[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 217 (Tuesday, November 10, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 63059-63062]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-30060]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
[Program Announcement 99010]
Notice of Availability of Funds; Cooperative Agreement for a
National Information Center on Physical Activity for Persons With
Disabilities
A. Purpose
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announces the
availability of fiscal year (FY) 1999
[[Page 63060]]
funds to establish a National Information Center on Physical Activity
for Persons with Disabilities. The purpose of this Center is to provide
information, technical assistance, and consultation on physical
activity, exercise, and health promotion practices targeting persons
with disabilities across all segments of the population. It includes
addressing the prevention of secondary conditions in persons who have a
disability by promoting and assessing the benefits of physical activity
and exercise toward reducing the risk for associated adverse health and
participation outcomes among persons who have a disabling condition.
This program addresses the ``Healthy People 2000'' priority areas of
Preventive Services and Physical Activity and Fitness.
B. Eligible Applicants
Applications may be submitted by public and private nonprofit
organizations and by governments and their agencies; that is,
universities, colleges, research institutions, hospitals, other public
and private nonprofit organizations, State and local governments or
their bona fide agents, and federally recognized Indian tribal
governments, Indian tribes, or Indian tribal organizations. Note:
Public Law 104-65 states that an organization described in section
501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 that engages in lobbying
activities is not eligible to receive Federal funds constituting an
award, grant, cooperative agreement, contract, loan, or any other form.
C. Availability of Funds
It is anticipated that a maximum of $750,000 will be available in
FY 1999 to fund one award, including direct and indirect costs. It is
expected that the project will begin on April 1, 1999, and the award
will be made for a 12 month budget period within a project period of up
to four years. Funding estimates may change. Continuation awards within
an approved project period will be made on the basis of satisfactory
progress as evidenced by required reports, CDC site visits, and the
availability of funds.
Use of Funds
Project funds may be used to support personnel services, supplies,
equipment, travel, subcontracts, and other services consistent with the
approved scope of work. Project funds may not be used to supplant other
available applicant or collaborating agency funds, for construction,
for purchase of facilities or space, or for patient care. Project funds
may not be used for individualized or group program support such as
wheelchairs, sport/recreational and fitness equipment, assistive
technology, and medical appliances unless specifically approved by the
funding agency. Travel funds should be requested for three project
staff to participate in a CDC Office on Disability and Health workshop
in Atlanta, GA during the first budget year, and two project staff
members to attend the American College of Sports Medicine Annual
Meeting in Seattle, WA in June 1999.
D. Program Requirements
Applicants should: (1) propose a full-time manager/coordinator with
the authority and responsibility to conduct and manage all components
of the project; (2) demonstrate the capacity to motivate persons with
disabilities to engage in physical activity and exercise; (3)
demonstrate the capacity to provide consultation to organizations that
provide direct services, guidance, and instruction to persons with
disabilities toward increasing participation and beneficial outcomes in
physical activity and exercise programs; (4) demonstrate the capacity
to serve in a national leadership role to establish and operate the
National Information Center, given the applicant's reputation,
experience, and expertise in the field; and (5) provide direction and
leadership in developing recommendations and programs promoting fully
accessible physical facilities and equipment designed to increase
opportunities for physical activities and exercise for persons with
disabilities.
Cooperative Activities
In conducting activities to achieve the purposes of this program,
the recipient shall be responsible for activities listed under
Recipient Activities, item A; and CDC shall be responsible for
activities listed under CDC activities, item B.
A. Recipient Activities
1. Collect, compile, and provide information regarding physical
activity and exercise for persons with disabilities on a national,
regional, and state/local basis to a broad range of requestors
including individuals, researchers, disability service organizations,
community groups, service providers, legislative and governing bodies,
and the public.
2. Identify, enumerate, and characterize the nature of such
requests, inquiries and needs from persons with disabilities,
providers, and organizations seeking information on physical activity
and exercise.
3. Provide guidance for initiating and maintaining physical
activity among persons with disabilities, including imparting
information regarding the benefits of physical activity to individuals
and to those populations served by requesting organizations.
4. Provide technical assistance and consultation in the design,
conduct, and evaluation of health promotion and community-directed
physical activity and exercise programs in targeted populations of
persons with disabilities.
5. Develop and provide information regarding innovative and
acceptable physical activity facilities (e.g. buildings, parks, trails,
equipment, new technology) that are fully accessible and available to
persons with disabilities with attention to geographical proximity and
cost issues.
B. CDC Activities
1. Provide technical consultation on current available and emerging
research, literature, epidemiological, and physical activity
information in the United States.
2. Serve as a conduit for accessing other data sets and for
referrals to information resources that would be of value to the
information gathering/dissemination and technical assistance activities
of the recipient.
3. Assist the project in the planning and organizing of conferences
and workshops related to project activities regarding physical activity
and exercise for persons with disabilities.
