Reducing Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Childhood Immunization, 24802-24806 [05-9364]

Download as PDF 24802 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 90 / Wednesday, May 11, 2005 / Notices D. Where To Obtain Additional Information For general comments or questions about this announcement, contact: Technical Information Management, CDC Procurement and Grants Office, 2920 Brandywine Road, Atlanta, GA 30341–4146. Telephone: 770–488–2700. For technical questions about this program, contact: Mildred WilliamsJohnson, Ph.D., Scientific Program Administrator, CDC, National Center for Environmental Health, 1600 Clifton Road, NE., Mail Stop E17, Atlanta, GA 30333. Telephone: 404–498–0639. Email: MWilliams-Johnson@cdc.gov. Dated: May 5, 2005. William P. Nichols, Director, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. [FR Doc. 05–9368 Filed 5–10–05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4163–18–P DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Reducing Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Childhood Immunization Announcement Type: New. Funding Opportunity Number: RFA IP05–087. Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 93.185. Letter of Intent Deadline: June 10, 2005. Application Deadline: June 27, 2005. I. Funding Opportunity Description Authority: Section 311 [42 U.S.C. 243] and 317(k)(1) [42 U.S.C. 247b(k)(1)] of the Public Health Service Act, as amended. Background Eliminating health disparities among racial and ethnic populations in the United States is a major public health goal. However, in recent years, disparities in immunization rates between black and white children have been increasing (Chu et al.) 1. Therefore, the National Immunization Program (NIP) is seeking to support projects that may lead to reductions in these disparities. Factors that may be related to lower immunization rates among black children include frequency and timing of well child visits, provider type (pediatrician, family practitioner, public 1 Chu S, Barker L, Smith P. ‘‘Racial and ethnic disparities in preschool immunizations: United States, 1996–2001’’. ‘‘American Journal of Public Health’’. 2004; 94:973–977. VerDate jul<14>2003 16:48 May 10, 2005 Jkt 205001 health clinic (PHC)), missed opportunities for immunization, socioeconomic status (SES), urban vs. rural vs. suburban settings, and parental beliefs. Missed opportunities are medical encounters during which a child fails to receive an immunization for which he/she is eligible and they have been shown to contribute to under immunization of children. The National Maternal and Infant Health Survey showed that black children were less likely than white children to receive the recommended number of well child visits and immunizations in the first seven months of life. SES has been shown to impact immunization coverage levels in many studies. Some studies have found that adjustment for SES and access to care did not completely explain racial and ethnic disparities. Purpose The purpose of the program is to fund a community-based demonstration project to identify, implement and evaluate interventions that will result in a statistically significant reduction in racial disparities in immunization coverage levels between black children 19–35 months of age and children of other races, particularly white children, as evidenced by a comparison of immunization coverage of black and other racial/ethnic groups before and after interventions are implemented. Throughout this announcement black refers to non-Hispanic black and white refers to non-Hispanic white. These interventions must include: (1) Enhancement of healthcare utilization and (2) strategies to reduce missed opportunities for immunization. The key to the success of this program will be community-focused programs that include the full engagement of appropriate partners. These partners may include faith-communities, health care purchasers, health plans, health care providers, and many other community sectors working together. The focus of this announcement is for medium or large urban areas with populations of at least 100,000 people. This program addresses the ‘‘Healthy People 2010’’ focus area of Immunization and Infectious Diseases. Measurable outcomes of the program will be in alignment with the performance goal for the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) National Immunization Program (NIP) to reduce the number of indigenous vaccine-preventable diseases and will be evidenced by a significant increase in immunization coverage levels among black children in the study communities before and after implementation of PO 00000 Frm 00038 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 study interventions. A significant increase is defined as 90 percent confidence in having achieved an increase in coverage among black children of at least five percentage points with no increase in disparities. Research Objectives 1. Identify factors related to disparities in childhood immunization rates between black children and children of other racial/ethnic groups within an urban area. These factors must include community and practice level factors related to utilization of health services and practice level factors related to missed opportunities for immunization. 2. Develop and implement interventions to address factors related to disparities in immunization rates between black children and children of other racial/ethnic groups. The applicant must address community and practice level factors related to enhancing utilization of health services and practice level factors related to missed opportunities for immunization. 3. Evaluate the effectiveness of these interventions in decreasing racial disparity in immunization rates between blacks and all other children within the urban area. Activities Awardee activities for this program are as follows: 1. Select a medium or large urban area with a total population of at least 100,000 people, with documented significant racial/ethnic disparities in childhood immunization rates. At least 25 percent of this urban area should be black. 2. Develop and implement plans to identify factors which are related to the disparity differences in immunization coverage between black children and children of other racial/ethnic groups in this urban area. These factors must include community and practice level factors related to utilization of health services and practice level factors related to missed opportunities for immunization. Examples include number and timing of well child visits, pattern of missed opportunities, SES status, provider type (family practitioner, pediatrician, PHC), and availability of social services and transportation within the urban area. 3. Design interventions for addressing the factors related to disparities in immunization coverage in this urban area. These interventions must address community and practice level factors related to enhancing utilization of health services and practice level factors related to missed opportunities for E:\FR\FM\11MYN1.SGM 11MYN1 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 90 / Wednesday, May 11, 2005 / Notices immunization. Interventions also need to involve collaboration between the community and practice-based activities, as well as, a plan for sustainability of these activities. Programs are expected to employ multiple strategies, including innovative strategies as well as evidence-based public health strategies based at least partially on the existing and emerging