Rapid Expansion of Access to HIV/AIDS Prevention, Care and Treatment Interventions Among Rural and Other Underserved Populations in the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire, 42551-42558 [05-14573]

Agencies

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

[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 141 (Monday, July 25, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 42551-42558]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-14573]


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

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention


Rapid Expansion of Access to HIV/AIDS Prevention, Care and 
Treatment Interventions Among Rural and Other Underserved Populations 
in the Republic of C[ocirc]te d'Ivoire

    Announcement Type: New.
    Funding Opportunity Number: CDC-RFA-AA057.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 93.067.
    Key Dates:
    Application Deadline: August 18, 2005.

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    Authority: This program is authorized under Sections 301(a) and 307 
of the Public Health Service Act [42 U.S.C. Sections 241 and 242l], as 
amended, and under Public Law 108-25 (United States Leadership Against 
HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria Act of 2003) [U.S.C. 7601].
    Background: President Bush's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief has 
called for immediate, comprehensive and evidence-based action to turn 
the tide of global HIV/AIDS. The initiative aims to treat more than two 
million HIV-infected people with effective combination anti-retroviral 
therapy by 2008; care for ten million HIV-infected and affected 
persons, including those orphaned by HIV/AIDS, by 2008; and prevent 
seven million infections by 2010, with a focus on 15 priority 
countries, including 12 in sub-Saharan Africa. The five-year strategy 
for the Emergency Plan is available at the following Internet address: 
https://www.state.gov/s/gac/rl/or/c11652.htm.
    Over the same time period, as part of a collective national 
response, the Emergency Plan goals specific to C[ocirc]te d'Ivoire are 
to treat at least 77,000 HIV-infected individuals; care for 385,000 
HIV-affected individuals, including orphans; and prevent 265,000 new 
HIV infections.
    Purpose: The purpose of this funding announcement is to 
progressively build an indigenous, sustainable response to the national 
HIV epidemic through the rapid expansion of innovative, culturally 
appropriate, high-quality HIV/AIDS prevention and care interventions, 
and improved linkages to HIV counseling and testing and HIV treatment 
services targeting rural and other underserved populations in 
C[ocirc]te d'Ivoire.
    Under the leadership of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator, as part 
of the President's Emergency Plan, the U.S. Department of Health and 
Human Services (HHS) works with host countries and other key partners 
to assess the needs of each country and design a customized program of 
assistance that fits within the host nation s strategic plan.
    HHS focuses on two or three major program areas in each country. 
Goals and priorities include the following:
     Achieving primary prevention of HIV infection through 
activities such as expanding confidential counseling and testing 
programs, building programs to reduce mother-to-child transmission, and 
strengthening programs to reduce transmission via blood transfusion and 
medical injections.
     Improving the care and treatment of HIV/AIDS, sexually 
transmitted diseases (STDs) and related opportunistic infections by 
improving STD management; enhancing care and treatment of opportunistic 
infections, including tuberculosis (TB); and initiating programs to 
provide anti-retroviral therapy (ART).
     Strengthening the capacity of countries to collect and use 
surveillance data and manage national HIV/AIDS

[[Page 42552]]

