[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 247 (Monday, December 28, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 68626-68628]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-30653]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Office of the Secretary


Opportunity for Co-Sponsorship of the President's Challenge 
Physical Activity and Fitness Awards Program

AGENCY: Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the 
Secretary, Office of Public Health and Science, Office of the 
President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Office of the President's Council on Physical Fitness and 
Sports (PCPFS) announces the opportunity for non-Federal public and 
private sector entities to co-sponsor and administer a series of 
financially self-sustaining activities related to the President's 
Challenge Physical Activity and Fitness Awards Program (President's 
Challenge). Potential co-sponsors must have a demonstrated interest in 
and be capable of managing the day to day operations associated with 
the program and be willing to participate substantively in the co-
sponsored activity.

DATES: To receive consideration, a request to participate as a co-
sponsor must be received by 5 p.m. EST on Friday, February 12, 2010 at 
the address listed. Requests will meet the deadline if they are either 
(1) received on or before the deadline date; or (2) postmarked on or 
before the deadline date. Private metered postmarks will not be 
accepted as proof of timely mailing. Hand-delivered requests must be 
received by 5 p.m. Requests that are received after the deadline date 
will be returned to the sender.

ADDRESSES: Proposals for co-sponsorship should be sent to Jane Wargo, 
Program Analyst, Office of the President's Council on Physical Fitness 
and Sports, 200 Independence Avenue, SW., Room 738H, Washington, DC 
20201; Ph: (202) 690.5157, Fax: (202) 690.5211. Proposals may also be 
submitted by electronic mail to [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jane Wargo, Program Analyst, Office of 
the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, Ph: (202) 
690.5157, E-mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The PCPFS was established as the President's Council on Youth 
Fitness by President Eisenhower in 1956. The PCPFS operates under 
Executive Order (E.O.) 13265 continued by E.O. 13446. The Council 
advises the President, through the Secretary, about progress promoting 
physical activity, fitness, and sports. Specifically, the Council, as 
outlined in E.O. 13265, Section (1)(b), is directed to ``stimulate and 
enhance coordination of programs within and among the private and 
public sectors that promote participation in, and safe and easy access 
to, physical activity and sports'' and Section (1)(c) ``expand

[[Page 68627]]

availability of quality information and guidance regarding physical 
activity and sports participation.'' In addition, the Council, as 
stated in Section (3)(d) ``shall monitor the need for the enhancement 
of programs and educational and promotional materials sponsored, 
overseen, or disseminated by the Council, and shall advise the 
Secretary as necessary concerning such need.''
    The purpose of the President's Challenge is to motivate individuals 
six years and older to start and maintain a regular program of physical 
activity leading to improved health and fitness. Since its inception in 
1966, the program has reached millions of American youth. In 2002 the 
program expanded to include adults aged 18 and older through the 
Presidential Active Lifestyle Award, Presidential Champions Program, 
and the Adult Fitness Test. Program materials are available in English 
and Spanish.
    Requirements of Co-Sponsorship: The Office of the PCPFS is seeking 
a co-sponsoring organization(s) capable of managing the development and 
distribution of program awards and materials, responding to program 
inquiries, administering a program website, and identifying ways to 
enhance the program and participation. This co-sponsorship agreement 
will be in place for a period of four years beginning on September 1, 
2010.

Awards Programs

    A. Active Lifestyle Program: Recognizing individuals aged six and 
older for being physically active on a regular basis. Participants are 
encouraged to track their participation using an interactive web-based 
physical activity tracker or a paper log. Award included in this 
program: Presidential Active Lifestyle Award.
    B. Presidential Champions Program: A web-based points program for 
individuals aged six and older. There is an advanced component to the 
program, which requires additional points in all categories. Awards 
included in this program: Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Bronze Awards.
    C. Physical Fitness Program: Two award levels recognize youth (ages 
6-17) for achieving an outstanding and basic level of fitness on a five 
item test. The third award in the series recognizes youth for 
attempting all five items, but falling below the basic level in one or 
more events. Awards included in this program: Presidential Physical 
Fitness Award, National Physical Fitness Award, Participant Physical 
Fitness Award.
    D. Health Fitness Program: Recognizes youth (ages 6-17) who achieve 
a healthy level of fitness based on five test items, including an 
assessment of Body Mass Index. Award included in this program: Health 
Fitness Award.
    E. Adult Fitness Test: A web-based test for adults aged 18 and 
older. No awards are linked to this test.

