community. The partners and 
their roles and responsibilities to the program process must be clearly 
identified in the application.
     The applicant will need to describe background and 
experience specific to HIV/AIDS and women, particularly young women, 
minority women, poor women, and women living with HIV/AIDS by 
addressing how the program will be culturally (location, dominant 
languages, stigma, ethnic/racial), gender, and age appropriate, and 
indicate a clear, sustainable framework for providing those services; 
understanding women specific issues which may impact the targeted 
population (empowerment, self esteem, welfare, children, violence, 
etc.); demonstrate prevention interventions for the women that the 
project plan will employ; implications of performing HIV/AIDS related 
services on college campuses while focusing on young women at increased 
risk for infection.
     Describe how the proposed plan will accomplish objectives 
of the program and demonstrate the following: Review of existing health 
services, gaps, needs, resources to college women; How each task will 
be accomplished; outline the prevention program or services planned; 
time line, goals and objectives for program implementation; and; tools

[[Page 26376]]

used to measure effectiveness and overall success of program; propose a 
gender centered plan for maintaining a system of care to women 
attending the institution. By the end of Year 1 must be described in 
detail in the application.
     Demonstrate ability and experience developing and adapting 
``prevention curricula'' appropriate to the cultural influences of 
HBCUs, HSIs, and TCUs; provide agency history of performing services 
and activities with young adults showing risk for HIV infection, 
particularly women; give project time periods and funding sources; show 
community acceptance through staff recognition, media, and requests for 
agency involvement.
     Demonstrate the ways in which the grantee's collaborating 
partners are gender and age appropriate, women-focused, women-friendly, 
women-relevant, and sensitive to the importance of HIV prevention and/
or treatment for college age women.
     Detail/specify the roles and resources/services that each 
partner organization brings to the program, the duration and terms of 
agreement as confirmed by a signed agreement between the applicant 
organization and each partner, and describe how the partner 
organizations will operate. The partnership agreement(s) must name the 
individual who will work with the program, describe their function, and 
state their qualifications. The documents, specific to each 
organization (form letters are not acceptable), must be signed by 
individuals with the authority to represent and bind the organization 
(e.g., president, chief executive officer, executive director) and 
submitted as part of the grant application.
     Describe in detail plans for the evaluation of the program 
and when and how the evaluation will be used to enhance the program. 
The applicant must also indicate their willingness to participate in a 
national evaluation of the HIV prevention program to be conducted under 
the leadership of the OWH contractor.
    Format and Limitations of Application: Applicants are required to 
submit an original ink-signed and dated application and 2 photocopies. 
All pages must be numbered clearly and sequentially beginning with the 
Project Profile. The application must be typed double-spaced on one 
side of plain 8 \1/2\'' x 11'' white paper, using at least a 12 point 
font, and contain 1 margins all around.
    The Project Summary and Project Narrative must not exceed a total 
of 25 double-spaced pages, excluding the appendices. The original and 
each copy must be stapled; the application should be organized in 
accordance with the format presented in the RFA. An outline for the 
minimum information to be included in the ``Project Narrative'' section 
is presented below. The content requirements for the Project Narrative 
portion of the application are divided into five sections and described 
below within each Factor. Applicants must pay particular attention to 
structuring the narrative to respond clearly and fully to each review 
Factor and associated criteria. Applications not adhering to these 
guidelines may not be reviewed.

I. Background

    A. Program goals and objective(s).
    B. Organization charts that include partners and a discussion of 
the resources being contributed by the Institution, partners, personnel 
and their expertise and how their involvement will help achieve the 
Institution program goals.
    C. Understanding of women specific issues that may impact the 
targeted population.
    D. Understanding of access to care and quality of care issues 
specific to women.

II. Implementation Plan (Approach to the establishment of the HIV 
program)

    A. Plan for how each task will be completed with a time line; 
Illustrate how time line of the program plan is congruent with the 
minority institutions academic year.
    B. Partnerships and referral system.
    C. Plans for sustaining the program on campus.
    D. Gender centered plan for maintaining a system of care to women 
attending the institution.
    E. Inclusion of MOA (If applicant is not a minority institution, an 
MOA with the targeted institution must be included. The document must 
be specific to the institution.).