programs by expanding HIV/STD/TB surveillance programs and 
strengthening laboratory support for surveillance, diagnosis, 
treatment, disease-monitoring and HIV screening for blood safety.
    This announcement is only for non-research activities supported by 
HHS, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). If 
an applicant proposes research activities, HHS will not review the 
application. For the definition of research, please see the HHS/CDC Web 
site at the following Internet address: https://www.cdc.gov/od/ads/
opspoll1.htm.
    Activities: The recipient of these funds is responsible for 
activities in multiple program areas designed to target underserved 
populations in Cocirc;te d'Ivoire. Either the awardee will implement 
activities directly or will implement them through its subgrantees and/
or subcontractors; the awardee will retain overall financial and 
programmatic management under the oversight of HHS/CDC and the 
strategic direction of the Office of the Global AIDS Coordinator. The 
awardee must show a measurable progressive reinforcement of the 
capacity of indigenous organizations and local communities to respond 
to the national HIV epidemic, as well as progress towards the 
sustainability of activities.
    Applicants should describe activities in detail as part of a four-
year action plan (U.S. Government Fiscal Years 2005-2008 inclusive) 
that reflects the policies and goals outlined in the five-year strategy 
for the President's Emergency Plan.
    The grantee will produce an annual operational plan in the context 
of this four-year plan, which the U.S. Government Emergency Plan team 
on the ground in C[ocirc]te d'Ivoire will review as part of the annual 
Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief Country Operational Plan review and 
approval process managed by the Office of the U.S. Global AIDS 
Coordinator. The grantee may work on some of the activities listed 
below in the first year and in subsequent years, and then progressively 
add others from the list to achieve all of the Emergency Plan 
performance goals, as cited in the previous section. HHS/CDC, under the 
guidance of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator, will approve funds for 
activities on an annual basis, based on documented performance toward 
achieving Emergency Plan goals, as part of the annual Emergency Plan 
for AIDS Relief Country Operational Plan review and approval process.
    Awardee activities for covering all program areas are as follows:
    1. Work to link activities described here with related HIV care and 
other social services in the area, and promote coordination at all 
levels, including through bodies such as village, district, regional 
and national HIV coordination committees and networks of faith-based 
organizations.
    2. Participate in relevant national technical coordination 
committees and in national process(es) to define, implement and monitor 
simplified small grants program(s)for faith- and community-based 
organizations, to ensure local stakeholders receive adequate 
information and assistance to engage and access funding opportunities 
supported by the President's Emergency Plan and other donors.
    3. Progressively reinforce the capacity of faith- and community-
based organizations and village and district AIDS committees to promote 
quality, local ownership, accountability and sustainability of 
activities.
    4. Develop and implement a project-specific participatory 
monitoring and evaluation plan by drawing on national and U.S. 
Government requirements and tools, including the strategic information 
guidance provided by the Office of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator.
    Based on its competitive advantage and proven field experience, the 
winning applicant will undertake a broad range of activities to meet 
the numerical Emergency Plan targets outlined above. For each of these 
activities, the grantee will give priority to evidence-based, yet 
culturally adapted, innovative approaches including:

Prevention Activities

    1. Abstinence and Be Faithful Behavior-Change Interventions
    a. Develop pertinent behavior-change communication (BCC) tools and 
strategies that build on existing tools and strategies, such as the 
HIV/AIDS lexicon in local languages, and that reflect and respect local 
cultural and religious mores.
    b. Implement mass media (especially radio) and proximity abstinence 
and faithfulness BCC prevention campaigns to target youth and other 
populations in rural settings.
    2. Other Complementary Behavior-Change Interventions--Implement a 
condom social-marketing program specifically targeted at populations 
who are engaged in high-risk behaviors,\1\ as part of a comprehensive 
community mobilization and behavior-change campaign, which must include 
the promotion of abstinence and fidelity, access to care and treatment, 
the prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission, and the reduction 
of HIV-related stigma. Awardees may not implement condom social 
marketing without also implementing the abstinence and faithfulness 
behavior-change interventions outlined in the preceding paragraph.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ Behaviors that increase risk for HIV transmission including 
engaging in casual sexual encounters, engaging in sex in exchange 
for money or favors, having sex with an HIV-positive partner or one 
whose status is unknown, using drugs or abusing alcohol in the 
context of sexual interactions, and using intravenous drugs. Women, 
even if faithful themselves, can still be at risk of becoming 
infected by their spouse, regular male partner, or someone using 
force against them. Other high-risk persons or groups include men 
who have sex with men and workers who are employed away from home.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Care Activities

    1. Confidential HIV Counseling and Testing (VCT)
    a. Develop and implement a BCC campaign to promote confidential HIV 
counseling and testing as a routine part of medical care and overcome 
barriers to HIV testing for rural and underserved populations, by 
building on and complementing existing tools and campaigns.
    b. Increase access to confidential HIV counseling and testing for 
rural and underserved populations through innovative approaches, such 
as mobile outreach confidential HIV counseling and testing services 
linked to existing static confidential HIV counseling and testing 
centers and making confidential HIV counseling and testing a routine 
part of medical care, in partnership with health professionals.
    2. Care and Support for Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC)
    a. Perform a preliminary needs assessment to determine priorities 
for OVC in rural areas, by assuring coordination with the Ivoirian 
technical Ministry responsible for OVC.
    b. Provide expanded care and support to meet the needs of OVC in 
rural areas, consistent with the major findings of the initial needs 
assessment; this could include small grants to rural community and 
faith-based organizations.
    3. Palliative Care: Basic Health Care and Support--Establish and 
monitor comprehensive palliative care activities by using innovative 
approaches to increase access to underserved populations through 
expanded community-level care supported by and linked to existing care 
and/or mobile outreach clinics/teams in rural areas.

