HIV Prevention, Treatment, and Care Capacity Building for Local Organizations in the Republic of South Africa and the Kingdoms of Lesotho and Swaziland, 47209-47214 [05-16007]

Agencies

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

[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 155 (Friday, August 12, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 47209-47214]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-16007]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention


HIV Prevention, Treatment, and Care Capacity Building for Local 
Organizations in the Republic of South Africa and the Kingdoms of 
Lesotho and Swaziland

    Announcement Type: New.
    Funding Opportunity Number: AA169.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 93.067.
    Key Dates:
    Application Deadline: September 8, 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. Section 241 and 
2421], 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 has 
called for immediate, comprehensive and evidence-based action to turn 
the tide of global HIV/AIDS. The initiative aims to treat more than two 
million HIV-infected people with effective combination anti-retroviral 
therapy by 2008; care for ten million HIV-infected and affected 
persons, including those orphaned by HIV/AIDS, by 2008; and prevent 
seven million infections by 2010, with a focus on 15 priority 
countries, including 12 in sub-Saharan Africa. The five-year strategy 
for the Emergency Plan is available at the following Internet address: 
https://www.state.gov/s/gac/rl/or/c11652.htm.
    Purpose: 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 \1\ and care 
interventions, and improved linkages to HIV counseling and testing and 
HIV treatment services targeting rural and other underserved 
populations.
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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 populations 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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    Under the leadership of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator, as part 
of the President's Emergency Plan, the U.S. Department of Health and 
Human Services (HHS) works with host countries and other key partners 
to assess the needs of each country and design a customized program of 
assistance that fits within the host nation's strategic plan.
    The purpose of this announcement is to provide funding and 
technical and capacity-building support for the expansion of HIV/AIDS 
prevention, treatment and care in the Republic of South Africa and the 
Kingdoms of Lesotho, and Swaziland. The awardee will provide funding 
and technical and organizational capacity-building support to develop, 
implement, and maintain a sustained, culturally appropriate response to 
the HIV/AIDS epidemic among regional, national, and local organizations 
in South Africa, Lesotho, and Swaziland.
    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.
    South Africa has one of the largest HIV/AIDS epidemics in the 
world, with an estimated 5.3 million persons living with HIV/AIDS, 
approximately 600,000 new infections each year, and a prevalence rate 
of 21.5 percent among adults.
    Lesotho is experiencing the third-highest HIV prevalence rate in 
Sub-Saharan Africa. The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS 
(UNAIDS) estimates that 28.9 percent of adults 15-49 years of age in 
Lesotho are infected with HIV.
    Swaziland, with a population of 1.08 million people, has an 
estimated HIV prevalence rate of 38.8 percent in the adult population, 
perhaps the highest in the world.
    Measurable outcomes of the program will be in alignment with the 
numerical performance goals of the President's Emergency Plan and with 
one (or more) of the following performance goal(s) for 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, 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 people 15 to 24 years of age.
    Measurable outcomes of the program will also be in alignment with 
the two-seven-ten goals of the President's Emergency Plan:
    1. Treat two million HIV-infected people: Capitalizing on recent 
advances in ARV treatment, the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS 
Relief will be the first global effort to provide advanced anti-
retroviral treatment on a large scale in the poorest, most afflicted 
countries.
    2. Prevent seven million new infections (60 percent of the 
projected new infections in the target countries): The initiative will 
involve large-scale prevention efforts, including confidential 
voluntary testing and counseling. The availability of treatment

[[Page 47210]]