4. Assist the project in the transfer of information and methods
developed in the project to other disability-related entities and
programs.
E. Application Content
Use the information in the Program Requirements, Cooperative
Activities, and Evaluation Criteria sections to develop the application
content. The application will be evaluated on the criteria listed, so
it is important to follow them in laying out the program plan. The
narrative addressing the scored criteria should be no more than 40
single-spaced pages, printed on one side, with one inch margins, and
unreduced font.
F. Submission and Deadline
Letter of Intent (LOI)
A non-binding letter of intent to apply is requested from potential
applicants. The LOI should identify the announcement number, name the
proposed project director, and describe the scope of the proposed
project in not more than three pages. This letter will not influence
review or funding
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decisions, but it will enable CDC to plan the review more efficiently,
and ensure that each applicant receives timely and relevant information
prior to the application review.
The LOI should be submitted on or before December 22, 1998 to
Victoria Sepe, Grants Management Specialist, Grants Management Branch,
Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC), Room 300, 255 East Paces Ferry Road, NE, Mailstop E-
13, Atlanta, Georgia 30305-2209.
Application
Applicants must submit a separate typed abstract/summary of their
proposal as a cover to their applications, consisting of no more than
two single-spaced pages. Applicants should also include a table of
contents for the project narrative and related attachments. It is
suggested that applications be organized to be compatible with the
evaluation scoring criteria, as that is the process by which the review
committee will assess the quality of the applications.
Submit the original and five copies of PHS-398 (OMB Number 0925-
0001). Adhere to instructions on the Errata Instruction Sheet for PHS
398. Budget and other required forms are in the application kit.
Applications are due on or before Wednesday January 20, 1999.
Submit the application to Victoria Sepe, Grants Management
Specialist, Grants Management Branch, Procurement and Grants Office,
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Room 300, 255 East
Paces Ferry Road, NE, Mailstop E-13, Atlanta, Georgia 30305-2209.
Please list Announcement Number 99010 on the covering address label. If
your application does not arrive in time for submission to the review
group, it will not be considered in the current competition unless you
can provide proof that you mailed it on or before the deadline (i.e.,
receipt from U.S. Postal Service or a commercial carrier; private
metered postmarks are not acceptable).
G. Evaluation Criteria
Each application will be evaluated individually against the
following criteria by an independent review group appointed by CDC.
A. Problem Statement and Evidence of Need--15 Points. This
includes: 1. The extent to which the applicant understands the purpose
and requirements of the program.
2. The accounts of the value of promoting physical activity among
persons with disabilities as an important public health issue with
cited references in the literature.
3. The presentation of the full range of information and
communications activities that will be required with an inventory of
resources and databases to be accessed as referral sources.
4. The description of unmet needs and gaps (barriers and
constraints) as they relate to advancing a coordinated and
comprehensive information system on physical activity and exercise
among persons with disabilities; and how this project would move toward
elimination of those barriers.
B. Research Resources and Organizational Capacity--20 Points. This
includes: 1. The capability of the applicant to conduct the project,
taking into account its institutional experience, evidence of
leadership, and current activities in the field for those activities
required.
2. The ability of the applicant to ensure timely access to
necessary data and educational materials related to physical activity,
denoting the sources for such data and materials.
3. The capacity of the applicant to provide evidence of effective
collaborations and linkages with both the disability and physical
activity fields, professional groups, service providers, fitness
facilities, governmental agencies, and community organizations to meet
the requirements of the project; including documented letters of
support and commitments from those collaborating entities.
4. The capacity of the applicant to gather necessary demographic
and functional outcome information regarding sub-group patterns for
engaging in physical activity and the benefits to be derived; including
the kinds and sources of information to be accessed, analyzed, and
publicized, the staff/organizations charged with its control, and how
that data would be used.
C. Operational Approach--40 Points. This includes: 1. The methods
to be employed to establish an effective information resources system
and communications network.
2. The approach to: (a) Gather information on the determinants
(facilitators and barriers) to physical activity and exercise; (b)
assess the perceptions and experiences of persons with disabilities and
their families regarding physical activity; (c) formulate a strategy to
enable and motivate persons with disabilities to engage in physical
activity, exercise, and recreational programs; and (d) promote
guidelines and recommendations for sustaining such activities over the
long-term.
3. The methods by which the applicant will develop and disseminate
educational materials on facts, benefits, programs, and motivational
tools based on their value for promoting physical activity in persons
with disabilities across all age ranges and literacy levels during
medical treatment, rehabilitation, and in the home and community
settings.
4. The approach proposed to construct a centralized listing of
programs, events, and service providers to be disseminated to
requestors for personal, organizational, and constituency use.
5. The accounts of the proposed resource development and
communications capacity for employing information technology to reach
key targeted groups including impairment-specific populations;
children; older citizens; women; minorities; lower socio-economic
strata; professionals/clinicians/fitness/allied health providers and
educators/trainers; persons with varying fitness levels; and changing
(persons with improving/regressing physical conditioning) in order to
best translate information into physical activity and exercise programs
and protocols for persons with disabilities.