III. Management Plan

    A. Key project staff, their resumes, and staffing chart for 
budgeted staff.
    B. To-be-hired staff and their qualifications.
    C. Staff responsibilities.
    D. Management experience of the lead agency and partners as related 
to their role in the program.
    E. Succession planning and cross-training of responsibilities.
    F. Address management of confidentiality and ethics in performance.
    G. Address the management of student organization projects, 
reporting requirements, and incentives.

IV. Local Evaluation Plan

    A. Purpose.
    B. Describe tools and procedures for measuring strengths and 
weaknesses planned prevention activities.
    C. Use of results to enhance programs.
    D. Indicators that reflect goals/objectives are being met.

Appendices

    A. Memorandums of Agreement/Understanding/Partnership Letters.
    B. Required Forms (Assurance of Compliance Form, etc.).
    C. Key Staff Resumes.
    D. Charts/Tables (Partners, advisory board, services, population 
demographics, components, etc.).
    E. Other attachments.
    Use of Funds: A majority of the funds from the award must be used 
to support staff and efforts aimed at implementing the program. The 
Program Coordinator, or the person responsible for the day-to-day 
management of the program, must devote at least a 50 percent level of 
effort to the program. Funds may also be used to make small awards to 
student organizations or peer educators that will be conducting other 
outreach activities directly related to the program goals. 
Additionally, funds may be used for no more than two staff persons to 
attend a national HIV conference to receive training or technical 
assistance.
    Funds may be used for personnel, consultants, supplies (including 
screening, education, and outreach supplies), and grant related travel. 
Funds may not be used for construction, building alterations, 
equipment, medical treatment, or renovations. All budget requests must 
be justified fully in terms of the proposed program goals and 
objectives and include an itemized computational explanation/breakout 
of how costs were determined.
    Meetings: The OWH will convene grantees once a year for 
orientation. The meeting will be held in the Washington metropolitan 
area or one of the ten (10) DHHS regional offices. The program budget 
should include a request for funds to pay for the travel, lodging, and 
meals for the orientation meeting. The meeting is usually held within 
the first six weeks post award.

3. Submission Date and Time

Submission Mechanisms
    The Office of Public Health and Science (OPHS) provides multiple 
mechanisms for the submission of applications, as described in the 
following sections. Applicants will receive notification via mail from 
the OPHS Office of Grants Management confirming the receipt of 
applications

[[Page 26377]]