research base and careful scientific review such as the Guide to Community Preventive Services (https:// www.thecommunityguide.org/). Effective public health strategies may include changes to the social and physical environments; health promotion, public education, and information; media and other communication strategies; technological advances; economic incentives and disincentives; system improvements; provider education and medical officebased improvement strategies. While they may be included, mass media campaigns should not constitute the sole intervention aimed at the community. While project activities should reach all persons in an identified intervention area, special efforts should be taken to ensure focus on black populations experiencing disparities in access to and use of preventive services. Because sustainability is important, the program must include a plan for sustaining interventions past the funding period. Programs must be culturally competent, and meet the health literacy and linguistic needs of target populations in the intervention area. Programs could optimize resources by coordinating and partnering with existing programs and resources in the community, surrounding areas, and the state. Collaborative partnerships with, for example, professional organizations; health care providers, employers, purchasers, and health plans; faithbased organizations; schools; child care, early childhood programs, Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program, and other organizations that serve children; and many others are key to reaching affected populations and delivering and sustaining effective programs. Strong, cooperative linkages between clinical preventive care and community public health should be established and maintained. 4. Implement interventions within multiple immunization provider practices. At a minimum, a representative sample of at least 30 practices in the urban area should participate in the intervention and be evaluated. This sample should be representative of where blacks receive VerDate jul<14>2003 16:48 May 10, 2005 Jkt 205001 care and of where whites receive care in a geographically defined area (city or region) where blacks account for at least 25 percent of the population. Each sample must include a sufficient number of clinics for meaningful comparisons to be made. Because disparities persist across socioeconomic categories, it is important that clinics that serve patients of higher SES be represented as well as clinics serving patients of lower SES. 5. Validate or document degree of implementation of interventions, including number of persons reached by, and use of intervention strategies; tracking the accomplishment of activities and the achievement of shortterm and intermediate outcomes; monitoring changes in health outcomes; and using program evaluation findings to adjust plans and strengthen the program. This would involve identification and collection of appropriate process measures through multiple means and would also involve direct observation of practices. 6. Determine effectiveness of interventions by comparing immunization rates between black children and children of racial\ethnic groups within and between practice sites. The evaluation must include a comparison of immunization coverage of black and other racial/ethnic groups before and after interventions are implemented. In addition, if available, population-based measures (cluster surveys or random digit dial telephone surveys) can also be used to monitor coverage rates. 7. Identify the most effective, feasible, and sustainable interventions in reducing disparities in immunization rates in this urban area. 8. Collaboratively disseminate research findings in peer reviewed publications and for use in determining national policy. Because sustainability is important and the program included a plan for sustaining interventions, we encourage measures of progress past the project period. In a cooperative agreement, CDC staff is substantially involved in the program activities, above and beyond routine grant monitoring. CDC Activities for this program are as follows: 1. Provide CDC investigator(s) to monitor the cooperative agreement as project officer(s). 2. Participate as active project team members in the development, implementation and conduct of the research project and as coauthors of all scientific publications that result from the project. PO 00000 Frm 00039 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 24803 3. Provide technical assistance on the selection and evaluation of data collection and data collection instruments. 4. Assist in the development of research protocols for Institutional Review Boards (IRB) review. The CDC IRB will review and approve the project protocol or will defer to outside IRB, and will do so on at least an annual basis until the research project is completed. 5. Contribute subject matter expertise in the areas of epidemiologic methods and statistical analysis, and survey research consultation. 6. Participate in the analysis and dissemination of information, data and findings from the project, facilitating dissemination of results. 7. Serve as liaisons between the recipients of the project award and other administrative units within the CDC. 8. Facilitate an annual meeting between awardee and CDC to coordinate planned efforts and review progress. II. Award Information Type of Award: Cooperative Agreement. CDC involvement in this program is listed in the Activities Section above. Mechanism of Support: U01. Fiscal Year Funds: 2005. Approximate Total Funding: $300,000 (Includes direct and indirect costs. This amount is an estimate, and is subject to availability of funds.) Approximate Number of Awards: One. Approximate Average Award: $300,000 (Includes direct and indirect costs. This amount is for the first 12month budget period.) Floor of Award Range: None. Ceiling of Award Range: $300,000 (Includes direct and indirect costs. This ceiling is for the first 12-month budget period.) Anticipated Award Date: August 31, 2005. Budget Period Length: 12 months. Project Period Length: Three (3) 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 the determination that continued funding is in the best interest of the Federal Government. III. Eligibility Information III.1. Eligible applicants Applications are limited to public and private nonprofit organizations and by governments and their agencies, such E:\FR\FM\11MYN1.SGM 11MYN1 24804 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 90 / Wednesday, May 11, 2005 / Notices as: (For profit organizations are not eligible under Section 317(k)(1) [42 U.S.C. 247b(k)(1)] of the Public Health Service Act, as amended.) • Public nonprofit organizations. • Private nonprofit organizations. • Small, minority, women-owned businesses. • Universities. • Colleges. • Research institutions. • Hospitals. • Community-based organizations. • Faith-based organizations. • 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). A Bona Fide Agent is an agency/ organization identified by the state as eligible to submit an application under the state eligibility in lieu of a state application. If you are applying as a bona fide agent of a State or local government, you must provide a letter from the State or local government as documentation of your status. Place this documentation behind the first page of your application form. 