[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 50 (Tuesday, March 16, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13019-13025]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-6298]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
[Program Announcement 99047]
Human Immunodeficiency Virus Community-Based Prevention Projects
for the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and the United States Virgin
Islands; Notice of Availability of Funds
A. Purpose
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announces the
availability of fiscal year (FY) 1999 funds to support cooperative
agreements for HIV prevention projects with community-based
organizations (CBOs) serving populations at increased risk of acquiring
or transmitting HIV infection in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico (the
Commonwealth) or the United States Virgin Islands (The USVI). This
program addresses the ``Healthy People 2000'' priority areas of
Educational and Community-Based Programs, HIV Infection, and Sexually
Transmitted Diseases. It also addresses the HIV Prevention
Comprehensive Plan developed by the Commonwealth's Community Planning
Group (CPG) and the Epidemiological Profile developed by the USVI
Department of Health, by providing support for primary prevention for
persons at increased risk for HIV infection and by increasing the
availability and coordination of prevention and early intervention
services for HIV-infected persons. A copy of the Commonwealth's
Comprehensive plan, the USVI Epidemiological Profile and the Healthy
People 2000 Objectives are included in the application kit.
The purpose of this program is to (1) develop and implement
effective community-based HIV prevention programs that reflect the
Commonwealth's or the USVI HIV prevention priorities outlined in their
comprehensive HIV prevention plan and Epidemiological profile developed
through HIV Prevention Community Planning; and (2) promote
collaboration and coordination of HIV prevention efforts among CBOs,
Health Departments, and private agencies such as substance abuse
agencies, educational agencies, criminal justice systems, and national
and regional organizations.
B. Eligible Applicants
Assistance will be provided only to nonprofit community-based
organizations (CBOs) providing services in the Commonwealth or the
USVI. To be eligible, CBOs must meet the following criteria:
1. Be a non-governmental organization (non-profit corporation or
association) established in the geographic area where the services will
be provided, whose net earnings in no part accrue to the benefit of
private shareholders or individuals. You must include a written
Statement of Good Standing and a Certificate of Incorporation from the
Commonwealth State Department or the USVI State Department as
acceptable evidence of nonprofit status and experience in operating and
centrally administering a community-based organization to be eligible
to apply.
2. Document that the majority of its programmatic and
administrative staff involved in the project are representative of the
population to be served.
Successful applicants will be required to apply for an Internal
Revenue Service (IRS) determination of 501(c)3 status during the first
three months of funding. CDC will provide technical assistance and
support in submitting this request.
Applicants must submit (1) a Statement of Good Standing and (2) a
Certificate of Incorporation issued by the State department as proof of
nonprofit and ``Good Standing'' status with the application for
determination of eligibility. No application will be accepted without
these two documents.
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
1. The Commonwealth
An annualized amount of approximately $1.1 million is available in
FY 1999 to fund approximately 15 awards in the Commonwealth. It is
expected that the average award will be $125,000, ranging from $85,000
to $150,000.
2. The USVI
Approximately $400,000 is available in FY 1999 to fund
approximately 3 awards in the USVI. It is expected that the average
award will be $125,000, ranging from $85,000 to $150,000.
It is expected that the awards will begin on or about July 1, 1999,
and will be made for a 12-month budget period within a project period
of up to 4 years. Applications from CBOs in the Commonwealth requesting
more than $180,000 per year, including direct and indirect costs, or
from CBOs in the USVI requesting more than $200,000 per year, including
direct and indirect costs, will be deemed ineligible and will not be
accepted by CDC.
Funding estimates may change based on the following: the
availability of funds; the scope and the quality of applications
received; distribution of the HIV epidemic in the Commonwealth and the
USVI; the appropriateness and reasonableness of the budget request; and
the proposed use of project funds.
Noncompeting 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
Funds available under this announcement must support activities
directly related to primary HIV prevention. However, intervention
activities which involve preventing other Sexually Transmitted Diseases
(STDs) and drug use as a means of reducing or eliminating the risk of
HIV infection may be supported. No funds will be provided for direct
patient medical care (including substances abuse treatment, medical
prophylaxis or drugs).
