Strengthen HIV/AIDS Prevention, Care, and Treatment Services for Infants of HIV Positive Mothers in the Republic of Haiti Through Provision of Improved Pediatric HIV/AIDS Laboratory Diagnosis, 46866-46872 [05-15893]

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 46866-46872]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-15893]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention


Strengthen HIV/AIDS Prevention, Care, and Treatment Services for 
Infants of HIV Positive Mothers in the Republic of Haiti Through 
Provision of Improved Pediatric HIV/AIDS Laboratory Diagnosis

    Announcement Type: New.
    Funding Opportunity Number: RFA AA178.
    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 and 
242l], as amended, and under Public Law 108-25 (United States 
Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria Act of 2003) 
[22 U.S.C. 7601].

    Background: President Bush's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (The 
Emergency Plan) has called for immediate, comprehensive and evidence-
based action to turn the tide of global HIV/AIDS. The initiative aims 
to prevent at least seven million new HIV infections by 2010; to treat 
more than two million people with effective combination anti-retroviral 
therapy by 2008; and to provide care for ten million HIV-infected and 
affected persons, including those orphaned by HIV/AIDS, by 2008, with a 
focus on 15 priority countries. 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.
    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

[[Page 46867]]

design a customized program of assistance that fits within the host 
nation's strategic plan.
    An essential element of preventing new cases of HIV is to ensure 
that high-risk groups have adequate access to screening, treatment, and 
care facilities. Haiti's HIV prevalence rate in adults is reported to 
be 5.6 percent, according to the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/
AIDS (UNAIDS) 2004 Annual Report. Access to prevention and treatment is 
limited to the Haitian population because of the underdeveloped public 
health infrastructure and lack of clinical capacity.
    Haiti's Central Plateau region is a rural area northeast of the 
capital, Port-au-Prince. Years of neglect and ill-conceived engineering 
projects have left the region's population largely destitute and 
reliant on largely subsistence farming for survival. Access to this 
region is difficult due to the poor transportation infrastructure. 
These social, economic and physical barriers have prevented significant 
numbers of Haitian non-governmental organizations from emerging and 
offering services in the Central Plateau.
    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. 
In Haiti, Emergency Plan goals include treatment of at least 25,000 
HIV-infected individuals and care for 125,000 HIV-infected and 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 one 
(or more) of the following performance goal(s) for the National Center 
for HIV, sexually transmitted diseases and Tuberculosis Prevention of 
the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) within the U.S. 
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS): Increase the proportion 
of HIV-infected people who are linked to appropriate prevention, care 
and treatment services; 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. If an applicant proposes research, we 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 awardee will either implement activities directly 
or will implement them through its subgrantees and/or subcontractors; 
the awardee will retain overall financial and programmatic management 
under the oversight of HHS/CDC and the strategic direction of the 
Office of the Global AIDS Coordinator. The awardee must show a 
measurable progressive reinforcement of the capacity of indigenous 
organizations and local communities to respond to the national HIV 
epidemic, as well as progress towards the sustainability of activities.
    Applicants should describe activities in detail as part of a four-
year action plan (U.S. Government Fiscal Years 2005-2008 inclusive) 
that reflects the policies and goals outlined in the five-year strategy 
for the President's Emergency Plan.
    HHS/CDC, under the guidance of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator, 
will approve funds 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.
    This program announcement seeks proposals from Haitian 
organizations to strengthen and expand pediatric testing and diagnosis 
for infants of HIV-positive mothers. The funding through this 
cooperative agreement will establish and provide ongoing and effective 
pediatric HIV/AIDS testing and diagnosis and strengthen laboratory 
support services and personnel integral in reducing the incidence of 
pediatric HIV/AIDS in Haiti. Program proposals should include program 
strategies that address the following activities:
    1. Provide pediatric testing and diagnosis to infants.
    2. Strengthen laboratory services to support pediatric diagnosis 
and treatment, and build capacity in lab personnel internally and 
within the HIV/AIDS service-delivery network.
    3. Record and report sample collection results regularly.
    4. Reduce the incidence of pediatric HIV/AIDS through partnering 
with prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) linkages to 
ensure access to pediatric HIV/AIDS information and care.
    5. Expand services and transfer pediatric diagnostic testing 
technology to other sites.
    6. Administer anti-retroviral (ARV) treatment in adherence with 
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) guidelines.
    7. Provide basic laboratory services in support of pediatric HIV/
AIDS diagnosis and treatment.
    1. Perform CD4 counts.
    2. Perform complete blood counts.
    3. Perform HIV rapid testing.
    4. Perform confirmatory HIV/AIDS testing.
    8. Provide post-test counseling, care, and other social services, 
as needed by the newborn.
    9. Provide appropriate referrals to ensure that HIV-infected 
pregnant women receive care for their own health, and to prevent HIV 
transmission to their babies.
    10. Provide referrals to appropriate prevention ,\1\ treatment, 
care and support services.
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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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    11. Implement monitoring and evaluation strategies, assessing:
    1. Number of infants tested.
    2. Number of infants receiving treatment and follow-up.
    3. Number of technical assists provided to other lab sites.
    12. 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.
    13. 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.
    14. 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.