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. Individuals Eligible to Become Principal Investigators: Any individual with the skills, knowledge, and resources necessary to carry out the proposed research is invited to work with their institution to develop an application for support. Individuals from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups as well as individuals with disabilities are always encouraged to apply for CDC programs. IV. Application and Submission Information IV.1. Address To Request Application Package III.2. Cost Sharing or Matching To apply for this funding opportunity, use application form PHS 398 (OMB number 0925–0001 rev. 9/2004). Forms and instructions are available in an interactive format on the CDC Web site, at the following Internet address: https://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/ forminfo.htm. Forms and instructions are also available in an interactive format on the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Web site at the following Internet address: https://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/ phs398/phs398.html. 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. Matching funds are not required for this program. IV.2. Content and Form of Application Submission III.3. Other Letter of Intent (LOI): Your LOI must be written in the following format: • Maximum number of pages: 2. • Font size: 12-point unreduced. • Double spaced. • Paper size: 8.5 by 11 inches. • Page margin size: One inch. • Printed only on one side of page. • Written in plain language, avoid jargon. Your LOI must contain the following information: • Descriptive title of the proposed research. • Name, address, E-mail address, telephone number, and FAX number of the Principal Investigator. • Names of other key personnel. • Participating institutions. • Number and title of this Announcement. Application: Follow the PHS 398 application instructions for content and 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. Special Requirements: If your application is incomplete or nonresponsive to the 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. • Late applications will be considered non-responsive. See section ‘‘IV.3. Submission Dates and Times’’ for more information on deadlines. • Note: Title 2 of the United States Code Section 1611 states that an organization described in Section VerDate jul<14>2003 16:48 May 10, 2005 Jkt 205001 PO 00000 Frm 00040 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 formatting of your application. For further assistance with the PHS 398 application form, contact PGO–TIM staff at 770–488–2700, or contact GrantsInfo, Telephone (301) 435–0714, E-mail: GrantsInfo@nih.gov. Your research plan should address activities to be conducted over the entire project period. 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. Your DUNS number must be entered on line 11 of the face page of the PHS 398 application form. 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/pubcommt1.htm. This announcement uses the nonmodular budgeting format. 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 LOI Deadline Date: June 10, 2005. CDC requests that you send a LOI if you intend to apply for this program. Although the LOI is not required, not binding, and does not enter into the review of your subsequent application, the LOI will be used to gauge the level of interest in this program, and to allow CDC to plan the application review. Application Deadline Date: June 27, 2005. Explanation of Deadlines: LOIs must be received in the CDC Office of Public Health (OPHR) and applications must be received in the CDC Procurement and Grants Office by 4 p.m. eastern time on the deadline date. If you submit your LOI and 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 E:\FR\FM\11MYN1.SGM 11MYN1 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 90 / Wednesday, May 11, 2005 / Notices submission as having been received by the deadline. 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 application 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. 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 concerning your LOI, contact the OPHR staff at 404– 371–5277. If you still have a question concerning your application, 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. IV.4. Intergovernmental Review of Applications Your application is subject to Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs, as governed by Executive Order (EO) 12372. This order sets up a system for State and local governmental review of proposed federal assistance applications. You should contact your state single point of contact (SPOC) as early as possible to alert the SPOC to prospective applications, and to receive instructions on your state’s process. Click on the following link to get the current SPOC list: https:// www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/ spoc.html. IV.5. Funding Restrictions Restrictions, which must be taken into account while writing your budget, are as follows: • Funds relating to the conduct of research will not be released until the appropriate assurances and Institutional Review Board approvals are in place. • Reimbursement of pre-award costs is not allowed. If you 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. IV.6. Other Submission Requirements LOI Submission Address: Submit your LOI by express mail, delivery service, fax, or E-mail to: Mary Lerchen, DrPH, Scientific Review Administrator, CDC/ Office of Public Health Research, One West Court Square, Suite 7000, MS D– 72, Telephone: 404–371–5277, Fax: VerDate jul<14>2003 16:48 May 10, 2005 Jkt 205001 404–371–5215; E-mail: MLerchen@cdc.gov. Application Submission Address: Submit the original and one hard copy of your application by mail or express delivery service to: Technical Information Management—RFA IP05– 087, CDC Procurement and Grants Office, 2920 Brandywine Road, Atlanta, GA 30341. At the time of submission, four additional copies of the application, and all appendices must be sent to: Mary Lerchen, DrPH, Scientific Review Administrator, CDC/Office of Public Health Research, One West Court Square, Suite 7000, MS D–72, Telephone: 404–371–5277, Fax: 404– 371–5215, E-mail: MLerchen@cdc.gov. Applications may not be submitted electronically at this time. 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. The goals of CDC-supported research are to advance the understanding of biological systems, improve the control and prevention of disease and injury, and enhance health. In the written comments, reviewers will be asked to evaluate the application in order to judge the likelihood that the proposed research will have a substantial impact on the pursuit of these goals. The scientific review group will address and consider each of the following criteria equally in assigning the application’s overall score, weighting them as appropriate for each application. The application does not need to be strong in all categories to be judged likely to have major scientific impact and thus deserve a high priority score. For example, an investigator may propose to carry out important work that by its nature is not innovative, but is essential to move a field forward. The review criteria are as follows: Significance: Does this study address an important problem? If the aims of the application are achieved, how will scientific knowledge be advanced? What will be the effect of these studies on the concepts or methods that drive this field? PO 00000 Frm 00041 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 24805 Approach: Are the conceptual framework, design, methods, and analyses adequately