These funds may not be used to supplant or duplicate existing
funding. Although applicants may contract with other organizations
under these cooperative agreements, applicants must perform a
substantial portion of the activities (including program management and
operations and delivery of prevention services) for which funds are
requested.
Funding Priority
1. The Commonwealth
Priority will be given to funding activities and interventions
identified through the Commonwealth's HIV
[[Page 13020]]
Prevention Comprehensive Plan and epidemiological profile. Please refer
to the Commonwealth's HIV Prevention Comprehensive Plan for the
recommended HIV Prevention interventions for each priority population.
2. The USVI
Priority will be given to funding activities and interventions
identified through the USVI STD/HIV/AIDS epidemiological profile or
comprehensive HIV prevention plan if available; and to CBOs with proven
records of reaching their target populations.
To maximize the effective use of CDC funds, each applicant must
conduct at least one of the priority Health Education and Risk
Reduction (HERR) interventions described in the attachment. Although
activities may cross from one intervention type to another (e.g.,
individual or group level interventions may be a part of a community-
level intervention), each applicant must indicate which one of the four
interventions is the primary focus. Because of the resources, special
expertise, and organizational capacities needed for success, applicants
are discouraged from undertaking more than two of the priority
interventions previously listed.
D. Program Requirements
In conducting activities to achieve the purpose of this program,
the recipient will be responsible for the activities under 1.
(Recipient Activities), and CDC will be responsible for activities
under 2. (CDC Activities).
1. Recipient Activities
a. Conduct a health education and risk reduction interventions
(HERR) for individuals, groups or communities at high risk of becoming
infected or transmitting HIV to others. The following four HERR
interventions will be funded in FY 1999: Individual Level, Group Level,
Community Level, and Street and Community Outreach. Each recipient must
conduct at least one of these priority HERR interventions.
b. As needed, refer high risk clients, both HIV negative and HIV
positive, and assist them in gaining access to HIV antibody counseling
and testing; HIV medical care or early medical intervention; STD
screening, testing, and treatment; psycho-social support; mental health
services; substance abuse treatment; TB prevention and treatment;
reproductive health; and other supportive services.
c. Coordinate and collaborate with the Commonwealth's or the USVI
Health Department, community planning group, and other organizations
and agencies involved in HIV prevention activities, especially those
serving the target population(s) in the local area. This may include
participation in the HIV Prevention Community Planning Process.
Participation may include involvement in workshops; attending meetings;
if nominated and selected, membership on the group; reporting on
program activities; or commenting on plans.
d. Conduct process and outcome evaluations of all major program
activities and services supported with CDC HIV prevention funds.
Further guidance on these recipient activities is available in the
application kit.
2. CDC Activities
a. Provide consultation and technical assistance in planning,
operating, and evaluating prevention activities. CDC will provide
consultation and technical assistance both directly and indirectly
through prevention partners such as health departments, national and
regional minority organizations (NRMOs), contractors, and other
national organizations.
b. Provide up-to-date scientific information on the risk factors
for HIV infection, prevention measures, and program strategies for
prevention of HIV infection.
c. Assist in the evaluation of program activities and services.
d. Assist recipients in collaborating with health departments,
community planning groups, and other federally-supported HIV/AIDS
recipients.
e. Facilitate the transfer of successful prevention interventions
and program models to other areas through convening meetings of
grantees, workshops, conferences, newsletters, and communications with
project officers.
f. Monitor the recipient's performance of program activities,
protection of client confidentiality, and compliance with other
requirements.
g. Facilitate exchange of program information and technical
assistance between community organizations, health departments, and
national and regional organizations.
E. Application Content
Use the information in the Program Requirements, Other
Requirements, and Evaluation Criteria sections to develop the
application content. Your application will be evaluated on the criteria
listed, so it is important to follow them in laying out your program
plan.
You must prepare your application in English. The narrative should
be no more than 35 double-spaced pages. Number each page clearly, and
provide a complete index to the application and its appendices. Please
begin each separate section of the application on a new page. The
original and each copy of the application set must be submitted
unstapled and unbound. All material must be typewritten, in 12 point
font type, on 8\1/2\'' by 11'' paper, with at least 1'' margins,
headings and footers, and printed on one side only. Materials which
should be part of the basic plan will not be accepted if placed in the
appendices.
