[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 99 (Tuesday, May 23, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 29634-29641]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-7853]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES


Request for Applications for the Prevention and Support Services 
for Women Incarcerated or Newly Released Living With or at Risk for 
HIV/AIDS/STDs

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: 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 23, 2006.
    Applications are due by 5 p.m. Eastern Time on June 22, 2006.

SUMMARY: This program is authorized by 42 U.S.C. 300u-2(a).
    The Office on Women's Health (OWH) 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 
activities to address critical women's health issues nationwide. These 
include: developing and implementing model public/private partnerships 
that address the health issues of incarcerated and newly released 
women, largely women of color, living with HIV/AIDS/STDs or at 
increased risk for sexually transmitted infections. These may include 
piloting a comprehensive system of health related support services, 
such as ensuring access to health care and most current therapies, pre-
release discharge planning, case managing transition processes, and 
establishing linkages to various community based support and prevention 
services.
    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.

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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/AIDS Prevention Education with Women 
across the Lifespan.
    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 primary purpose of this OWH HIV/AIDS program is to increase 
health related support services available for HIV infected incarcerated 
and newly released women. The goals for the Incarcerated/Newly Released 
Program are to:
    Develop and sustain comprehensive HIV/AIDS/STD prevention and 
support services to incarcerated and newly released women living with 
HIV/AIDS in collaboration with health entities, care providers, social 
services, correctional facilities, and criminal justice offices;
    Establish community linkages and networks for ensuring quality 
continuum of care, transitional support, discharge planning and 
preparation, and HIV/STD prevention services for incarcerated and newly 
released women living with or at high risk for HIV/AIDS; and
    Improve the physical and mental health circumstances as well as the 
quality of life of incarcerated and newly released women living with 
HIV/AIDS or at high risk for HIV infection.
    The OWH hopes to fulfill this purpose by providing funding to 
targeted community-based organizations to enhance their prevention and 
support activities to incarcerated and newly released women living with 
or at high risk for HIV infection.
    The proposed program must address HIV prevention and support 
services for incarcerated and newly released women through a gender-
specific approach. Information and services provided must be culturally 
and linguistically appropriate for the individuals for whom the 
information and services are intended. 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, 
dental, and physical health and spans the life course.
    The objectives of the OWH program are to:
    1. Increase the number of incarcerated women receiving pre-release 
discharge planning, particularly those who are living with HIV/AIDS or 
at high risk for HIV infection.
    2. Increase the number of HIV infected incarcerated women who are 
connected to drug assistance programs, medical care, and case 
management services prior to release or at time of release.
    3. Increase the number of community linkages and networks for 
ensuring continuum of care for incarcerated and newly released women 
living with or at high risk for HIV/AIDS in locations with high rates 
of HIV infections and incarcerated populations.
    4. Increase the number of newly released women receiving support 
services and HIV care six months post release.
    The grantee must: (1) Develop and implement a model program to 
provide comprehensive HIV/AIDS/STD prevention and support services to 
incarcerated and newly released women living with HIV/AIDS in order to 
establish a continuum of care (e.g., treatment, therapies, case 
management, reproductive health, HIV/STD testing, etc.) and secondary 
prevention activities to improve disease management and health 
outcomes; risk reduction counseling and prevention education components 
must be developed and integrated in both pre-lease and post-release 
program plans; (2) propose a pilot program to address gaps in services 
to incarcerated and newly released women living with HIV/AIDS that will 
be implemented locally in partnership with local entities after 
reviewing city/county/State data on incarcerated populations, exploring 
challenges and trends confronting incarcerated and newly released women 
living with HIV/AIDS, assessing existing local HIV/AIDS network of 
prevention and care service providers that target incarcerated and 
newly released women, and identifying available criminal justice 
programs that service women; (3) establish Memoranda of Understanding 
with local health care entities, social services, HIV/AIDS prevention/
service providers, and criminal justice offices in support of program 
implementation, collaboration around services, and re-entry support of 
the women participants; (4) participate in the OWH Evaluation of Women 
and HIV/AIDS Programs; (5) visit area criminal justice offices/
facilities and affiliated programs as well as conduct outreach to 
communities and women living with HIV/AIDS and are at risk of infection 
of HIV/AIDS/STDs to identify and enroll participation of target 
population and to establish program partnerships. 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 incarcerated/newly released women.
    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 three 
awards in FY 2006. The anticipated start date for new awards is 
September 01, 2006, and the anticipated period of performance is 
September 01, 2006, through August 31, 2007. Approximately $300,000 is 
available to make awards of up to $100,000 total cost (direct and 
indirect) for a 12-month 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.
    The program is a collaborative effort between the OWH and the 
Office of HIV/AIDS Policy, OPHS. These offices will provide the 
technical assistance and oversight necessary for the implementation, 
conduct, and assessment of program activities.
    The applicant shall:
    1. Develop and implement the model described in the application.
    2. Assess local services and gaps.
    3. Establish community partnerships through Memoranda of 
Understanding/Agreement.
    4. Participate in the OWH Evaluation, submit requested program 
information as needed, and participate in a site visit conducted by 
Evaluation Contractor.

