Total Control of the Epidemic: A Door-to-Door Approach to Strengthen Community-Based Interventions for HIV/AIDS Prevention, Care and Treatment in Namibia, 46861-46866 [05-15892]

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 46861-46866]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-15892]



[[Page 46861]]

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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention


Total Control of the Epidemic: A Door-to-Door Approach to 
Strengthen Community-Based Interventions for HIV/AIDS Prevention, Care 
and Treatment in Namibia

    Announcement Type: New.
    Funding Opportunity Number: AA072.
    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. 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: 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. 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 Namibia are to treat at 
least 23,000 HIV-infected individuals and care for 115,000 HIV-affected 
individuals, including orphans.
    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 Namibia.
    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 announces the availability of fiscal year (FY) 2005 funds for a 
cooperative agreement to implement HIV/AIDS prevention, care, and 
treatment in the community in northern Namibia.
    The purpose of this announcement is to support the community 
response in Namibia to increase its capacity to prevent new HIV 
infections and to improve community linkages with available health care 
and social services for confidential HIV counseling and testing (CT), 
HIV/AIDS care, treatment, and support. The Namibian Ministry of Health 
and Social Services (MoHSS) has requested assistance from HHS to 
rapidly expand health care and social services within Namibia through a 
population-based door-to-door education program known as ``Total 
Control of the Epidemic'' (TCE). The TCE approach has been shown to 
significantly improve the community response to HIV/AIDS, such as 
increases in HIV testing rates in neighboring Botswana. TCE has begun 
in the northern regions of Namibia, including the Omusati, Oshana, and 
half of the Ohangwena and Oshikoto regions, and this announcement will 
extend this unique program to the remaining half of Ohangwena and 
Oshikoto regions and the neighboring region of Kavango in 2005. These 
five regions account for 54 percent of the Namibia population. Based on 
performance and need, it is also anticipated that the TCE program will 
be extended to other regions in subsequent years.
    HHS/CDC assistance will include: (1) Technical guidance to awardee 
personnel by working in close collaboration with the MOHSS to develop 
appropriate training materials for field staff in HIV prevention, 
including Abstinence (``A''), Being faithful to a partner of known HIV 
status (``B''), and for populations engaged in high-risk behaviors [1] 
correct and consistent Condom use (``C'') \1\[``A,B,C'' model]; (3) the 
benefits of knowing your HIV status and how to access services for CT; 
(4) increasing awareness in the community that HIV Confidential 
counseling and testing will be more routinely offered in the health-
care setting, e.g., when pregnant, or sick with TB or other HIV-related 
conditions; (5) the availability of comprehensive HIV/AIDS care in the 
health facilities, including prevention and treatment of opportunistic 
infections and anti-retroviral therapy (ART); and (6) the importance of 
nutrition and positive living for those infected by HIV.
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    \1\ 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 abstinence and faithfulness behavior-change 
interventions.
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    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 goals of the National Center for HIV, 
Sexually Transmitted Disease and Tuberculosis Prevention 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, United States 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, reducing HIV transmission, and improving care of 
persons living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA).
    This announcement is only for non-research activities supported by 
HHS, including the 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 northern Namibia. 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.

