Capacity-Building Assistance for Global HIV/AIDS Microbiological Laboratory Program Development Through Technical Assistance Collaboration, 46840-46846 [05-15879]

Agencies

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

[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 154 (Thursday, August 11, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 46840-46846]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-15879]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention


Capacity-Building Assistance for Global HIV/AIDS Microbiological 
Laboratory Program Development Through Technical Assistance 
Collaboration

    Announcement Type: New.
    Funding Opportunity Number: RFA AA012.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 93.067.
    Key Dates:
    Application Deadline: September 6, 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

[[Page 46841]]

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.
    Purpose: 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.
    The purpose of this funding announcement is to build progressively 
an indigenous, sustainable response to national HIV epidemics through 
the raped expansion of innovative, culturally appropriate, high-quality 
HIV/AIDS prevention and care interventions, and to support laboratory 
capacity building assistance for HIV/AIDS program development through 
technical assistance (TA) as part of President Bush's Emergency Plan 
for AIDS Relief. The term ``capacity-building assistance'' means the 
provision of information, technical assistance, training, and 
technology transfer for individuals and organizations to improve the 
delivery and effectiveness of HIV prevention, care and treatment 
services and interventions. This includes the delivery of direct HIV 
prevention, care or treatment interventions. This program addresses the 
goals of the President's Emergency Plan as cited above.
    The goals of this funding announcement are to address 
microbiological laboratory capacity-building needs in Emergency Plan 
countries in two focus areas: (1) Strengthening laboratory 
organizational and technical infrastructure, especially as it relates 
to clinical microbiology for HIV prevention, care and treatment 
programs; and (2) assuring the quality of laboratory testing and HIV 
test results by instituting systematic approaches to delivering 
clinical microbiology services to HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and 
care programs.
    Measurable outcomes of the program will be in alignment with the 
performance goals of the President's Emergency Plan and one (or more) 
of the following performance goal(s) for the National Center for HIV, 
STD and TB Prevention (NCHSTP) within the Centers for Disease Control 
and Prevention (CDC) within HHS: Increase the proportion of HIV-
infected people who are linked to appropriate prevention, care and 
treatment services; and strengthen the capacity nationwide to monitor 
the epidemic, develop and implement effective HIV prevention 
interventions, and evaluate prevention programs.
    This announcement is only for non-research activities supported by 
HHS/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: 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 U.S. 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. 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 awardee will give 
priority to evidence-based, yet culturally adapted, innovative 
approaches.
    Capacity-building TA activities covered under this cooperative 
agreement are limited to the following:
    1. Strengthen microbiological laboratory organizational and 
technical infrastructure for HIV prevention, care and treatment 
programs in Emergency Plan countries.
    a. Provide TA in the laboratory management of HIV prevention, care 
and treatment programs. Examples include, but are not limited to: 
organizational assessments to determine the needs, resources, readiness 
and gaps of organizational infrastructure systems (e.g., governance, 
management, administration, personnel, and fiscal); development of 
public/private partnership strategies; management information systems 
(data management); strategic planning; leadership development; team-
building; human resources management, including staff, management, 
retention and training; organizational quality assurance and 
monitoring; program marketing and public relations; and cross-cultural 
communications.
    b. Plan and conduct site visits, conferences and/or meetings for 
country public health officials and microbiological laboratory 
personnel from countries covered by the President's Emergency Plan for 
AIDS Relief.
    c. Provide TA and training, to include strategic planning, training 
of trainers and development and dissemination of manuals.
    2. Assure the quality of laboratory testing and HIV test results by 
instituting systematic approaches to delivering clinical microbiology 
services to HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and care programs.
    a. Provide TA in the laboratory design of prevention, care and 
treatment programs, and in the establishment and/or improvement of 
laboratory monitoring and evaluation systems for such programs.
    b. Develop and disseminate resource toolkits to National/Regional/
District AIDS Programs in Emergency Plan countries to assist in the 
planning, implementation and evaluation of laboratory programs.
    c. Modify and/or translate of existing resource materials for use 
in multiple GAP countries covered by the President's Emergency Plan.
    d. Provide TA to support training activities in microbiological 
techniques and procedures covering bacteriology, including 
tuberculosis, mycology, parasitology, virology and molecular biology as 
it relates to HIV/AIDS prevention and care.
    e. Assist in the procurement of equipment to improve 
microbiological testing for HIV/AIDS patients in Emergency Plan 
countries.
    f. Develop a quality-assurance/quality-control program for 
microbiological testing for HIV/AIDS that is consistent with other HHS/
CDC laboratory programs.

