[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 77 (Friday, April 21, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 19941-19943]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-9880]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
[Announcement 531]
Cooperative Agreements for State-Based Birth Defect Surveillance
Demonstration Projects
Introduction
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announces the
availability of fiscal year (FY) 1995 funds for a cooperative agreement
program for state-based birth defect surveillance demonstration
projects. This cooperative agreement will support the development,
implementation, and evaluation of state-based birth defect surveillance
systems.
The Public Health Service (PHS) is committed to achieving the
health promotion and disease prevention objectives of ``Healthy People
2000,'' a PHS-led national activity to reduce morbidity and mortality
and improve the quality of life. This announcement is related to the
priority areas of Alcohol and Other Drugs, Environmental Health,
Maternal and Infant Health, and Surveillance and Data Systems. (For
ordering a copy of ``Healthy People 2000,'' see the section ``Where To
Obtain Additional Information.'')
Authority
This program is authorized under sections 301, 311 and 317C of the
Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 241, 243, and 247b-4) as amended.
Smoke-Free Workplace
PHS strongly encourages all grant recipients to provide a smoke-
free workplace and to promote the nonuse of all tobacco products, and
Public Law 103-227, the Pro-Children Act of 1994, prohibits smoking in
certain facilities that receive Federal funds in which education,
library, day care, health care, and early childhood development
services are provided to children.
Eligible Applicants
All duly constituted State and local public health agencies that
are officially recognized as such, including State, local, county,
city-county, district, and territorial health departments are eligible
to apply. Also, universities with formal agreements for working with
State or local health departments for carrying out the surveillance and
surveillance-based research are eligible to apply.
Availability of Funds
Approximately $500,000 is available in FY 1995 to fund
approximately 8 to 12 awards. It is expected that awards will be made
to 4 to 6 States with operational birth defect surveillance systems,
and to 4 to 6 States with inactive or no birth defect surveillance
systems. It is expected that the average award will be $50,000. It is
expected that the awards will begin on or about September 30, 1995, and
will be made for a 12-month budget period within a project period of up
to 3 years. Funding estimates may vary and are subject to change.
These awards may be used for personnel services, equipment, travel,
and other cost related to project activities. Project funds may not be
used to supplant State funds available for birth defect surveillance or
birth defect prevention.
Continuation awards within the project period will be made on the
basis of satisfactory progress and the availability of funds.
Purpose
The purpose of this cooperative agreement is to assist States:
a. To develop and implement pilot methodologies and approaches
which will improve or expand the State's capacity to ascertain cases
and generate timely population-based data of major birth defects;
b. To engage, and collaborate with other States and appropriate
organizations in the timely sharing and analysis of surveillance and
epidemiologic data related to birth defects and;
c. To evaluate, in a timely fashion, the effectiveness of
surveillance approaches and progress in the prevention of folic acid-
preventable spina bifida and anencephaly.
Program Requirements
In conducting activities to achieve the purpose of this program,
the recipient will be responsible for the activities under A.
(Recipient Activities for States with inactive or no birth defect
surveillance systems); or B. (Recipient Activities for States with
operational birth defect surveillance systems); and CDC will be
responsible for the activities listed under C. (CDC Activities).
A. Recipient Activities for States with inactive or no birth defect
surveillance systems:
1. Develop plans for, and begin implementation of, a pilot state-
based surveillance system which will ascertain cases and generate
population-based data of major birth defects occurring in the State.
2. Develop a plan for the sharing and analysis of surveillance and
epidemiologic data related to birth [[Page 19942]] defects with other
States and appropriate organizations.
B. Recipient Activities for States with operational birth defect
surveillance systems:
1. Develop and implement pilot methodologies and approaches which
will improve or expand the capacity of an existing state-based
surveillance system to ascertain cases and generate timely population-
based data of major birth defects occurring in the State.
2. Collaborate with other States and appropriate organizations in
the timely sharing and analysis of surveillance and epidemiologic data
related to birth defects.
3. Evaluate, in a timely fashion, the progress in the prevention of
folic acid-preventable spina bifida and anencephaly in the State.
C. CDC Activities:
1. Provide technical assistance.
2. Assist recipients in designing, developing, and evaluating pilot
and demonstration components of state-based birth defect surveillance
systems.
3. Assist recipients in analyzing surveillance and epidemiologic
data related to birth defects.
4. Assist recipients in evaluating the progress in the prevention
of folic acid-preventable spina bifida and anencephaly.
5. Provide a reference point for sharing regional and national data
and information pertinent to the surveillance and prevention of birth
defects.
Evaluation Criteria
Applications will be reviewed and evaluated according to the
following criteria as they relate to the applicant's response to either
A., or B., in the ``Program Requirements.''
1. Applicant's Understanding of the Problem (10%)
The extent to which the applicant has a clear, concise
understanding of the requirements, objectives, and purpose of the
cooperative agreement. The extent to which the application reflects an
understanding of the complexities of birth defect surveillance.
2. Impact on State-Based Birth Defects Surveillance (65%)
The extent to which the applicant describes the anticipated level
of impact this cooperative agreement will have on birth defect
surveillance activities in the State. This description may include
current and proposed:
a. Methods of case ascertainment;
b. Level of coverage of the population;
c. Specific birth defects ascertained;
d. Timeliness of case ascertainment and reporting;
e. Utility of surveillance data for epidemiologic studies and;
f. Utility of surveillance data for evaluating the progress in the
prevention of folic acid-preventable spina bifida and anencephaly.
3. Organizational and Program Personnel Capability (20%)
The extent to which the applicant has the experience, skills, and
ability to implement and evaluate a birth defect surveillance system.