[[Page 42553]]

Support to Access and Adherence to Comprehensive HIV Treatment, 
Including Anti-Retrovirals

    1. Implement treatment literacy programs to target rural and 
underserved populations by building on and complementing existing 
strategies and tools, which could include the use of the recently-
developed HIV/AIDS lexicon in local languages, testimonies/advocacy by 
persons living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA), the training of faith leaders and 
HIV village action committees.
    2. Develop or enhance a functional referral network to link rural 
and underserved HIV-positive persons and their families to health care 
and other social services.

Strategic Information

    1. Using participatory approaches, develop and implement a 
strategic information/monitoring and evaluation plan consistent with 
national policies and the strategic information guidance established by 
the Office of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator that draws on available 
data and national tools and uses quantitative and qualitative methods.
    2. Collect, analyze and disseminate data to ensure adequate 
baseline data and regular data reports to support targeted service 
delivery, program monitoring and evaluation, and appropriate 
information systems.
    3. Progressively expand the capacity of the Ivoirian government and 
local non-governmental organizations to use data for policy and 
planning.
    4. Report data to relevant local and national stakeholders in 
C[ocirc]te d'Ivoire, including by making it available to the general 
public in local languages.

Administration

    Comply with all HHS management requirements for meeting 
participation and progress and financial reporting for this cooperative 
agreement. (See HHS Activities and Reporting sections below for 
details.) Comply with all policy directives established by the Office 
of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator.
    In a cooperative agreement, HHS staff is substantially involved in 
the program activities, above and beyond routine grant monitoring.
    HHS Activities for this program are as follows:
    1. Organize an orientation meeting with the grantee to brief them 
on applicable U.S. Government, HHS, and Emergency Plan expectations, 
regulations and key management requirements, as well as report formats 
and contents. The orientation could include meetings with staff from 
HHS agencies and the Office of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator.
    2. Review and approve the process used by the grantee to select key 
personnel and/or post-award subcontractors and/or subgrantees to be 
involved in the activities performed under this agreement, as part of 
the Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief Country Operational Plan review and 
approval process, managed by the Office of the U.S. Global AIDS 
Coordinator.
    3. Review and approve grantee's annual work plan and detailed 
budget, as part of the Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief Country 
Operational Plan review and approval process, managed by the Office of 
the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator.
    4. Review and approve grantee's monitoring and evaluation plan, 
including for compliance with the strategic information guidance 
established by the Office of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator.
    5. Meet on a monthly basis with grantee to assess monthly 
expenditures in relation to approved work plan and modify plans as 
necessary.
    6. Meet on a quarterly basis with grantee to assess quarterly 
technical and financial progress reports and modify plans as necessary.
    7. Meet on an annual basis with grantee to review annual progress 
report for each U.S. Government Fiscal Year, and to review annual work 
plans and budgets for subsequent year, as part of the Emergency Plan 
for AIDS Relief review and approval process for Country Operational 
Plans, managed by the Office of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator.
    8. Provide technical assistance, as mutually agreed upon, and 
revise annually during validation of the first and subsequent annual 
work plans. This could include expert technical assistance and targeted 
training activities in specialized areas, such as strategic 
information, project management, confidential counseling and testing, 
palliative care, treatment literacy, and adult learning techniques.
    9. Provide in-country administrative support to help grantee meet 
U.S. Government financial and reporting requirements.
    Please note: Either HHS staff or staff from organizations that have 
successfully competed for funding under a separate HHS contract, 
cooperative agreement or grant will provide technical assistance and 
training.
    Measurable outcomes of the program will be in alignment with the 
following performance goals for the Emergency Plan:
A. Prevention
    Number of individuals trained to provide HIV prevention 
interventions, including abstinence, faithfulness, and, for populations 
engaged in high-risk behaviors \2\, correct and consistent condom use.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \2\ Behaviors that increase risk for HIV transmission including 
engaging in casual sexual encounters, engaging in sex in exchange 
for money or favors, having sex with an HIV-positive partner or one 
whose status is unknown, using drugs or abusing alcohol in the 
context of sexual interactions, and using intravenous drugs. Women, 
even if faithful themselves, can still be at risk of becoming 
infected by their spouse, regular male partner, or someone using 
force against them. Other high-risk persons or groups include men 
who have sex with men and workers who are employed away from home.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    1. Abstinence (A) and Be Faithful (B)
     Number of community outreach and/or mass media (radio) 
programs that are A/B focused.
     Number of individuals reached through community outreach 
and/or mass media (radio) programs that are A/B focused.
B. Care and Support
    1. Confidential counseling and testing
     Number of patients who accept confidential counseling and 
testing in a health-care setting.
     Number of clients served, direct.
     Number of people trained in confidential counseling and 
testing, direct, including health-care workers.
    2. Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC)
    Number of service outlets/programs, direct and/or indirect.
     Number of clients (OVC) served, direct and/or indirect.
     Number of persons trained to serve OVC, direct.
    3. Palliative Care: Basic Health Care and Support
     Number of service outlets/programs that provide palliative 
care, direct and/or indirect.
     Number of service outlets/programs that link HIV care with 
malaria and tuberculosis care and/or referral, direct and/or indirect.
     Number of clients served with palliative care, direct and/
or indirect.
     Number of persons trained in providing palliative care, 
direct.
C. HIV Treatment with ART
     Number of clients enrolled in ART, direct and indirect.
     Number of persons trained in providing ART, direct.

