[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 87 (Friday, May 5, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 26523-26530]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-6868]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES


Request for Applications for Two Programs for FY 2006: Prevention 
for HIV Infected Women Living in Puerto Rico; and HIV Prevention for 
Women Living in the U.S. Virgin Islands

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

ACTION: Notice.

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    Announcement Type: 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 5, 2006.
    Applications are due by 5 p.m. Eastern Time on June 5, 2006.
SUMMARY: This program is authorized by 42 U.S.C. 300u-2(a).
    The Office on Women's Health (OWH), Office of Public Health and 
Science (OPHS) is the focal point for women's health within the 
Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). Under the direction of 
the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Women's Health, OWH provides 
leadership to promote health equity for women and girls through gender-
specific approaches. To that end, OWH has established public/private 
partnerships to address critical women's health issues nationwide. 
These include supporting collaborative efforts to provide prevention 
education to infected women as well as women at risk for infection 
living in the U.S. and its territories. The emphasis of these efforts 
is on education and prevention counseling, including the ABC \1\--
Abstinence, Being Faithful, Condoms model, covering the full spectrum 
of primary and secondary prevention adapted to a female centered 
perspective. In addition, efforts to establish enrichment support 
activities for women living with HIV are a primary emphasis as well. 
This initiative is intended to demonstrate a collaborative partnership 
approach between the grantee and local health or social service 
providers, e.g., community health centers, rural health centers, family 
planning clinics, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, 
Infants, and Children (WIC), tribal governments and organizations, 
Indian Health Service providers, community based organizations, faith 
based organizations, public assistance programs, and local health 
departments.
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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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    As part of a continuing DHHS effort to improve the health and well 
being of those disproportionately impacted by health disparities, the 
Department announces availability of FY 2006 funding for the following 
two programs: (1) Prevention for HIV Infected Women Living in Puerto 
Rico; and (2) HIV Prevention for Women Living in the U.S. Virgin 
Islands.
    The OWH/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. The 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, and Women Living with HIV in Puerto Rico, (6) HIV Prevention 
for Native/American Indian/Alaska Native Women, and (7) 
Intergenerational Approaches to HIV/AIDS Prevention Education with 
Women across the Life Span. The partnership is expected to be a viable 
strategy for identifying and educating women in a culturally 
appropriate manner that reduces denial, demystifies stigma, clarifies 
false information, increases knowledge for self-protection, increases 
adherence to treatment, and increases access to counseling/testing 
resources, primary care and appropriate medication. It is expected that 
the prevention education model will provide accurate, culturally, and 
linguistically appropriate information to women at risk for or living 
with HIV/AIDS.

I. Funding Opportunity Description

1. Prevention for HIV Infected Women Living in Puerto Rico

    A. Purpose: The Prevention Program for HIV Infected Women Living in 
Puerto Rico seeks to prevent secondary transmission among women who 
practice high risk behaviors, to increase access to care for women 
living with HIV, to increase knowledge of protective behaviors of HIV 
infected women, and to reduce isolation of women living with HIV 
infection. It is expected that this program will demonstrate the 
effectiveness of:
     Collaborative partnership approach between a community 
based organization(s) and a local health or social service provider(s);
     Coalitions and support groups for HIV infected women; and
     Gender-specific and culturally appropriate approaches.
    B. Project Outcomes: Applicants requesting support under the 
Prevention for HIV Infected Women Living in Puerto Rico must address 
project outcomes that can establish and implement activities resulting 
in social networks, coalitions, and support groups that assist HIV 
infected women to access care, to remain in care, and to increase their 
prevention competence.
    C. Project Requirements: Each project funded under this 
demonstration must:
     Develop a model plan to outreach to HIV positive women by 
coordinating with existing local providers and recruiting women to 
participate in

