94-12254. Cooperative Agreement for National Laboratory Training Network; State Public Health Laboratories

[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 96 (Thursday, May 19, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-12254]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: May 19, 1994]


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

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
RIN 0905-ZA47
[Announcement No. 436]

 

Cooperative Agreement for National Laboratory Training Network; 
State Public Health Laboratories

Introduction

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announces the 
availability of fiscal year (FY) 1994 funds for a cooperative agreement 
program for the purpose of supporting the National Laboratory Training 
Network (NLTN) for public health laboratories.
    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 Occupational Safety and Health, HIV Infections, 
Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Immunization and Infectious Diseases. 
(For ordering a copy of ``Healthy People 2000,'' see the Section 
``Where to Obtain Additional Information.'')

    Authority: This program is authorized under section 317(k)(3)[42 
U.S.C. 247b(k)(3)] of the Public Health Service Act, as amended.

Smoke-Free Workplace

    The Public Health Service strongly encourages all grant recipients 
to provide a smoke-free workplace and promote the non-use of all 
tobacco products. This is consistent with the PHS mission to protect 
and advance the physical and mental health of the American people.

Eligible Applicants

    Eligible applicants are the Public Health Laboratories of States, 
the District of Columbia, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of Puerto 
Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, 
Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, the Republic of the Marshall 
Islands, and the Republic of Palau. No other applications will be 
solicited.

Availability of Funds

    Approximately $600,000 will be available to State Public Health 
Laboratories during FY 1994 to support seven Area Laboratory Training 
Alliance (ALTA) cooperative agreements for a 12-month budget period 
within a 5-year project period. It is estimated that $85,000 of the 
total funding will be available for each State Public Health Laboratory 
in each subsequent year.
    Continuation awards within the 5-year project period will be made 
on the basis of satisfactory progress in meeting project objectives and 
will be subject to availability of funds. The funding estimate outlined 
above may vary and is subject to change.
    Under section 317 of the Public Health Service Act, as amended, 
direct assistance (DA) may be requested in lieu of cash. When direct 
assistance is requested in lieu of cash, it is estimated that $75,000 
DA and $10,000 financial assistance (FA) will be available in each 
subsequent year.

Purpose

    The purpose of these cooperative agreements is: (1) To assist State 
Public Health Laboratories in providing effective coordination of 
laboratory training for the States within each ALTA, and (2) to assist 
State Public Health Laboratories in supporting the NLTN to increase 
training opportunities, including HIV/retrovirus and multi-drug 
resistant TB testing procedures, for laboratorians.

Program Requirements

    In conducting activities to achieve the purpose of this program, 
the recipients will be responsible for the activities under A. 
(Recipient Activities), and CDC will be responsible for conducting 
activities under B. (CDC Activities).

A. Recipient Activities

    1. Provide utilities and adequate office space to support the Area 
Resource Office (ARO).
    2. Conduct training needs assessments, analyze data, and make 
recommendations for training to meet identified needs.
    3. Develop and maintain a resource roster of content specialists 
and training materials.
    4. Promote area development of training materials and maintenance 
of a resource library.
    5. Coordinate the area alliance training calendar.
    6. Establish a communication network among the States in the area 
training alliance and with the NLTN.
    7. Provide leadership in the delivery of laboratory training 
workshops and seminars.
    8. Provide leadership in analyzing the overall effectiveness of the 
ALTA in meeting the training needs of the Nation's laboratorians.

B. CDC Activities

    1. Collaborate with the ALTA in assessing and analyzing laboratory 
training needs in the States.
    2. Provide input for the roster of educational and technical 
experts who develop and deliver laboratory training.
    3. Serve as a collaborator in the design, development, promotion, 
and evaluation of laboratory training materials.
    4. Collaborate in the development of the ALTA calendars.
    5. Participate in the communication network established for the 
ALTA.
    6. Collaborate in the development and delivery of laboratory 
training workshops and seminars.
    7. Collaborate in analyzing the overall effectiveness of the ALTA.
    8. Provide direct assistance (DA) in lieu of cash.

