[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 66 (Friday, April 7, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17007-17010]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-06974]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention


Announcement of Requirements and Registration for the ``Enviro 
Health App Challenge'' and Challenge Kick-Off Webinar

AGENCY: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Department of 
Health and Human Services (HHS).

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) located 
within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announces the 
launch of the Enviro Health App Challenge and Challenge Kick-off 
Webinar. The CDC's Environmental Public Health Tracking Network 
(Tracking Network: ephtracking.cdc.gov/showHome.action) serves as the 
focus of this Challenge. The Tracking Network is a multi-tiered, Web-
based surveillance system with components at CDC, as well as within 25 
states and New York City. The data, information, and tools provided are 
readily accessible to help users identify or investigate environmental 
health problems; and plan and evaluate programs and policies to address 
those problems.
    With the Enviro Health App Challenge (the Challenge) we are seeking 
innovative uses for the Tracking Network data that explore the 
connections between the environment and health.
    The Challenge consists of a 12-week idea submission period. 
Participants will compete for prizes within a $30,000 prize pot.
    Award Approving Official: Anne Schuchat, MD (RADM, USPHS), Acting 
Director, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and Acting 
Administrator, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry.

DATES: The Challenge is effective April 13, 2017 and will conclude July 
19, 2017.
    The Challenge Kick-off Webinar is scheduled for April 19, 2017 at 
2:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. Please see SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION 
for information on how to register for the Kick-off Webinar.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Patrick Wall, National Center for 
Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 
Buford Highway NE., MS F-60, Chamblee, Georgia 30341; Email: 
[email protected]; Phone: 1-877-923-TRAC (8722).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Environmental causes of chronic diseases are 
challenging to identify. Measuring amounts of hazardous substances in 
our environment in a standardized way, understanding how these 
hazardous substances change over time and geographic area, and 
understanding how they may cause illness is critical.
    Since 2002, CDC and its local, state, and federal partners have 
been working to better integrate health and environmental data in order 
to provide a foundation for improved coordination, assessment and 
control of health conditions that may be related to the environment 
through the National Environmental Public Health Tracking (Tracking) 
Program. The cornerstone of this program, the Tracking Network, is an 
environmental public health surveillance system providing access to 
over 400 environmental and health measures for communities across the 
nation. The Tracking Network is a tool that can help connect these 
efforts. We want to increase public awareness that the Tracking Network 
data may help people understand the connections between environmental 
hazards and chronic illness.
    The Challenge timeline is:


[[Page 17008]]


Challenge Launch--April 13, 2017
Ideation Period Opens--April 13, 2017
Challenge Kickoff Webinar--April 19, 2017
Ideation Period Closes--June 23, 2017
Evaluation Period: June 27, 2017-July 19, 2017
Notify Semifinalists: July 20, 2017
Semifinalist Resubmission Period: July 31, 2017-August 11, 2017
Final Evaluation Period: August 15, 2017-August 29, 2017
Winners Announcement--By September 1, 2017

Subject of Challenge Competition

    Through this Challenge, we want to seed innovative uses for 
Tracking Network data that explore the connections between the 
environment and health. The solution should be technology-based, 
interactive and help facilitate simple and meaningful information to 
general public audiences. The application must show the potential for 
what can be done with tracking data, such as:

 Track data indicators
 Monitor trends
 Provide access to data
 Educate the public
 Identify at-risk populations
 Expose potential health hazards

Ideation Period

    The Challenge will launch as a 10-week ideation/open submission 
period in which eligible participants (outlined in Eligibility Rules) 
may register and submit an entry onto the Challenge Web site 
(http://envirohealthchallenge.com">envirohealthchallenge.com). Information about the Challenge and a link 
to the Challenge Web site can also be found at Challenge.gov. The 10-
week ideation period will be followed by a 2-week resubmission period 
held for those who were chosen by the judges as semifinalists to 
further refine their idea. The Challenge Web site serves as the 
destination and submission portal. Participants may find the Challenge 
rules, eligibility criteria, evaluation criteria, additional Tracking 
Network resources, and the Challenge timeline on the Challenge Web site 
or at Challenge.gov.