School Recognition Program

    A. Physical Fitness State Champion Program--Based on results of the 
Physical Fitness Program, schools are recognized for having the highest 
percentage of Presidential Physical Fitness Award winners for their 
state, based on enrollment (minimum 50 students).
    B. Physical Activity and Fitness Demonstration Center Program--
Recognizing the important role that schools play in the lives of their 
students, this program rewards those schools that have demonstrated an 
outstanding commitment toward physical activity and fitness both in and 
out of their physical education classroom. Demonstration Center Schools 
may be designated as such for no more than three years, after which 
time, they are eligible to be listed as Honor Roll schools. This 
program utilizes a network of volunteer coordinators to help verify 
adherence to the Demonstration Center criteria.
    C. Active Lifestyle Model School Program--Model schools have 35 
percent or more of their total school enrollment earn the PALA two or 
more times during the school year.

Distribution Center

    Each of these program areas shall involve the promotion and 
distribution of award items. These items may include, but are not 
limited to, emblems, medallions, ribbons, lapel pins, certificates, 
bumper stickers, magnets, booklets, pedometers, and apparel. 
Participating organizations and individuals purchase awards and other 
program materials directly from the administering organization for a 
nominal fee. This program is designed to be financially self-
sustaining.

Web site Administration

    Administration of the President's Challenge Program Web site 
(http://www.presidentschallenge.org and http://www.adultfitnesstest.org) shall consist of, but not be limited to, the 
following: hosting, maintenance, customer service, online order center, 
and a listserv. All work performed in association with these websites 
shall be Section 508 compliant.

Additional Roles and Responsibilities

    The co-sponsoring organization(s) shall help promote the program 
through outreach activities that may include exhibiting at conferences, 
speaking at events, and using social media. The co-sponsoring 
organization shall identify and recommend ways to enhance the program 
experience, delivery, and outreach.
    Eligibility for Co-Sponsorship: To be eligible, a requester shall: 
(1) Have a demonstrated interest and understanding of physical fitness, 
physical activity, and/or sport; (2) participate substantively in the 
co-sponsored activity (not just provide funding or logistical support); 
(3) have an organizational or corporate mission that is consistent with 
the public health and safety mission of the Department; and (4) agree 
to sign a co-sponsorship agreement with the Office of the PCPFS which 
will set forth the details of the co-sponsored activity including the 
requirements that any fees raised should not be designed to exceed the 
co-sponsor's costs, and fees collected by the co-sponsor shall be 
limited to the amount necessary to cover the co-sponsor's related 
operating expenses.
    The organization selected shall furnish the necessary personnel, 
materials, services, and facilities to administer the President's 
Challenge program, including the purchase and/or production of all 
program and award materials; distribution of program and award 
materials; promotion and statistical evaluation of the program; 
quarterly and annual budget and demographic reports; maintenance of 
partnership list; and other administrative duties. These duties will be 
determined in a Memorandum of Agreement and an annual plan.
    Co-Sponsorship Proposal: Each co-sponsorship proposal shall contain 
a description of: (1) The entity or organization; (2) its background in 
promoting physical activity, fitness, and/or sport; (3) its proposed 
involvement in the co-sponsored activity; and (4) plan for 
implementation with a timeline.
    Evaluation Criteria: The Office of the PCPFS will select the co-
sponsor using the following evaluation criteria:
    (1) Requester's qualifications and capability to fulfill co-
sponsorship responsibilities;
    (2) Requester's creativity for enhancing the program, including the 
medium through which program messages are delivered and ideas for 
improving program offerings;

[[Page 68628]]

    (3) Requester's potential for reaching underserved/special 
populations;
    (4) Requester's experience administering national awards programs;
    (5) Requester's past or current work specific to national programs 
or projects in the area(s) of physical activity, fitness, or sports 
among individuals and in schools and organizations;
    (6) Requester's personnel: name, professional qualifications and 
specific expertise of key personnel who would be available to work on 
these projects;
    (7) Requester's facilities: availability and description of 
facilities required to administer the program including office space 
and information technology and telecommunication resources;
    (8) Requester's description of financial management: discussion of 
experience in developing an annual budget and collecting and managing 
monies from organizations and individuals;
    (9) Requester's proposed plan for managing the PCPFS awards 
programs, including such financial aspects as Web site development and/
or enhancement, cost of program materials and distribution of those 
items.
    Availability of Funds: There are no Federal funds available for 
this co-sponsorship.

    Dated: December 22, 2009.
Penelope Slade-Sawyer,
RADM U.S. Public Health Service, Acting Executive Director, President's 
Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, U.S. Department of Health and 
Human Services.
[FR Doc. E9-30653 Filed 12-24-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4150-35-P