developed, wellintegrated, and appropriate to the aims of the project? Does the applicant acknowledge potential problem areas and consider alternative tactics? Are disparities in immunization rates documented and significant? Applicants must document the targeted community has statistically significant disparities in immunization rates between black and children of other racial/ethnic groups for children 19–35 months of age. Documentation of population should be placed behind the application face page. Innovation: Does the project employ novel concepts, approaches or methods? Are the aims original and innovative? Does the project challenge existing paradigms or develop new methodologies or technologies? Investigator: Is the investigator appropriately trained and well suited to carry out this work? Is the work proposed appropriate to the experience level of the principal investigator and other researchers (if any)? Environment: Does the scientific environment in which the work will be done contribute to the probability of success? Do the proposed experiments take advantage of unique features of the scientific environment or employ useful collaborative arrangements? Is there evidence of institutional support? Are letters of support included, if appropriate? Additional Review Criteria: In addition to the above criteria, the following items will be considered in the determination of scientific merit and priority score: Preference will be given to communities with greater disparities in immunization rates as evidenced by National Immunization Survey data or other indicators. These communities are frequently located in the Northeastern United States. Protection of Human Subjects from Research Risks: Does the application adequately address the requirements of Title 45 Part 46 for the protection of human subjects? The involvement of human subjects and protections from research risk relating to their participation in the proposed research will be assessed. Inclusion of Women and Minorities in Research: Does the application adequately address the CDC Policy requirements regarding the inclusion of women, ethnic, and racial groups in the proposed research? This includes: (1) The proposed plan for the inclusion of both sexes and racial and ethnic minority populations for appropriate E:\FR\FM\11MYN1.SGM 11MYN1 24806 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 90 / Wednesday, May 11, 2005 / Notices representation; (2) The proposed justification when representation is limited or absent; (3) A statement as to whether the design of the study is adequate to measure differences when warranted; and (4) A statement as to whether the plans for recruitment and outreach for study participants include the process of establishing partnerships with community(ies) and recognition of mutual benefits. Budget: The reasonableness of the proposed budget and the requested period of support in relation to the proposed research. The priority score should not be affected by the evaluation of the budget. V.2. Review and Selection Process Applications will be reviewed for completeness by the Procurement and Grants Office (PGO) and for responsiveness by the OPHR. 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. Applications that are complete and responsive to the announcement will be evaluated for scientific and technical merit by an appropriate peer review group or charter study section, a Special Emphasis Panel (SEP), convened by the OPHR in accordance with the review criteria listed above. As part of the initial merit review, all applications will: • Undergo a process in which only those applications deemed to have the highest scientific merit by the review group, generally the top half of the applications under review, will be discussed and assigned a priority score. • Receive a written critique. • Receive a second programmatic level review by the Office of Science, National Immunization Program. • Undergo a peer review by a Special Emphasis Panel (SEP). The SEP will be selected from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) pool of scientists or recommendations from the NIP to serve as reviewers on SEPs. Applications will be ranked for the secondary review according to scores submitted by the SEP. Only those applications deemed to have the highest scientific merit by the review group, generally the top half of the applications under review, will be discussed and assigned a priority score. Award Criteria: Criteria that will be used to make award decisions during the programmatic review include: • Scientific merit (as determined by peer review). • Availability of funds. • Programmatic priorities. VerDate jul<14>2003 16:48 May 10, 2005 Jkt 205001 • Disparities in immunization rates. V.3. Anticipated Announcement and Award Dates Award Date: August 31, 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 from the Scientific Review Administrator. 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-tablesearch.html. The following additional requirements apply to this project: • AR–1 Human Subjects Requirements. • AR–2 Requirements for Inclusion of Women and Racial and Ethnic Minorities in Research. • AR–7 Executive Order 12372. • AR–10 Smoke-Free Workplace Requirements. • AR–11 Healthy People 2010. • AR–12 Lobbying Restrictions. • AR–15 Proof of Non-Profit Status. • AR–22 Research Integrity. • AR–24 Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act Requirements. • 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. contain the following additional elements: a. Progress Toward Measures of Effectiveness. b. Additional Information Requested by Program. 2. Financial status report, no more than 90 days after the end of the budget period. 3. Final financial and performance reports, no more than 90 days after the end of the project period. These reports must be mailed to the Grants Management 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 scientific/research issues, contact: Susan Chu, PhD, MSPH, Extramural Program Official, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Immunization Program, MS E–05, 1600 Clifton Road NE., Atlanta, GA 30333, Telephone: (404) 639–8727; E-mail: SChu@cdc.gov. For questions about peer review, contact: Mary Lerchen, DrPH, Scientific Review Administrator, CDC/Office of Public Health Research, One West Court Square, Suite 7000, MS D–72, Telephone: 404–371–5277, Fax: 404– 371–5215; E-mail: MLerchen@cdc.gov. For financial, grants management, or budget assistance, contact: Peaches Brown, Grants Management Specialist, CDC Procurement and Grants Office, 2920 Brandywine Road, Atlanta, GA 30341, Telephone: (770) 488–2738; Email: POBrown@cdc.gov. VIII. Other Information VI.3. Reporting You must provide CDC with an original, plus two hard copies of the following reports: 1. Interim progress report, (use form PHS 2590, OMB Number 0925–0001, rev. 9/2004 as posted on the CDC website) 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 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: May 5, 2005. William P. Nichols, Director, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. [FR Doc. 05–9364 Filed 5–10–05; 8:45 am] PO 00000 Frm 00042 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 BILLING CODE 4163–18–P E:\FR\FM\11MYN1.SGM 11MYN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 90 (Wednesday, May 11, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 24802-24806]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-9364]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention


Reducing Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Childhood Immunization

    Announcement Type: New.
    Funding Opportunity Number: RFA IP05-087.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 93.185.
    Letter of Intent Deadline: June 10, 2005.
    Application Deadline: June 27, 2005.

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    Authority: Section 311 [42 U.S.C. 243] and 317(k)(1) [42 U.S.C. 
247b(k)(1)] of the Public Health Service Act, as amended.

Background

    Eliminating health disparities among racial and ethnic populations 
in the United States is a major public health goal. However, in recent 
years, disparities in immunization rates between black and white 
children have been increasing (Chu et al.) \1\. Therefore, the National 
Immunization Program (NIP) is seeking to support projects that may lead 
to reductions in these disparities.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ Chu S, Barker L, Smith P. ``Racial and ethnic disparities in 
preschool immunizations: United States, 1996-2001''. ``American 
Journal of Public Health''. 2004; 94:973-977.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Factors that may be related to lower immunization rates among black 
children include frequency and timing of well child visits, provider 
type (pediatrician, family practitioner, public health clinic (PHC)), 
missed opportunities for immunization, socioeconomic status (SES), 
urban vs. rural vs. suburban settings, and parental beliefs. Missed 
opportunities are medical encounters during which a child fails to 
receive an immunization for which he/she is eligible and they have been 
shown to contribute to under immunization of children. The National 
Maternal and Infant Health Survey showed that black children were less 
likely than white children to receive the recommended number of well 
child visits and immunizations in the first seven months of life. SES 
has been shown to impact immunization coverage levels in many studies. 
Some studies have found that adjustment for SES and access to care did 
not completely explain racial and ethnic disparities.

Purpose

    The purpose of the program is to fund a community-based 
demonstration project to identify, implement and evaluate interventions 
that will result in a statistically significant reduction in racial 
disparities in immunization coverage levels between black children 19-
35 months of age and children of other races, particularly white 
children, as evidenced by a comparison of immunization coverage of 
black and other racial/ethnic groups before and after interventions are 
implemented. Throughout this announcement black refers to non-Hispanic 
black and white refers to non-Hispanic white. These interventions must 
include: (1) Enhancement of healthcare utilization and (2) strategies 
to reduce missed opportunities for immunization. The key to the success 
of this program will be community-focused programs that include the 
full engagement of appropriate partners. These partners may include 
faith-communities, health care purchasers, health plans, health care 
providers, and many other community sectors working together. The focus 
of this announcement is for medium or large urban areas with 
populations of at least 100,000 people. This program addresses the 
``Healthy People 2010'' focus area of Immunization and Infectious 
Diseases.
    Measurable outcomes of the program will be in alignment with the 
performance goal for the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's 
(CDC) National Immunization Program (NIP) to reduce the number of 
indigenous vaccine-preventable diseases and will be evidenced by a 
significant increase in immunization coverage levels among black 
children in the study communities before and after implementation of 
study interventions. A significant increase is defined as 90 percent 
confidence in having achieved an increase in coverage among black 
children of at least five percentage points with no increase in 
disparities.

Research Objectives

    1. Identify factors related to disparities in childhood 
immunization rates between black children and children of other racial/
ethnic groups within an urban area. These factors must include 
community and practice level factors related to utilization of health 
services and practice level factors related to missed opportunities for 
immunization.
    2. Develop and implement interventions to address factors related 
to disparities in immunization rates between black children and 
children of other racial/ethnic groups. The applicant must address 
community and practice level factors related to enhancing utilization 
of health services and practice level factors related to missed 
opportunities for immunization.
    3. Evaluate the effectiveness of these interventions in decreasing 
racial disparity in immunization rates between blacks and all other 
children within the urban area.

Activities

    Awardee activities for this program are as follows:
    1. Select a medium or large urban area with a total population of 
at least 100,000 people, with documented significant racial/ethnic 
disparities in childhood immunization rates. At least 25 percent of 
this urban area should be black.
    2. Develop and implement plans to identify factors which are 
related to the disparity differences in immunization coverage between 
black children and children of other racial/ethnic groups in this urban 
area. These factors must include community and practice level factors 
related to utilization of health services and practice level factors 
related to missed opportunities for immunization. Examples include 
number and timing of well child visits, pattern of missed 
opportunities, SES status, provider type (family practitioner, 
pediatrician, PHC), and availability of social services and 
transportation within the urban area.
    3. Design interventions for addressing the factors related to 
disparities in immunization coverage in this urban area. These 
interventions must address community and practice level factors related 
to enhancing utilization of health services and practice level factors 
related to missed opportunities for