In developing the application, you must follow the format and
instructions below.
Format
1. Abstract
2. Assessment of Need and Justification for Proposed Activities
3. Organizational History and Capacity
4. Program Plan
5. Evaluation Plan
6. Communications/Dissemination Plan
7. Plan for Acquiring Additional or Matching Resources
8. Budget/Staffing Breakdown and Justification
9. Training and Technical Assistance Plan
10. Attachments
Instructions
1. Abstract (not to exceed 3 pages): Summarize your proposed
activities. Include the following:
a. Summary of the need for the proposed activities;
b. Long-term goals;
c. Summary of proposed plan of operation, including the primary
population(s) to be served and their risk behavior, activities to be
conducted, and services to be provided;
d. Summary of plans for evaluating the activities of this project;
and
e. Brief summary of future year activities.
2. Assessment of Need and Justification for Proposed Activities
(not to exceed 6 pages).
a. Clearly describe the population(s) for which your proposed
program will provide services.
b. Clearly identify the need that will be addressed by your
proposed program, and describe how you assessed the need. Include
epidemiologic and other data that were used to identify the need.
Include a description of existing HIV prevention and risk-reduction
efforts provided by other organizations to address the needs of the
target population(s), and an analysis of the gap
[[Page 13021]]
between the identified need and the resources currently available to
address the need (i.e., How will the proposed activities or program
address an important unmet HIV prevention need?).
c. Describe the impact of the AIDS epidemic on the priority
population and their community and any specific environmental, social,
cultural, or linguistic characteristics of the priority population(s)
which you have considered and addressed in developing prevention
strategies, such as:
(1) HIV prevalence and incidence (if available), reported AIDS
cases, and risk behaviors (sexual behaviors, substance use, etc.) in
the target population;
(2) HIV/AIDS-related baseline knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and
behaviors;
(3) Patterns of substance use and rates of STDs and tuberculosis
(TB); and
(4) Other relevant information. (Specify)
d. Describe the specific behaviors and practices that the proposed
interventions are designed to promote and prevent (e.g., increases in
correct and consistent condom use, knowledge of serological status, not
sharing needles, and enrollment in drug treatment and other preventive
programs).
e. Describe how your proposed program complements the HIV
prevention priorities identified in the HIV Prevention Comprehensive
Plan developed by the Commonwealth's Community Planning Group or the
Epidemiological Profile developed by the USVI Department of Health. If
the plan does not adequately provide the necessary information, justify
the need and the priority of your proposed program activities and
summarize how the activities address prevention gaps and complement
ongoing prevention efforts. State why the funds requested in this
application are necessary to address the need.
f. Explain any specific barriers to the implementation of your
proposed program and how you will overcome these barriers.
3. Organizational History and Capacity (not to exceed 5 pages):
Describe the following:
a. Organizational structure, including the role, responsibilities,
and racial/ethnic composition of board of directors; committee
structure of board of directors; organizational management,
administrative and program components; constituent or affiliate
organizations or networks; how the organizational structure will
support the proposed program activities; and how the structure offers
the capacity to reach targeted populations.
b. Past and current experience in developing and implementing
effective HIV prevention strategies and activities, and in developing
and implementing programs similar to the one(s) proposed in this
application. Your discussion should include a description of programs
provided in the past, both HIV prevention and general services and
education programs.
c. The decision-making process in your organization.
d. Mechanism used by your organization to monitor program
performance and quality assurance.
e. Demonstrated ability (1) to work with governmental and non-
governmental organizations, including State, municipal and local health
departments, local and State non-governmental organizations, national
agencies or organizations, community planning groups, and other groups
that provide HIV prevention services; and (2) to coordinate program
joint program activities with existing governmental and private
prevention efforts.
f. Capacity to provide the proposed HERR interventions which are
culturally competent and linguistically appropriate, and which respond
effectively to the gender, environmental, and social characteristics of
the target populations.
g. For any of the above areas in which you do not have direct
experience or current capacity, describe how you will ensure that the
proposed program has that capacity (e.g., through staff development,
collaboration with other organizations, or a subcontract).
