Enhancement of a Continuum of HIV/AIDS Prevention, Care and Treatment Through the Network Model in the United Republic of Tanzania, 46846-46853 [05-15890]

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 46846-46853]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-15890]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention


Enhancement of a Continuum of HIV/AIDS Prevention, Care and 
Treatment Through the Network Model in the United Republic of Tanzania

    Announcement Type: New.
    Funding Opportunity Number: AA085.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 93.067.
    Key Date:
    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. 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] and Section 104 of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 [22 
U.S.C. 2151b].

    Background: The 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.

[[Page 46847]]

    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: The purpose of this funding announcement is to 
progressively build an indigenous, sustainable response to the national 
HIV epidemic in Tanzania through the rapid expansion of innovative, 
culturally appropriate, high-quality HIV/AIDS prevention and care 
interventions.
    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 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 cooperative agreement will: (1) Enhance the continuum of HIV/
AIDS prevention, treatment and care for people living with HIV/AIDS 
(PLWHA) through the network model; (2) improve Reproductive and Child 
Health Services (RCHS) for prevention of mother-to-child transmission 
(PMTCT) of HIV; (3) improve health laboratory services at point-of-
service settings to support HIV prevention, treatment and care; and (4) 
rapidly scale up anti-retroviral therapy (ART) availability in the 
United Republic of Tanzania.
    In Tanzania, Emergency Plan goals include: treating at least 
[150,000,000] HIV-infected individuals; caring for [750,000,000] HIV-
affected individuals, including orphans.
    Measurable outcomes of the program will be in alignment with the 
numerical performance goals of the President's Emergency Plan and with 
the following performance goal for the National Center of HIV, STD, and 
TB Prevention (NCHSTP) of the Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention (CDC) within HHS: By 2010, work with other countries, 
international organizations, the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. 
Agency for International Development (USAID), and other partners to 
achieve the United Nations General Assembly Special Session on HIV/AIDS 
goal of reducing prevalence among young persons 15 to 24 years of age, 
to reduce HIV transmission, and to improve care of PLWHAs.
    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 Tanzania. 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.
    The awardee 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 Tanzania 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 
awardee 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 this program are as follows:
    1. Enhance the continuum of HIV/AIDS prevention,\1\ treatment and 
care for PLWHA through the network model:
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    \1\ Prevention interventions directed toward behavior change 
should promote the ABC model. Methods and strategies should 
emphasize abstinence for youth and other unmarried persons, mutual 
faithfulness and partner reduction for sexually active adults, and 
correct and consistent use of condoms by those populations who are 
engaged in high-risk behaviors. Behaviors that increase risk for HIV 
transmission include: 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. Awardees may not implement condom social 
marketing without also implementing the abstinence and faithfulness 
behavior-change interventions outlined above.
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    a. Establish centers of excellence for provision of optimal HIV/
AIDS prevention, care and treatment in zonal referral hospitals.
    b. Procure the necessary staff, equipment, and supplies to 
establish and coordinate services of the centers of excellence.
    c. Provide capacity to zonal referral hospitals to teach other 
facilities to provide similar services.
    d. Provide capacity to zonal referral hospitals to support and help 
monitor HIV/AIDS prevention, care and treatment.
    e. Introduce new models for confidential counseling and testing 
(CT), including routine or diagnostic confidential CT in tuberculosis 
(TB) clinics, sexually transmitted infection (STI) clinics, specialist 
clinics, general outpatient department and inpatient care, for 
identifying and referring treatment to HIV-positive individuals.