[[Page 46842]]

    g. Provide TA through short- (up to three months), medium- (three 
months to nine months), and long-term (greater than nine months) 
assignment of experts to help train and mentor local counterparts to 
support HIV/AIDS program implementation in Emergency Plan countries.
    h. Establish of peer-to-peer TA networks from U.S.-based 
microbiology laboratories to sister public and private microbiology 
laboratories to optimize similarities and common technical approaches 
to providing laboratory support to programs.
    i. Develop a system that would allow GAP country laboratory 
personnel from Emergency Plan countries to participate in study tours 
of appropriate laboratories in the United States.
    j. Provide assistance to educational institutions that offer in-
service training of microbiologists in Emergency Plan countries to 
improve training programs for new microbiologists.
    k. Update and share relevant technical, best practice documents and 
approaches (U.S. and international).
    l. Support operations research into new microbiology techniques and 
services that would feed into HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and care 
programs.
    m. Procure and deliver necessary laboratory equipment and supplies 
in support of in-country programs.
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. Provide policy and program information that would guide the 
rapid dissemination and implementation of microbiology support to HIV/
AIDS programs in targeted countries, in compliance with guidance 
established by the Office of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator.
    2. Provide technical advice in the development of systems to 
implement HHS policies on microbiology for HIV/AIDS programs.
    3. Provide consultation and scientific and technical assistance in 
planning, operating, analyzing and evaluating the microbiology 
components of HIV prevention, care and treatment laboratory and program 
evaluation activities.
    4. Disseminate current information, including best practices and 
the guidelines established by the Office of the U.S. Global AIDS 
Coordinator, in all areas of HIV prevention, care and treatment.
    5. Monitor progress in achieving the purpose of this program, as 
well as project objectives, including for compliance with the strategic 
information guidance established by the Office of the U.S. Global AIDS 
Coordinator.
    6. Assist in assessing program operations and in evaluating overall 
effectiveness of programs.
    7. Organize an orientation meeting with the awardee 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.
    8. Review and approve the process used by the awardee 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.
    9. Review and approve awardee'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.
    10. Review and approve awardee's monitoring and evaluation plan, 
including for compliance with the strategic information guidance 
established by the Office of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator.
    11. Meet on a monthly basis with awardee to assess monthly 
expenditures in relation to approved work plan and modify plans as 
necessary.
    12. Meet on a quarterly basis with awardee to assess quarterly 
technical and financial progress reports and modify plans as necessary.
    13. Meet on an annual basis with awardee 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.

II. Award Information

    Type of Award: Cooperative Agreement.
    HHS/CDC involvement in this program, and the involvement of the 
Office of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator, is listed in the Activities 
Section above.
    Fiscal Year Funds: 2005.
    Approximate Total Funding: $6,000,000 (Note: An estimated $100,000 
will be awarded to support core activities each year. The remaining 
funding of up to $1,900,000 per year is for the projected country-
specific activities. Country-specific activity requests must receive 
funding from country budget allocations and be included in the approved 
Country Operational Plans.
    Approximate Number of Awards: One or more.
    Approximate Average Award: $2,000,000 (This amount is for the first 
12-month budget period, and includes direct costs.)
    Floor of Award Range: $100,000.
    Ceiling of Award Range: $2,000,000.
    (This ceiling is for the first 12-month budget period.)
    Anticipated Award Date: September 15, 2005.
    Budget Period Length: 12 months.
    Project Period Length: Four years.
    Throughout the project period, HHS'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, 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

    Applications may be submitted by:
     Public nonprofit organizations.
     Private nonprofit organizations.
     Universities.
     Colleges.
     For profit organizations.
     Small, minority, women-owned businesses.
     Community-based organizations.
     Research institutions.
     Hospitals.
     Faith-based organizations.
     Federally recognized Indian tribal governments.
     Indian tribes.
     Indian tribal organizations.
     State and local governments or their Bona Fide Agents 
(this includes the

[[Page 46843]]

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).

III.2. Cost Sharing or Matching

    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:
    Applications that are incomplete or non-responsive to the special 
requirements listed in this section will not enter into the review 
process. We will notify you the 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.

