Increasing Access to HIV Counseling and Testing (VCT) and Enhancing HIV/AIDS Communications, Prevention, and Care in Botswana, Lesotho, South Africa, Swaziland and Cote d'Ivoire, 22870-22875 [05-8751]

Agencies

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 84 (Tuesday, May 3, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 22870-22875]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-8751]


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

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention


Increasing Access to HIV Counseling and Testing (VCT) and 
Enhancing HIV/AIDS Communications, Prevention, and Care in Botswana, 
Lesotho, South Africa, Swaziland and Cote d'Ivoire

    Announcement Type: New.
    Funding Opportunity Number: AA006.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 93.067.
    Key Dates:
    Application Deadline: June 2, 2005.

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    Authority: This program is authorized under Sections 307 and 
317(k)(2) of the Public Health Service Act, [42 U.S.C. Sections 242l 
and 247b(k)(2)], as amended.

Background

    Southern Africa faces the world's most severe HIV/AIDS epidemic. 
National prevalence rates are estimated at 30 percent in Lesotho, 27.9 
percent (GOSA 2003 Antenatal Study) in South Africa, 37 percent in 
Botswana, and 39 percent in Swaziland. Cote d'Ivoire has the highest 
HIV prevalence in the West African sub-region. Young adults are among 
the hardest hit. The availability of HIV counseling and testing (CT), 
prevention communications and interventions, and care varies in the 
five countries; and, in all places, Voluntary Counseling and Testing 
(VCT) needs further promotion and strengthening. In some of the 
countries, most people who have been tested for HIV have been tested 
for medical diagnostic purposes or because they are pregnant, while in 
Botswana, for example, a good VCT service network exists but remains 
underutilized. In all five countries, stigma surrounding accessing HIV 
CT services, fears of confidentiality not being maintained, and low 
belief in the efficacy of Rapid Test Kits remain barriers to people 
accessing HIV CT. Overall, relatively few asymptomatic people are 
accessing VCT services that would empower them to change their behavior 
and direct them to post-test care and support services, including 
antiretroviral therapy (ART) and Tuberculosis (TB) therapy.
    Other aspects of behavior change need strengthening as well. Levels 
of abstinence, faithfulness, and correct and consistent condom use need 
to increase in all countries, in order to decrease HIV incidence. 
Research has shown that key mediating factors to infection, such as 
alcohol and substance abuse and partner violence, are also prevalent in 
the populations at high risk for HIV infection in the five countries; 
thus, these mediating factors also need to be addressed in prevention, 
care and treatment efforts. Youth are particularly vulnerable to 
infection, but also particularly open to positive behavior change; 
thus, the youth of these five countries should be a key target group 
for some of the activities proposed below.
    Purpose: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 
announces the availability of fiscal year (FY) 2005 funds up to $5.8 
million for a cooperative agreement program to increase United States 
(U.S.) support for Botswana, South Africa, Lesotho, Swaziland and Cote 
d'Ivoire to limit the further spread of HIV/AIDS and to care for those 
affected by this devastating disease. This funding is an action by the 
U.S. Government recognizing the impact that HIV/AIDS continues to have 
on individuals, families, communities and nations, and the need to do 
more. Over the next five years, it is expected that these activities 
will contribute to achieving the global targets of the United States 
President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). The mission of the 
PEPFAR is to work with leaders throughout the world to combat HIV/AIDS, 
promoting integrated prevention, treatment, and care interventions, 
with an urgent focus on countries that are among the most afflicted 
nations of the world. The goals are as follows:
     To encourage bold leadership at every level to fight HIV/
AIDS.
     Apply best practices within our bilateral HIV/AIDS 
prevention, treatment, and care programs, in concert with the 
objectives and policies of the host governments' national HIV/AIDS 
strategies.
     Encourage partners, including multilateral organizations 
and other host governments, to coordinate at all levels to strengthen 
response efforts, to embrace best practices, to adhere to principles of 
sound management, and to harmonize monitoring and evaluation efforts to 
ensure the most effective and efficient use of resources.
    In the PEPFAR funded countries, the targets are to: (1) Provide 
treatment to two million HIV-infected people; (2) prevent seven million 
new infections; and (3) provide care to ten million people infected and 
affected by HIV/AIDS, including orphans and vulnerable children.
    The purpose of the program is to increase the use of high quality 
HIV CT services in Botswana, Lesotho, South Africa, Swaziland and Core 
d'Ivoire. Use of CT services is intended to lead to safer sexual 
behaviors, including abstinence, fidelity, and correct and consistent 
condom use, and increased use of care and support services through a 
strong referral network to complementary services. A secondary purpose 
of this program is to enhance HIV/AIDS prevention communications 
activities.
    Measurable outcomes of the program will be in alignment with one or 
more of the following performance goals for the PEPFAR program:
Palliative Care--Counseling and Testing (CT)
    1. Number of CT service outlets/programs, direct and/or indirect.
    2. Number of clients receiving both CT, direct.
    3. Number of people trained in both CT, direct.
Palliative Care--TB/HIV
     Number of people provided with palliative care for TB/HIV, 
direct and/or indirect.
Prevention--Abstinence and Be Faithful (A/B)
     Number of community outreach and/or mass media programs 
that are A/B focused, direct and/or indirect.
     Number of people reached through community outreach and/or 
mass media programs that are not A/B focused.
Prevention--Other
     Number of community outreach and/or mass media programs 
that are not focused on A/B, direct and/or indirect.
     Number of people reached through community outreach and/or 
mass media programs that are not A/B focused
Treatment--Laboratory Infrastructure
     Number of labs, direct.
     Number of people trained in lab related activities, 
direct.
    In addition, funds will support necessary wrap-around activities to 
complement HIV CT, such as prevention communications, interventions, 
and referrals and linkages to HIV/AIDS care.
    Activities:
    The specific activities carried out in each country should meet the 
needs of