[[Page 46848]]

    f. Develop annual plans for integrating HIV/AIDS prevention, care 
and treatment in district health plans.
    g. In collaboration with HHS, plan, develop, conduct and evaluate 
HIV/AIDS training programs for physicians, nurses, and traditional 
birth attendants. Training must be based on national HIV/AIDS 
guidelines and training curriculum.
    2. Improve RCHS care for PMTCT of HIV:
    a. Procure the necessary staff, equipment and supplies to establish 
and coordinate PMTCT care at health facilities in each center catchment 
area.
    b. Improve capacity of health facilities in the catchment area of 
the zonal referral hospital to deliver quality PMTCT care to pregnant 
women and their newborns.
    c. Support integration of PMTCT care into routine reproductive and 
child health care.
    d. Expand implementation of the PMTCT monitoring and evaluation 
system.
    e. Provide training and human resources development for PMTCT care.
    f. In collaboration with HHS and the Tanzanian Ministry of Health 
(MOH), plan, develop, conduct and evaluate PMTCT training programs for 
physicians, nurses, and traditional birth attendants. Training should 
be based on integration of PMTCT care into routine anti-natal clinic 
(ANC) care.
    3. Improve health laboratory services at point-of-service settings 
to support HIV prevention, treatment and care:
    a. Procure the necessary staff, equipment and supplies to establish 
and coordinate HIV/AIDS laboratory services.
    b. Strengthen laboratory capacity for diagnosis of HIV infection in 
adults at all health facilities in the catchment area.
    c. Provide access to facilities for diagnosis of HIV in infants; 
staging of disease to determine eligibility for initiation of anti-
retroviral (ARV) therapy for PLWHA; monitoring treatment progress of 
patients on ARVs; and monitoring of adverse reactions to ARVs.
    d. Develop and implement a plan for surveillance of drug resistance 
among patients on ARVs.
    e. Develop a laboratory information system linked to the Tanzanian 
National Health Management Information System.
    f. Undertake infrastructure improvements for provision of quality 
laboratory services.
    g. Introduce a laboratory quality system approach at all regional 
hospitals in the catchment area.
    h. Provide training and human resources development for health 
laboratory services.
    4. Rapidly scale up ART availability:
    a. Collaborate with HHS and the Tanzanian National AIDS Control 
Program (NACP) to assess the health facility network capacity in the 
catchment area for expansion of ARV therapy.
    b. Assist selected health facilities to introduce and expand ARV 
therapy by building on established clinical programs.
    c. Assist target health facilities with training, and mobilize 
health care personnel to provide treatment.
    d. Support efforts to enhance the capacity of health facilities for 
supply chain management through the Tanzanian national Integrated 
Logistics System (ILS) to respond to rapid ARV therapy scale up.
    e. Establish links with faith-based and community-based 
organizations for community mobilization to support ARV therapy and 
improve compliance among PLWHA on ARVs.
    f. 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.
    g. 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 effectively funding 
opportunities supported by the President's Emergency Plan and other 
donors.
    h. 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.
    i. 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.
    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. Collaborate with the Tanzania Ministry of Health and other in-
country and international partners in the development of plans for 
program assistance based on the country needs, the Emergency Plan 
technical assistance portfolio, and HIV laboratory activities conducted 
by other partners.
    2. Provide consultation, scientific and technical assistance based 
on the ``CDC Global AIDS Program (GAP) Technical Strategies'' document 
to promote the use of best practices.
    3. Facilitate in-country planning and review meetings for the 
purpose of ensuring coordination of country-based program technical 
assistance activities. HHS will act as liaison and assist in 
coordinating activities as required between the applicant and other 
non-governmental organizations (NGOs), the Government of Tanzania, and 
other HHS partners.
    4. Play an active role in development of curricula and training 
courses, including provision of technical assistance.
    5. Provide technical assistance in clinical, counseling and 
laboratory issues, training, data management, and program monitoring 
and evaluation.
    6. Provide technical assistance with prevention counseling and 
testing and data management issues. Such technical assistance may 
involve identification of problems and challenges and collaborative 
efforts to find practical solutions.
    7. Work with other stakeholders to continuously evaluate curriculum 
and training needs; and adapt training, as necessary, to meet the 
program needs and cultural context in Tanzania.
    8. HHS will participate in providing support and supervision to 
implementing partners.
    9. Monitor project and budget performance to ensure satisfactory 
progress towards the goals of the project and the numerical goals of 
the President's Emergency Plan.
    10. 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.

