[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 32 (Thursday, February 19, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 7692-7694]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-3479]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES


Opportunity for Cosponsorship of Educational Program

AGENCY: Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the 
Secretary.

ACTION: Notice.

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[[Page 7693]]

SUMMARY: The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and 
Response (ASPR), Office of Preparedness and Emergency Operations (OPEO) 
announces the opportunity to cosponsor a national tactical medicine 
education program to train medical personnel serving on military, 
Federal, state and local law enforcement special response teams. 
Potential cosponsors must have a demonstrated interest in the subject 
matter and be willing to contribute substantively to the cosponsored 
activity.

DATES: To receive consideration, an expression of interest to 
participate as a cosponsor must be received by the close of business on 
March 6, 2009. Requests will meet the deadline date if they are either 
(1) received on or before the deadline date; or (2) postmarked on or 
before the deadline date.

ADDRESSES: Expressions of interest in a cosponsorship should be sent 
Gregory Smith, Educational Program Coordinator, 330 Independence Avenue 
SW., Room G-644, Washington, DC 20201; Ph: (202) 205-8166. Expressions 
of interest may be faxed; a fax number will be provided to callers on 
request to ensure receipt. Expressions of interest may also be 
submitted by electronic mail to [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gregory Smith, Educational Program 
Coordinator, 330 Independence Avenue, SW., Room G-644, Washington, DC 
20201; Ph: (202) 205-8166; e-mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Description

    The Office of the ASPR was created by section 2811 of the Public 
Health Service Act. Among other functions within ASPR, the Office of 
Preparedness and Emergency Operations (OPEO) is responsible for 
participating in training and exercises to ensure national preparedness 
to respond to domestic and international public health and medical 
threats and emergencies, such as acts of terrorism. ASPR/OPEO announces 
the opportunity to cosponsor a national tactical medicine education 
program to train medical personnel serving on military, Federal, state 
and local law enforcement special response teams. This national program 
will initially be offered on a quarterly basis in the greater 
Washington, DC area. Each course will consist of a one-week block of 
instruction. In an age of terrorism and global threats, the purpose of 
the program is to provide high-quality, affordable didactic and 
practical training to medical personnel who provide life-saving medical 
support to law enforcement special response teams during critical 
incident response.
    ASPR/OPEO seeks a cosponsor to provide expertise in the development 
and maintenance of the program curriculum, its infrastructure, and the 
strategic communication necessary to promote and deliver the 
educational program effectively on an ongoing basis. The cosponsorship 
will involve course curriculum development, facilitation through 
internet website design and maintenance, strategic messaging, financial 
management of course fees, procurement of needed course supplies and 
equipment, oversight for pre-course logistics (e.g., coordination of 
instructor travel and lodging) and participation in the preparation of 
necessary educational material. The cosponsor would develop the project 
in conjunction with ASPR/OPEO Staff. The cosponsor will be able to 
charge registration fees to recover its share of the costs of the 
event. Registration fees may be set at an amount no higher than 
necessary to recover such costs.

Requirements of Cosponsorship

    The ASPR/OPEO is seeking a cosponsor to partner in ways that accord 
with its particular circumstances. For example, an entity might offer 
to cosponsor the following proposed program activities in order to 
facilitate course delivery on a quarterly basis in conjunction with the 
ASPR/OPEO Staff:
    (1) Participate in the development of the program curriculum;
    (2) Participate in the design and maintenance of a website that 
promotes the course, provides upcoming course information, and provides 
a platform for course registration;
    (3) Participate in financial management for the course by 
maintaining collected registration fees in an identified fund, 
providing ongoing transparency in financial accountability, and 
participating in the dispersal of such funding for procurement of 
selected course supplies, mailings and equipment;
    (4) Participate in course promotion activities, press releases and 
other strategic messaging that recognizes the cosponsorship;
    (5) Coordinate the course registration and student enrollment 
process;
    (6) Coordinate pre-course logistics (e.g., travel and lodging for 
course instructors into the DC area);
    (7) Assist with the preparation and distribution of course 
educational materials;
    (8) Assist with the development and maintenance of course-related 
databases (e.g., lists of class participants, educational survey 
response data).

Availability of Funds

    Limited Federal funding is available for this cosponsorship. The 
cosponsor may charge student registration fees to recoup its expenses 
for participation in the program. Registration fees may be set at an 
amount no higher than necessary to recover such costs. Any additional 
funds incidentally generated above the cosponsor's costs must be 
directed back into future sessions of the course for improved course 
delivery, supplies, equipment and other course-related necessities. A 
cosponsor agrees not to use the program as a vehicle to sell or promote 
products or services. Any incidental promotional materials cannot imply 
that HHS/ASPR/OPEO endorses any products or services.

Eligibility for Cosponsorship

    To be eligible, a requester must: (1) Have a demonstrated interest 
and understanding of the basic concepts involved in health care 
delivery under austere, tactical, military or disaster conditions; (2) 
participate substantively in the cosponsored activity (not just provide 
funding or logistical support); (3) have an organizational or corporate 
mission that is not inconsistent with the public health and safety 
mission of the Department; and (4) agree to sign a cosponsorship 
agreement with ASPR/OPEO which will set forth the details of the 
cosponsored activity.

Cosponsorship Proposal

    Each cosponsorship proposal should contain a description of: (1) 
The entity or organization; (2) its background in training and 
educational activities; (3) its proposed involvement in the cosponsored 
activity to include evidence of a substantive interest.

Evaluation Criteria

    After engaging in exploratory discussions with potential cosponsors 
that respond to this notice, the cosponsor will be selected by 
representatives of ASPR/OPEO using the following criteria:
    (1) Requester's qualifications and capability to fulfill 
cosponsorship responsibilities;
    (2) Requester's creativity for enhancing the medium for program 
messages;
    (3) Requester's track record for facilitating the delivery of 
educational programs or other similar projects;
    (4) Requester's ability to maintain sustained involvement in this 
ongoing program.


[[Page 7694]]


    Dated: February 13, 2009.
W. Craig Vanderwagen,
Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, U.S. Department of 
Health and Human Services.
[FR Doc. E9-3479 Filed 2-18-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4150-37-P