Kick-Off Webinar

    Individuals interested in this Challenge are invited to participate 
in the Kick-off Webinar on April 19, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight 
Time. Individuals must pre-register for the webinar at:
    URL: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/8850636876557739779. 
After completing the registration, participants will receive a 
confirmation of their registration along with an identification number 
to enter prior to the webinar. Persons interested in participating in 
this Challenge are strongly encouraged to register for and participate 
in the webinar.

Screening & Review Process

    CDC has contracted with Sensis, a company with expertise in 
developing and managing prize challenges, to manage this Challenge. 
Once the open submission period has closed, Sensis will review all 
submissions using the following process: (1) Ensure compliance with the 
submission requirements (Submission Requirements); and (2) determine 
eligibility compliance (according to Eligibility Criteria). Entries 
meeting these requirements will be forwarded to the panel of Challenge 
judges who will score eligible entries in accordance to the Challenge 
evaluation criteria. The Challenge judges were selected based on their 
technical expertise, experience in the field of environmental health 
tracking, and absence of conflict of interest. Selected judges consist 
of experts from private industry, the Federal government, and local 
government.

Final Evaluation & Award

    Entries with the highest scores will be selected as semifinalists 
and will be asked to demonstrate their technology in a live webinar for 
the judging panel. Following the semifinalist demonstration, 
participants will enter their final submission through the Challenge 
submission portal. Judges will evaluate this final submission to 
provide the ultimate score using the Challenge evaluation criteria 
(outlined in Section 6.0 Evaluation Criteria). Only entries with the 
highest scores will be considered finalists for the award. Winners are 
selected based on the top score earned by their submissions. In case of 
a tie in scoring, a CDC official on the Challenge team will select the 
submission that best represents the initial vison of the Challenge. 
Three (3) winners will be selected and awards will be issued directly 
by Sensis, who will issue pay out of awards as a requirement of their 
contract terms.

Submission Requirements

    During the open submission period, participants must submit the 
following information to enter the Challenge. Entries not in compliance 
with the submission requirements outlined below will be ineligible for 
further review and prize award. In addition to providing the app or 
link to the app, contestants should:
     Upload a brief slide presentation that describes the 
entry. Slide decks should be in .PDF format, and contain a maximum of 
10 slides. We strongly recommend you explain how you addressed the 
evaluation criteria and the key features of the product as they relate 
to the Challenge.
    [cir] Provide the title of the solution/technology.
    [cir] Provide a background description of the technology.
    [cir] Identify the user and target audience.
    [cir] One of the slides in the presentation should be a narrative 
explaining how the app is intended to work.
    [cir] State how the technology integrates data from CDC's 
Environmental Public Health Tracking Network API as well as other data 
sources where applicable.
    [cir] Provide general information about the applicant and team 
members. This may include skills, professional affiliations and 
achievements.
     Provide a public or private link to a 2-4 minute 
demonstration video showing the application in action. Videos should be 
posted to common video-sharing sites such as YouTube.
     If the Application is awarded and the applicant would like 
their application to be showcased on the CDC Web site, it must be 
Section 508-compliant. For information on Section 508-compliance, and 
tools for implementation, visit: www.section508.gov.
     All Submissions and supporting material must be in 
English.
     Neither the HHS nor CDC name nor logos will be used in the 
app or the icon for the app.
     Submit by the deadline using the online platform.
     (Optional) Development plan and timeline that describes 
key activities and resources required to further develop the 
technology. Include any resources, including team capabilities, 
materials, processes, or others needed to further develop the 
technology.

How To Participate

    Participants can register by visiting the Challenge Web site 
(http://envirohealthchallenge.com">envirohealthchallenge.com) anytime during the proposal submission 
period stated above. Information about the Challenge and a link to the 
Challenge Web site can also be found on http://www.Challenge.gov.

Eligibility Rules for Participating in the Competition

    During the proposal submission period, Sensis will initially screen 
submissions for eligibility and

[[Page 17009]]

compliance with the rules of this challenge. A submission that fails to 
meet the eligibility and compliance criteria will be disqualified and 
will be ineligible for prizes. CDC will notify disqualified contestants 
via email within five business days. To be eligible to win a prize 
under this challenge, an individual or entity--
    (1) Shall have registered to participate in the competition under 
the rules promulgated by the Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention;
    (2) Shall have complied with all the requirements under this 
section;
    (3) In the case of a private entity, shall be incorporated in and 
maintain a primary place of business in the United States, and in the 
case of an individual, whether participating singly or in a group, 
shall be a citizen or permanent resident of the United States; and
    (4) May not be a Federal entity or Federal employee acting within 
the scope of their employment.
    (5) Shall not be an HHS employee working on their applications or 
submissions during assigned duty hours.
    (6) Are an individual or team comprised of members each of who are 
18 years of age or over.
    (7) Are not on the Excluded Parties List System located at 
www.sam.gov.