    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.
    Electronic Submission: HHS strongly encourages the applicant to 
submit the application electronically by using the forms and 
instructions posted for this announcement on https://www.Grants.gov, the 
official Federal agency wide E-grant Web site. Only applicants who 
apply on-line are permitted to forgo paper copy submission of all 
application forms.
    Paper Submission: 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 access to the Internet is not available, or if there is 
difficulty accessing the forms on-line, contact the HHS/CDC Procurement 
and Grants Office Technical Information Management Section (PGO-TIM) 
staff at 770-488-2700 and we can mail the application forms to you.

IV.2. Content and Form of Submission

    Application: A project narrative must be submitted with the 
application forms. You must submit the narrative in the following 
format:
     Maximum number of pages: 30. 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.
    The narrative should address activities to be conducted over the 
entire project period, and must include the following items in the 
order listed:
     Program Plan. The program plan will include a description 
of your program and strategy, objectives, activities and timeline. It 
will also describe the program contribution to goals and objectives of 
the Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief.
     Program and Strategy.
    Provide a description of your proposed program and the strategy for 
implementation. Include a description of the administrative, financial, 
accounting and human resource models used to build organizational 
infrastructure capacity of national AIDS programs (e.g., grant writing, 
fiscal management, board development, staff and volunteer development 
and strategic planning).
     Objectives.
    What are your objectives for addressing the general and focus area-
specific activities?
     Activities.
    What are your proposed activities? These activities must relate to 
each of the objectives listed above.
     Timeline.
    Provide a timeline and list staff responsible for implementing 
activities in the first year.
     Program Experience.
    Describe your organization's program experience as it relates to 
the proposed activities in this program announcement. Address the 
methods that you have used to provide similar services in the past. 
Also include an explanation of how funds used in this cooperative 
agreement will be used differently, or in ways that will expand upon 
programs that are supported with existing or future funds. Address your 
organization's experience and capacity to provide technical assistance 
that responds effectively to the cultural and linguistic 
characteristics of your recipients. In answering this question, 
describe the types of services provided and list any culturally and 
linguistically appropriate curricula and materials that your 
organization has adapted or developed.
     Management Plan and Organizational Structure.
    Describe your management and staffing plan to conduct or support 
the essential components of this cooperative agreement. Include an 
organizational chart that reflects the current management structure and 
a description of the roles, responsibilities and relationships of all 
staff supported through this cooperative agreement. Provide resumes of 
all key staff to demonstrate their qualifications (include in the 
appendix).
     Measures of Effectiveness.
    These 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 of this 
cooperative agreement.
     Budget and Budget Justification (not included in page 
limit).
    Include a detailed and justified budget required to accomplish the 
objectives. If you are requesting indirect costs in your budget, you 
must include a copy of your approved indirect cost rate agreement. If 
your indirect cost rate is a provisional rate, the agreement must have 
been negotiated within the last 12 months. Justify all operating 
expenses in relation to the planned activities and stated objectives. 
CDC may not fund or approve all proposed activities. Be precise about 
the program purpose of each budget item, and itemize calculations 
wherever appropriate.
    The following information should be included in the application 
appendices, if relevant. The appendices will not be counted toward the 
narrative page limit. This additional information includes:
     Curriculum Vitaes/Resumes.
     Organizational Charts.
     A list of culturally and linguistically appropriate 
materials that are available and are currently being delivered.
     A description of funding from other sources (federal, 
state, local, private, etc.) to conduct similar activities. This should 
include a summary of current funds received with the name of the 
sponsoring organization/source of

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income, level of funding, description of how funds have been used and 
budget period. Identify proposed personnel who will conduct and oversee 
the activities of this project and all funding sources supporting these 
individuals (include their roles and responsibilities).
    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 CDC Web site at: https://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/
funding/grantmain.htm. If the application form does not have a DUNS 
number field, please write the DUNS number at the top of the first page 
of the application, and/or include the DUNS number in the application 
cover letter.
    Additional requirements that could require submittal of additional 
documentation with the application are listed in section ``VI.2. 
Administrative and National Policy Requirements.''