4. Program Plan (not to exceed 11 pages): Use this section to
describe your proposed program.
a. Behaviors and Practices the Interventions will Promote: Describe
the specific behaviors and practices that the interventions are
designed to promote and prevent (i.e., increases in correct and
consistent condom use, knowledge of serological status, not sharing
needles, and enrollment in drug treatment and other preventive
programs).
b. Scientific, Theoretical, Conceptual, or Program Experience
Foundation for Proposed Activities: Provide a detailed description of
the scientific, theoretical, conceptual, or program experience
foundation on which the proposed activities are based and which support
the potential effectiveness of these activities for addressing the
stated need.
c. Involvement of the target population: Describe the involvement
of the target population in planning, implementing, and evaluating
activities and services throughout the project period.
d. Appropriateness of Interventions: Describe how the proposed
priority interventions and services are culturally competent, sensitive
to issues of sexual identity, developmentally appropriate,
linguistically-specific, and educationally appropriate. (Please
reference the appendix for definitions of these terms.)
e. Intervention goals and objectives: Describe the broad HIV
prevention goals that your proposed program aims to achieve over the
course of the project period. Develop objectives that are specific,
measurable, time-phased, realistic, related to the proposed activities
(Reference Appendix for additional guidance on writing objectives), and
if applicable, how it relates to the prevention priorities outlined in
the jurisdiction's comprehensive HIV prevention plan. Describe the
expected results of program activities on its priority population(s).
Describe potential barriers to or facilitators for reaching these
objectives.
f. Plan of Operation:
(1) Describe the specific activities to be conducted to accomplish
the objectives.
(2) Describe the services to be provided to accomplish the
objectives.
(3) Specify the approximate dates when activities will be
accomplished and staff responsible for conducting activities.
(4) Describe the potential for volunteer involvement in your
program. If volunteers will be involved, describe plans to recruit,
train, place, and retain volunteers.
(5) Describe how you will collaborate with State, municipal and
local health departments, community planning groups, members of the
target population, and other appropriate service groups or
organizations in the development and implementation of your program.
(6) Describe your mechanism for soliciting program participants.
(7) Describe how you will promote your program in the community.
(8) Describe the mechanism to assure client satisfaction.
(9) Provide the following as attachments: (a) a list of major
community resources and health care providers to which referrals will
be made; (b) a plan for ongoing training to ensure that staff are
knowledgeable about HIV and STD risks and prevention measures; (c) a
plan to assess the performance of staff to ensure that they are
providing information and services accurately and effectively; (d) a
mechanism to initiate and verify
[[Page 13022]]
referrals; and (e) protocols to guide and document training,
activities, services, and referrals (e.g., applicants seeking funds for
Street and Community Outreach Interventions must provide a description
of the policies and procedures that will be followed to assure the
safety of outreach staff).
g. Coordination/Collaboration:
(1) Specify the organizations and agencies with which you will
establish linkages and coordinate activities in the process of
developing and implementing your project. These must include State,
municipal, and local health departments, the appropriate HIV prevention
community planning group, and should include, as appropriate, the
following:
(a) Community groups and organizations, including churches and
faith groups;
(b) HIV/AIDS service organizations;
(c) Ryan White CARE Title I and Title II planning bodes;
(d) Schools, boards of education, and other State or local
education agencies;
(e) State and local substance abuse agencies, community-based and
other drug treatment or detoxification programs;
(f) Federally funded community projects, such as those funded by
the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT), Center for Substance
Abuse Prevention (CSAP), Health Resource Services Administration
(HRSA), Office of Minority Health (OMH), and other federal agencies;
(g) Providers of services to youth in high risk situations (e.g.,
youth in shelters);
(h) State or local departments of mental health;
(i) Juvenile and adult criminal justice, correctional or parole
systems and programs;
(j) Family planning and women's health agencies; and
(k) STD and TB clinics and programs.
(2) Describe the activities that will be coordinated with each
organization.
(3) Submit and include as attachments memoranda of understanding or
agreement as evidence of these established or agreed-upon collaborative
relationships. Memoranda of agreement should specifically describe the
proposed collaborative activities. Evidence of continuing collaboration
must be submitted each year to ensure that the collaborative
relationships are still in place. Memoranda of agreement from health
departments should include a statement that your application has been
reviewed.