[[Page 46868]]

    15. 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.
    Administration: Comply with all HHS management requirements for 
meeting participation and progress and financial reporting for this 
cooperative agreement. (See HHS Activities and Reporting sections below 
for details.) Comply with all policy directives established by the 
Office of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator.
    In a cooperative agreement, HHS staff is substantially involved in 
the program activities, above and beyond routine grant monitoring.
    HHS Activities for this program are as follows:
    1. Organize an orientation meeting with the 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.
    2. 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.
    3. 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.
    4. 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.
    5. Meet on a monthly basis with awardee to assess monthly 
expenditures in relation to approved work plan and modify plans as 
necessary.
    6. Meet on a quarterly basis with awardee to assess quarterly 
technical and financial progress reports and modify plans as necessary.
    7. 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.
    8. Support an electronic medical record (EMR) database system; 
provide and support a surveillance database system.
    9. Provide and install of hardware necessary for the use of 
database systems.
    10. Assist in organizing regional meetings.
    11. Provide technical laboratory consultations to support all 
activities related to pediatric diagnosis.
    12. Provision of laboratory consultations to pediatric diagnosis 
and coordination of this project.

II. Award Information

    Type of Award: Cooperative Agreement.
    HHS involvement in this program is listed in the Activities Section 
above.
    Fiscal Year Funds: 2005.
    Approximate Total Funding: $1,000,000 (This amount is an estimate, 
and is subject to availability of funds.).
    Approximate Number of Awards: One.
    Approximate Average Award: $200,000 (This amount is for the first 
12-month budget period, and includes direct costs.).
    Floor of Award Range: $200,000.
    Ceiling of Award Range: $200,000.
    Anticipated Award Date: September 15, 2005.
    Budget Period Length: 12 months.
    Project Period Length: Five 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

    Eligible applicants must:
     Be private, non-profit organizations, indigenous to Haiti, 
and may be faith-based organizations.
     Have between three to five years of experience in HIV/AIDS 
pediatric diagnosis and testing.
     Currently work in HIV/AIDS care in the Central Plateau 
Region of Haiti.
     Already be integrated into the Haitian national HIV/AIDS 
program.

III.2. Cost-Sharing or Matching

    Matching funds are not required for this program.

III.3. Other

    If applicants request a funding amount greater than the ceiling of 
the award range, HHS/CDC will consider the application non-responsive, 
and it will not enter into the review process. We will notify you that 
your application did not meet the submission requirements.
    Special Requirements: If your application is incomplete or non-
responsive to the special requirements listed in this section, it will 
not enter into the review process. We will notify you that your 
application did not meet submission requirements.
     HHS/CDC will consider late applications non-responsive. 
See section ``IV.3. Submission Dates and Times'' for more information 
on deadlines.
     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 forego 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 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

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forms. You must submit the narrative in the following format:
     Maximum number of pages: 30. If your narrative exceeds the 
page limit, only the first pages which are within the page limit will 
be reviewed.
     Font size: 12 point unreduced
     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.
     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.
     Project Context and Background (Understanding and Need)
     Project Strategy--Description and Methodologies
     Project Goals
     Project Outputs
     Project Contribution to the Goals and Objectives of the 
Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief
     Work Plan and Description of Project Components and 
Activities
     Performance Measures
     Timeline (e.g., GANNT Chart)
     Management of Project Funds and Reporting.
    You may include additional information in the application 
appendices. The appendices will not count toward the narrative page 
limit. This additional information includes the following:
     Budget Justification (only for Year 01)
     Curricula Vitae
     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.
    Applications may be submitted 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 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 submittal of the application is done electronically through 
Grants.gov (https://www.grants.gov), the application will be 
electronically time/date stamped, which will serve as receipt of 
submission. Applicants 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 of: (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 a hard copy application is submitted, 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 United States or to international organizations 
regardless of their location.
     The applicant may contract with other organizations under 
this program; however, the applicant must perform a substantial portion 
of the activities (including program management and operations, and 
delivery of prevention services for which funds are required).
     You must obtain annual audit of these HHS/CDC funds 
(program-specific audit) by a U.S.-based audit firm with international 
branches and current licensure/authority in-country, and in accordance 
with International Accounting Standards or equivalent standard(s) 
approved in writing by HHS/CDC.
     A fiscal Recipient Capability Assessment may be required, 
prior to or post award, in order to review the