[[Page 42554]]

D. Strategic Information
     Number of persons trained in strategic information, 
direct.
E. Expanded Indigenous Sustainable Response
     Project-specific quantifiable milestones to measure:
    a. Indigenous capacity-building.
    b. Progress toward sustainability.

II. Award Information

    Type of Award: Cooperative Agreement. HHS involvement in this 
program is listed in the Activities Section above.
    Fiscal Year Funds: 2005.
    Approximate Total Funding: $4,000,000 (initial award $700,000 for 
activities through March 2006); $1 million to $1.5 million in years two 
to four).
    Approximate Number of Awards: One.
    Approximate Average Award: $700,000 (This amount is an estimate to 
fund activities to March 2006 and is subject to availability of funds. 
This amount covers direct costs (and indirect costs in the case of 
domestic grantees.)
    Floor of Award Range: $700,000.
    Ceiling of Award Range: $700,000 (This ceiling is for activities 
through March 2006.).
    Anticipated Award Date: August 31, 2005.
    Budget Period Length: 12 months.
    Project Period Length: Four years.
    Throughout the project period, HHS' 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, through the Emergency Plan for AIDS 
Relief review and approval process for Country Operational Plans, 
managed by the Office of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator.

III. Eligibility Information

III.1. Eligible Applicants

    Public and private non-profit and for-profit organizations may 
submit applications, such as:
     Public non-profit organizations
     Private non-profit organizations
     For-profit organizations
     Community-based organizations
     Faith-based organizations
     Universities
     Colleges
     Hospitals
     Small, minority-owned, and women-owned businesses
    While both U.S.-based and Ivoirian organizations are eligible to 
apply, we will give preference to well-established Ivoirian 
organizations, legally incorporated in C[ocirc]te d'Ivoire, that have 
well-developed management and financial control systems and established 
HIV activities that reach to rural areas of that country.

III.2. Cost-Sharing or Matching Funds

    Matching funds are not required for this program. Although matching 
funds are not required, preference will go to organizations that can 
leverage additional funds to contribute to program goals.