[[Page 22871]]

that country; thus, the activity plans for each country may differ 
under this agreement. Awardee activities for this program are as 
follows:
    1. Establishing and running non-medical, stand-alone HIV CT sites 
linked together within countries as a network sharing: standardized CT 
protocols and procedures; standardized management systems; standardized 
monitoring and evaluation procedures and instruments; and standardized 
marketing and education materials and activities.
    2. Operating mobile HIV CT activities to reach rural populations 
and/or employees at their workplaces.
    3. Developing and implementing comprehensive social marketing 
campaigns to create informed demand for HIV CT services and reduce 
stigma surrounding accessing CT.
    4. Developing and implementing comprehensive social marketing 
campaigns to promote abstinence, faithfulness, and/or consistent and 
correct condom use.
    5. Developing and implementing programs to promote healthy behavior 
change among high-risk populations (e.g., youth) and at high-risk sites 
(e.g., bars, bottle shops).
    6. Promoting messages that raise awareness about the harmful ties 
between alcohol/substance abuse and HIV infection and poor adherence to 
antiretrovirals (ARVs).
    7. Creating referral networks for HIV CT clients to improve access 
to care and support services.
    8. Collecting strategic information to ensure the effectiveness of 
HIV/AIDS prevention activities.
    9. Providing support as appropriate to the national Departments of 
Health (DOH), Ministries of Health (MOH) and other South African 
Government agencies, which may include, without limitation: improvement 
of monitoring and evaluation activities to assure high quality service 
delivery in all HIV CT sites; development of communications materials; 
development and/or implementation of training curricula; and 
improvement of laboratory infrastructure.
    10. Training faith-based leaders to encourage testing and 
partnering with CT providers to enable testing at places of worship.
    11. Ensuring that all of the above activities are undertaken in a 
manner consistent with and in support of U.S. Government HIV/AIDS 
strategies.
    In a cooperative agreement, CDC staff is substantially involved in 
the program activities, above and beyond routine monitoring.
    CDC Activities for this program are as follows:
    1. Providing input into overall program strategies.
    2. Providing technical assistance, as needed, in the development of 
HIV CT service provision, training, referral and communications 
strategies and activities. Technical assistance may be provided 
directly by CDC staff or through organizations supported by CDC under a 
separate contract.
    3. Collaborating with the awardee in the development and 
implementation of information gathering systems to enable assessment of 
program activities.
    4. Assisting, as needed, in the monitoring and evaluation of the 
program and the development of further appropriate initiatives.
    5. Fostering collaboration between the awardee and other CDC and 
U.S. Government-funded programs.
    6. Providing oversight for the program, including approval of key 
personnel and annual operational plans.