[[Page 26524]]

building social networks, support groups, or coalitions.
     Facilitate the development of social networks by creating 
safe forums for risk reduction counseling/education, confidential 
settings for discussion on coping with living with HIV, peer and 
mentoring support for families, and isolation and stigma reduction.
     Coordinate HIV counseling and testing for women whose HIV 
status is unknown and link women who test HIV positive to medical care 
and other services.
     Conduct local evaluation of performance activities.
    The objectives of the OWH program are to:
    1. Increase access to quality care and treatment for women living 
with HIV infection.
    2. Improve and increase access to secondary HIV prevention services 
to women living with HIV infection and primary prevention for those 
women at risk for infection.
    3. Increase understanding of living with HIV, disease management, 
and treatment adherence.
    4. Increase community support activities for women living with HIV 
and their families.
    In order to achieve the objectives of the program the grantee 
shall: (1) Establish partnership(s) with local entities after reviewing 
city/county/State data on HIV incidence among women populations, 
exploring challenges and trends which enable risks and vulnerabilities 
of women living with HIV. (2) Develop and implement a gender specific 
model ``prevention education and counseling'' program to provide 
secondary transmission risk reduction support to women living with HIV. 
Culture, language, and gender specific issues are considerations for 
appropriate program components. (3) Develop or select use of existing 
prevention education training modules on critical HIV/AIDS primary and 
secondary prevention and education information. (4) Establish Memoranda 
of Understanding with local health care entities, social services, 
local small businesses, and community and faith based organizations as 
partners to implement referral coordination for counseling, STD/HIV 
testing, well woman screenings, other social service needs, and 
logistical and program support for coalition(s), support groups or 
social networks. (5) Identify and recruit women living with HIV to 
serve as mentors and peers for outreach to other women living with HIV 
and women who are at high risk for HIV infection. In addition, the 
grantee shall submit reports, outlining program activities (e.g., 
recruitment, participant retention), which reflect how its 
implementation process reflected an understanding of the realities of 
women's lives and addressed the issues of the participants to motivate 
continued participation. Finally, the grantee shall develop a plan to 
continue the program activities and community linkages beyond OWH 
funding and shall illustrate how program performance addressed 
community needs and the needs of women living with HIV in Puerto Rico.
    The grantee is encouraged to attend at least one national or 
regional HIV/AIDS Conference (e.g., U.S. Conference on AIDS, the 
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National HIV 
Prevention Conference, etc.), and to seek updates in HIV prevention 
strategies, therapies and priority activities as advised by the Centers 
for Disease Control and Prevention, Health Resources and Services 
Administration, and other public health experts.