submitted using any of these mechanisms. Applications submitted to the 
OPHS Office of Grants Management after the deadlines described below 
will not be accepted for review. Applications which do not conform to 
the requirements of the grant announcement will not be accepted for 
review and will be returned to the applicant.
    Applications may only be submitted electronically via the 
electronic submission mechanisms specified below. Any applications 
submitted via any other means of electronic communication, including 
facsimile or electronic mail, will not be accepted for review. While 
applications are accepted in hard copy, the use of the electronic 
application submission capabilities provided by the OPHS eGrants system 
or the Grants.gov Website Portal is encouraged.
    Electronic grant application submissions must be submitted no later 
than 5 p.m. Eastern Time on the deadline date specified in the DATES 
section of the announcement using one of the electronic submission 
mechanisms specified below. All required hardcopy original signatures 
and mail-in items must be received by the OPHS Office of Grants 
Management no later than 5 p.m. Eastern Time on the next business day 
after the deadline date specified in the DATES section of the 
announcement.
    Applications will not be considered valid until all electronic 
application components, hardcopy original signatures, and mail-in items 
are received by the OPHS Office of Grants Management according to the 
deadlines specified above. Application submissions that do not adhere 
to the due date requirements will be considered late and will be deemed 
ineligible. Applicants are encouraged to initiate electronic 
applications early in the application development process, and to 
submit early on the due date or before. This will aid in addressing any 
problems with submissions prior to the application deadline.
Electronic Submissions via the Grants.gov Website Portal
    The Grants.gov Web site Portal provides organizations with the 
ability to submit applications for OPHS grant opportunities. 
Organizations must successfully complete the necessary registration 
processes in order to submit an application. Information about this 
system is available on the Grants.gov Web site, http://www.grants.gov.
    In addition to electronically submitted materials, applicants may 
be required to submit hard copy signatures for certain Program related 
forms, or original materials as required by the announcement. It is 
imperative that the applicant review both the grant announcement, as 
well as the application guidance provided within the Grants.gov 
application package, to determine such requirements. Any required hard 
copy materials, or documents that require a signature, must be 
submitted separately via mail to the OPHS Office of Grants Management, 
and, if required, must contain the original signature of an individual 
authorized to act for the applicant agency and the obligations imposed 
by the terms and conditions of the grant award.
    Electronic applications submitted via the Grants.gov Website Portal 
must contain all completed online forms required by the application 
kit, the Program Narrative, Budget Narrative and any appendices or 
exhibits. All required mail-in items must received by the due date 
requirements specified above. Mail-In items may only include 
publications, resumes, or organizational documentation.
    Upon completion of a successful electronic application submission 
via the Grants.gov Website Portal, the applicant will be provided with 
a confirmation page from Grants.gov indicating the date and time 
(Eastern Time) of the electronic application submission, as well as the 
Grants.gov Receipt Number. It is critical that the applicant print and 
retain this confirmation for their records, as well as a copy of the 
entire application package.
    All applications submitted via the Grants.gov Web site Portal will 
be validated by Grants.gov. Any applications deemed ``Invalid'' by the 
Grants.gov Web site Portal will not be transferred to the OPHS eGrants 
system, and OPHS has no responsibility for any application that is not 
validated and transferred to OPHS from the Grants.gov Web site Portal. 
Grants.gov will notify the applicant regarding the application 
validation status. Once the application is successfully validated by 
the Grants.gov Web site Portal, applicants should immediately mail all 
required hard copy materials to the OPHS Office of Grants Management to 
be received by the deadlines specified above. It is critical that the 
applicant clearly identify the Organization name and Grants.gov 
Application Receipt Number on all hard copy materials.
    Once the application is validated by Grants.gov, it will be 
electronically transferred to the OPHS eGrants system for processing. 
Upon receipt of both the electronic application from the Grants.gov Web 
site Portal, and the required hardcopy mail-in items, applicants will 
receive notification via mail from the OPHS Office of Grants Management 
confirming the receipt of the application submitted using the 
Grants.gov Web site Portal.
    Applicants should contact Grants.gov regarding any questions or 
concerns regarding the electronic application process conducted through 
the Grants.gov Web site Portal.
Electronic Submissions via the OPHS eGrants System
    The OPHS electronic grants management system, eGrants, provides for 
applications to be submitted electronically. Information about this 
system is available on the OPHS eGrants Web site, https://egrants.osophs.dhhs.gov, or may be requested from the OPHS Office of 
Grants Management at (240) 453-8822.
    When submitting applications via the OPHS eGrants system, 
applicants are required to submit a hard copy of the application face 
page (Standard Form 424) with the original signature of an individual 
authorized to act for the applicant agency and assume the obligations 
imposed by the terms and conditions of the grant award. If required, 
applicants will also need to submit a hard copy of the Standard Form 
LLL and/or certain Program related forms (e.g., Program Certifications) 
with the original signature of an individual authorized to act for the 
applicant agency.
    Electronic applications submitted via the OPHS eGrants system must 
contain all completed online forms required by the application kit, the 
Program Narrative, Budget Narrative and any appendices or exhibits. The 
applicant may identify specific mail-in items to be sent to the Office 
of Grants Management separate from the electronic submission; however 
these mail-in items must be entered on the eGrants Application 
Checklist at the time of electronic submission, and must be received by 
the due date requirements specified above. Mail-In items may only 
include publications, resumes, or organizational documentation.
    Upon completion of a successful electronic application submission, 
the OPHS eGrants system will provide the applicant with a confirmation 
page indicating the date and time (Eastern Time) of the electronic 
application submission. This confirmation page will also provide a 
listing of all items that constitute the final application submission 
including all electronic application components, required hardcopy 
original signatures, and mail-in items, as well as the mailing address 
of the OPHS Office of Grants

[[Page 26378]]