II. Award Information

    Type of Award: Cooperative Agreement. CDC involvement in this 
program is listed in the Activities Section above.
    Fiscal Year Funds: FY 2005.
    Approximate Total Funding: $2-5.8 million per year, over five 
years; or $30 million. (This amount is an estimate, and is subject to 
availability of funds.)
    Approximate Number of Awards: One.
    Approximate Average Award: $1-2 million for South Africa, $1-2 
million for Swaziland and Lesotho, $1-2 million for Cote d'Ivoire and 
$400,000 for Botswana. (This amount is for the first 12-month budget 
period, and includes both direct and indirect costs.)
    Floor of Award Range: $1 million.
    Ceiling of Award Range: $6.5 million. (This ceiling is for the 
first 12-month budget period.)
    Anticipated Award Date: July 1, 2005.
    Budget Period Length: 12 months.
    Project Period Length: Five years.
    Throughout the project period, CDC's commitment to continuation of 
awards will be conditioned on the availability of funds, evidence of 
satisfactory progress by the recipient (as documented in required 
reports and input from recipient government agencies), and the 
determination that continued funding is in the best interest of the 
Federal Government.

III. Eligibility Information

III.1. Eligible Applicants

    Applications may be submitted by:
     Public nonprofit organizations
     Private nonprofit organizations
     Universities
     Colleges
     For profit organizations
     Small, minority, women-owned businesses
     Community-based organizations
     Research institutions
     Hospitals
     Faith-based organizations
    Competition for this cooperative agreement is limited to the types 
of organizations listed above because of the uniqueness the specific 
activities for this project and the location of where the majority of 
the work will be performed, in multiple countries throughout Africa. 
The types of organizations listed above are those that have direct 
experience with performing this type of activity. CDC and the Global 
AIDS Program have routinely coordinated with the types of organizations 
listed above for activities similar to those proposed in this RFA 
multiple times in the past.
    The organizations listed below are those that are excluded from 
competition:
     Federally recognized Indian tribal governments
     Indian tribes
     Indian tribal organizations
     State and local governments or their Bona Fide Agents 
(this includes the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto 
Rico, the Virgin Islands, the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianna 
Islands, American Samoa, Guam, the Federated States of Micronesia, the 
Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau)
     Political subdivisions of States (in consultation with 
States)
    The organizations listed directly above have been excluded from 
competition because inherently they do not have a mandate to, nor have 
the resources, skills or experience to provide the types of services 
that are requested as part of this cooperative agreement.

III.2. Cost Sharing or Matching

    Matching funds are not required for this program.

III.3. Other

    If you request a funding amount greater than the ceiling of the 
award range, your application will be considered non-responsive, and 
will not be entered into the review process. You will be notified that 
your application did not meet the submission requirements.

[[Page 22872]]

Special Requirements

    If your application is incomplete or non-responsive to the special 
requirements listed in this section, it will not be entered into the 
review process. You will be notified that your application did not meet 
submission requirements.
    Applicant must meet the following criteria:
     Have at least three years of documented HIV/AIDS related 
program implementation experience in each of the countries: Botswana, 
Lesotho, South Africa, Swaziland and Cote d'Ivoire.
     Have demonstrated expertise in the areas of direct HIV CT 
service delivery, AIDS prevention communications, and social marketing 
in Botswana, Lesotho, South Africa, Swaziland and Cote d'Ivoire.
     Be locally incorporated in Botswana, Lesotho, South 
Africa, Swaziland and Cote d'Ivoire.
     Have established relationships with the government in all 
five countries and written letters of support from the National DOH or 
MOH in each country. U.S. Embassy collaboration in Swaziland and 
Lesotho will also be necessary.
     Late applications will be considered non-responsive. See 
section ``IV.3. Submission Dates and Times'' for more information on 
deadlines.
     Demonstrate non-profit 501(c)(3) status.
     Provide Articles of Incorporation in each country. 
Articles of Incorporation are legal documents providing proof that the 
organization is legally incorporated in the specific country.
     Have documented HIV/AIDS prevention activities in each 
country.
     Note: Title 2 of the United States Code Section 1611 
states that an organization described in Section 501(c)(4) of the 
Internal Revenue Code that engages in lobbying activities is not 
eligible to receive Federal funds constituting an award, grant, or 
loan.