2. HIV Prevention for Women Living in the U.S. Virgin Islands

    A. Purpose: The HIV Prevention for Women Living in the U.S. Virgin 
Islands Program seeks to provide accurate and comprehensive information 
on HIV/AIDS prevention AND healthy behaviors to maintain both mental 
and physical good health for women living in the U. S. Virgin Islands. 
The primary intent is to increase knowledge on preventing HIV among 
women and to increase understanding of self protective behaviors 
through a series of facilitated discussions. It is expected that this 
program will demonstrate the effectiveness of:
     Collaborative partnership approach between a community 
based organization(s) and a local health or social service provider(s); 
and
     Gender-specific and culturally appropriate approaches.
    B. Project Outcomes: Applicants requesting support under the HIV 
Prevention for Women Living in the U.S. Virgin Islands must address 
project outcomes that can establish and implement activities resulting 
in recruitment and participation of women in a series of facilitated 
discussions and related activities geared to reducing denial, 
demystifying stigma, increasing knowledge for self protection, lessons 
isolation, promotes access to resources, and encourages voluntary STD/
HIV testing.
    C. Project Requirements: Each project funded under this 
demonstration must:
     Develop a model plan to outreach to women living in the U. 
S. Virgin Islands and to facilitate group interventions to provide 
accurate HIV/STD prevention information, and information and exercises 
promoting healthy living. The model should demonstrate knowledge, 
understanding, and integration of the culture, gender specific values 
and roles, traditions, and language of women living in the U.S. Virgin 
Islands.
     Identify and implement an evidenced-based prevention 
intervention which addresses vulnerabilities and high risk behaviors in 
women, e.g., negotiating skills, assertiveness, relationship building, 
isolation and loneliness, social acceptability of concurrent partners, 
depression, domestic violence, and other gender specific risks.
     Coordinate HIV counseling and testing for women whose HIV 
status is unknown and link women who test HIV positive to medical care 
and other services.
     Conduct local evaluation of performance activities.
    The objectives of the OWH program are to:
    1. Increase understanding and knowledge of HIV/AIDS and how to 
prevent infection;
    2. Increase participant recognition of risk behaviors and increase 
understanding of self protective behaviors; and,
    3. Increase voluntary STD/HIV testing among women and increase 
participant understanding of the importance of knowing one's status.
    In order to achieve the objectives of the program the grantee 
shall: (1) Develop and implement a gender specific model ``prevention 
education and healthy living'' program to provide STD/HIV risk 
reduction support to women as well as instruction on healthy living and 
wellness. Culture, language, and gender specific issues are 
considerations for appropriate program components.\2\ (2) Establish 
Memoranda of Understanding with local health care entities, social 
services, local small businesses, community and faith based 
organizations as partners to implement referral coordination for 
counseling, STD/HIV testing, well woman screenings, other social 
service needs, and logistical and program support . (3) Identify and 
recruit women to participate in facilitated group discussions, 
exercises, and activities. In addition, the grantee shall submit 
reports, outlining program activities (e.g., recruitment, participant 
retention), which reflect how its implementation

[[Page 26525]]

process reflected an understanding of the realities of women's lives 
and addressed the issues of the participants to motivate continued 
participation. Finally, the grantee shall develop a plan to continue 
the program activities and community linkages beyond OWH funding and 
shall illustrate how program performance addressed community needs and 
the needs of women living in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
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    \2\ Compendium of HIV Prevention Interventions with Evidence of 
Effectiveness, CDC's HIV/AIDS Prevention Research Synthesis Project, 
November 1999.
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    The grantee is encouraged to attend at least one national or 
regional HIV/AIDS Conference (e.g., U.S. Conference on AIDS, the 
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National HIV 
Prevention Conference, etc., and to seek updates in HIV prevention 
strategies, therapies, and priority activities as advised by the CDC, 
Health Resources and Services Administration, and other public health 
experts.

II. Award Information

    The OWH program will be supported through the cooperative agreement 
mechanism. Using this mechanism, the OWH anticipates making four new 
awards in FY 2006. 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 400,000 is 
available to make awards of up to 100,000 total cost (direct and 
indirect) for a 12-month period and OWH anticipates that 200,000 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 100,000 (total cost) per year 
will be made subject to satisfactory performance and availability of 
funds.
    The program is a collaborative effort between the OWH and the 
Office of HIV/AIDS Policy, 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:
     Develop and implement the model described in the 
application.
     Provide complete curricula, i.e., topics, content, 
participant workbook, participant evaluation forms, pre/post 
instruments and goals/objectives.
     Describe training, teaching methods and strategies, e.g., 
interactive exercises, facilitated discussion, lectures, video/films, 
community peers, etc., proposed to deliver modules. Describe the 
intervention format: one time session, series of sessions occurring 
beyond one day, one day session, etc.
     Conduct outreach to local entities and community 
representatives. Identify locations for prevention education sites and 
identify community liaisons for assistance in identifying prospective 
women participates.
     Establish community partnerships through Memoranda of 
Understanding.
     Participate in special meetings and projects/funding 
opportunities identified by the OWH.
     Adhere to all program requirements specified in this 
announcement and the Notice of Grant Award.
     Submit required quarterly progress, annual, and financial 
reports by the due dates stated in this announcement and the Notice of 
Grant Award.
     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) 447-4777.
    The Federal Government will:
    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 progress.
    3. Review and approve the prevention education curricula and 
proposed interventions.
    4. Review all quarterly, annual, and final progress reports.
    5. Review timeline and implementation plan.
    6. Provide technical assistance through referral to other DHHS 
supported capacity building programs.
    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 Secretary's four priority areas--heart disease, 
cancer, diabetes, and HIV/AIDS-- and 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 Healthier US 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 
is available 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, and tribal government and tribal/urban Indian 
entities, and organizations. Faith based organizations are eligible to 
apply.
    Preference will be given to:
    1. Applications from entities based in priority areas: St. Croix, 
St. Thomas, St. John, and cities in Puerto Rico experiencing high HIV 
prevalence among women.
    2. Organizations indicating history of serving Black, Hispanic and 
Caribbean women, rural women, poor women, and women living with HIV/
AIDS or whose lifestyles place them at high risk for HIV/STD infection.