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    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 Namibia 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. Identify, train, compensate, and support field educators from 
the community to deliver the TCE program.
    2. Collaborate with local, regional, and national government 
officials to ensure that activities and approaches are consistent with 
national HIV/AIDS policies, the National Strategic Plan on HIV/AIDS, 
and the five-year strategies and goals of the President's Emergency 
Plan.
    3. Collaborate with other non-governmental organizations to avoid 
duplication, and to improve access of the population within TCE areas 
to needed services.
    4. Inform and educate the public, including community leaders and 
traditional healers, about HIV/AIDS, including age-appropriate 
prevention through the ``A,B,C'' model, prevention of mother-to-child 
transmission (PMTCT), confidential voluntary counseling and testing 
(VCT) and access to care, support, and treatment.
    5. Mobilize the communities in Namibia to support and utilize 
PMTCT, confidential counseling and testing, and HIV/AIDS care, 
including organizing groups for mobile confidential VCT.
    6. Provide basic counseling on HIV risk-reduction and positive 
living.
    7. 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.
    8. 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.
    9. 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.
    10. 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.
    In a cooperative agreement, HHS staff is substantially involved in 
the program activities, above and beyond routine grant monitoring.
    HHS Activities for this program is as follows:
    1. Collaborate with the awardee in adapting the TCE approach to the 
Namibia cultural and social context, including, but not limited to, the 
provision of technical assistance to design program activities and 
training materials, quality assurance, monitoring and evaluation, and 
providing recommendations.
    2. 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.
    3. Conduct support visits to work sites in collaboration with the 
Ministry of Health and Social Services to promote linkages to health 
facilities and services related to voluntary counseling and testing, 
prevention of mother-to-child transmission, antiretroviral therapy, TB/
HIV, and palliative HIV/AIDS care.
    4. 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. Provide trainers to assist the awardee with training of 
staff members and field officers.
    5. Monitor project and budget performance. 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.
    6. 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.
    7. Meet on a monthly basis with awardee to assess monthly 
expenditures in relation to approved work plan and modify plans as 
necessary.
    8. Meet on a quarterly basis with awardee to assess quarterly 
technical and financial progress reports and modify plans as necessary.
    9. 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.
    Fiscal Year Funds: 2005.
    Approximate Total Funding: $5,000,000 (This amount is an estimate, 
and is subject to availability of funds.)
    Approximate Number of Awards: One.
    Approximate Average Award: $769,165 (This amount is for the first 
12-month budget period.)
    Floor of Award Range: $769,165.
    Ceiling of Award Range: $2,000,000 (This ceiling is for the first 
12-month budget period.)
    Anticipated Award Date: September 23, 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

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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

    Funding under this Cooperative Agreement will be used in FY 2005 to 
immediately and more efficiently expand the TCE program to reach 
underserved populations. Applicants must be able to demonstrate the 
ability to deliver TCE in the following geographic areas: The areas of 
Ohangwena and Oshikoto regions where TCE has not begun and the 
neighboring region of Kavango. Applicants must have the ability to 
financially and technically oversee the project and provide 
implementation of a large-scale interpersonal communication project and 
the ability to collect information, train staff and advocate for the 
program in support of the National AIDS Strategic Plan, and to 
disseminate personalized communication to support the fight against 
HIV/AIDS in the Republic of Namibia.

III.2. Cost Sharing or Matching Funds

    Preference will go to organizations that leveraged additional 
resources from the Global Fund to contribute to program goals in 
Oshana, Omusati, and Oshikoto Regions.

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 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.
     Note: Title 2 of the United States Code Section 1611 state 
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 you to submit your 
application electronically by using the forms and instructions posted 
for this announcement on www.grants.gov, the official Federal 
agencywide E-grant Web site.
    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 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 paper is ``preferred'' but 
customary sized paper used by international organizations will be 
accepted.
     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.
     You must submit the narrative in English
    The 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 and Objectives
     Project Contribution to the Goals and Objectives of the 
Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief
     Work Plan and Description of Project Components and 
Activities
     Timeline
     Staff
     Performance Measures
     Budget Justification (The budget justification will not be 
counted in the 25 page limit).
    You may include additional information in the application 
appendices. The appendices will not count toward the narrative page 
limit. This additional information includes:
     Certified copies of letters or notification from the 
Global Fund concerning award of funds for Omusati, Oshana, Oshikoto, 
and Ohangwena regions.
     Letters of support from their respective regional offices 
and the regional office of Kavango.
     Curriculum Vitae of the project director with the 
application and describe how Namibian personnel will be integrated into 
project management in the interest of capacity-building and 
sustainability.
    The organization or agency 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 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.''
    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 on-line through 
Grants.gov as formally submitted when the applicant organization's 
Authorizing Official electronically submits the application to 
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 
(https://