5. Evaluation Plan (not to exceed 6 pages): Describe how you will
monitor progress to determine if the objectives are being achieved
(process evaluation), and determine if the methods used to deliver the
proposed activities are effective. Describe how data will be collected,
analyzed, and used to improve the program.
a. Evaluation Questions. Specify the questions to be answered
through the evaluation activities that are being proposed. These
questions should guide the evaluation process and be directly linked to
the objectives stated above.
b. Evaluation Data. Specify the information (data) that will be
collected to answer the Evaluation Questions stated above. This data
should enable you to measure quantity (i.e., the number of activities
conducted or people served) and quality (i.e., the effectiveness of the
activities conducted and services provided from the program
participant's point of view).
c. Sources of Data. Specify the sources of information (data) to be
collected. Data sources may include program documentation records
(i.e., client registration forms, participant evaluation forms,
referral forms, field notes, etc.), information from other service
providers or institutions (i.e., HIV testing clinics, STD clinics, drug
treatment centers, schools, etc.), and feedback from staff and clients
(i.e., client and staff satisfaction forms, etc.). Also specify at what
points during delivery of the interventions(s), that data will be
collected.
d. Collection Method. Specify the methods for data collection. For
example, data should be collected routinely as a part of program
services using data collection tools such as sign-in logs, registration
forms, activity documentation forms, etc. Specify additional methods
for collecting data such as the use of questionnaires, surveys, other
data collection instruments, interviews and focus groups, etc.
e. Baseline Data. Since this evaluation is designed to measure
change as a result of the intervention, specify the baseline against
which the change is being measured. Baseline data, such as existing
attitudes, beliefs, behaviors, and knowledge of participants, is
established by collecting information prior to the intervention.
f. Evaluator. Specify the person(s) responsible for designing and
implementing evaluation activities, collecting and analyzing data, and
reporting findings.
g. Use of Data. Explain how the data resulting from the evaluation
will be used to improve or expand the program.
h. Dissemination plan. Discuss how the results of the evaluation
will be reported and who will receive the results.
Note: Include samples of data collection tools in the
attachments, if available.
Your process evaluation plan should:
a. Provide a detailed description of:
(1) Each program activity and the documented need for that
activity; and
(2) Progress toward achieving each stated objective in the
cooperative agreement;
b. Provide detailed information for:
(1) The specific service or intervention that was provided and how
it differed from the planned services;
(2) the description and the number of persons who received the
service, including demographics such as age, race and ethnicity,
gender, and if appropriate and available, sexual orientation and risk
exposure, and how the persons actually served differed from those the
program intended to serve;
(3) When and how often the service or intervention was provided and
how this differed from program plans; and,
(4) Where the service or intervention was provided (e.g.,
Counseling, Testing, Referral, and Partner Notification (CTRPN) site,
STD clinic, street corner, housing project) and a comparison of these
data to the expected locations of service delivery.
c. Document and describe program successes, unmet needs, barriers
and problems encountered in planning, implementing, or providing
services, or in coordinating services with other organizations and
agencies serving target populations.
d. Document and describe the success of referral systems, including
the numbers of persons referred and the number actually receiving
services by site, and how well the system functions in identifying
sources of services and in assisting persons in obtaining and receiving
them.
e. Document and describe problems that affect planning or
implementing program activities (e.g., recruiting, hiring, or retaining
staff; training or ensuring quality staff performance; establishing or
maintaining contracts with other CBOs or ensuring the quality of their
performance), and
f. Describe client satisfaction with HIV prevention services.
Client satisfaction should be assessed periodically via quantitative or
qualitative methods (e.g., periodic focus groups with current or former
clients).
You are encouraged to conduct outcome evaluation. However, due to
the additional cost and need for scientific support beyond the scope of
these cooperative agreements, you
[[Page 13023]]
cannot conduct impact evaluations with cooperative agreement funds
(e.g., long-term effects of the program in terms of changes in
behavior). CDC will continue to support special projects to evaluate
the behavioral and other outcomes of interventions commonly used by
CBOs and other organizations, and disseminate information and lessons
learned from this research to CBOs, health departments, community
planning groups, and other organizations and agencies involved in HIV
prevention programs. If funds become available, CDC may supplement
these cooperative agreements for outcome evaluation. Indicate which
members of the staff will be responsible for developing and
implementing the evaluation plan.