III.3. Other

    If applicants request a funding amount greater than the ceiling of 
the award range, HHS/CDC will consider the application non-responsive, 
and it will not enter into the review process. We will notify you that 
your application did not meet the submission requirements.
    Special Requirements: If your application is incomplete or non-
responsive to the special requirements listed in this section, it will 
not enter into the review process. We will notify you that your 
application did not meet submission requirements.
     HHS/CDC will consider late applications non-responsive. 
See section ``IV.3. Submission Dates and Times'' for more information 
on deadlines.
     Applicants may be U.S.-based or Ivoirian, but we will give 
preference to existing organizations legally incorporated in C[ocirc]te 
d'Ivoire with well-developed management and financial control and 
established HIV activities with reach to rural areas of C[ocirc]te 
d'Ivoire. Applicant must provide documentation that substantiates 
eligibility criteria. Such proof could include, but is not limited to, 
official documents that describe legal organizational status, annual, 
financial, and audit reports, etc.

     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.
    HHS strongly encourages you to submit your application 
electronically by using the forms and instructions posted for this 
announcement at https://www.grants.gov.
    Application forms and instructions are available on the HHS/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 HHS/CDC 
Procurement and Grants Office Technical Information Management Section 
(PGO-TIM) staff at: 770-488-2700. We can mail application forms to you.

IV.2. Content and Form of Submission

    Application: You must submit a project narrative with your 
application forms. You must submit the narrative in the following 
format:
     Maximum number of pages: 25. If your narrative exceeds the 
page limit, we will only review the first pages within the page limit.
     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
     Held together only by rubber bands or metal clips; not 
bound in any other way.
    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 the Goals and Objectives of the 
Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief
     Work Plan and Description of Project Components and 
Activities
     Performance Measures
     Timeline (e.g., GANNT Chart)
     Management of Project Funds and Reporting.
    You may include additional information in the application 
appendices. The appendices will not count toward the narrative page 
limit. This additional information includes the following:
     Project Budget and Justification
     Curriculum vitae of current staff who will work on the 
activity
     Job descriptions of proposed key positions to be created 
for the activity
     Quality-Assurance, Monitoring-and-Evaluation, and 
Strategic-Information Forms
     Applicant's Corporate Capability Statement
     Letters of Support

[[Page 42555]]

     Evidence of Legal Organizational Structure
     Applicants must provide documentation that substantiates 
their well-developed management and financial controls and ability to 
implement HIV activities with reach to rural areas of C[ocirc]te 
d'Ivoire. Such proof could include, but is not limited to, annual, 
financial, and audit reports, etc.
    The budget justification will not count in the narrative page 
limit.
    Although the narrative addresses activities for the entire project, 
the applicant should provide a detailed budget only for the first year 
of activities, while addressing budgetary plans for subsequent years.
    You must 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 HHS/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 could 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: August 18, 2005.
    Explanation of Deadlines: Applications must be received in the HHS/
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. We consider applications completed online through 
Grants.gov as formally submitted when the applicant organization's 
Authorizing Official electronically submits the application to https://
www.grants.gov. We will consider electronic applications as having met 
the deadline if the applicant organization's Authorizing Official has 
submitted the application electronically 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 HHS/CDC receives the application.
    If you submit your application by the United States Postal Service 
or commercial delivery service, you must ensure the carrier will be 
able to guarantee delivery by the closing date and time. If HHS/CDC 
receives your submission after closing because: (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 have the opportunity to submit documentation of the 
carriers guarantee. If the documentation verifies a carrier problem, 
HHS/CDC will consider the submission as received by the deadline.
    If you submit a hard copy application, HHS/CDC will not notify you 
upon receipt of your submission. If you have a question about the 
receipt of your 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 us to process and log submissions.
    This announcement is the definitive guide on 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 we will discard 
it. We will notify you 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 you must take into account while writing your 
budget, are as follows:
     Funds may not be used for research.
     Needle Exchange--No funds appropriated under this Act 
shall be used to carry out any program of distributing sterile needles 
or syringes for the hypodermic injection of any illegal drug.
     Funds may be spent for reasonable program purposes, 
including personnel, training, travel, supplies and services. Equipment 
may be purchased and renovations completed if deemed necessary to 
accomplish program objectives; however, prior approval by HHS/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, HHS/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 United states 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) relating 
to the management of sub-grants to local organizations and improving 
their capacity.
     You must obtain an annual audit of these HHS/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 standard(s) 
approved in writing by HHS/CDC.
    A fiscal Recipient Capability Assessment may be required, prior to 
or post award, 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,