6. The description of how the applicant will develop and implement
appropriate readability levels, cultural sensitivity, and fully
accessible formats in all communication and program activities.
7. The methods by which the applicant will provide technical
assistance, information, and consultation to participants and
supporting organizations regarding the design, conduct, and evaluation
of programs to introduce and sustain physical activity and exercise in
persons with disabilities.
8. The degree to which the applicant has met the CDC policy
requirements regarding the inclusion of women, ethnic, and racial
groups in proposed research (as appropriate). This includes:
a. The proposed plan for the inclusion of both sexes and racial and
ethnic minority populations for appropriate representation.
b. The proposed justification when representation is limited or
absent.
c. A statement as to whether the design of the study is adequate to
measure differences when warranted.
d. A statement as to whether the plans for recruitment and outreach
for study participants include the process of establishing partnerships
with community(ies) and recognition of mutual benefits.
[[Page 63062]]
D. Management Plan and Project Goals and Objectives--25 Points.
This includes: 1. The management work plan for conducting the project
including the process (approach and methods) by which the applicant
will meet established goals and objectives.
2. The presentation of those specific goals, objectives and
timelines (with performance expectations for the first year by calendar
month or quarter, and a work plan outline for the second, third, and
fourth years of the project).
3. The description of the major tasks and responsibilities for key
positions including the applicant organization and identified
contractual/consultant personnel (include an organization chart and
denote the relationship of this project within the applicant
organization).
4. The methods by which the applicant will seek out, utilize, and
benefit from input by persons with disabilities and their families, and
from organizations representing the disability and physical activity
communities in planning for project priorities and activities.
5. The description of how the applicant will evaluate its work plan
and all informational, referral, communications, and technical
assistance activities.
E. Budget Justification--Not Scored. This criteria includes the
adequacy of the budget justification and its relationship to program
operations, collaborations, and services. Each line item of the budget
must be well justified in a brief narrative with special attention
given to contractual requests including the responsibilities of
consultants, percentage time equivalents, hourly or daily rates, etc.
This section will also be evaluated on the adequacy of facilities to
conduct the project. The relevance of this section to the other
evaluation criteria will be measured on the extent to which the budget
narrative is reasonable, clearly documented, accurate, and consistent
with the purpose of this announcement.
F. Human Subjects--Not Scored. This includes the extent to which
the application adequately addresses the requirements of Title 45 CFR
Part 46 for the protection of human subjects. If the proposed project
involves research on human participants, assurance and evidence must be
provided that the project will be subject to initial and continuous
reviews by an appropriate institutional review board. Does the
applicant adequately address the requirements of 45 CFR 46 for the
protection of human subjects?
H. Other Requirements
Technical Reporting Requirements
Provide CDC with original plus two copies of: 1. Semi-annual
progress reports; due dates to be denoted in the notice of grant award;
2. Financial status report, due no more than 90 days after the end
of each budget period; and
3. Final financial status and performance reports, due no more than
90 days after the end of the project period.
The following additional requirements are applicable to this
program. For a complete description of each, see Addendum I.
AR98-1 Human Subjects Requirements
AR98-2 Requirements for Inclusion of Women and Racial and Ethnic
Minorities in Research
AR98-9 Paperwork Reduction Act Requirements
AR98-10 Smoke-Free Workplace Requirements
AR98-11 Healthy People 2000
AR98-12 Lobbying Restrictions
I. Authority and Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number
This program is authorized under the Public Health Service Act,
Section 301(a) [42 U.S.C. section 241(a), as amended. The Catalog of
Federal Domestic Assistance number is 93.184.
J. Where To Obtain Additional Information
To receive additional written information and to request an
application kit, call 1-888-GRANTS4 (1-888-472-6874). You will be asked
to leave your name and address and will be instructed to identify the
Announcement Number of interest. Also, the CDC Home Page on the
Internet: http://www.cdc.gov is available for copies of this
Announcement, application forms and funding information.
If you have questions after reviewing the contents of all the
documents, business management technical assistance may be obtained
from Victoria Sepe, Grants Management Specialist, Grants Management
Branch, Procurement and Grants Office, Announcement 99010, Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Room 300, 255 East Paces Ferry
Road, NE, Mailstop E-13, Atlanta, GA 30305-2209, telephone (404) 842-
6804. E-mail address: vxw1@cdc.gov.
For program technical assistance, contact Joseph B. Smith, Office
on Disability and Health, National Center for Environmental Health
(NCEH), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford
Highway, Mailstop F-29, Atlanta, GA, telephone (770) 488-7082. E-mail
address: jos4@cdc.gov
Dated: November 4, 1998.
John L. Williams,
Director, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention (CDC).
[FR Doc. 98-30060 Filed 11-9-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P