Management where all required hard copy materials must be submitted.
    As items are received by the OPHS Office of Grants Management, the 
electronic application status will be updated to reflect the receipt of 
mail-in items. It is recommended that the applicant monitor the status 
of their application in the OPHS eGrants system to ensure that all 
signatures and mail-in items are received.
Mailed or Hand-Delivered Hard Copy Applications
    Applicants who submit applications in hard copy (via mail or hand-
delivered) are required to submit an original and two copies of the 
application. The original application must be signed by an individual 
authorized to act for the applicant agency or organization and to 
assume for the organization the obligations imposed by the terms and 
conditions of the grant award.
    Mailed or hand-delivered applications will be considered as meeting 
the deadline if they are received by the OPHS Office of Grant 
Management on or before 5 p.m. Eastern Time on the deadline date 
specified in the DATES section of the announcement. The application 
deadline date requirement specified in this announcement supersedes the 
instructions in the OPHS-1. Applications that do not meet the deadline 
will be returned to the applicant unread.
4. Intergovernmental Review
    This program is subject to the Public Health Systems Reporting 
Requirements. Under these requirements, a community-based non-
governmental applicant must prepare and submit a Public Health System 
Impact Statement (PHSIS). Applicants shall submit a copy of the 
application face page (SF-424) and a one page summary of the project, 
called the Public Health System Impact Statement. The PHSIS is intended 
to provide information to State and local health officials to keep them 
apprised on proposed health services grant applications submitted by 
community-based, non-governmental organizations within their 
jurisdictions.
    Community-based, non-governmental applicants are required to 
submit, no later than the Federal due date for receipt of the 
application, the following information to the head of the appropriate 
State and local health agencies in the area(s) to be impacted: (a) A 
copy of the face page of the application (SF 424), (b) a summary of the 
project (PHSIS), not to exceed one page, which provides: (1) A 
description of the population to be served, (2) a summary of the 
services to be provided, and (3) a description of the coordination 
planned with the appropriate State or local health agencies. Copies of 
the letters forwarding the PHSIS to these authorities must be contained 
in the application materials submitted to the OWH.
    This program is also subject to the requirements of Executive Order 
12372 that allows States the option of setting up a system for 
reviewing applications from within their States for assistance under 
certain Federal programs. The application kit to be made available 
under this notice will contain a listing of States that have chosen to 
set up a review system and will include a State Single Point of Contact 
(SPOC) in the State for review. Applicants (other than federally 
recognized Indian tribes) should contact their SPOCs as early as 
possible to alert them to the prospective applications and receive any 
necessary instructions on the State process. For proposed projects 
serving more than one State, the applicant is advised to contact the 
SPOC in each affected State. A complete list of SPOCs may be found at 
the following Web site: http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/spoc.html. 
The due date for State process recommendations is 60 days after the 
application deadline. The OWH does not guarantee that it will 
accommodate or explain its responses to State process recommendations 
received after that date. (See ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal 
Programs,'' Executive Order 12372, and 45 CFR part 100 for a 
description of the review process and requirements.)

5. Funding Restrictions

    Funds may not be used for construction, building alterations, 
equipment purchase, medical treatment, renovations, or to purchase 
food.

6. Other Submission Requirements

    None.

V. Application Review Information

    Criteria: The objective technical review of applications will 
consider the following factors:

Factor 1: Implementation Plan--30%

    This section must discuss:
    1. Appropriateness of the existing community resources and linkages 
established to deliver a coordinated HIV prevention program. How each 
task will be accomplished; outline the prevention program or services 
planned; time line, goals and objectives for program implementation; 
propose a gender centered response plan for maintaining a system of 
care to women attending the college/university.
    2. Appropriateness of proposed approach.
    3. Soundness of evaluation objectives for measuring program 
effectiveness and changes in health behaviors.
    4. Relationship to targeted minority institution.
    5. Appropriateness of approach toward young adult women attending a 
minority institution college or university.
    6. Appropriate MOAs or Letters of Intent should support assertions 
made in this section.

Factor 2: Management Plan--25%

    This section must discuss:
    1. Applicant organization's capability to manage the project as 
determined by the qualifications of the proposed staff or requirements 
for to be hired staff;
    2. Proposed staff level of effort; management experience of the 
lead agency; and the experience, resources and role of each partner 
organization as it relates to the needs and programs/activities of the 
program;
    3. Staff experience as it relates to meeting the needs of the 
community and populations served; 4. Integration of students into the 
program;
    5. Detailed position descriptions, resumes of key staff, and a 
staffing chart should be included in the appendix.
    The management plan should also describe succession planning for 
key personnel and cross training of responsibilities. Thoughtful 
succession planning and cross training of responsibilities should 
contribute to the sustainability of the program and provide promotion 
potential.

Factor 3: Evaluation Plan--15%

    A clear statement of program goal(s) and thoroughness, tools, and 
procedures used to measure the impact of planned prevention activities. 
List indicators that reflect the program's success in meeting the 
intent of the program. The feasibility and appropriateness of the 
program evaluation design, analysis of results, and procedures to 
determine if the program goals are met.