[[Page 42556]]

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 and 
its six Regional Offices, the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative or 
any United Nations agency).
    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 
subagreements under this award. These provisions must be express terms 
and conditions of the subagreement, 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 that receive U.S. Government funds (``prime 
recipients'') in connection with this document must certify compliance 
prior to actual receipt of such funds in a written statement that makes 
reference to 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 HHS determines 
the recipient has not complied with this section, ``Prostitution and 
Related Activities.''
    You may find guidance for completing your budget on the HHS/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: HHS/CDC strongly encourages you to 
submit electronically at: https://www.grants.go. 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. We will not accept e-mail submissions. If you are 
having technical difficulties in Grants.gov, you may reach them by e-
mail at http:www.support@grants.gov">//www.support@grants.gov, or by phone at 1-800-518-4726 
(1-800-GRANTS). The Customer Support Center is open from 7 a.m. to 9 
p.m. eastern time, Monday through Friday.
    HHS/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. We must receive any such paper submission in accordance 
with the requirements for timely submission detailed in Section IV.3. 
of the grant announcement. You must clearly mark the paper submission: 
``BACK-UP FOR ELECTRONIC SUBMISSION.''
    The paper submission must conform to all requirements for non-
electronic submissions. If we receive both electronic and back-up paper 
submissions by the deadline, we will consider the electronic version 
the official submission.
    We strongly recommended that you submit your grant application by 
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. You may find directions for creating PDF files on 
the Grants.gov web site. Use of files other than Microsoft Office or 
PDF could make your file unreadable for our staff; or
    Submit the original and two hard copies of your application by mail 
or express delivery service to the following address: Technical 
Information Management--AA057, CDC Procurement and Grants Office, U.S. 
Department of Health and Human Services, 2920 Brandywine Road, Atlanta, 
GA 30341.

V. Application Review Information

V.1. Criteria

    Applicants must 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. Applicants must submit these measures of 
effectiveness with the application, and they will be an element of 
evaluation.
    We will evaluate your application against the following criteria:
    1. Understanding the national HIV/AIDS response and cultural and 
political context in C[ocirc]te d'Ivoire and fitting into the five-year 
strategy and goals of the President's Emergency Plan (30 points).
    Does the applicant demonstrate an understanding of the national 
cultural and political context and the technical and programmatic areas 
covered by the project? Does the applicant display knowledge of the 
five-year strategy and goals of the President's Emergency Plan, such 
that it can build on these to develop a comprehensive, collaborative 
project to reach underserved populations in C[ocirc]te d'Ivoire and 
meet the goals of the Emergency Plan?
    2. Capacity-Building (20 points).
    Does the applicant describe a plan to progressively build the 
indigenous capacity of local organizations and of target beneficiaries 
and communities to respond to the epidemic, such that, if the applicant 
is not an Ivoirian organization, at the end of the project period the 
applicant can turn over management of the project to a local partner or 
partners?
    3. Work Plan (20 points).
    Does the applicant describe strategies that are pertinent and match 
those identified in the five-year strategy of the

[[Page 42557]]

President's Emergency Plan and activities that are evidence-based, 
realistic, achievable, measurable and culturally appropriate in 
C[ocirc]te d'Ivoire to achieve the goals of the Emergency Plan?
    4. Ability to Carry Out the Proposal (15 points).
    Does the applicant demonstrate the local experience and capability 
to achieve the goals of the project? Do the staff members have 
appropriate experience? Are the staff roles clearly defined? Does the 
applicant currently have the capacity to reach rural populations in 
C[ocirc]te d'Ivoire despite the complex political situation?
    5. Management Plan (15 points).
    Is there a plan to manage the resources of the program, prepare 
reports, monitor and evaluate activities and audit expenditures?
    6. Budget (not scored).
    Is the budget itemized, well-justified and consistent with the 
five-year strategy and goals of the President's Emergency Plan and 
Emergency Plan activities in C[ocirc]te d'Ivoire?