IV.3. Submission Dates and Times

    Application Deadline Date: September 6, 2005.
    Explanation of Deadlines: Applications must be received in the CDC 
Procurement and Grants Office by 4 p.m. Eastern Time on the deadline 
date.
    You may submit your application electronically at https://
www.grants.gov. 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.
     Reimbursement of pre-award costs is not allowed.
     Funds may be spent for reasonable program purposes, 
including personnel, travel, supplies, and services. Equipment may be 
purchased if deemed necessary to accomplish program objectives; 
however, prior approval by 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 U.S. or to international organizations regardless of 
their location.
     The applicant may contract with other organizations under 
this program; however, the applicant must perform a substantial portion 
of the activities (including program management and operations, and 
delivery of prevention services for which funds are required).
     You must obtain an annual audit of these 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 standards(s) 
approved in writing by HHS/CDC.
     A fiscal Recipient Capability Assessment may be required, 
prior to or post award, in order to review the applicant's business 
management and fiscal capabilities regarding the handling of U.S. 
Federal funds.
     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.
Prostitution and Related Activities
    The U.S. Government is opposed to prostitution and related 
activities, which are inherently harmful and dehumanizing, and 
contribute to the phenomenon of trafficking in persons.
    Any entity that receives, directly or indirectly, U.S. Government 
funds in connection with this document (``recipient'') cannot use such 
U.S. Government funds to promote or advocate the legalization or 
practice of prostitution or sex trafficking. Nothing in the preceding 
sentence shall be construed to preclude the provision to individuals of 
palliative care, treatment, or post-exposure pharmaceutical 
prophylaxis, and necessary pharmaceuticals and commodities, including 
test kits, condoms, and, when proven effective, microbicides. A 
recipient that is otherwise eligible to receive funds in connection 
with this document to prevent, treat, or monitor HIV/AIDS shall not be 
required to endorse or utilize a multisectoral approach to combating 
HIV/AIDS, or to endorse, utilize, or participate in a prevention method 
or treatment program to which the recipient has a religious or moral 
objection. Any information provided by recipients about the use of 
condoms as part of projects or activities that are funded in connection 
with this document shall be

[[Page 46845]]

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 
to 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 can 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.gov. You will be able to 
download a copy of the application package from https://www.grants.gov, 
complete it offline, and then upload and submit the application via the 
Grants.gov site. We will not accept e-mail submissions. If you are 
having technical difficulties in Grants.gov, you may reach them by e-
mail at support@grants.gov, or by phone at 1-800-518-4726 (1-800-518-
GRANTS). The Customer Support Center is open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. 
Eastern Time, Monday through Friday.
    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-AA012, 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 evaluation the application against the following criteria:
    1. Program Plan (40 points).
    a. Are the program and strategy based on sound reasoning or 
evidence, and do they match the five-year strategy and goals of the 
President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief? (10 points)
    b. Does the applicant demonstrate an understanding of the national 
cultural and political context and the technical and programmatic areas 
covered by the project? (5 points)
    c. Does the applicant display knowledge of the five-year strategy 
and goals of the President's Emergency Plan? (5 points)
    d. Are the proposed program objectives specific, measurable, 
achievable, culturally appropriate and time-phased? (5 points)
    e. What is the likelihood that the proposed program activities will 
accomplish the proposed program objectives and contribute to the 
achievement of the numerical goals of the President's Emergency Plan? 
(10 points)
    f. Is the proposed timeline feasible? (5 points)
    2. Program Experience (20 points).
    Is the applicant's program experience relevant to the provision of 
the services it intends to provide? Does the applicant demonstrate the 
local experience and capability to achieve the goals of the project?
    3. Organizational Capacity (20 points).
    Does the applicant demonstrate current organizational capacity to 
provide the services that they intend to provide, including the ability 
to provide trainers fluent in the local languages of the targeted 
countries?
    4. Evaluation Monitoring Plan (20 points).
    Is the evaluation/monitoring plan feasible and does it address the 
required target goals, process and outcome data

[[Page 46846]]

collection, analysis and reporting activities consistent with the 
guidelines established by the Office of the U.S. Global AIDS 
Coordinator?
    5. Budget and Justification (Reviewed, but 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 targeted countries?

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.

V.3. Anticipated Award Date

    September 15, 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.
    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.
    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.

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: Sherry Orloff, Project 
Officer, HHS/CDC/NCHSTP/GAP, 1600 Clifton Road, NE. (MS-E30), Atlanta, 
GA 30333, Telephone: (404) 639-8838, E-mail: SOrloff@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''), and on the Web site of the HHS Office of Global Health 
Affairs, Internet address: https://www.globalhealth.gov.

    Dated: August 5, 2005.
William P. Nichols,
Director, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease Control 
and Prevention, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
[FR Doc. 05-15879 Filed 8-10-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P