[[Page 29636]]

    5. Perform outreach to criminal justice offices/facilities and to 
communities and women living with HIV/AIDS.
    6. Participate in special meetings and projects/funding 
opportunities identified by the OWH.
    7. Adhere to all program requirements specified in this 
announcement and the Notice of Grant Award.
    8. Submit required progress, annual, and financial reports by the 
due dates stated in this announcement and the Notice of Grant Award.
    9. 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 all quarterly, annual, and final progress reports.
    4. Review and concur with requested project modifications.
    5. Review implementation plan for approval.
    6. Participating in telephone conferences and other activities 
supporting the evaluation performance.
    7. Conduct a national evaluation of program effectiveness, 
outcomes, and impact.
    The DHHS is committed to achieving the health promotion and disease 
prevention 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 objective 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. 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 Applicants must meet all of the following criteria:
    1 . Current entities funded by the OWH to target incarcerated and 
newly released women living with HIV/AIDS or at high risk for HIV 
infection and who met performance requirements in the OWH 3-year 
evaluation of the Incarceration/Newly Released program;
    2 . Organizations located in locations with high HIV prevalence 
among women;
    3 . Locations near incarcerated populations of women; and
    4. Organizations indicating history of serving African American 
women, Hispanic women, substance abusing women, formerly incarcerated 
women, and women living with HIV/AIDS or whose lifestyles place them at 
high risk for HIV/STD infection.
    Current entities funded by the OWH to increase health related 
support services available for HIV infected incarcerated and newly 
released women whose funding ends in September 2006 are the only 
organizations qualified to receive funding through this program. Since 
the primary purpose of the funding is to retain entities for the 
ongoing 3-year evaluation of the Incarcerated and Newly Released 
programs, only those organizations that are funded, and are evaluation 
participants are suitable and eligible for funding.

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 Request Application Package

    Application kits may be requested from, and submitted to the OPHS 
Office of Grants Management, 1101 Wootton Parkway, Suite 550, 
Rockville, MD 20852, 240-453-8822. Application kits are also available 
online at the electronic grants management Web site (e-Grants) at 
https://egrants.osophs.dhhs.gov/. 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 OWH announcement must:
    Present a plan to develop and implement a model program in 
partnership with an array of local service providers, including health 
care providers, support services, case management, etc.
    Provide signed Memoranda of Agreement(s) (MOA) with prospective 
partners to build a consortium of providers for the targeted population 
based upon prevention, care and re-entry transitioning 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 memorandum of agreement between the applicant organization 
and each partner. 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,

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executive director) and submitted as part of the grant application.
    Be a sustainable organization with an established network of 
partners capable of providing coordinated and integrated women's health 
services in the targeted community. 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 plans for Program Implementation for the 
funding year, presented in correlation to goals, objectives, and 
expected outcomes or targets.
    Demonstrate the ways in which the organization and the services 
that are coordinated through its partners are gender and age 
appropriate, women-focused, women-friendly, women-relevant as well as 
culturally and linguistically appropriate to the target population.
    Describe in detail plans for the local 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 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 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. Local needs assessment and gaps in services for targeted 
population.
    C. Strategy for linking public health, corrections, and 
community services.
    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 resource 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. Describe linkages with multiple systems which impact 
incarcerated and newly released women living with HIV infection 
transitioning back into society.
    B. Describe pre-release and post-release activities relative to 
secondary prevention and risk reduction counseling.
    C. Discuss gender specific program elements
    D. Provide systems chart outlining the connection of program 
components.
    E. Show time line of program activities and performance of 
targets/goals.
    F. 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 services for HIV infected individuals, HIV 
infected women, and women formerly incarcerated.
    B. Agency relationships, past and current, with criminal justice 
systems and local service providers.
    C. Community acceptance: staff recognition, media, requests for 
agency involvement.
Appendices
    A. Memorandums of Agreement/Understanding/Partnership Letters
    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 allied health and health professionals, directly or 
through their professional organizations, interested in working with 
incarcerated and newly released women 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 incarcerated and newly released women who remain in care and 
treatment over a period of time).
    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

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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 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 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 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 Web site 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 29639]]

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. Pre-award costs are not an allowable cost for this award.