[[Page 46870]]

applicant's business management and fiscal capabilities regarding the 
handling of U.S. Federal funds.
     Funds received from this announcement will not be used for 
the purchase of anti-retroviral drugs for treatment of established HIV 
infection, with the exception of nevirapine in PMTCT cases and with 
prior written approval, occupational exposures, and non-occupational 
exposures and will not be used for the purchase of machines and 
reagents to conduct the necessary laboratory monitoring for patient 
care.
     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 
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: Electronic Submission: HHS/CDC 
strongly encourages applicants to submit applications electronically at 
https://www.Grants.gov. The application package can be downloaded from 
https://www.Grants.gov. Applicants are able to complete it off-line, and 
then upload and submit the application via the Grants.gov Web site. We 
will not accept e-mail submissions. If the applicant has technical 
difficulties in Grants.gov, the applicant can reach customer service at 
https://www.grants.gov/CustomerSupport 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 submittal of the application to Grants.gov 
should be early to resolve any unanticipated difficulties prior to the 
deadline. Applicants 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 recommend that the applicant submit the grant 
application by using Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, etc.). If the 
applicant does not have access to Microsoft Office products, you may 
submit a PDF file. Directions for creating PDF files can be found on 
the Grants.gov Web site. Use of file formats other than Microsoft 
Office or PDF could make the 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-AA178, 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

[[Page 46871]]

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. Need (20 Points) To what extent does the applicant justify the 
need for this program within the target community?
    2. Plan (20 Points) 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 describe activities 
that are evidence-based, realistic, achievable, measurable and 
culturally appropriate in Haiti? Is the plan appropriate to the social, 
political and cultural context in Haiti? Is the plan adequate to carry 
out the proposed objectives? How complete and comprehensive is the plan 
for the entire project period? Does the plan include quantitative 
process and outcome measures?
    3. Monitoring Evaluation and Reporting (20 points) Does the 
applicant have a system for reviewing and adjusting program activities 
based on monitoring information? Applicants must develop indicators for 
each program milestone and incorporate them into the periodic financial 
and programmatic reports. Applicants must draw all indicators from the 
President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief Indicator Guide, and be 
consistent with the guidance established by the Office of the U.S. 
Global AIDS Coordinator. Applicants must generate periodic financial 
and program reports to show disbursement of funds and progress towards 
achieving program objectives.
    4. Methods (15 Points).
    Are the proposed methods feasible? To what extent will they 
accomplish the program goals?
    5. Management and Personnel (15 Points).
    Do the staff members have appropriate experience? Are the staff 
roles clearly defined? As described, will the staff be sufficient to 
accomplish the program goals? Is there a plan to manage the resources 
of the program, prepare reports, monitor and evaluate activities and 
audit expenditures?
    6. Eligibility (10 points).
    Organizations indigenous to Haiti must have between three to five 
years of experience in HIV/AIDS pediatric diagnosis and testing, must 
currently work in HIV/AIDS care in the Central Plateau, and must be 
integrated into the Haitian national HIV/AIDS program.
    7. Budget and Justification (Reviewed, but 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, Emergency Plan activities in Haiti, and the 
National Haitian HIV/AIDS program?

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.
    In addition, the following factors could affect the funding 
decision:
     Maintaining geographic diversity
     Preference to organizations in certain geographic areas
    HHS/CDC will provide justification for any decision to fund out of 
rank order.

V.3. Anticipated Announcement and Award Dates

    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-10 Smoke-Free Workplace Requirements
     AR-12 Lobbying Restrictions
     AR-14 Accounting System Requirements
    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 the 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:
    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 and Objectives.
    b. Current Budget Period Financial Progress.
    c. New Budget Period Program Proposed Activities and Objectives.
    d. Budget and budget narrative with justification.
    e. Measures of Effectiveness, including progress against the 
numerical goals of the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief for 
Haiti.
    f. Additional Information.
    2. Annual reports are due within 30 days of the end of the budget 
period. The report should detail progress toward achieving program 
milestones and projected next year activities. Indicators must be 
developed for each program milestone and incorporated

[[Page 46872]]

into the annual financial and programmatic reports. All indicators need 
to be drawn from the Emergency Plan.
    3. Financial status report, no more than 90 days after the end of 
the budget period. The financial report must show obligations, 
disbursements and funds remaining by program activity. Indicators must 
be developed for each program milestone and incorporated into the 
periodic financial and programmatic reports. All indicators need to be 
drawn from The Emergency Plan Indicator Guide.
    4. Final 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: Kathy Grooms, Project 
Officer, Global AIDS Program, HHS/CDC National Center for HIV, STD, and 
TB Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road, Mailstop E-04, Atlanta, GA 30333. 
Telephone: 404-639-8394.
    For financial, grants management, or budget assistance, contact: 
Vivian Walker, Grants Management Specialist, CDC Procurement and Grants 
Office, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2920 Brandywine 
Road, Atlanta, GA 30341. Telephone: 770-488-2724. E-mail: 
vwalker@cdc.gov.

VIII. Other Information

    Applicants can find this and other HHS/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. 05-15893 Filed 8-10-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P