2. Cost Share of Matching

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

IV. Application and Submission Information

    1. Address to Request 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), 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

[[Page 26526]]

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 OWH announcement must:
     Present a plan outlining steps to develop and implement a 
gender specific model program using an evidenced based effective 
intervention with personnel capable of providing accurate prevention 
information in a culturally and linguistically appropriate manner to 
women living with HIV infection in Puerto Rico or women living in the 
U.S. Virgin Islands.
     Provide signed Memoranda of Agreement(s) with partners to 
establish linkages to identify women participants, location of 
prevention education sites, and for referral to available services for 
the targeted population based upon prevention, care, HIV counseling and 
testing, and social service needs. 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 
MOU/MOA between the applicant organization and each partner. The 
partnership agreement(s) (MOU/MOA) 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.
     Demonstrate the ways the organization and the prevention 
education services that are coordinated with its partners are gender 
and age appropriate, women-focused, women-friendly, women-relevant as 
well as culturally and linguistically appropriate to the target 
population.
     Be a sustainable organization with an established network 
of partners capable of providing and coordinating a gender specific 
prevention education model program in the targeted communities. The 
partners and their roles and responsibilities to the program must be 
clearly identified in the application.
     Demonstrate that any prevention intervention (including 
prevention for positives) contains the core elements of interventions 
with evidence of effectiveness. (See Compendium of HIV Prevention 
Interventions with Evidence of Effectiveness, from CDC's HIV/AIDS 
Prevention Research Synthesis Project, Nov. 1999; see CDC's HIV 
Prevention Strategic Plan Through 2005).
     Provide a time line and workplan for program 
implementation for Year 1 and Year 2, presented in correlation to 
goals, objectives and expected outcomes or targets.
     Describe in detail plans for the local evaluation of the 
program and when and how the evaluation will be used to enhance the 
program.
    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 Summary. 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 (Understanding of the Problem)
    A. Organization's goals and purpose(s).
    B. Demographic profile and HIV prevalence of target community 
and counties with discussion of local norms, tradition, and culture 
of targeted population.
    C. Local needs assessment and gaps in services, e.g., 
prevention, care, and social services for targeted population.
    D. Local program objectives:
    1. Tied to program goal(s);
    2. Measurable with time frame.
    E. Organizational charts that include partners and a discussion 
of the proposed resources to be contributed by the partners, 
personnel and their expertise and how their involvement will help 
achieve the program goals.
II. Implementation Plan (Approach)
    A. Discuss gender specific program elements.
    B. Describe intervention and its appropriateness for target 
population.
    C. Describe local evaluation tools, indicators of increased 
knowledge, reduction in attitudes that support stigma, and an 
increase number voluntarily undergoing HIV testing.
    D. Partnerships and referral system/follow up.
III. Management Plan
    A. Key project staff, their resumes, and a 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. Management oversight of staff roles and job performance.
    F. Address maintenance of confidentiality, ethics in 
performance, and on-going staff training.
    G. Explain decision making hierarchy.
IV. Local Evaluation Plan
    A. Purpose.
    B. Describe tools and procedures for measuring strengths and 
weaknesses.
    C. Use of results to enhance programs.
    D. Indicators that reflect goals/objectives are being met.
V. Organizational Agency Qualifications
    A. Agency history of performance in prevention education, e.g., 
developing/adapting prevention education curricula, training skills, 
and expertise, certification in specific training modules, measuring 
participant learning and satisfaction.
    B. Agency relationships, past and current, with women focused 
programs, local health and social services providers, and community 
based organizations and representatives.
    C. Community acceptance: staff recognition, media, requests for 
agency involvement.
    D. Technical Assistance plans/strategies.
Appendices
    A. Memorandums of Agreement/Understanding/Partnership Letters.