will enhance prevention efforts by providing an incentive for 
individuals to be tested.
    3. Care for ten million HIV-infected individuals, AIDS orphans, and 
vulnerable children: The initiative will provide a range of care, 
including support for children left vulnerable or orphaned by the 
disease.
    This announcement is only for non-research activities supported by 
HHS/CDC. If applicants propose research, HHS/CDC 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 provide funding, technical assistance, 
and organizational capacity-building support to selected civil society 
organizations as follows. The winning applicant must be able to 
undertake activities along the border between the Republic of South 
Africa and at least one of the following countries: the Kingdoms of 
Lesotho and Swaziland. Applicants may propose to undertake activities 
along the borders of South Africa and both Lesotho and Swaziland.
    1. Assist HHS and other Emergency Plan partner agencies in funding, 
management, oversight, and capacity-building for a wide range of local 
organizations, including faith-based organizations.
    2. Strengthen capacity and expand activities around HIV prevention, 
care, and treatment.
    3. Award and manage grants and provide technical assistance and 
organizational capacity development to these organizations in general 
management and administration, personnel management, financial 
management, supervision, program implementation, policy development, 
monitoring and evaluation, and other identified areas. The awardee will 
coordinate all organizational capacity and support with other 
organizations that are working in this area in the three countries.
    4. Share lessons learned and best practices that emerge from scale-
up and replication of effective programs.
    5. Identify and explore emerging themes and technical issues, and 
promote exchange between effective HIV/AIDS organizations in South 
Africa, Swaziland, and Lesotho.
    6. Strengthen the HIV/AIDS response through fostering the 
leadership of regional, national, and local institutions, alliances, 
and partnerships, especially networks of faith-based organizations.
    7. Provide technical assistance for proposal development and 
financial support of these regional entities.
    8. Quantify results according to the Emergency Plan two-seven-ten 
goals.
    9. Provide technical expertise and guidance to the selected 
organizations in local languages in support of HIV prevention, care and 
treatment activities.
    10. Provide relevant staff with training in local languages to meet 
the needs of the project.
    In a cooperative agreement, HHS/CDC staff is substantially involved 
in the program activities, above and beyond routine grant monitoring.
    HHS/CDC Activities for this program are as follows:
    1. Collaborate in designing and implementing the activities listed 
above, including, but not limited to, the provision of technical 
assistance to develop and implement program activities; quality 
assurance; data management; and presentation of program methods and 
findings.
    2. Collaborate with all relevant partners (sub-grantees and other 
civil society organizations) in the development of program activities.
    3. Provide direct technical assistance to sub-grantees to increase 
the organizational capacity for preparing successful proposals.
    4. Provide direct technical assistance to sub-grantees in 
developing and implementing the prevention education components of 
their respective programs.
    5. Monitor project and budget performance.
    6. 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.
    7. 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.
    8. 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.
    9. 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.
    10. Meet on a monthly basis with awardee to assess monthly 
expenditures in relation to approved work plan and modify plans as 
necessary.
    11. Meet on a quarterly basis with awardee to assess quarterly 
technical and financial progress reports and modify plans as necessary.
    12. Meet on an annual basis with awardee to review annual progress 
report for each U.S. Government Fiscal Year, and to review annual work 
plans and budgets for subsequent year, as part of the Emergency Plan 
for AIDS Relief review and approval process for Country Operational 
Plans, managed by the Office of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator.

II. Award Information

    Type of Award: Cooperative Agreement.
    HHS involvement in this program is listed in the Activities Section 
above.
    Fiscal Year Funds: 2005.
    Approximate Total Funding: $500,000 (This amount is an estimate, 
and is subject to availability of funds.)
    Approximate Number of Awards: One.
    Approximate Average Award: $100,000 (This amount is for the first 
12-month budget period, and includes direct costs).
    Floor of Award Range: None.
    Ceiling of Award Range: $100,000. (This ceiling is for the first 
12-month budget period.)
    Anticipated Award Date: September 15, 2005.
    Budget Period Length: 12 months.
    Project Period Length: Five years.
    Throughout the project period, HHS' commitment to continuation of 
awards will be conditioned on the availability of funds, evidence of 
satisfactory progress by the recipient (as documented in required 
reports), and the determination that continued funding is in the best 
interest of the Federal Government, through the Emergency Plan for AIDS 
Relief review and approval process for Country Operational Plans, 
managed by the Office of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator.

III. Eligibility Information

III.1. Eligible Applicants

    Any public or private non-profit organization, currently registered 
in South Africa, Lesotho, or Swaziland,

[[Page 47211]]

with demonstrated experience in providing financial and technical 
assistance in the area of HIV/AIDS to community based organizations 
(CBOs), non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and/or other institutions 
in South Africa, Swaziland, or Lesotho, may apply. Applicants must 
agree to undertake activities along the border between South Africa and 
at least one of the two other countries mentioned above, but may 
propose to undertake activities along South Africa's frontiers with 
both nations. Eligible organizations include the following:
     Public, non-profit organizations.
     Private, non-profit organizations.
     Community-based organizations.
     Faith-based organizations.
     Small, minority, women-owned businesses.
     Universities.
     Colleges.
     Research institutions.
     Hospitals.

III.2. Cost-Sharing or Matching Funds

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

III.3. Other

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

     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.

    Eligible applicants should have the following qualifications:
     Demonstrated experience in providing financial, technical, 
and capacity-building assistance to NGOs in the development and 
implementation of HIV prevention, care, and treatment programs.
     Demonstrated experience with USG financial and technical 
reporting requirements.
     Demonstrated capacity to develop and implement projects of 
similar complexity, and to deliver results.
     Demonstrated understanding of HIV/AIDS issues affecting 
NGOs operating within South Africa, Lesotho, and Swaziland.
     Program staff should have expertise in HIV AIDS 
prevention, care and treatment, management, monitoring and evaluation, 
supervision and training, and organizational capacity development.
     Experience working in South Africa, Lesotho, or Swaziland.