IV. Application and Submission Information

IV.1. Address To Request Application Package

    To apply for this funding opportunity use application form PHS 
5161-1.
    CDC strongly encourages you to submit your application 
electronically by utilizing the forms and instructions posted for this 
announcement at https://www.grants.gov.
    Application forms and instructions are available on the CDC Web 
site, at the following Internet address: https://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/
forminfo.htm.
    If you do not have access to the Internet, or if you have 
difficulty accessing the forms on-line, you may contact the CDC 
Procurement and Grants Office Technical Information Management Section 
(PGO-TIM) staff at: 770-488-2700. Application forms can be mailed to 
you.

IV.2. Content and Form of Submission

    Application: You must submit a project narrative with your 
application forms. The narrative must be submitted in the following 
format:
     Maximum number of pages: 35. If your narrative exceeds the 
page limit, only the first pages which are within the page limit will 
be reviewed.
     Font size: 12 point unreduced
     Single spaced
     Paper size: 8.5 by 11 inches
     Page margin size: One inch
     Printed only on one side of page
     Held together only by rubber bands or metal clips; not 
bound in any other way.
     Must be submitted in English.
    Your narrative should address activities to be conducted over the 
entire project period, and must include the following items in the 
order listed:
     Project Context and Background (Understanding and Need)
     Project Strategy--Description and Methodologies
     Project Goals
     Project Outputs
     Project Contribution to PEPFAR Goals and Objectives
     Workplan and Description of Project Components and 
Activities
     Performance Measures
     Gantt Chart with Timeline
     Management of Project Funds and Reporting
    Additional information may be included in the application 
appendices. The appendices will not be counted toward the narrative 
page limit. This additional information includes:
     Project Budget
     Project Budget Notes
     Job Descriptions
     Testing Protocols
     Overview of HIV CT Quality Assurance Procedures, Both 
Internal and External
     HIV CT Quality Assurance, Monitoring and Evaluation and 
Strategic Information Forms
     HIV CT Referral Procedures and Forms
     Mobile HIV CT Processes and Procedures
     HIV CT Staff Training Curricula
     Applicant's Corporate Capability Statement
    You are required to have a Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal 
Numbering System (DUNS) number to apply for a grant or cooperative 
agreement from the Federal government. The DUNS number is a nine-digit 
identification number, which uniquely identifies business entities. 
Obtaining a DUNS number is easy and there is no charge. To obtain a 
DUNS number, access https://www.dunandbradstreet.com or call 1-866-705-
5711.
    For more information, see the CDC Web site at: https://www.cdc.gov/
od/pgo/funding/pubcommt.htm. If your application form does not have a 
DUNS number field, please write your DUNS number at the top of the 
first page of your application, and/or include your DUNS number in your 
application cover letter.
    Additional requirements that may require you to submit additional 
documentation with your application are listed in section ``VI.2. 
Administrative and National Policy Requirements.''

IV.3. Submission Dates and Times

    Application Deadline Date: June 2, 2005. Explanation of Deadlines: 
Applications must be received in the CDC Procurement and Grants Office 
by 4 p.m. eastern time on the deadline date.
    You may submit your application electronically at https://
www.grants.gov. Applications completed online through Grants.gov are 
considered formally submitted when the applicant organization's 
Authorizing Official electronically submits the application to https://
www.grants.gov. Electronic applications will be considered as having 
met the deadline if the application has been submitted electronically 
by the applicant organization's Authorizing Official to Grants.gov on 
or before the deadline date and time.
    If you submit your application electronically with Grants.gov, your 
application will be electronically time/date stamped, which will serve 
as receipt of submission. You will receive an e-mail notice of receipt 
when CDC receives the application.
    If you submit your application by the United States Postal Service 
or commercial delivery service, you must ensure that the carrier will 
be able to guarantee delivery by the closing date and time. If CDC 
receives your submission after closing due to: (1) Carrier error, when 
the carrier accepted the package with a guarantee for delivery by the 
closing date and time, or (2) significant weather delays or natural 
disasters, you will be given the opportunity to submit documentation of 
the carriers guarantee. If the documentation verifies a carrier 
problem, CDC will consider the

[[Page 22873]]

submission as having been received by the deadline.
    If you submit a hard copy application, CDC will not notify you upon 
receipt of your submission. If you have a question about the receipt of 
your LOI or application, first contact your courier. If you still have 
a question, contact the PGO-TIM staff at: 770-488-2700. Before calling, 
please wait two to three days after the submission deadline. This will 
allow time for submissions to be processed and logged.
    This announcement is the definitive guide on LOI and application 
content, submission address, and deadline. It supersedes information 
provided in the application instructions. If your submission does not 
meet the deadline above, it will not be eligible for review, and will 
be discarded. You will be notified that you did not meet the submission 
requirements.

