[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 115 (Thursday, June 16, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-14628]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: June 16, 1994]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
[Announcement 485]
Improving Performance in Physicians' Office Laboratories
Introduction
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announces the
availability of fiscal year (FY) 1994 funds for a cooperative agreement
to improve the quality of laboratory testing in physicians' office
laboratories (POLs). 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 area of Clinical Preventive
Services. (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)(2)(D) of the Public
Health Service Act [42 U.S.C. 247b(k)(2)(D)], 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 limited to non-profit professional clinical
or laboratory organizations whose focus is to improve the quality of
laboratory testing in POLs. Applicants must be able to demonstrate
that:
1. They are laboratory medicine oriented;
2. A goal of their organization is to improve the quality of
laboratory testing in POLs;
3. They have a long-standing interest in improving the performance
of laboratory testing; and
4. They have a strong, specific interest in providing professional
information to private practitioners with laboratories, thereby
striving to improve the quality of laboratory testing in POLs.
Availability of Funds
Approximately $100,000 is available in FY 1994 to fund one
cooperative agreement. It is expected that the award will begin on or
about September 1, 1994, and will be made for a 12-month budget period
within a project period of up to three years. Funding estimates may
vary and are subject to change. Continuation awards within the project
period may be made on the basis of satisfactory progress and the
availability of funds.
Purpose
The purpose of this cooperative agreement is to develop and provide
professional and technical information and education to private
practitioners with POLs, thereby helping improve the quality of
laboratory testing available to the American public.
Program Requirements
In conducting the activities to achieve the purpose of the program,
the recipient will be responsible for those activities listed under A.
(Recipient Activities), and CDC will be responsible for those
activities under B. (CDC Activities).
A. Recipient Activities
1. Nationally, provide to POL physicians training that has been
designed to improve laboratory performance. In the first budget year
develop training modules related to the standards as set forth in the
Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA), designed to train
POL staff.
2. Develop and implement mechanisms for communicating information
directly to POLs relating to CLIA. These communications will provide
accurate, concise, and rapid information that will give physicians
access to new and/or revised CLIA regulatory provisions. In the first
budget year, using the laboratory test categorization computerized
database established by CDC, develop an interactive software program
which is user friendly and can be queried by physicians for specific
tests.
B. CDC Activities
1. Provide scientific and technical expertise related to distance-
based training and provide technical assistance in the development of
training modules and courses related to the CLIA standards.
2. Collaborate in the development of mechanisms to communicate
current and updated information relating to CLIA to POLs.
3. Provide scientific and technical assistance relating to the test
categorization database and laboratory standards, and collaborate in
the development of more user friendly and interactive databases for use
by POLs.
Evaluation Criteria
The application will be reviewed and evaluated according to the
following criteria:
1. Responsiveness to the objectives of the cooperative agreement
including: (a) Applicant's understanding of the objectives of the
proposed cooperative agreement; and (b) the relevance of the proposal
to the stated objectives. (25 points)
2. Ability to provide staff, knowledge, and other resources
required to perform the applicant's responsibilities in this project.
The qualifications and time allocations of key personnel to be assigned
to this project and the facilities, equipment, and other resources
available for performance of this project. (25 points)
3. Methods to be used in carrying out the responsibilities of this
project. Steps to be taken in planning and implementation of this
project. (20 points)
4. Schedule for accomplishing the activities to be carried out in
this project and methods for evaluating the accomplishments. (20
points)
5. Percentage of the U.S. POL community that can be reached by the
applicant organization. (10 points)
6. Budget evaluation to the extent that it is reasonable, clearly
justified, and consistent with the intended use of funds. (Not scored)
Executive Order 12372 Review
This program is not subject to the Executive Order 12372 review.
Public Health System 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, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC), 255 East Paces Ferry Road, NE., room 300, Mailstop
E16, Atlanta, Georgia 30305, on or before July 15, 1994.
1. Deadline: Applications shall be considered as meeting the
deadline if they are:
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 independent review committee. (Applicants must
request a legibly dated U.S. Postal Service postmark or obtain a
legibly dated receipt from a commercial carrier or the U.S. Postal
Service. Private metered postmarks will not be acceptable as proof of
timely mailing.)
2. Late Applications: Applications that do not meet the criteria in
1.A. or 1.B. 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
If you are interested in obtaining additional information regarding
this project, please refer to Announcement Number 485 and contact
Manuel Lambrinos, 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
E16, Atlanta, Georgia 30305, telephone (404) 842-6777, for business
management technical assistance. Programmatic technical assistance may
be obtained from Katherine A. Kelley, Dr.P.H., Chief, Training Branch,
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Public Health
Practice Program Office, Division of Laboratory Systems, 4770 Buford
Highway, NE., Mailstop A16, Atlanta, Georgia 30341-3724, telephone
(404) 488-7675.
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 (202) 783-3238.
Dated: June 10, 1994.
Ladene H. Newton,
Acting Associate Director for Management and Operations, Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
[FR Doc. 94-14628 Filed 6-15-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P