6. Communications/Dissemination Plan (not to exceed 2 pages):
Describe how you will share successful approaches and ``lessons
learned'' with other organizations.
7. Plan for Acquiring Additional or Matching Resources (not to
exceed 1 page): Describe your plan for obtaining additional resources
from other (non-CDC) sources to supplement the program conducted
through this cooperative agreement and to increase the likelihood of
its continuation after the end of the project period.
2. Budget/Staffing Breakdown and Justification:
a. Detailed Budget: Provide a detailed, separate budget for each
HERR intervention proposed (i.e., individual level, group level,
community level, or street and community outreach) to be undertaken,
with accompanying justification of all operating expenses that is
consistent with the stated objectives and planned priority activities.
CDC may not approve or fund all proposed activities. Be precise about
the program purpose of each budget item and itemize calculations
wherever appropriate.
In the personnel section, specify the job title, annual salary/rate
of pay, and percentage of time spent on this program. If the identity
of any key personnel who will fill a position is known, his or her name
and resume should be attached. Experience and training related to the
proposed project should be noted.
For contracts, applicants should name the contractor, if known;
describe the services to be performed which justifies the use of a the
contractor; provide a breakdown of and justification for the estimated
costs of the contracts; the period of performance; the method of
selection; and method of monitoring the contract.
Note: If indirect costs are requested, you must provide a copy
of your organization's current negotiated Federal indirect cost rate
agreement.
b. Staffing Plan: Provide a job description for each position for
this program that specifies job title, function, general duties,
activities, and salary range. Include the level of effort and
allocation of time for each project activity by staff positions. If the
identity of any key personnel who will fill a position is known, her/
his name and resume should be attached. Experience and training related
to the proposed project should be attached. Experience and training
related to the proposed project should be noted. If the identity of
staff is not known, describe your recruitment plan. If volunteers are
involved in the project, provide job descriptions.
3. Training and Technical Assistance Plan (not to exceed 2 pages):
Describe areas in which you anticipate needing technical assistance in
designing, implementing, and evaluating your program and how you will
obtain this technical assistance. Describe anticipated staff training
needs related to the proposed program and how these needs will be met.
10. Attachments:
Provide the following as attachments:
a. Statement of Good Standing issued by the State department;
b. Certificate of Incorporation issued by the State department;
c. A list of the members of its governing body along with their
positions on the board, their expertise in working with or providing
services to the proposed target population, and their racial/ethnic
backgrounds (Submission of information regarding the HIV status or
other confidential information regarding any individual is optional);
d. An organizational chart of existing and proposed staff,
including the board of directors, volunteer staff, and their racial/
ethnic backgrounds;
e. A description of funds received from any source to conduct HIV/
AIDS programs and other similar programs targeting the population
proposed in the program plan. This summary must include: the name of
the sponsoring organization/source of income, amount of funding, a
description of how the funds have been used, and the budget period. In
addition, identify proposed personnel devoted to this project who are
supported by other funding sources and the activities they are
supporting;
f. A summary of the objectives and activities of the funded
program(s);
g. An assurance that the funds being requested will not duplicate
or supplant funds received from any other Federal or non-Federal
source. CDC awarded funds can be used to expand or enhance services
supported with other Federal or non-Federal funds;
h. Independently audited financial statements from a Certified
Public Accountant (CPA) for the previous 2 years written in English;
i. Affiliates of national organizations must include with the
application an original, signed letter from the chief executive officer
of the national organization assuring their understanding of the intent
of this program announcement and the responsibilities of recipients;
and
j. Memoranda of Agreement with collaborative organizations which
describes nature and duration of the relationship and specific joint
activities to be conducted.
Note: Materials submitted as attachments should be printed on
one side of 8\1/2\x11 paper. Please do not attach bound materials
such as booklets or pamphlets. Rather, submit copies of the
materials printed on one side of 8\1/2\x11 paper. Bound materials
will not be reviewed.