[[Page 24803]]

immunization. Interventions also need to involve collaboration between 
the community and practice-based activities, as well as, a plan for 
sustainability of these activities. Programs are expected to employ 
multiple strategies, including innovative strategies as well as 
evidence-based public health strategies based at least partially on the 
existing and emerging research base and careful scientific review such 
as the Guide to Community Preventive Services (https://
www.thecommunityguide.org/). Effective public health strategies may 
include changes to the social and physical environments; health 
promotion, public education, and information; media and other 
communication strategies; technological advances; economic incentives 
and disincentives; system improvements; provider education and medical 
office-based improvement strategies. While they may be included, mass 
media campaigns should not constitute the sole intervention aimed at 
the community. While project activities should reach all persons in an 
identified intervention area, special efforts should be taken to ensure 
focus on black populations experiencing disparities in access to and 
use of preventive services.
    Because sustainability is important, the program must include a 
plan for sustaining interventions past the funding period.
    Programs must be culturally competent, and meet the health literacy 
and linguistic needs of target populations in the intervention area.
    Programs could optimize resources by coordinating and partnering 
with existing programs and resources in the community, surrounding 
areas, and the state.
    Collaborative partnerships with, for example, professional 
organizations; health care providers, employers, purchasers, and health 
plans; faith-based organizations; schools; child care, early childhood 
programs, Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program, and other 
organizations that serve children; and many others are key to reaching 
affected populations and delivering and sustaining effective programs. 
Strong, cooperative linkages between clinical preventive care and 
community public health should be established and maintained.
    4. Implement interventions within multiple immunization provider 
practices. At a minimum, a representative sample of at least 30 
practices in the urban area should participate in the intervention and 
be evaluated. This sample should be representative of where blacks 
receive care and of where whites receive care in a geographically 
defined area (city or region) where blacks account for at least 25 
percent of the population. Each sample must include a sufficient number 
of clinics for meaningful comparisons to be made. Because disparities 
persist across socioeconomic categories, it is important that clinics 
that serve patients of higher SES be represented as well as clinics 
serving patients of lower SES.
    5. Validate or document degree of implementation of interventions, 
including number of persons reached by, and use of intervention 
strategies; tracking the accomplishment of activities and the 
achievement of short-term and intermediate outcomes; monitoring changes 
in health outcomes; and using program evaluation findings to adjust 
plans and strengthen the program. This would involve identification and 
collection of appropriate process measures through multiple means and 
would also involve direct observation of practices.
    6. Determine effectiveness of interventions by comparing 
immunization rates between black children and children of 
racial[bs]ethnic groups within and between practice 
sites. The evaluation must include a comparison of immunization 
coverage of black and other racial/ethnic groups before and after 
interventions are implemented. In addition, if available, population-
based measures (cluster surveys or random digit dial telephone surveys) 
can also be used to monitor coverage rates.
    7. Identify the most effective, feasible, and sustainable 
interventions in reducing disparities in immunization rates in this 
urban area.
    8. Collaboratively disseminate research findings in peer reviewed 
publications and for use in determining national policy.
    Because sustainability is important and the program included a plan 
for sustaining interventions, we encourage measures of progress past 
the project period.
    In a cooperative agreement, CDC staff is substantially involved in 
the program activities, above and beyond routine grant monitoring.
    CDC Activities for this program are as follows:
    1. Provide CDC investigator(s) to monitor the cooperative agreement 
as project officer(s).
    2. Participate as active project team members in the development, 
implementation and conduct of the research project and as coauthors of 
all scientific publications that result from the project.
    3. Provide technical assistance on the selection and evaluation of 
data collection and data collection instruments.
    4. Assist in the development of research protocols for 
Institutional Review Boards (IRB) review. The CDC IRB will review and 
approve the project protocol or will defer to outside IRB, and will do 
so on at least an annual basis until the research project is completed.
    5. Contribute subject matter expertise in the areas of 
epidemiologic methods and statistical analysis, and survey research 
consultation.
    6. Participate in the analysis and dissemination of information, 
data and findings from the project, facilitating dissemination of 
results.
    7. Serve as liaisons between the recipients of the project award 
and other administrative units within the CDC.
    8. Facilitate an annual meeting between awardee and CDC to 
coordinate planned efforts and review progress.

II. Award Information

    Type of Award: Cooperative Agreement. CDC involvement in this 
program is listed in the Activities Section above.
    Mechanism of Support: U01.
    Fiscal Year Funds: 2005.
    Approximate Total Funding: $300,000 (Includes direct and indirect 
costs. This amount is an estimate, and is subject to availability of 
funds.)
    Approximate Number of Awards: One.
    Approximate Average Award: $300,000 (Includes direct and indirect 
costs. This amount is for the first 12-month budget period.)
    Floor of Award Range: None.
    Ceiling of Award Range: $300,000 (Includes direct and indirect 
costs. This ceiling is for the first 12-month budget period.)
    Anticipated Award Date: August 31, 2005.
    Budget Period Length: 12 months.
    Project Period Length: Three (3) 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 the determination that continued funding is in the best 
interest of the Federal Government.

III. Eligibility Information

III.1. Eligible applicants

    Applications are limited to public and private nonprofit 
organizations and by governments and their agencies, such

[[Page 24804]]

as: (For profit organizations are not eligible under Section 317(k)(1) 
[42 U.S.C. 247b(k)(1)] of the Public Health Service Act, as amended.)
     Public nonprofit organizations.
     Private nonprofit organizations.
     Small, minority, women-owned businesses.
     Universities.
     Colleges.
     Research institutions.
     Hospitals.
     Community-based organizations.
     Faith-based organizations.
     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).
    A Bona Fide Agent is an agency/organization identified by the state 
as eligible to submit an application under the state eligibility in 
lieu of a state application. If you are applying as a bona fide agent 
of a State or local government, you must provide a letter from the 
State or local government as documentation of your status. Place this 
documentation behind the first page of your application form.

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.
    Special Requirements: If your application is incomplete or non-
responsive to the 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.
     Late applications will be considered non-responsive. See 
section ``IV.3. Submission Dates and Times'' for more information on 
deadlines.
     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.
    Individuals Eligible to Become Principal Investigators: Any 
individual with the skills, knowledge, and resources necessary to carry 
out the proposed research is invited to work with their institution to 
develop an application for support. Individuals from underrepresented 
racial and ethnic groups as well as individuals with disabilities are 
always encouraged to apply for CDC programs.