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.
    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: 15. 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 or national equivalent.
     Page margin size: One inch.
     Printed only on one side of page.
     Held together only by rubber bands or metal clips; not 
bound in any other way.
    Your narrative should address activities to be conducted over the 
entire project period, and must include the following items in the 
order listed:
     Goals and Objectives, including Project Contribution to 
the Goals and Objectives of the Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief.
     Work Plan and Description of Project Components and 
Activities.
     Timeline.
     Staffing Plan, with Level of Effort.
     Performance Measures and Methods of Evaluation.
     Summary Budget, by line item, along with a budget 
justification (this will not be counted against the stated 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 the following:
     Curriculum Vitas/Resumes for Proposed Staff.
     Organizational Charts.
     Job descriptions of proposed key positions to be created 
for the activity.
     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/pubcommt.htm. If your application form does 
not have a DUNS number field, please write your DUNS number at the top 
of the first page of your application, and/or include your DUNS number 
in your application cover letter.
    Additional requirements that could require you to submit additional 
documentation with your application are listed in section ``VI.2. 
Administrative and National Policy Requirements.''

IV.3. Submission Dates and Times

    Application Deadline Date: September 8, 2005.
    Explanation of Deadlines: Applications must be received in the HHS/
CDC Procurement and Grants Office by 4 p.m. Eastern Time on the 
deadline date.
    You may submit your application electronically at https://
www.grants.gov. We consider applications completed online through 
Grants.gov as formally submitted when the applicant organization's 
Authorizing Official electronically submits the application to https://
www.grants.gov. We will consider electronic applications as having met

[[Page 47212]]

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 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, 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 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 antiretroviral drugs for treatment of established HIV 
infection (with the exception of nevirapine in Prevention of Mother-to-
Child Transmission (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

[[Page 47213]]

and materials maintained or prepared by the recipient in the usual 
course of its operations that relate to the organization's compliance 
with this section, ``Prostitution and Related Activities.''
    All prime recipients that receive U.S. Government funds (``prime 
recipients'') in connection with this document must certify compliance 
prior to actual receipt of such funds in a written statement that makes 
reference to this document (e.g., ``[Prime recipient's name] certifies 
compliance with the section, `Prostitution and Related Activities.' '') 
addressed to the agency's grants officer. Such certifications by prime 
recipients are prerequisites to the payment of any U.S. Government 
funds in connection with this document.
    Recipients' compliance with this section, ``Prostitution and 
Related Activities,'' is an express term and condition of receiving 
U.S. Government funds in connection with this document, and any 
violation of it shall be grounds for unilateral termination by HHS of 
the agreement with HHS in connection with this document prior to the 
end of its term. The recipient shall refund to HHS the entire amount 
furnished in connection with this document in the event HHS determines 
the recipient has not complied with this section, ``Prostitution and 
Related Activities.''
    You may find guidance for completing your budget on the HHS/CDC Web 
site, at the following Internet address: https://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/
funding/budgetguide.htm.

IV.6. Other Submission Requirements

    Application Submission Address: HHS/CDC strongly encourages 
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 may reach them by e-mail at support@grants.gov or by phone at 1-
800-518-4726 (1-800-518-GRANTS). The Customer Support Center is open 
from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday.
    HHS/CDC recommends that you submit your application to Grants.gov 
early enough to resolve any unanticipated difficulties prior to the 
deadline. You may also submit a back-up paper submission of your 
application. We must receive any such paper submission in accordance 
with the requirements for timely submission detailed in Section IV.3. 
of the grant announcement. You must clearly mark the paper submission: 
``BACK-UP FOR ELECTRONIC SUBMISSION.''
    The paper submission must conform to all requirements for non-
electronic submissions. If we receive both electronic and back-up paper 
submissions by the deadline, we will consider the electronic version 
the official submission.
    We strongly 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 may find directions for creating PDF files on 
the Grants.gov Web site. Use of files other than Microsoft Office or 
PDF could make your file unreadable for our staff; or submit the 
original and two hard copies of your application by mail or express 
delivery service to the following address: Technical Information 
Management-AA169, CDC Procurement and Grants Office, U.S. Department of 
Health and Human Services, 2920 Brandywine Road, Atlanta, GA 30341.