[[Page 26527]]

    B. Required Forms (Assurance of Compliance Form, etc.).
    C. Key Staff Resumes.
    D. Charts/Tables (Partners, services, population demographics, 
program 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 75 percent level of 
effort to the program. Funds may also be used to transfer the lessons 
learned/successful strategies/gender specific approaches from the 
program (technical assistance) through activities such as showcasing 
the program at conferences, meetings and workshops; providing direct 
technical assistance to other communities; and providing technical 
assistance to other U.S. territory based or Caribbean community 
organizations, or through their professional organizations interested 
in working with women living in the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico 
who are living with HIV/AIDS or who are at high risk for HIV/STD 
infection. These may include either process-based lessons (i.e., How to 
bring multiple sectors of community partners together) or outcomes-
based lessons (i.e., How to increase the number of women who 
voluntarily undergo HIV testing).
    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 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 in one of the ten (10) DHHS regional office cities. The budget 
should include a request for funds to pay for the travel, lodging, and 
meals. 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 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 Web site 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 Web Site Portal

    The Grants.gov Website 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 Web site 
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 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 
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 Website 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,

[[Page 26528]]

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 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

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

Factor 1: Implementation/Approach--30%

    This section must discuss:
    1. Appropriateness of the existing community resources and linkages 
established to deliver accurate prevention education to meet the 
requirements of the program. Describe other community providers that 
will be affiliated with the program and their role in service delivery.
    2. Appropriateness of proposed approach, e.g., evidence based 
intervention and specific activities described to address program 
objectives.

[[Page 26529]]

    3. Gender specific elements of proposed process.
    4. Soundness of evaluation objectives for measuring program 
effectiveness, impact of prevention education on knowledge and 
behavior, understanding the importance of knowing one's status, disease 
management/treatment adherence.
    5. Appropriate MOUs or Letters of Intent should support assertions 
made in this section.

Factor 2: Management Plan--20%

    Applicant organization's capability to manage the project as 
determined by the qualifications of the proposed staff or requirements 
for ``to be hired'' staff; 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, staff experience as it relates to meeting 
the needs of the community and populations served. Detailed position 
descriptions, resumes of key staff, and a staffing chart should be 
included in the appendix.

Factor 3: Organizational/Agency Qualifications--20%

    This section should include demonstrated knowledge of prevention 
education intervention models, relationships with the target population 
of women living in the U.S. Virgin Islands or Puerto Rico, and agency 
history of services to poor women, minority women, HIV infected 
individuals, and HIV infected women.

Factor 4: Background/Understanding of the Problem--15%

    This section must discuss:
    1. Description of the current State of affairs for: (1) women 
living in the U.S. Virgin Islands or (2) HIV infected women living in 
Puerto Rico regarding HIV prevalence, socio-economic status, access to 
HIV testing, stigma and availability of HIV prevention education in 
addition to the review of issues for women living in the program target 
community.
    2. Relevance of organizational goals and purpose(s) to community 
and local needs.
    3. Challenges women face in seeking HIV culturally and 
linguistically appropriate education and counseling and testing in the 
proposed target community and surrounding areas.
    4. Outreach, logistics and stigma issues impacting the target 
community.