IV. Application and Submission Information

IV.1. Address To Request Application Package

    To apply for this funding opportunity, use application form PHS 398 
(OMB number 0925-0001 rev. 9/2004). Forms and instructions are 
available in an interactive format on the CDC Web site, at the 
following Internet address: https://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/forminfo.htm.
    Forms and instructions are also available in an interactive format 
on the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Web site at the following 
Internet address: https://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/phs398/
phs398.html.
    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 Application Submission

    Letter of Intent (LOI): Your LOI must be written in the following 
format:
     Maximum number of pages: 2.
     Font size: 12-point unreduced.
     Double spaced.
     Paper size: 8.5 by 11 inches.
     Page margin size: One inch.
     Printed only on one side of page.
     Written in plain language, avoid jargon.
    Your LOI must contain the following information:
     Descriptive title of the proposed research.
     Name, address, E-mail address, telephone number, and FAX 
number of the Principal Investigator.
     Names of other key personnel.
     Participating institutions.
     Number and title of this Announcement.
    Application: Follow the PHS 398 application instructions for 
content and formatting of your application. For further assistance with 
the PHS 398 application form, contact PGO-TIM staff at 770-488-2700, or 
contact GrantsInfo, Telephone (301) 435-0714, E-mail: 
GrantsInfo@nih.gov.
    Your research plan should address activities to be conducted over 
the entire project period.
    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. Your DUNS number must be entered 
on line 11 of the face page of the PHS 398 application form. 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/pubcommt1.htm.
    This announcement uses the non-modular budgeting format.
    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

    LOI Deadline Date: June 10, 2005.
    CDC requests that you send a LOI if you intend to apply for this 
program. Although the LOI is not required, not binding, and does not 
enter into the review of your subsequent application, the LOI will be 
used to gauge the level of interest in this program, and to allow CDC 
to plan the application review.
    Application Deadline Date: June 27, 2005.
    Explanation of Deadlines: LOIs must be received in the CDC Office 
of Public Health (OPHR) and applications must be received in the CDC 
Procurement and Grants Office by 4 p.m. eastern time on the deadline 
date. If you submit your LOI and 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 24805]]

submission as having been received by the deadline.
    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 application 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.
    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 concerning your LOI, 
contact the OPHR staff at 404-371-5277. If you still have a question 
concerning your application, 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.

IV.4. Intergovernmental Review of Applications

    Your application is subject to Intergovernmental Review of Federal 
Programs, as governed by Executive Order (EO) 12372. This order sets up 
a system for State and local governmental review of proposed federal 
assistance applications. You should contact your state single point of 
contact (SPOC) as early as possible to alert the SPOC to prospective 
applications, and to receive instructions on your state's process. 
Click on the following link to get the current SPOC list: https://
www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/spoc.html.

IV.5. Funding Restrictions

    Restrictions, which must be taken into account while writing your 
budget, are as follows:
     Funds relating to the conduct of research will not be 
released until the appropriate assurances and Institutional Review 
Board approvals are in place.
     Reimbursement of pre-award costs is not allowed.
    If you 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.

IV.6. Other Submission Requirements

    LOI Submission Address: Submit your LOI by express mail, delivery 
service, fax, or E-mail to: Mary Lerchen, DrPH, Scientific Review 
Administrator, CDC/Office of Public Health Research, One West Court 
Square, Suite 7000, MS D-72, Telephone: 404-371-5277, Fax: 404-371-
5215; E-mail: MLerchen@cdc.gov.
    Application Submission Address: Submit the original and one hard 
copy of your application by mail or express delivery service to: 
Technical Information Management--RFA IP05-087, CDC Procurement and 
Grants Office, 2920 Brandywine Road, Atlanta, GA 30341.
    At the time of submission, four additional copies of the 
application, and all appendices must be sent to: Mary Lerchen, DrPH, 
Scientific Review Administrator, CDC/Office of Public Health Research, 
One West Court Square, Suite 7000, MS D-72, Telephone: 404-371-5277, 
Fax: 404-371-5215, E-mail: MLerchen@cdc.gov.
    Applications may not be submitted electronically at this time.