6. Other Submission Requirements

    None.

V. Application Review Information

    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 coordinated, comprehensive women's services 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. Pre-release and post release program phases; explain the 
integration of program components to include prevention and risk 
reduction interventions.
    3. Appropriateness of proposed approach, linkages of multiple 
systems, and specific activities described to address program 
objectives.
    4. Soundness of evaluation objectives for measuring program 
effectiveness, impact of continuity of care, and improvement in disease 
management by individual clients.
    5. Willingness to participate in the national OWH evaluation.
    6. Appropriate MOAs and/or Letters of Intent to support assertions 
made in this section.

Factor 2: Management Plan--20%

    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;
    3. The experience, resources, and role of each partner organization 
as it relates to the needs and programs/activities of the program;
    4. Staff experience as it relates to meeting the needs of the 
community and populations served;
    5. 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 local need 
and existing systems, agency relationships with corrections and 
incarcerated populations, and agency history of services to HIV 
infected individuals, HIV infected women, and women formerly 
incarcerated.

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

    This section must discuss:
    1. The current State of affairs locally for incarcerated and newly 
released women living with HIV/AIDS or at high risk for HIV/STD 
infection.
    2. Relevance of organizational goals and purpose(s) to community 
and local needs.
    3. Challenges to linking public health, corrections and community 
services to provide services to an underserved population 
disproportionately impacted by criminal justice problems and HIV 
infection.

[[Page 29640]]

    4. Coordination of independent systems to meet the needs of the 
target population.
    5. Prevention interventions for those living with HIV/AIDS and risk 
reduction counseling for positive persons and those at risk for HIV/
AIDS/STDs.

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. Provide a clear 
Statement of willingness to participate actively in the national OWH 
evaluation.
    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).

VI. 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 reports 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 Monday. 
The final progress report must be submitted by August 25 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.

VII. 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].

VIII. Other Information

    Three (3) OWH Incarcerated/Newly Released Women Living with HIV/
AIDS or at High Risk for HIV/STD Infection 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.
    Case Management: A collaborative process of assessment, planning, 
facilitation and advocacy for options and services to meet an 
individual's health needs through communication and available resources 
to promote quality cost-effective outcomes.
    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 a 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

[[Page 29641]]

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.
    Correctional Settings: Secure detention facilities that house 
individuals convicted of crimes carrying sentences of one year or 
greater length. These can also be secure detention facilities holding 
pre-trial and post conviction inmates serving less than one year 
sentences or awaiting transfer to other settings.
    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.
    Discharge Planning: The process of developing a re-entry support 
program for an incarcerated individual scheduled for upcoming release 
to reduce obstacles to care, medication, eligibility for public 
benefits, housing, employment, substance abuse treatment, mental 
health, and other support services needed.
    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.
    Incarcerated Person: Refers to an individual involuntarily confined 
in the secure custody of law enforcement, judicial, or penal 
authorities.
    Integrated: The bringing together of the numerous spheres of 
activity that touch women's health, including clinical services, 
research, health training, public health outreach and education, 
leadership development for women, and technical assistance. The goal of 
this approach is to unite the strengths of each of these areas, and 
create a more informed, less fragmented, and efficient system of care 
for underserved women that can be replicated in other populations and 
communities.
    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.
    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.
    Newly Released: The status of an individual returning to society 
and the community after incarceration.
    Re-entry: The process of returning to society and the community 
after incarceration.
    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.
    Sustainability: An organization's or program's staying power: the 
capacity to maintain both the financial resources and the partnerships/
linkages needed to provide adequate and effective services in the 
target area and to the target population. It also involves the ability 
to survive change, incorporate needed changes, and seize opportunities 
provided by a changing environment.
    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, 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: May 16, 2006.
Wanda K. Jones,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health, (Women's Health), Office of 
Public Health and Science.
 [FR Doc. E6-7853 Filed 5-22-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4150-33-P