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www.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 the 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 the submission after the closing date 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 hard copy application, HHS/CDC will not notify you 
upon receipt of the submission. If you have a question about the 
receipt of the application, first contact the carrier. 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 will be 
discarded. 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 be taken into account while writing 
your budget, are as follows:
    Funding to be administered include: Provision of salaries and short 
term contracts for technical and support staff needed to scale up TCE 
programs in the community to a nation-wide level; funding for the 
support infrastructure in terms of office space, equipment, supplies, 
transport, communications, and logistics in support of program 
activities; funding for training, materials, and supervision in the 
field for the staff engaged in HIV/AIDS prevention, care, and treatment 
programs.
     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 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, 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 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 
sub-agreements under this award. These provisions must be express terms 
and conditions of the sub-agreement, must acknowledge that compliance 
with this section, ``Prostitution and Related Activities,'' is a 
prerequisite to receipt and expenditure of U.S. government funds in 
connection with this document, and must acknowledge that any violation 
of the provisions shall be grounds for unilateral termination of the 
agreement prior to the end of its term. Recipients must agree that HHS 
may, at any reasonable time, inspect the documents and materials 
maintained or prepared by the recipient in the usual course of its 
operations that relate to the organization's compliance with this

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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
    Electronic Submission
    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 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 the 
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 the 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. You may 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-AA072, 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. Technical Approach (25 points).
    To the extent to which the applicant's proposal includes an overall 
design strategy, including measurable time lines, the extent to which 
the proposal addresses regular monitoring and evaluation, and the 
potential effectiveness of the proposed activities in meeting 
objectives.
    2. Understanding of the Problem (20 points).
    Extent to which the applicant demonstrates a clear and concise 
understanding of the nature of the problem described in the Purpose 
section of this announcement. This specifically includes description of 
the public health importance of the planned activities to be undertaken 
and realistic presentation of proposed objectives and projects. Does 
the applicant demonstrate understanding of the processes and principles 
of The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, and does 
the applicant display a willingness and ability to integrate its 
program with activities funded by The Global Fund? 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 Namibia and meet the goals of the Emergency Plan?
    3. Ability to Carry Out the Project (20 points).
    The extent to which the applicant documents demonstrated capability 
to achieve the purpose of the project.
    4. Personnel (20 points).
    The extent to which professional personnel, including Namibians, 
involved in this project are qualified, including evidence of 
experience in working with HIV/AIDS, community-based programs, and 
monitoring and evaluation.
    5. Plans for Administration and Management of Projects (15 points).
    Does the applicant demonstrate adequacy of plans for administering 
the projects, and does the applicant describe a plan to progressively 
build the indigenous capacity of Namibians and of target beneficiaries 
and communities to manage various aspects of the project and to respond 
to the epidemic?
    6. Budget (Reviewed but not scored).
    The extent to which the itemized budget for conducting the project, 
along with justification, is reasonable and consistent with the five-
year strategy and goals of the President's Emergency Plan, Emergency 
Plan activities in Namibia, and stated objectives and planned program 
activities.

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.

[[Page 46866]]

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 Announcement and Award Dates

    September 23, 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-10 Smoke-Free Workplace Requirements
     AR-12 Lobbying Restrictions
     AR-14 Accounting System Requirements
    Applicants can find additional information on the 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 
PHS5161-1 application needs 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 the Grants.gov submission as Other Attachments Form.

VI.3. Reporting Requirements

    You must provide HHS/CDC with an original, plus two hard copies, of 
the following reports:
    1. Interim progress reports (annual): a brief, comprehensive 
narrative progress report should be submitted no less than 90 days 
after 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. Detailed Line-Item Budget.
    e. Measures of Effectiveness, including progress against the 
numerical goals of the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief for 
Namibia.
    f. Additional Requested Information.
    2. Financial status report due no more than 90 days after the end 
of the budget period.
    3. Final financial and performance reports, due no more than 90 
days after the end of the project period.
    4. 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 
Namibia.
    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: Leonard Floyd, Project 
Officer, U.S. Department of State, 2540 Windhoek Place, Washington, DC 
20521-8320, Telephone: 011 264 61224 149, E-mail: Floydl@nacop.net.
    For financial, grants management, or budget assistance, contact: 
Shirley Wynn, Grants Management Specialist, CDC Procurement and Grants 
Office, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2920 Brandywine 
Road, Atlanta, GA 30341, Telephone: (770) 488-1515, E-mail: 
SWynn@cdc.gov.

VIII. Other Information

    Applicants can find this and other CDC 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. 05-15892 Filed 8-10-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P