F. Submission and Deadline
Submit the original and two copies of the PHS 5161 (OMB Number
0937-0189). forms are in the application kit. On or before May 7, 1999,
submit the application written in English to: Patrick Smith, Grants
Management Specialist, Grants Management Branch, Procurement and Grants
Office, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Announcement
Number 99047, 2920 Brandywine Road, Suite 3000, Atlanta, Georgia 30341-
4146.
Deadline: Applications shall be considered as meeting the deadline
if they are either:
(a) Received on or before the deadline date; or
(b) Sent on or before the deadline date and received in time for
orderly processing. (applicants must request a legibly dated U.S.
Postal Service postmark or obtain a legibly dated receipt from a
commercial carrier or U.S. Postal Service. Private metered postmarks
are not acceptable proof of timely mailing.)
Late Applications: Applications which do not meet the criteria in
(a) or (b) above are considered late applications, will not be
considered, and will be returned to the applicant.
G. Evaluation Criteria
Each application will be evaluated individually against the
following criteria by an independent review group appointed by CDC.
1. Abstract (not scored).
[[Page 13024]]
2. Assessment of Need and Justification for the Proposed Activities
(20 points):
a. The extent to which the applicant soundly documents a
substantial need for the proposed program and activities. (10 points)
b. The quality of the applicant's plan to ensure consistency with
applicable State and local comprehensive HIV prevention plans and, if
applicable, the adequacy with which the applicant demonstrates the
rational for deviating from the jurisdiction's comprehensive HIV
prevention plan. (10 points)
3. Organizational History and Capacity (15 points): The extent to
which the applicant's documents having at least 12 months experience in
operating and centrally administering a community-based organization
targeting priority populations as described in the Commonwealth's HIV
Prevention Comprehensive Plan and the USVI Epidemiological Profile; and
demonstrates experience, capacity, and ability to address the
identified needs and implement the proposed activities, including:
a. How the applicant's organizational structure and planned
collaborations (including constituent or affiliated organizations or
networks) will support the proposed program activities, and how the
proposed program will have the capacity to reach targeted populations;
(3 points)
b. Applicant's past and current experience in developing and
implementing effective HIV prevention strategies and activities, and in
developing and implementing programs similar to those proposed in this
application; (3 points)
c. Applicant's capacity to provide culturally competent and
appropriate services which respond effectively to the cultural, gender,
environmental, social and multilingual character of the target
audiences, including documentation of any history of providing such
services; (3 points)
d. Applicant's experience and ability in collaborating with
governmental and non-governmental organizations, including other
national agencies or organizations, State and local health departments,
community planning groups, and State and local non-governmental
organizations that provide HIV prevention services; (3 points) and
e. Plans to ensure capacity to implement proposed program where no
direct experience or capacity currently exists within the applicant
organization. (3 points)
4. Program Plan (45 total points):
a. Behaviors and Practices the Interventions will Promote (5
points): The degree to which the applicant describes the specific
behaviors and practices that the interventions are designed to promote
and prevent (i.e., increases in correct and consistent condom use,
knowledge of serological status, not sharing needles, and enrollment in
drug treatment and other preventive programs).
b. Scientific, Theoretical, Conceptual, or Program Experience
Foundation for Proposed Activities (5 points): The degree to which the
applicant provides a detailed description of the scientific,
theoretical, conceptual, or program experience foundation on which the
proposed activities are based and which support the potential
effectiveness of these activities for addressing the stated need.
c. Involvement of the target population (5 points): The degree to
which the applicant describes the involvement of the target population
in planning, implementing, and evaluating activities and services
throughout the project period.
d. Appropriateness of Interventions (5 points): The degree to which
the applicant describes how the proposed priority interventions and
services are culturally competent, sensitive to issues of sexual
identity, developmentally appropriate, linguistically-specific, and
educationally appropriate. (Please reference the appendix for
definitions of these terms.)
e. Goals and Objectives (10 points): Degree to which the proposed
objectives are specific, measurable, time-phased, related to the
proposed activities, and consistent with the program's long-term goals;
the extent to which the applicant identifies possible barriers to or
facilitators for reaching these objectives.
f. Plan of Operations (10 points): The quality of the applicant's
plan for conducting program activities, and the potential effectiveness
of the proposed activities in meeting objectives.
g. Coordination/Collaboration (5 points): Appropriateness of
collaboration and coordination with other organizations serving the
same priority population(s). At minimum, the applicant provides a
description of the collaboration and a signed memoranda of agreement
for each agency with which collaborative activities are proposed, and
other evidence of collaboration that describe previous, current, as
well as future areas of collaboration.