Factor 5: Evaluation Plan--15%

    Provide a clear Statement of program goal(s), feasibility and 
appropriateness of the local evaluation plan, analysis of results, and 
procedures to determine if the program goals are met. .
    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 (DHHS) 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 quarterly progress reports and an annual report that includes a 
summary of the local evaluation and a discussion of steps taken to 
implement each component of the program and the impact of the program 
on the targeted community/population, an annual Financial Status 
Report, a final Progress Report, a final Financial Status Report 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 
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 two 
copies of the progress report(s) must be submitted by January 10, April 
10, July 10 and August 15. If these dates fall on a Saturday or Sunday, 
the report will be due on the following 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 August 15 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.
    A Financial Status Report (FSR) SF-269 is due 90 days after the 
close of each 12-month budget period.

VI. Agency Contact(s)

    For application kits and information on budget and business aspects 
of the application, please contact: Mr. 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, 
Humphrey Building, Room 712E, 200 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, 
DC 20201. Telephone: 202.260.0020. E-mail: [email protected].

[[Page 26530]]

VII. Other Information

    Two (2) OWH ``HIV Prevention for Women Living in the U.S. Virgin 
Islands'' programs and two (2) ``Prevention for HIV Infected Women 
Living in Puerto Rico'' programs are currently funded by the OWH. 
Information about these programs may be found at the following Web 
site: http://www.4woman.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.
    Community health center: A community-based organization that 
provides comprehensive primary care and preventive services to 
medically underserved populations. This includes but is not limited to 
programs reimbursed through the Federally Qualified Health Centers 
mechanism, Migrant Health Centers, Primary Care Public Housing Health 
Centers, Healthcare for the Homeless Centers, and other community-based 
health centers.
    Comprehensive women's health services: Services including, but 
going beyond traditional reproductive health services to address the 
health needs of underserved women in the context of their lives, 
including recognition of the importance of relationships in women's 
lives, and the fact that women play the role of health providers and 
decision-makers for the family. Services include basic primary care 
services; acute, chronic, and preventive services including gender and 
age-appropriate preventive services; mental and dental health services; 
patient education and counseling; promotion of healthy behaviors (like 
nutrition, smoking cessation, substance abuse services, and physical 
activity); and enabling services. Ancillary services are also provided 
such as laboratory tests, X-ray, environmental, social referral, and 
pharmacy services.
    Culturally competent: 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.
    Enabling services: Services that help women access health care, 
such as transportation, parking vouchers, translation, child care, and 
case management.
    Gender-Specific: An approach which considers the social and 
environmental context in which women live and therefore structures 
information, activities, program priorities and service delivery 
systems to compliment those factors.
    Healthy People 2010: A set of national health objectives that 
outlines the prevention agenda for the Nation. Healthy People 2010 
identify the most significant preventable threats to health and 
establishes national goals for the next ten years. Individuals, groups, 
and organizations are encouraged to integrate Healthy People 2010 into 
current programs, special events, publications, and meetings. 
Businesses can use the framework, for example, to guide worksite health 
promotion activities as well as community-based initiatives. Schools, 
colleges, and civic and faith-based organizations can undertake 
activities to further the health of all members of their community. 
Health care providers can encourage their patients to pursue healthier 
lifestyles and to participate in community-based programs. By selecting 
from among the national objectives, individuals and organizations can 
build an agenda for community health improvement and can monitor 
results over time. More information on the Healthy People 2010 
objectives may be found on the Healthy People 2010 Web site: http://www.health.gov/healthypeople.
    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 
psychosocial 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.
    Prevention education: Accurate information to increase knowledge of 
methods and behaviors to keep individuals from becoming infected with 
HIV.

    Dated: May 2, 2006.
Frances Ashe-Goins,
Deputy Director, Office on Women Health, Office of Public Health and 
Science.
 [FR Doc. E6-6868 Filed 5-4-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4150-33-P