IV.4. Intergovernmental Review of Applications

    Executive Order 12372 does not apply to this program.

IV.5. Funding Restrictions

    Restrictions, which must be taken into account while writing your 
budget, are as follows:
     Funds may not be used for research.
     Reimbursement of pre-award costs is not allowed.
     Funds may be spent for reasonable program purposes, 
including personnel, travel, supplies, and services. Equipment may be 
purchased if deemed necessary to accomplish program objectives; 
however, prior approval by CDC officials must be requested in writing.
     All requests for funds contained in the budget shall be 
stated in U.S. dollars. Once an award is made, CDC will not compensate 
foreign grantees for currency exchange fluctuations through the 
issuance of supplemental awards.
     The costs that are generally allowable in grants to 
domestic organizations are allowable to foreign institutions and 
international organizations, with the following exception: With the 
exception of the American University, Beirut, and the World Health 
Organization, Indirect Costs will not be paid (either directly or 
through sub-award) to organizations located outside the territorial 
limits of the U.S. or to international organizations regardless of 
their location.
     The applicant may contract with other organizations under 
this program; however the applicant must perform a substantial portion 
of the activities (including program management and operations, and 
delivery of prevention services for which funds are required).
     You must obtain an annual audit of these CDC funds 
(program-specific audit) by a U.S.-based audit firm with international 
branches and current licensure/authority in-country, and in accordance 
with International Accounting Standards or equivalent standards(s) 
approved in writing by CDC.
     A fiscal Recipient Capability Assessment may be required, 
prior to or post award, in order to review the applicant's business 
management and fiscal capabilities regarding the handling of U.S. 
Federal funds.
     Prostitution and Related Activities
    The U.S. Government is opposed to prostitution and related 
activities, which are inherently harmful and dehumanizing, and 
contribute to the phenomenon of trafficking in persons.
    Any entity that receives, directly or indirectly, U.S. Government 
funds in connection with this document (``recipient'') cannot use such 
U.S. Government funds to promote or advocate the legalization or 
practice of prostitution or sex trafficking. Nothing in the preceding 
sentence shall be construed to preclude the provision to individuals of 
palliative care, treatment, or post-exposure pharmaceutical 
prophylaxis, and necessary pharmaceuticals and commodities, including 
test kits, condoms, and, when proven effective, microbicides. A 
recipient that is otherwise eligible to receive funds in connection 
with this document to prevent, treat, or monitor HIV/AIDS shall not be 
required to endorse or utilize a multisectoral approach to combating 
HIV/AIDS, or to endorse, utilize, or participate in a prevention method 
or treatment program to which the recipient has a religious or moral 
objection. Any information provided by recipients about the use of 
condoms as part of projects or activities that are funded in connection 
with this document shall be medically accurate and shall include the 
public health benefits and failure rates of such use.
    In addition, any recipient must have a policy explicitly opposing 
prostitution and sex trafficking. The preceding sentence shall not 
apply to any ``exempt organizations'' (defined as the Global Fund to 
Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, the World Health Organization, 
the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative or to any United Nations 
agency), but does apply to any non-governmental, non-exempt 
organization entity receiving U.S. government funds from an exempt 
organization in connection with this document.
    The following definition applies for purposes of this clause:
     Sex trafficking means the recruitment, harboring, 
transportation, provision, or obtaining of a person for the purpose of 
a commercial sex act. 22 U.S.C. 7102(9).
    All recipients must insert provisions implementing the applicable 
parts of this section, ``Prostitution and Related Activities,'' in all 
sub-agreements under this award. These provisions must be express terms 
and conditions of the sub-agreement, must acknowledge that compliance 
with this section, ``Prostitution and Related Activities,'' is a 
prerequisite to receipt and expenditure of U.S. government funds in 
connection with this document, and must acknowledge that any violation 
of the provisions shall be grounds for unilateral termination of the 
agreement prior to the end of its term. Recipients must agree that HHS 
may, at any reasonable time, inspect the documents and materials 
maintained or prepared by the recipient in the usual course of its 
operations that relate to the organization's compliance with this 
section, ``Prostitution and Related Activities.''
    All prime recipients receiving U.S. Government funds (``prime 
recipients'') in connection with this document must certify compliance 
(pending OMB clearance) prior to actual receipt of such funds in a 
written statement referencing this document (e.g., ``[Prime recipient's 
name] certifies compliance with the section, ``Prostitution and Related 
Activities.'''') addressed to the agency's grants officer. Such 
certifications by prime recipients are prerequisites to the payment of 
any U.S. Government funds in connection with this document.
    Recipients' compliance with this section, ``Prostitution and 
Related Activities,'' is an express term and condition of receiving 
U.S. government funds in connection with this document, and any 
violation of it shall be grounds for unilateral termination by HHS of 
the agreement with HHS in connection with this document prior to the 
end of its term. The recipient shall refund to HHS the entire amount 
furnished in connection with this document in the event it is 
determined by HHS that the recipient has not complied with this 
section, ``Prostitution and Related Activities.''
    If you are a U.S.-based organization and are requesting indirect 
costs in your budget, you must include a copy of your indirect cost 
rate agreement. If your indirect cost rate is a provisional rate, the 
agreement should be less than 12 months of age.