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.
    The goals of CDC-supported research are to advance the 
understanding of biological systems, improve the control and prevention 
of disease and injury, and enhance health. In the written comments, 
reviewers will be asked to evaluate the application in order to judge 
the likelihood that the proposed research will have a substantial 
impact on the pursuit of these goals.
    The scientific review group will address and consider each of the 
following criteria equally in assigning the application's overall 
score, weighting them as appropriate for each application. The 
application does not need to be strong in all categories to be judged 
likely to have major scientific impact and thus deserve a high priority 
score. For example, an investigator may propose to carry out important 
work that by its nature is not innovative, but is essential to move a 
field forward.
    The review criteria are as follows:
    Significance: Does this study address an important problem? If the 
aims of the application are achieved, how will scientific knowledge be 
advanced? What will be the effect of these studies on the concepts or 
methods that drive this field?
    Approach: Are the conceptual framework, design, methods, and 
analyses adequately developed, well-integrated, and appropriate to the 
aims of the project? Does the applicant acknowledge potential problem 
areas and consider alternative tactics? Are disparities in immunization 
rates documented and significant?
    Applicants must document the targeted community has statistically 
significant disparities in immunization rates between black and 
children of other racial/ethnic groups for children 19-35 months of 
age. Documentation of population should be placed behind the 
application face page.
    Innovation: Does the project employ novel concepts, approaches or 
methods? Are the aims original and innovative? Does the project 
challenge existing paradigms or develop new methodologies or 
technologies?
    Investigator: Is the investigator appropriately trained and well 
suited to carry out this work? Is the work proposed appropriate to the 
experience level of the principal investigator and other researchers 
(if any)?
    Environment: Does the scientific environment in which the work will 
be done contribute to the probability of success? Do the proposed 
experiments take advantage of unique features of the scientific 
environment or employ useful collaborative arrangements? Is there 
evidence of institutional support? Are letters of support included, if 
appropriate?
    Additional Review Criteria: In addition to the above criteria, the 
following items will be considered in the determination of scientific 
merit and priority score:
    Preference will be given to communities with greater disparities in 
immunization rates as evidenced by National Immunization Survey data or 
other indicators. These communities are frequently located in the 
Northeastern United States.
    Protection of Human Subjects from Research Risks: Does the 
application adequately address the requirements of Title 45 Part 46 for 
the protection of human subjects? The involvement of human subjects and 
protections from research risk relating to their participation in the 
proposed research will be assessed.
    Inclusion of Women and Minorities in Research: Does the application 
adequately address the CDC Policy requirements regarding the inclusion 
of women, ethnic, and racial groups in the proposed research? This 
includes: (1) The proposed plan for the inclusion of both sexes and 
racial and ethnic minority populations for appropriate

[[Page 24806]]

representation; (2) The proposed justification when representation is 
limited or absent; (3) A statement as to whether the design of the 
study is adequate to measure differences when warranted; and (4) A 
statement as to whether the plans for recruitment and outreach for 
study participants include the process of establishing partnerships 
with community(ies) and recognition of mutual benefits.
    Budget: The reasonableness of the proposed budget and the requested 
period of support in relation to the proposed research. The priority 
score should not be affected by the evaluation of the budget.

V.2. Review and Selection Process

    Applications will be reviewed for completeness by the Procurement 
and Grants Office (PGO) and for responsiveness by the OPHR. 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.
    Applications that are complete and responsive to the announcement 
will be evaluated for scientific and technical merit by an appropriate 
peer review group or charter study section, a Special Emphasis Panel 
(SEP), convened by the OPHR in accordance with the review criteria 
listed above. As part of the initial merit review, all applications 
will:
     Undergo a process in which only those applications deemed 
to have the highest scientific merit by the review group, generally the 
top half of the applications under review, will be discussed and 
assigned a priority score.
     Receive a written critique.
     Receive a second programmatic level review by the Office 
of Science, National Immunization Program.
     Undergo a peer review by a Special Emphasis Panel (SEP). 
The SEP will be selected from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) 
pool of scientists or recommendations from the NIP to serve as 
reviewers on SEPs. Applications will be ranked for the secondary review 
according to scores submitted by the SEP. Only those applications 
deemed to have the highest scientific merit by the review group, 
generally the top half of the applications under review, will be 
discussed and assigned a priority score.
    Award Criteria: Criteria that will be used to make award decisions 
during the programmatic review include:
     Scientific merit (as determined by peer review).
     Availability of funds.
     Programmatic priorities.
     Disparities in immunization rates.

V.3. Anticipated Announcement and Award Dates

    Award Date: August 31, 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 from the Scientific Review 
Administrator.

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-1 Human Subjects Requirements.
     AR-2 Requirements for Inclusion of Women and Racial and 
Ethnic Minorities in Research.
     AR-7 Executive Order 12372.
     AR-10 Smoke-Free Workplace Requirements.
     AR-11 Healthy People 2010.
     AR-12 Lobbying Restrictions.
     AR-15 Proof of Non-Profit Status.
     AR-22 Research Integrity.
     AR-24 Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act 
Requirements.
     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.

VI.3. Reporting

    You must provide CDC with an original, plus two hard copies of the 
following reports:
    1. Interim progress report, (use form PHS 2590, OMB Number 0925-
0001, rev. 9/2004 as posted on the CDC website) 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 additional elements:
    a. Progress Toward Measures of Effectiveness.
    b. Additional Information Requested by Program.
    2. Financial status report, no more than 90 days after the end of 
the budget period.
    3. Final financial and performance reports, no more than 90 days 
after the end of the project period.
    These reports must be mailed to the Grants Management 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 scientific/research issues, contact: Susan Chu, PhD, MSPH, 
Extramural Program Official, Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention, National Immunization Program, MS E-05, 1600 Clifton Road 
NE., Atlanta, GA 30333, Telephone: (404) 639-8727; E-mail: 
SChu@cdc.gov.
    For questions about peer review, contact: Mary Lerchen, DrPH, 
Scientific Review Administrator, CDC/Office of Public Health Research, 
One West Court Square, Suite 7000, MS D-72, Telephone: 404-371-5277, 
Fax: 404-371-5215; E-mail: MLerchen@cdc.gov.
    For financial, grants management, or budget assistance, contact: 
Peaches Brown, Grants Management Specialist, CDC Procurement and Grants 
Office, 2920 Brandywine Road, Atlanta, GA 30341, Telephone: (770) 488-
2738; E-mail: POBrown@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: May 5, 2005.
William P. Nichols,
Director, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease Control 
and Prevention.
[FR Doc. 05-9364 Filed 5-10-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P
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