[[Page 46849]]

    11. 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.
    12. 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.
    13. Meet on a monthly basis with grantee to assess monthly 
expenditures in relation to approved work plan and modify plans as 
necessary.
    14. Meet on a quarterly basis with grantee to assess quarterly 
technical and financial progress reports and modify plans as necessary.
    15. 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.
    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.
    Administration: Comply with all HHS management requirements for 
meeting participation and progress and financial reporting for this 
cooperative agreement. Comply with all policy directives established by 
the Office of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator.

II. Award Information

    Type of Award: Cooperative Agreement.
    HHS's involvement in this program is listed in the Activities 
Section above.
    Fiscal Year Funds: 2005.
    Approximate Total Funding: $18 Million (This amount is an estimate, 
and is subject to availability of funds.)
    Approximate Number of Awards: Five.
    Approximate Average Award: $900,000 (This amount is for the first 
12-month budget period, and includes direct costs.)
    Floor of Award Range: $500,000.
    Ceiling of Award Range: $1,500,000 (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

    This is a limited competition funding opportunity announcement. 
Applications will only be considered from public and faith-based 
hospitals or zonal referral hospitals as defined by the MOH in Tanzania 
mainland, or the MOH and social welfare in Zanzibar.
    Eligible applicants: Must conduct a specific set of activities 
supportive of the HHS goals for enhancement of a continuum of HIV/AIDS 
prevention, care and treatment through the network model for PMTCT, 
introducing new models for CT, improving capacity of laboratory 
services and establishing centers of excellence at zonal referral 
hospitals in the United Republic of Tanzania; must have the legal 
authority, ability, and credibility among Tanzanian citizens to 
coordinate the implementation of zonal initiatives for HIV/AIDS 
prevention, treatment and care; must be able to become engaged 
immediately in the activities listed in this announcement; and must 
build upon the existing framework of health policy and programming that 
the MOH itself has initiated.

III.2. Cost Sharing or Matching

    Matching funds are not required for this program.

III.3. Other

    CDC will not accept and review applications with budgets greater 
than the ceiling of the award range.
    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.

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 you to submit your 
application electronically by using the forms and instructions posted 
for this announcement at https://www.grants.gov, the official Federal 
agency wide E-grant Web site. Only applicants who apply on-line are 
permitted to forego paper copy submission of all application forms.
    Paper Submission: Application forms and instructions are available 
on the CDC Web site, at the following Internet address: https://
www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/forminfo.htm.
    If you do not have access to the Internet, or if you have 
difficulty accessing the forms on-line, you may contact the 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: 35. 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 application must be submitted in English.
    Your narrative should address activities to be conducted over the 
entire project period, and must include the following items in the 
order listed:
     Executive Summary.
    Provide a clear and concise summary of the proposed goals; major 
objectives and activities required for achievement of program goals; 
and amount of funding requested for budget year one of this cooperative 
agreement.
     Needs Assessment and Capacity.
    Describe the documented need for the proposed activities; current 
activities that provide relevant experience and expertise to perform 
the proposed activities; and collaborative relationships with other 
agencies and organizations that will be involved in the proposed 
activities.

[[Page 46850]]