[[Page 22874]]

    Guidance for completing your budget can be found on the CDC Web 
site, at the following Internet address: https://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/
funding/budgetguide.htm.

IV.6. Other Submission Requirements

Application Submission Address
    CDC strongly encourages applicants to submit electronically at: 
https://www.grants.gov. You will be able to download a copy of the 
application package from https://www.grants.gov, complete it offline, 
and then upload and submit the application via the Grants.gov site. E-
mail submissions will not be accepted. If you are having technical 
difficulties in Grants.gov, they can be reached by E-mail at https://
www.support@grants.gov">www.support@grants.gov or by phone at 1-800-518-4726 (1-800-518-
GRANTS). The Customer Support Center is open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. 
eastern time, Monday through Friday.
    CDC recommends that you submit your application to Grants.gov early 
enough to resolve any unanticipated difficulties prior to the deadline. 
You may also submit a back-up paper submission of your application. Any 
such paper submission must be received in accordance with the 
requirements for timely submission detailed in Section IV.3. of the 
grant announcement. The paper submission must be clearly marked: 
``BACK-UP FOR ELECTRONIC SUBMISSION. '' The paper submission must 
conform to all requirements for non-electronic submissions. If both 
electronic and back-up paper submissions are received by the deadline, 
the electronic version will be considered the official submission.
    It is strongly recommended that you submit your grant application 
using Microsoft Office products (e.g., Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, 
etc.). If you do not have access to Microsoft Office products, you may 
submit a PDF file. Directions for creating PDF files can be found on 
the Grants.gov Web site. Use of file formats other than Microsoft 
Office or PDF may result in your file being unreadable by our staff.
    OR
    Submit the original and two hard copies of your application by mail 
or express delivery service to: Technical Information Management--
AA006, CDC Procurement and Grants Office, 2920 Brandywine Road, 
Atlanta, GA 30341.

V. Application Review Information

V.1. Criteria

    Applicants are required to provide measures of effectiveness that 
will demonstrate the accomplishment of the various identified 
objectives of the cooperative agreement. Measures of effectiveness must 
relate to the performance goals stated in the ``Purpose'' section of 
this announcement. Measures must be objective and quantitative, and 
must measure the intended outcome. These measures of effectiveness must 
be submitted with the application and will be an element of evaluation.
    Your application will be evaluated against the following criteria:
    1. Ability to carry out the proposal (30 points): Does the 
applicant demonstrate the experience and capability to achieve the 
goals of the project?
    2. Understanding the issues, principles and systems requirements 
involved in carrying out the project (30 points): Does the applicant 
demonstrate an understanding of the issues, principles and systems 
requirements to carry out the project?
    3. Work Plan (20 points): Does the applicant describe activities 
that are realistic, achievable and appropriate to achieve the goals of 
the program?
    4. Administrative and Accounting Plan (20 points): Is there a plan 
to prepare reports, monitor and evaluate activities, audit expenditures 
and manage the resources of the program?
    5. Budget (not scored): Is the budget for conducting the program 
itemized, well-justified and consistent with planned program 
activities?