5. Evaluation Plan (10 points): The potential of the evaluation
plan to measure the effectiveness of program implementation,
achievement of program objectives, and facilitate program improvement.
6. Communications/Dissemination Plan (5 points): The degree to
which the applicant describes how successful approaches and ``lessons
learned'' will be shared with other organizations.
7. Plan for Acquiring Additional or Matching Resources (5 points):
The degree to which the applicant describes the plan for obtaining
additional resources from other (non-CDC) sources to supplement the
program conducted through this cooperative agreement and to increase
the likelihood of its continuation after the end of the project period.
8. Budget/Staffing Breakdown and Justification (not scored):
a. Personnel (not scored) Appropriateness of the staffing pattern
for the proposed project.
b. Budget (not scored) Appropriateness of the budget for the
proposed project.
9. Training and Technical Assistance Plan (not scored): The extent
to which the applicant describes areas in which technical assistance is
anticipated in designing, implementing, and evaluating the proposed
program and how the applicant will obtain this technical assistance.
The extent to which the applicant describes anticipated staff training
needs related to the proposed program and how these needs will be met.
Before final award decisions are made, CDC will either make
predecisional site visits to CBOs whose applications are highly ranked
or review the items below with the local or State health department and
applicant's board of education.
a. The organizational and financial capability of the applicant to
implement the proposed program.
b. The application and program plans for priority HERR
interventions, compliance with the jurisdictional's HIV prevention
priorities as outlined in the comprehensive plan or, if the proposed
program varies from the jurisdiction's comprehensive plan, evaluate the
rationale for the variance.
c. The special programmatic conditions and technical assistance
requirements of the applicant.
A business management and fiscal recipient capability assessment
may be required of some applicants prior to the award of funds.
H. Other Requirements
Technical Reporting Requirement
Provide CDC with the original plus two copies of:
1. Progress reports quarterly;
2. Financial status report, no more than 90 days after the end of
the budget period; and
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3. Final financial status and performance reports, no more than 90
days after the end of the project period.
Send all reports to: Patrick Smith, Grants Management Specialist,
Grants Management Branch, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention, 2920 Brandywine Road, Suite 3000,
Atlanta, GA 30341-4146.
The following additional requirements are applicable to this
program. For a complete description of each, see Attachment I in the
application package.
AR-4 HIV/AIDS Confidentiality Provisions
AR-5 HIV Program Review Panel Requirements
AR-7 Executive Order 12372
AR-8 Public Health System Reporting Requirements
AR-9 Paperwork Reduction Act Requirements
AR-10 Smoke-Free Workplace Requirements
AR-11 Healthy People 2000
AR-12 Lobbying Restrictions
AR-14 Accounting System Requirements
AR-15 Proof of Non-Profit Status
I. Authority and Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number
This program is authorized under Sections 301 and 317 of the Public
Health Service Act, [42 U.S.C. Sections 241 and 247B], as amended. The
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number is 93.939.
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.
If you have questions after reviewing the contents of all the
documents, business management technical assistance may be obtained
from: Patrick Smith, Grants Management Specialist, Grants Management
Branch, Procurement and Grants Office, Announcement Number 99047,
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 2920 Brandywine Road,
Suite 3000, Atlanta, GA 30341-4146, telephone (770) 488-2731, Email
address: phs3@cdc.gov
For program technical assistance, contact Samuel Martinez, Project
Officer at (404) 639-5219, Email address: sbm5@cdc.gov or Samuel
Taveras, Team Leader, at (404) 639-5230, Email address: syt2@cdc.gov.
See also the CDC homepage on the Internet: http://www.cdc.gov
John L. Williams,
Director, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention (CDC).
[FR Doc. 99-6298 Filed 3-15-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-M