Additionally

    (a) Federal grantees may not use Federal funds to develop challenge 
applications unless consistent with the purpose of their grant award. 
Federal contractors may not use Federal funds from a contract to 
develop challenge applications or to fund efforts in support of a 
challenge submission.
    (b) Employees of CDC, and/or any other individual or entity 
associated with the development, evaluation, or administration of the 
Challenge as well as members of such persons' immediate families 
(spouses, children, siblings, parents), and persons living in the same 
household as such persons, whether or not related, are not eligible to 
participate in the Challenge.
    (c) An individual or entity shall not be deemed ineligible because 
the individual or entity used Federal facilities or consulted with 
Federal employees during a competition if the facilities and employees 
are made available to all individuals and entities participating in the 
competition on an equitable basis.
    (d) Applicants must agree to assume any and all risks and waive 
claims against the Federal Government and its related entities, except 
in the case of willful misconduct, for any injury, death, damage, or 
loss of property, revenue, or profits, whether direct, indirect, or 
consequential, arising from their participation in a competition, 
whether the injury, death, damage, or loss arises through negligence or 
otherwise.
    (e) A solution may be disqualified if it fails to function as 
expressed in the description provided by the user, or if it provides 
inaccurate or incomplete information.
    (f) CDC reserves the right to disqualify participants from the 
Challenge for inappropriate, derogatory, defamatory, or threatening 
comments or communication through the Challenge Web site or on the 
Challenge.gov Web site, CDC EPH Tracking Facebook page or CDC EPH 
Tracking Twitter page.
    (g) Submissions must be free of security threats and/or malware. 
Applicants/Contestants agree that CDC may conduct testing on the 
product/submission to determine whether malware or other security 
threats may be present. CDC may disqualify the product if, in CDC's 
judgment, the app may damage government or others' equipment or 
operating environment.
    (h) Applicants must obtain liability insurance or demonstrate 
financial responsibility in the amount of $0 for claims by: (1) A third 
party for death, bodily injury, or property damage, or loss resulting 
from an activity carried out in connection with participation in a 
competition, with the Federal Government named as an additional insured 
under the registered applicant's insurance policy and registered 
applicant's agreeing to indemnify the Federal Government against third 
party claims for damages arising from or related to competition 
activities; and (2) the Federal Government for damage or loss to 
Government property resulting from such an activity. Applicants who are 
a group must obtain insurance or demonstrate financial responsibility 
for all members of the group.
    (i) By participating in the Challenge, each Applicant agrees to 
comply with and abide by these Official Rules, Terms & Conditions and 
the decisions of the Federal Agency sponsors and/or the individual 
judges, which shall be final and binding in all respects.

Registration Process for Participants

    To register for this Challenge, participants can access http://envirohealthchallenge.com/ or http://www.Challenge.gov anytime during 
the proposal submission period stated above to register.

Amount of the Prize

    CDC plans to award prizes for first, second and third place up to 
the following amounts, for a total of $30,000.

One First Place winner of $20,000
One Second Place winner of $7,000
One Third Place winner of $3,000

    Three (3) winners will be selected and notified via email. Awards 
will be issued directly by Sensis. Please note: Winners are responsible 
for the payment of any Federal income taxes which may apply to the 
awarded prize funds.

Basis Upon Which Winner Will Be Selected

    The Challenge judging panel will evaluate eligible challenge 
entries and will make semifinalist and winner selections based upon the 
criteria outlined below, and in compliance with the HHS Competition 
Judging Guidelines.

Impact: 20%

    1. The technology solves a problem or addresses an important issue 
for consumers/users.
    2. The technology has a clearly identified user and target 
audience.