V.2. Review and Selection Process

    Applications will be reviewed for completeness by the Procurement 
and Grants Office (PGO) staff, and for responsiveness by the National 
Center for HIV, STD, and TB Prevention (NCHSTP). Incomplete 
applications and applications that are non-responsive to the 
eligibility criteria will not advance through the review process. 
Applicants will be notified that their application did not meet 
submission requirements.
    An objective review panel will evaluate complete and responsive 
applications according to the criteria listed in the ``V.1. Criteria'' 
section above. Applications will be funded in order by score and rank 
determined by the review panel. All persons serving on the panel will 
be external to NCHSTP. CDC will provide justification for any decision 
to fund out of rank order.

V.3. Anticipated Announcement and Award Dates

    July 1, 2005.

VI. Award Administration Information

VI.1. Award Notices

    Successful applicants will receive a Notice of Award (NoA) from the 
CDC Procurement and Grants Office. The NoA shall be the only binding, 
authorizing document between the recipient and CDC. The NoA will be 
signed by an authorized Grants Management Officer, and mailed to the 
recipient fiscal officer identified in the application.
    Unsuccessful applicants will receive notification of the results of 
the application review by mail.

VI.2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

45 CFR Part 74 and Part 92
    For more information on the Code of Federal Regulations, see the 
National Archives and Records Administration at the following Internet 
address: https://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/cfr-table-search.html.
    The following additional requirements apply to this project:
     AR-4 HIV/AIDS Confidentiality Provisions
     AR-6 Patient Care
     AR-10 Smoke-Free Workplace Requirements
     AR-12 Lobbying Restrictions
     AR-15 Proof of Non-Profit Status
     AR-25 Release and Sharing of Data
    Additional information on these requirements can be found on the 
CDC Web site at the following Internet address: https://www.cdc.gov/od/
pgo/funding/ARs.htm.
    An additional Certifications form from the PHS 5161-1 application 
needs to be included in your Grants.gov electronic submission only. 
Refer to https://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/funding/PHS5161-1Certificates.pdf. 
Once the form is filled out, attach it to your Grants.gov submission as 
Other Attachment Forms.

VI.3. Reporting Requirements

    You must provide CDC with an original, plus two hard copies of the 
following reports:
    1. Interim progress report, due no less than 90 days before the end 
of the budget period. The progress report will serve as your non-
competing continuation application, and must contain the following 
elements:
    a. Current Budget Period Activities Objectives.
    b. Current Budget Period Financial Progress.
    c. New Budget Period Program Proposed Activity Objectives.
    d. Budget.
    e. Measures of Effectiveness.
    f. Additional Requested Information.
    2. Annual progress report, due 30 days after the end of the budget 
period.

[[Page 22875]]

    3. Financial status report, due no more than 90 days after the end 
of the budget period.
    4. Final financial and performance reports, due no more than 90 
days after the end of the project period.
    These reports must be mailed to the Grants Management or Contract 
Specialist listed in the ``Agency Contacts'' section of this 
announcement.

VII. Agency Contacts

    We encourage inquiries concerning this announcement.
    For general questions, contact: Technical Information Management 
Section, CDC Procurement and Grants Office, 2920 Brandywine Road, 
Atlanta, GA 30341, Telephone: 770-488-2700.
    For program technical assistance, contact: Mary Wettrich, Project 
Officer, HHS/CDC Global AIDS Program, 9300 Pretoria Place, Washington, 
DC 20521-9300, Telephone: 27 12 346 0170, E-mail: 
wettrichm@sacdc.co.za.
    For financial, grants management, or budget assistance, contact: 
Shirley Wynn, Contract Specialist, CDC Procurement and Grants Office, 
2920 Brandywine Road, Atlanta, GA 30341, Telephone: 770-488-1515, E-
mail: zbx6@cdc.gov.

VIII. Other Information

    This and other CDC funding opportunity announcements can be found 
on the CDC Web site, Internet address: https://www.cdc.gov. Click on 
``Funding'' then ``Grants and Cooperative Agreements.''

    Dated: April 26, 2005.
William P. Nichols,
Director, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease Control 
and Prevention.
[FR Doc. 05-8751 Filed 5-2-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P