Factor 4: Objectives--15%

    Merit of the objectives outlined by the applicant to address the 
HIV prevention program discussed in the program goals section in a way 
relevant to the targeted community needs and available resources. 
Objectives must be measurable and attainable within a stated time 
frame.

Factor 5: Background--15%

    Adequacy of demonstrated knowledge of issues of HIV prevention for 
women,

[[Page 26379]]

particularly minority women, young women, poor women and women living 
with HIV; demonstrated need within the proposed local community and 
target population of minority women; demonstrated support and 
established linkages in place to operate a fully functional HIV 
prevention program targeting a college campus; and documented past 
efforts/activities outcome with underserved women. Clear description of 
the target population including total population, percent women, race/
ethnicity data, and age distribution. Suggested tables to be used to 
report these data are included in the Application Kit.
    Review and Selection Process: Funding decisions will be made by the 
OWH, and will take into consideration the recommendations and ratings 
of the review panel, program needs, geographic location, stated 
preferences, and the recommendations of DHHS Regional Women's Health 
Coordinators (RWHC).

Award Administration Information

1. Award Notices
    Successful applicants will receive a notification letter from the 
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health (Women's Health) and a Notice of 
Grant Award (NGA), signed by the OPHS Grants Management Officer. The 
NGA shall be the only binding, authorizing document between the 
recipient and the OWH. Notification will be mailed to the Program 
Director identified in the application. Unsuccessful applicants will 
receive a notification letter with the results of the review of their 
application from the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health (Women's 
Health).
2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements
    The regulations set out at 45 CFR parts 74 and 92 are the 
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) rules and requirements 
that govern the administration of grants. Part 74 is applicable to all 
recipients except those covered by part 92, which governs awards to 
State and local governments. Applicants funded under this announcement 
must be aware of and comply with these regulations. The CFR volume that 
includes parts 74 and 92 may be downloaded from http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/45cfrv1_03.html. The DHHS 
Appropriations Act requires that, when issuing statements, press 
releases, requests for proposals, bid solicitations, and other 
documents describing projects or programs funded in whole or in part 
with Federal money, all grantees shall clearly state the percentage and 
dollar amount of the total costs of the program or project which will 
be financed with Federal money and the percentage and dollar amount of 
the total costs of the project or program that will be financed by non-
governmental sources.
3. Reporting
    In addition to those listed above, a successful applicant will 
submit a progress report and a final report. This report shall provide 
a detailed summary of major achievements, problems encountered, and 
actions taken to overcome them. Progress reports require data 
collection into the matrix provided by the national evaluator. The 
final report shall summarize the goals achieved and lessons learned in 
the course of the contract, and how the program will be sustained. The 
report shall be in the format established by the OWH, in accordance 
with provisions of the general regulations which apply under 
``Monitoring and Reporting Program Performance,'' 45 CFR parts 74 and 
92. The purpose of the quarterly and annual progress reports is to 
provide accurate and timely program information to program managers and 
to respond to Congressional, Departmental, and public requests for 
information about the program. An original and one copy of the 
quarterly progress report must be submitted by December 1, April 1, 
July 1, and September 1. If these dates fall on a Saturday or Sunday, 
the report will be due on Monday. The last quarterly report will serve 
as the annual progress report and must describe all project activities 
for the entire year. The annual progress report must be submitted by 
September 1 of each year and will serve as the non-competing 
continuation application. This report must include the budget request 
for the next grant year, with appropriate justification, and be 
submitted using Form OPHS-1.

VI. Agency Contact(s)

     For application kits and information on budget and 
business aspects of the application, please contact: Eric West, 
Associate Grants Management Officer, Office of Grants Management, 
Office of Public Health and Science, DHHS, 1101 Wootton Parkway, Suite 
550, Rockville, MD 20857. Telephone: (240) 453-8822. Fax: (240) 453-
8823.
     Questions regarding programmatic information and/or 
requests for technical assistance in the preparation of the grant 
application should be directed in writing to: Ms. Mary L. Bowers, 
Public Health Advisor, Office on Women's Health, Office of Public 
Health and Science, DHHS, 200 Independence Ave., SW., Rm 712E, 
Washington, DC 20201. Telephone: 202-260-0020. E-mail: 
[email protected].

VII. Other Information

    Nine (9) HIV Prevention for Young Women attending Minority 
Institutions programs are currently funded by the OWH. Information 
about these programs may be found at the following Web site: http://www.womenshealth.gov/owh/fund/index.htm.