     Four-Year Plan.
     Describe realistic four-year goals and measurable, time-
phased objectives for each proposed project; the project's contribution 
to the Goals and Objectives of the Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief; the 
major activities to achieve each objective; plans for collaboration 
with partners, including HHS; and the evaluation process that will be 
used to determine effectiveness and initiate modifications, as needed.
     Year One Operational and Evaluation Plan.
    Provide specific, measurable, and time-phased year one objectives 
for each proposed project; the specific activities proposed to achieve 
the year one objectives; and a projected timetable for completion that 
displays dates for the accomplishment of tasks and identifies 
responsible parties. For each year one objective, specify how 
achievement will be measured and documented.
     Management and Staffing Plan.
    Describe how the program will be effectively managed. Include the 
following:
    a. Management structure, including the lines of authority and plans 
for fiscal control.
    b. The staff positions responsible for implementation of the 
program.
    c. Qualifications and experience of the designated staff.
     Budget and Justification.
    Provide a detailed one-year budget request and line item 
justification that is consistent with the purpose of the program and 
the proposed objectives and activities. The budget and justification 
will not be included within the 35-page limit stated above.
    You may include additional information in the application 
appendices. We will not count the appendices toward the narrative page 
limit. This additional information includes the following:
     Curricula Vitas.
     Resumes.
     Organizational Charts.
     Letters of Support.
    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/grantmain.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: September 6, 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 formally submitted when the applicant organization's 
Authorizing Official electronically submits the applications 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 
carrier's 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, CDC will not notify you upon 
receipt of your submission. If you have a question about the receipt of 
your LOI or application, first contact your courier. If you still have 
a question, contact the PGO-TIM staff at: 770-488-2700. Before calling, 
please wait two to three days after the submission deadline. This will 
allow time for 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 not be used for any new construction.
     Antiretroviral drugs--the purchase of ARVs, reagents, and 
laboratory equipment for antiretroviral treatment projects require pre-
approval from CDC officials.
     Needle exchange--No funds appropriated under this 
solicitation 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, travel, supplies, and services. Equipment may be 
purchased if deemed necessary to accomplish program objectives; 
however, prior approval by CDC officials must be requested in writing.
     All requests for funds contained in the budget shall be 
stated in U.S. dollars. Once an award is made, CDC will not compensate 
foreign grantees for currency exchange fluctuations through the 
issuance of supplemental awards.
     The costs that are generally allowable in grants to 
domestic organizations are allowable to foreign institutions and 
international organizations, with the following exception: With the 
exception of the American University, Beirut and the World Health 
Organization, Indirect Costs will not be paid (either directly or 
through sub-award) to organizations located outside the territorial 
limits of the 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

[[Page 46851]]

operations, and delivery of prevention services for which funds are 
required).
     You must obtain an annual audit of these CDC funds 
(program-specific audit) by a U.S. based audit firm with international 
branches and current licensure/ authority in-country, and in accordance 
with International Accounting Standard(s) approved in writing by CDC.
     A fiscal Recipient Capability Assessment may be required, 
prior to or post award, in order to review the applicant's business 
management and fiscal capabilities regarding the handling of U.S. 
Federal funds.
     Prostitution and Related Activities.
    The U.S. Government is opposed to prostitution and related 
activities, which are inherently harmful and dehumanizing, and 
contribute to the phenomenon of trafficking in persons.
    Any entity that receives, directly or indirectly, U.S. Government 
funds in connection with this document (``recipient'') cannot use such 
U.S. Government funds to promote or advocate the legalization or 
practice of prostitution or sex trafficking. Nothing in the preceding 
sentence shall be construed to preclude the provision to individuals of 
palliative care, treatment, or post-exposure pharmaceutical 
prophylaxis, and necessary pharmaceuticals and commodities, including 
test kits, condoms, and, when proven effective, microbicides.
    A recipient that is otherwise eligible to receive funds in 
connection with this document to prevent, treat, or monitor HIV/AIDS 
shall not be required to endorse or utilize a multisectoral approach to 
combating HIV/AIDS, or to endorse, utilize, or participate in a 
prevention method or treatment program to which the recipient has a 
religious or moral objection. Any information provided by recipients 
about the use of condoms as part of projects or activities that are 
funded in connection with this document shall be medically accurate and 
shall include the public health benefits and failure rates of such use.
    In addition, any recipient must have a policy explicitly opposing 
prostitution and sex trafficking. The preceding sentence shall not 
apply to any ``exempt organizations'' (defined as the Global Fund to 
Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, the World Health Organization 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.''
    Guidance for completing your budget can be found on the CDC Web 
site, at the following Internet address: https://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/
funding/budgetguide.htm.