V.2. Review and Selection Process

    The HHS/CDC Procurement and Grants Office (PGO) staff will review 
applications for completeness, and HHS Global AIDS program will review 
them for responsiveness. Incomplete applications and applications that 
are non-responsive to the eligibility criteria will not advance through 
the review process. Applicants will receive notification 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. All persons who serve on the panel will be external to 
the U.S. Government Country Program Office. The panel may include both 
Federal and non-Federal participants.
    In addition, the following factors could affect the funding 
decision:
    While U.S.-based organizations are eligible to apply, we will give 
preference to existing national/Ivorian organizations. It is possible 
for one organization to apply as lead grantee with a plan that includes 
partnering with other organizations, preferably local. Although 
matching funds are not required, preference will be go to organizations 
that can leverage additional funds to contribute to program goals.
    Applications will be funded in order by score and rank determined 
by the review panel. HHS/CDC will provide justification for any 
decision to fund out of rank order.

V.3. Anticipated Announcement and Award Dates

    August 31, 2005.

VI. Award Administration Information

VI.1. Award Notices

    Successful applicants will receive a Notice of Award (NoA) from the 
HHS/CDC Procurement and Grants Office. The NoA shall be the only 
binding, authorizing document between the recipient and HHS/CDC. An 
authorized Grants Management Officer will sign the NoA, and mail it 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-5 HIV Program Review Panel Requirements
 AR-7 Executive Order 12372
 AR-8 Public Health System Reporting Requirements
 AR-14 Accounting System Requirements
 AR-15 Proof of Non-Profit Status

    Applicants can find additional information on these requirements on 
the HHS/CDC Web site at the following Internet address: https://
www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/funding/ARs.htm.
    You need to include an additional Certifications form from the PHS 
5161-1 application in your Grants.gov electronic submission only. 
Please refer to https://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/funding/PHS5161-1-
Certificates.pdf. Once you have filled out the form, please attach it 
to your Grants.gov submission as Other Attachment Forms.

VI.3. Reporting Requirements

    You must provide HHS/CDC with an original, plus two hard copies, of 
the following reports (in English and French):
    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, including progress against the 
numerical goals of the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief for 
C[ocirc]te d'Ivoire.
    f. Additional Requested Information.
    2. Annual progress report, due no more than 60 days after the end 
of the budget period. Reports should include progress against the 
numerical goals of the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief for 
C[ocirc]te d'Ivoire.
    3. Financial status report, due no more than 90 days after the end 
of the budget period.
    4. Final financial and performance reports, no more than 90 days 
after the end of the project period.
    Recipients must mail these reports to the Grants Management or 
Contract Specialist listed in the ``Agency Contacts'' section of this 
announcement.

    Please note: The grantee is responsible for accurate translation 
of all reports, and should submit French-language versions to the 
local HHS/CDC office in Abidjan and English-language versions to the 
HHS/CDC Grants office in the United States, by the established 
deadlines. See the HHS/CDC project management officer in Abidjan for 
more details.

VII. Agency Contacts

    We encourage inquiries concerning this announcement.
    For general questions, contact: Technical Information Management 
Section, CDC Procurement and Grants Office, U.S. Department of Health 
and Human Services, 2920 Brandywine Road, Atlanta, GA 30341, Telephone: 
(770) 488-2700.
    For program technical assistance, contact: Monica Nolan, Director, 
HHS/CDC/Projet RETRO-CI, 2010 Abidjan Place, Dulles, Virginia 20189-
2010, Telephone: (225) 21-25-41-89, E-mail: mnolan@cdc.gov.
    For financial, grants management, or budget assistance, contact: 
Diane Flournoy, Grants Management Specialist, CDC Procurement and 
Grants Office, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2920 
Brandywine Road, Atlanta, GA 30341, Telephone: (770) 488-2072, E-mail: 
dmf6@cdc.gov.

VIII. Other Information

    Applicants can find this and other HHS funding opportunity 
announcements on the HHS/CDC Web site, Internet address: https://
www.cdc.gov (Click on ``Funding'' then ``Grants and Cooperative 
Agreements''),

[[Page 42558]]

and on the Web site of the HHS Office of Global Health Affairs, 
Internet address: https://www.globalhealth.gov.

William P. Nichols,
MPA, Director, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease 
Control and Prevention, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
[FR Doc. 05-14573 Filed 7-22-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P