The adequacy of the present staff and capability to assemble competent
staff to implement and evaluate a birth defect surveillance system and
a prevention program. The applicant shall identify, to the extent
possible, all current and potential personnel who will work on this
cooperative agreement, including qualifications and specific experience
as it relates to the requirements set forth in this request.
4. Matching Funds (5%)
The extent to which the applicant proposes matching funds. Matching
funds may be contributions by the recipient of at least five percent of
Federal funds awarded under this program. The applicant should identify
and describe:
a. The amount expended during the preceding year for birth defect
surveillance activities and birth defect prevention activities.
These amounts will be used to establish a baseline for current and
future match amounts and;
b. Sources of matching funds for the project and the estimated
amounts from each.
5. Budget Justification and Adequacy of Facilities (Not Scored)
The budget will be evaluated for the extent to which it is
reasonable, clearly justified, and consistent with the intended use of
the cooperative agreement funds. The applicant shall describe and
indicate the availability of facilities and equipment necessary to
carry out this project. Proposed matching funds must be detailed in the
budget.
6. Human Subject Review (not scored)
The applicant must clearly state whether or not human subjects will
be used in research.
Executive Order 12372
Applications are subject to Intergovernmental Review of Federal
Programs as governed by Executive Order (E.O.) 12372. E.O. 12372 sets
up a system for State and local government review of proposed Federal
assistance applications. Applicants should contact their State Single
Point of Contact (SPOC) as early as possible to alert them to the
prospective applications and receive any necessary instructions on the
State process. For proposed projects serving more than one State, the
applicant is advised to contact the SPOC for each affected State. A
current list of SPOCs is included in the application kit. If SPOCs have
any State process recommendations on applications submitted to CDC,
they should send them to Henry S. Cassell III, Grants Management
Officer, Grants Management Branch, Procurement and Grants Office,
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 255 East Paces Ferry
Road, NE., Atlanta, GA 30305. (The receipt date for SPOC comments will
be 60 days after the application deadline date.) The Announcement
Number and Program Title should be referenced on the document. The
granting agency does not guarantee to ``accommodate or explain'' the
State process recommendations it receives after that date.
Public Health System Reporting Requirement
This program is subject to the Public Health System Reporting
Requirements. Under these requirements, all community-based
nongovernmental applicants must prepare and submit the items identified
below to the head of the appropriate State and/or local health
department agency(s) in the program area(s) that may be impacted by the
proposed project no later than the receipt date of the Federal
Application. The appropriate State and/or local health agency is
determined by the applicant. The following information must be
provided:
A. A copy of the face page of the application (SF 424).
B. A summary of the project that should be titled ``Public Health
System Impact Statement'' (PHSIS), not exceed one page, and include the
following:
1. A description of the population to be served;
2. A summary of the services to be provided; and
3. A description of the coordination plans with the appropriate
State and/or local health agencies.
If the State and/or local health official should desire a copy of
the entire application, it may be obtained from the State Single Point
of Contact (SPOC) or directly from the applicant.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number
The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance number is 93.283.
[[Page 19943]]
Other Requirements
Paperwork Reduction Act
Projects that involve the collection of information from ten or
more individuals and funded by the cooperative agreement will be
subject to review by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under
the Paperwork Reduction Act.
Human Subjects
If the proposed project involves research on human subjects, the
applicant must comply with the Department of Health and Human Services
Regulations, 45 CFR Part 46, regarding the protection of human
subjects. Assurance must be provided to demonstrate that the project
will be subject to initial and continuing review by an appropriate
institutional review committee. The applicant will be responsible for
providing assurance in accordance with the appropriate guidelines and
form provided in the application kit.
Application Submission and Deadline
The original and two copies of the application PHS Form 5161-1 (OMB
Number 0937-0189) must be submitted to Henry S. Cassell III, Grants
Management Officer, Grants Management Branch, Procurement and Grants
Office, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 255 East
Paces Ferry Road, NE., Room 300, Mailstop E-13, Atlanta, GA 30305, on
or before June 20, 1995.
1. 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
submission to the objective review group. (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 will not be acceptable as proof of timely mailing.)
2. Late Applications: Applications which do not meet the criteria
in 1.A. or 1.B., above are considered late applications. Late
applications will not be considered in the current competition and will
be returned to the applicant.
Where To Obtain Additional Information
To receive additional written information call (404) 332-4561. You
will be asked to leave your name, address, and phone number and will
need to refer to Announcement 531. You will receive a complete program
description, information on application procedures, and application
forms.
If you have questions after reviewing the contents of all the
documents, business management technical assistance may be obtained
from Adrienne S. Brown, Grants Management Specialist, Grants Management
Branch, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC), 255 East Paces Ferry Road, NE., Room 300, Mailstop E-
13, Atlanta, GA 30305, telephone (404) 842-6630. Programmatic technical
assistance may be obtained from Larry D. Edmonds or David Montanez,
State Services, Birth Defects and Genetic Diseases Branch, Division of
Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, National Center for
Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),
4770 Buford Highway NE., Mailstop F-45, Atlanta, GA 30341-3724,
telephone (404) 488-7170.
Please refer to Announcement 531 when requesting information and
submitting an application.
Potential applicants may obtain a copy of ``Healthy People 2000''
(Full Report, Stock No. 017-001-00474-0) or ``Healthy People 2000''
(Summary Report, Stock No. 017-001-00473-1) referenced in the
``Introduction'' through the Superintendent of Documents, Government
Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402-9325, telephone (202) 512-1800.
Dated: April 14, 1995.
Joseph R. Carter,
Acting Associate Director for Management and Operations, Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
[FR Doc. 95-9880 Filed 4-20-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P