IV.6. Other Submission Requirements

    Application Submission Address: Electronic Submission: HHS/CDC 
strongly encourages applicants to submit electronically at: https://
www.grants.gov. You will be able to download a copy of the application 
package from https://www.grants.gov, complete it offline, and then 
upload and submit the application via the Grants.gov site. We will not 
accept e-mail submissions. If you are having technical difficulties in 
Grants.gov, you can reach customer support by e-mail at https://
www.grants.gov/CustomerSupport, 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 recommend 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 can find directions for creating PDF files on 
the Grants.gov Web site. Use of file formats other than Microsoft 
Office or PDF could make your file unreadable for our staff; or
    Paper Submission: Submit the original and two hard copies of your 
application by mail or express delivery service to the following 
address: Technical Information Management--AA085, 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

[[Page 46852]]

of effectiveness with the application and they will be an element of 
evaluation.
    We will evaluate your application against the following criteria:
    1. Technical Approach (25 points).
    Does the applicant's proposal include an overall design strategy, 
including measurable time lines? Does the proposal address regular 
monitoring and evaluation, and the potential effectiveness of the 
proposed activities in meeting the objectives? Is the plan appropriate 
to the social, political and cultural context in Tanzania?
    2. Understanding of the Problem (20 points).
    Does the applicant demonstrate a clear and concise understanding of 
the nature of the problem described in the Purpose section of this 
announcement? Does the proposal specifically include a description of 
the public health importance of the planned activities to be 
undertaken, and a realistic presentation of proposed objectives and 
projects? 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? Does the applicant describe strategies 
that are pertinent and match those identified in the five-year strategy 
of the President's Emergency Plan and the National HIV/AIDS plan of the 
Government of the United Republic of Tanzania, and describe activities 
that are evidence-based, realistic, achievable, measurable and 
culturally appropriate in Tanzania?
    3. Ability To Carry Out the Project (20 points).
    Does the applicant document a demonstrated capability to achieve 
the purpose of the project?
    4. Personnel (20 points).
    Are the professional personnel involved in this project qualified, 
including evidence of experience in working with HIV/AIDS, 
opportunistic infections, and HIV/STD surveillance?
    5. Plans for Administration and Management of Projects (15 points).
    Is there a plan to manage the resources of the program, prepare 
reports, monitor and evaluate activities and audit expenditures? Are 
there adequate plans for administering the project?
    6. Budget (not scored).
    Is the itemized budget for conducting the project, along with 
justification, reasonable and consistent with the five-year strategy 
and goals of the President's Emergency Plan and Emergency Plan 
activities in Tanzania and the national Tanzanian HIV/AIDS strategy?

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.
    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 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-6 Patient Care.
     AR-8 Public Health System Reporting Requirements.
     AR-12 Lobbying Restrictions.
     AR-14 Accounting System Requirements.
    Applicants can find 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.
    You need to include an additional Certifications form from the PHS 
5161-1 application needs to be included in your Grants.gov electronic 
submission only. Refer to https://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/funding/PHS5161-1-
Certificates.pdf. Once the form is filled out, attach it to your 
Grants.gov submission as Other Attachment Forms.

VI.3. Reporting Requirements

    You must provide CDC with an original, plus two hard copies of the 
following reports:
    1. Interim progress report, due no less than 90 days before the end 
of the budget period. The progress report will serve as your non-
competing continuation application, and must contain the following 
elements:
    a. Current Budget Period Activities Objectives.
    b. Current Budget Period Financial Progress.
    c. New Budget Period Program Proposed Activity Objectives.
    d. Budget.
    e. Measures of Effectiveness, including progress against the 
numerical goals of the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief for 
Tanzania.
    f. Additional Requested Information.
    2. Annual progress report and financial status report, due 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 Tanzania.
    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 
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: Cecil Threat, Project 
Officer, Global AIDS Program, c/o American Embassy, 2140 Dar es Salaam 
Place, Washington, DC 20521-2140. Telephone: 255 22 212 1407. Cell: 255 
744 222986. Fax: 255 22 212 1462. e-mail: Cthreat@cdc.gov.

[[Page 46853]]

    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: 
dflournoy@cdc.gov.

VIII. Other Information

    Applicants can find this and other CDC funding opportunity 
announcements on the 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 4, 2005.
William P. Nichols,
Director, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease Control 
and Prevention.
[FR Doc. 05-15890 Filed 8-10-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P