Innovation: 30%

    1. The technology is original, uses data in an unprecedented and 
novel way, and/or pushes beyond an imitation of existing solutions.
    2. The technology integrates environmental and health data in a 
unique way.

Design: 20%

    1. The technology is based on a user-centered design, showing 
evidence of considering user feedback on design decisions.
    2. The user interface is visually appealing, well laid out, 
intuitive, and easy to use and understand.

Technical Merit: 30%

    1. The technology is functional (tested through personal use or 
video demonstration).
    2. The technology integrates at least one open data source (CDC's 
Environmental Public Health Tracking Network API).

Additional Information

Intellectual Property

     Applicants are free to discuss their submission and the 
ideas or technologies that it contains with other parties; encouraged 
to share ideas/technologies publicly; encouraged to collaborate or 
combine with other teams to strengthen their solutions; and are free to 
contract with any third parties. Applicants should be aware that any 
agreement signed or obligation

[[Page 17010]]

undertaken in regards to their participation in this Challenge that 
conflict with the Challenge rules, terms and conditions may result in 
disqualification of the Applicant's submission.
     Upon submission, each Applicant warrants that he or she is 
the sole author and owner of the work and any pertinent Intellectual 
Property (IP) rights, that the work is wholly original of the Applicant 
(or is an improved version of an existing work that the Applicant has 
sufficient rights to use--including the substantial improvement of 
existing open-source work), and that it does not infringe any copyright 
or any other rights of any third party of which Applicant is aware. 
Each Applicant also warrants that the work is free of security threats 
and/or malware.
     Applicants retain ownership of the data that they develop 
and deliver under the scope of the Challenge, including any software, 
research or other intellectual property (``IP'') that they develop in 
connection therewith. Applicants agree to grant a license to the 
Federal Agency sponsor (CDC) for the use of the IP developed in 
connection with the Challenge as set forth herein.
     Each Applicant must clearly delineate any Intellectual 
Property (IP) and/or confidential commercial information contained in a 
submission that is owned by the Applicant, and which the Applicant 
wishes to protect as proprietary data.
     Upon completion of the Challenge period, applicants 
consents to grant CDC an unlimited, non-exclusive, royalty-free, 
worldwide license and right to reproduce, publically perform, 
publically display, and use the Submission and to publically perform 
and publically display the Submission, including, without limitation, 
for promotional purposes relating to the Challenge.
     All materials submitted to CDC as part of a submission 
become CDC agency records. Any confidential commercial or financial 
information contained in a submission must be clearly designated at the 
time of submission.
     If the Submission includes any third party works (such as 
third party content or open source code), Applicant must be able to 
provide, upon request, documentation of all appropriate licenses and 
releases for use of such third party works. If Applicant cannot provide 
documentation of all required licenses and releases, Federal Agency 
sponsors reserve the right, at their sole discretion, to disqualify the 
applicable Submission. Conversely, they may seek to secure the licenses 
and releases and allow the applicable Submission to remain in the 
Challenge, while reserving all applicable Federal agency rights with 
respect to such licenses and releases.
     FOIA: Submitters will be notified of any Freedom of 
Information Act (FOIA) requests for their materials which have been 
clearly designated as confidential commercial or financial information 
or trade secret in accordance with 45 CFR 5.65.

Privacy

    If Contestants choose to provide CDC with personal information by 
registering or filling out the submission form through the http://
http://envirohealthchallenge.com">envirohealthchallenge.com Web site, that information is used to respond 
to Contestants in matters regarding their submission, announcements of 
entrants, finalists, and winners of the Contest. Information is not 
collected for commercial marketing. Winners are permitted to cite that 
they won this contest.

General Conditions

    CDC reserves the right to cancel, suspend, and/or modify the 
Contest, or any part of it, for any reason, at CDC's sole discretion. 
If the Challenge is cancelled, suspended, or modified, CDC will inform 
the public through the publication of a notice in the Federal Register 
and a posting on the Challenge Web site.
    Participation in this Contest constitutes a contestants' full and 
unconditional agreement to abide by the Contest's terms and conditions 
found at www.envirohealthchallenge.com or www.Challenge.gov.

    Authority:  15 U.S.C. 3719.

    Dated: April 3, 2017.
Sandra Cashman,
Executive Secretary, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
[FR Doc. 2017-06974 Filed 4-6-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4163-18-P