V. Application Review Information

V.1. Criteria

    Applicants must provide measures of effectiveness that will 
demonstrate the accomplishment of the various identified objectives of 
the cooperative agreement. Measures of effectiveness must relate to the 
performance goals stated in the ``Purpose'' section of this 
announcement. Measures must be objective and quantitative, and must 
measure the intended outcome. Applicants must submit these measures of 
effectiveness with the application, and they will be an element of 
evaluation.
    We will evaluate your application against the following criteria:
    1. Understanding the Problem and Statement of Work (25 points).
    Provide a detailed and comprehensive statement of the problem, 
scope and purpose of the project and how it fits into the five-year 
strategy and goals of the President's Emergency Plan. Demonstrate an 
understanding of the intent and requirements of the agreement and 
potential problems which may be encountered. Does the applicant 
demonstrate an understanding of the national cultural and political 
context and the technical and programmatic areas covered by the 
project? Does the applicant display knowledge of the five-year strategy 
and goals of the President's Emergency Plan, such that it can build on 
these to develop a comprehensive, collaborative project to reach 
underserved populations?
    2. Personnel and Management Plan (30 points).
    Provide a description and history of the organization, including 
personnel. Include their experience, education, skills, and 
qualifications. If sub-contractors are proposed, provide information to 
support their qualifications and experience as well. Document recent 
successful experience in managing similar or related work that is 
comparable, especially work performed in South Africa, Lesotho, or 
Swaziland that demonstrates capacity for achieving the above 
objectives. Do the staff members have appropriate experience? Are the 
staff roles clearly defined? Does the applicant describe a plan to 
progressively build the capacity of local organizations and of target 
beneficiaries and communities to respond to the epidemic?
    3. Technical Approach and Methodology (30 points).
    Provide a detailed description of the proposed methodology for 
development and implementation of the activities as outlined above, 
along with a 12-month timeline. Does the applicant describe strategies 
that are pertinent and match those identified in the five-year strategy 
of the President's Emergency Plan and activities that are evidence-
based, realistic, achievable, measurable and culturally appropriate in 
South Africa and Lesotho or Swaziland to achieve the goals of the 
Emergency Plan?
    4. Management Plan (15 points).
    Is there a plan to manage the resources of the program, prepare 
reports, monitor and evaluate activities and audit expenditures?
    5. Budget and Justification (Reviewed, but not scored).
    Is the budget itemized, well-justified and consistent with the 
five-year strategy and goals of the President's Emergency Plan, 
including Emergency Plan activities in South Africa?

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

[[Page 47214]]

above. All persons who serve on the panel will be external to the U.S. 
Government Country Program Office. The panel may include both Federal 
and non-Federal participants.
    In addition, the following factors could affect the funding 
decision:
    While U.S.-based organizations are eligible to apply, we will give 
preference to existing national/South African organizations. It is 
possible for one organization to apply as lead grantee with a plan that 
includes partnering with other organizations, preferably local. 
Although matching funds are not required, preference will be go to 
organizations that can leverage additional funds to contribute to 
program goals.
    Applications will be funded in order by score and rank determined 
by the review panel. HHS/CDC will provide justification for any 
decision to fund out of rank order.

V.3. Anticipated Announcement and Award Dates

    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-10 Smoke-Free Workplace Requirements.
     AR-12 Lobbying Restrictions.
     AR-15 Proof of Non-Profit Status.
     AR-21 Small, Minority, and Women-Owned Business.
     AR-23 States and Faith-Based Organizations.
     AR-25 Release and Sharing of Data.
    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 
PHS5161-1 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 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 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 
South Africa, Lesotho, and Swaziland.
    f. Additional Requested Information.
    2. Annual progress report, due no more than 60 days after the end 
of the budget period. Reports should include progress against the 
numerical goals of the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief for 
South Africa, Lesotho, and Swaziland.
    3. Financial status report no more than 90 days after the end of 
the budget period.
    4. Final financial and performance reports, no more than 90 days 
after the end of the project period.
    Recipients must mail these reports to the Grants Management or 
Contract Specialist listed in the ``Agency Contacts'' section of this 
announcement.

VII. Agency Contacts

    We encourage inquiries concerning this announcement.
    For general questions, contact: Technical Information Management 
Section, CDC Procurement and Grants Office, U.S. Department of Health 
and Human Services, 2920 Brandywine Road, Atlanta, GA 30341, Telephone: 
770-488-2700.
    For program technical assistance, contact: Mary W. Wettrich, 
Project Officer, Deputy Director, HHS/CDC/South Africa, Afgri Building, 
Corner of Queen Wilhelmina and Middle Street, Brooklyn, Pretoria, 
Republic of South Africa, Telephone: 011-27-12-346-0170, ext. 23, E-
mail: wettrichm@sacdc.co.za.
    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 HHS funding opportunity 
announcements on the HHS/CDC Web site, Internet address: https://
www.cdc.gov (Click on ``Funding'' then ``Grants and Cooperative 
Agreements''), and on the Web site of the HHS Office of Global Health 
Affairs, Internet address: https://www.globalhealth.gov.

    Dated: August 8, 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. 05-16007 Filed 8-11-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P