Definitions

    For the purposes of this cooperative agreement program, the 
following definitions are provided:
    AIDS: Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is a disease in which the 
body's immune system breaks down and is unable to fight off certain 
infections and other illnesses that take advantage of a weakened immune 
system.
    Community-based: The locus of control and decision-making powers is 
located at the community level, representing the service area of the 
community or a significant segment of the community.
    Community-based organization: Public and private, nonprofit 
organizations that are representative of communities or significant 
segments of communities.
    Culturally competency/ appropriate: Information and services 
provided at the educational level and in the language and cultural 
context that are most appropriate for the individuals for whom the 
information and services are intended. Additional information on 
cultural competency is available at the following Web site: http://www.aoa.dhhs.gov/May2001/factsheets/Cultural-Competency.html.
    Cultural perspective: Recognizes that culture, language, and 
country of origin have an important and significant impact on the 
health perceptions and health behaviors that produce a variety of 
health outcomes.
    Gender-based Care: Highlights inequalities between men and women in 
access to resources to promote and protect health, in responses from 
the health sector, and in the ability to exercise the right to quality 
health care.
    Health Services: College or University supported entity which 
provides students with an array of health related services which may 
include care, prevention, mental health and wellness.
    Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSI): An institution can be 
classified as a Hispanic Serving Institution if the Hispanic enrollment 
at a college or university is at least 25 percent of the

[[Page 26380]]

total student enrollment. For a list of HSIs see http://www.chci.org/chciyouth/resources/hispanicserving.htm.
    Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU): Any 
historically black college or university that was established prior to 
1964, whose principal mission was, and is, the education of black 
Americans, and that is accredited by a nationally recognized 
accrediting agency or association determined by the Secretary [of 
Education] to be a reliable authority as to the quality of training 
offered or is, according to such an agency or association, making 
reasonable progress toward accreditation. For a list of HBCUs see 
http://www.ed.gov/about/inits/list/whhbcu/edlite-list.html.
    HIV: The human immunodeficiency virus that causes AIDS.
    Holistic: Looking at women's health from the perspective of the 
whole person and not as a group of different body parts. It includes 
dental, mental, as well as physical health.
    Lifespan: Recognizes that women have different health and psycho 
social needs as they encounter transitions across their lives and that 
the positive and negative effects of health and health behaviors are 
cumulative across a woman's life.
    Multi-disciplinary: An approach that is based on the recognition 
that women's health crosses many disciplines, and that women's health 
issues need to be addressed across multiple disciplines, such as 
adolescent health, geriatrics, cardiology, mental health, reproductive 
health, nutrition, dermatology, endocrinology, immunology, 
rheumatology, dental health, etc.
    Rural Community: All territory, population, and housing units 
located outside of urban areas and urban cluster.
    Social Role: Recognizes that women routinely perform multiple, 
overlapping social roles that require continuous multi-tasking.
    Student Organizations: University campus organization's that are 
run by students with student members, usually having a faculty advisor. 
Examples of student organizations include: sororities, fraternities, 
student government organizations, student associations, etc.
    Sustainability: An organizations or program's staying power: the 
capacity to maintain both the financial resources and the partnerships/
linkages needed to provide the services demanded from an OWH program. 
It also involves the ability to survive change, incorporate needed 
changes, and seize opportunities provided by a changing environment.
    Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCU): Located on or near 
reservations, TCUs serve approximately 25,000 students, with the 
majority being American Indian students from more than 250 tribes. All 
TCUs offer two-year degrees, five offer four-year degrees and two offer 
graduate degrees. Tribal colleges are fully accredited by regional 
accrediting agencies, with the exception of three colleges that are 
candidates for accreditation. For a list of TCUs see http://www.ed.gov/about/inits/list/whtc/edlite-tclist.html.
    Underserved Women: Women who encounter barriers to health care that 
result from any combination of the following characteristics: Poverty, 
ethnicity and culture, mental or physical state, housing status, 
geographic location, undocumented immigration status, language, age, 
and lack of health insurance/under-insured.
    Women-centered/women-focused: Addressing the needs and concerns of 
women (women-relevant) in an environment that is welcoming to women, 
fosters a commitment to women, treats women with dignity, and empowers 
women through respect and education. The emphasis is on working with 
women, not for women. Women clients are considered active partners in 
their own health and wellness.

    Dated: April 14, 2006.
Wanda K. Jones,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health (Women's Health).
 [FR Doc. E6-6726 Filed 5-3-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4150-33-P