Evaluation Criteria

    Applications will be reviewed and evaluated according to the 
following criteria:

1. Review Criteria of Competing Application

a. Proposed Program--30%
    The proposal clearly demonstrates the applicant's understanding of 
the issues described in the Program Announcement (included in the 
application kit) and demonstrates knowledge of, and experience in, 
conducting laboratory training need assessments; maintaining resource 
rosters for content specialists and training materials; coordinating 
area training alliances; and establishing communication networks among 
States. The proposal should describe project objectives that fit the 
objectives outlined in the application and the plan submitted must 
demonstrate an appropriate emphasis on collaboration.
b. Technical Merit--20%
    The proposal demonstrates technical merit in the approaches to be 
used in accomplishing the activities as outlined in the Program 
Announcement.
c. Proposal Adequacy--20%
    The proposal demonstrates adequacy of the plan to address the long-
term objectives and appropriateness of the timelines to accomplish the 
activities outlined in the Program Announcement.
d. Applicant Capability--20%
    The proposal demonstrates adequacy to provide utilities and space 
for the ARO staff. The facilities, space, and equipment necessary for 
conducting the project are available and adequate.
e. Program Personnel--10%
    The proposal describes qualifications of professional and support 
staff that are commensurate with necessary levels of expertise to 
successfully conduct project activities.
f. Program Budget
    The proposal demonstrates appropriateness and justification of the 
requested budget relative to the activities proposed.

2. Review of Non-Competing Applications

    Continuation awards within the project period will be based on:
    a. Availability of funds;
    b. Satisfactory progress made in meeting project objectives;
    c. Objectives for the new budget period that are realistic, 
specific, and measurable;
    d. Proposed changes on objectives, methods of operation, need for 
grant or cooperative agreement support, and/or evaluation procedures 
that will lead to achievement of project objectives; and
    e. The budget request is clearly justified and consistent with the 
intended use of cooperative agreement funds.

Executive Order 12372 Review

    This application is 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. The applicant should 
contact their State Single Point of Contact (SPOC) as early as possible 
to alert them to the prospective application 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 forward them to Elizabeth M. Taylor, 
Grants Management Officer, Grants Management Branch, Procurement and 
Grants Office, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 255 
East Paces Ferry Road, NE., Room 305, Mailstop E-16, Atlanta, GA 30305, 
no later than 60 days after the application deadline. The granting 
agency does not guarantee to ``accommodate or explain'' State process 
recommendations it receives after that date.

Public Health Systems Reporting Requirements

    This program is not subject to the Public Health System Reporting 
Requirements.

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number

    The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance number is 93.283.

Application Submission and Deadline

    The original and two copies of the application PHS Form 5161-1 
(Revised 7/92, OMB Control Number 0937-0189) must be submitted to 
Elizabeth M. Taylor, Grants Management Officer, Grants Management 
Branch, Attention: Marsha D. Driggans, Grants Management Specialist, 
Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention (CDC), 255 East Paces Ferry Road, NE., Room 305, Mailstop E-
16, Atlanta, GA 30305, on or before June 30, 1994.
    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 shall 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 in the current competition and will be 
returned to the applicant.

Where To Obtain Additional Information

    A complete program description and information on application 
procedures are contain in the application package. Business management 
technical assistance may be obtained from Marsha D. Driggans, Grants 
Management Specialist, Grants Management Branch, Procurement and Grants 
Office, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 255 East 
Paces Ferry Road, NE., Room 305, Mailstop E-16, Atlanta, GA 30305, 
telephone [phone]. Programmatic technical assistance may be 
obtained from Patricia T. Kent, Division of Laboratory Systems, Public 
Health Practice Program Office, Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention (CDC), 477 Buford Highway, NE., Mailstop G-25, Atlanta, GA 
30341-3724, telephone [phone].
    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 may be obtained through the 
Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 
20402-9325, telephone [phone].

    Dated: May 13, 1994.
Ladene H. Newton,
Acting Associate Director for Management and Operations, Centers for 
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
[FR Doc. 94-12254 Filed 5-18-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P