Rapid Expansion of Access to HIV/AIDS Prevention, Care, and Treatment Interventions in the Underserved Northern and Western Regions of the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire Under the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, 48149-48155 [05-16174]

Agencies

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

[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 157 (Tuesday, August 16, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 48149-48155]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-16174]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention


Rapid Expansion of Access to HIV/AIDS Prevention, Care, and 
Treatment Interventions in the Underserved Northern and Western Regions 
of the Republic of C[ocirc]te d'Ivoire Under the President's Emergency 
Plan for AIDS Relief

    Announcement Type: New.
    Funding Opportunity Number: CDC-RFA-AA070.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 93.067.

DATES: Application Deadline: September 9, 2005.

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    Authority: This program is authorized under Sections 307 and 
317(k)(2) of the Public Health Service Act [42 U.S.C. Sections 242l 
and 247b(k)(2)], as amended, and under Public Law 108-25 (United 
States Leadership against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria Act of 
2004) [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 (ART) 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/cll11652.htm.
    Over the same time period, as part of a collective national 
response, the Emergency Plan goals specific to C[ocirc]te d'Ivoire are 
to treat at least 77,000 HIV-infected individuals; care for 385,000 
HIV-affected individuals, including orphans; and prevent 265,000 new 
HIV infections.
    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, 
improved linkages to confidential HIV counseling and testing (CT), 
prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission (PMTCT), and HIV 
treatment services that target underserved populations, prioritizing 
those in the northern and western regions of C[ocirc]te d'Ivoire, where 
health care has been disrupted since a 2002 armed rebellion, and 
remains difficult because of the ongoing politico-military crisis.
    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.
    This announcement is only for non-research activities supported by 
HHS, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). If 
an applicant proposes research activities, HHS will not review the 
application. For the definition of research, please see the HHS/CDC Web 
site at the following Internet address: https://www.cdc.gov/od/ads/
opspoll1.htm.
    Measurable outcomes of the program will be in alignment with the 
numerical goals of the President's Emergency Plan and the following 
performance goals for the National Center for HIV, STD, and TB 
Prevention (NCHSTP) of 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 National General Assembly Special Session on HIV/
AIDS goal of reducing prevalence among persons 15 to 24 years of age.
    The goals of the Emergency Plan include the following:

A. Prevention

    Number of individuals trained to provide HIV prevention 
interventions [Abstinence and Be Faithful (A/B); and for populations 
engaged in high-risk behavior,\1\ correct and consistent condom use; 
other prevention; PMTCT].
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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.
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1. Abstinence (A) and Be Faithful (B)
    a. Number of community outreach and/or mass-media (radio) HIV/AIDS 
prevention programs that are A/B focused.
    b. Number of individuals reached through community outreach and/or 
mass-media (radio) HIV/AIDS prevention programs that are A/B focused.
2. PMTCT
    a. Number of service outlets that provide the minimum package of 
PMTCT services (i.e., confidential antenatal counseling and testing 
(CT); anti-retroviral prophylaxis; nutritional guidance; and support, 
with links to voluntary family planning and supportive basic social 
services).
    b. Number of pregnant women provided with PMTCT, including 
confidential CT.
    c. Number of pregnant women provided with a complete course of 
anti-retroviral prophylaxis in a PMTCT setting.
    d. Number of health workers newly trained or retrained in the 
provision of PMTCT.

B. Care and Support

1. Confidential Counseling and Testing (CT)
    a. Number of CT service outlets that provide CT.
    b. Number of clients who receive CT.
    c. Number of people trained in CT.
2. Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC)
    a. Number of service outlets/programs.
    b. Number of clients (OVC) served.
    c. Number of persons trained in caring for OVC.
3. Palliative Care: Basic Health Care and Support
    a. Number of service outlets/programs that provide general HIV-
related palliative care.
    b. Number of service outlets/programs that provide malaria care 
and/or referral.

[[Page 48150]]

    c. Number of clients served with general HIV-related palliative 
care.
    d. Number of persons trained to provide general HIV-related 
palliative care.

C. HIV Treatment With Anti-Retrovirals (ARV)

    1. Number of clients served.
    2. Number of persons trained in HIV treatment.

D. Strategic Information

    Number of persons trained in strategic information, according to 
guidance produced by the Office of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator.

E. Expanded Indigenous Sustainable Response

    Project-specific quantifiable milestones will be required to 
measure:
    1. Indigenous capacity-building.
    2. Progress toward sustainability.
    Activities: The recipient of these funds is responsible for 
activities in multiple HIV-related program areas designed to target 
underserved populations in the northern and western regions of 
C[ocirc]te d'Ivoire. 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.
    The grantee will expand comprehensive HIV prevention and care, 
including: behavior-change communication (BCC); provision of supportive 
and palliative care to OVC and HIV affected families; and provision of/
or linkages to PMTCT, CT and HIV treatment through health care centers, 
local non-governmental organizations (NGOs), community-based-
organizations (CBOs) and/or faith-based organizations (FBOs), with a 
measurable and progressive reinforcement of the capacity of local 
structures to implement and sustain activities.
    Applicants should describe activities, in detail, as part of a 
four-year action plan (U.S. Government Fiscal Years 2005-2008 
inclusive) that reflects the policies and goals outlined in the five-
year strategy for the President's Emergency Plan. The grantee 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 
C[ocirc]te d'Ivoire 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 grantee may work on some of the activities listed in this 
announcement 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.
    Based on its competitive advantage and proven field experience, the 
winning applicant will undertake a broad range of activities to meet 
the numerical Emergency Plan targets outlined in this announcement. For 
each of these activities, the grantee will give priority to evidence-
based, yet culturally adapted, innovative approaches including:
    1. Assisting governmental and non-governmental structures, 
financially and/or technically, to re-establish and/or reinforce a 
range of prevention and palliative care interventions provided to 
persons living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) and their families in the regions 
where health care has been disrupted; and providing care, supported 
through a combination of technical assistance with capacity-building, 
and of small- to medium-size grants to local community- and faith-based 
organizations.
    2. Implementation of BCC interventions, in partnership with local 
organizations (CBOs/NGOs/FBOs), journalist and artist networks, and 
traditional and elected authorities, in the geographic regions 
targeted, by building on existing tools and strategies. Interventions 
will respect and reflect local cultural and religious mores, and will 
aim to reduce HIV-related stigma; promote HIV testing as part of a 
comprehensive BCC strategy to reduce HIV transmission and as a routine 
part of medical care; and improve care, support, and treatment for 
PLWHA and family members, highly vulnerable youth, military, ex-
combatants and other vulnerable populations. Evidence-based approaches 
will be used, which can include peer education, targeted condom social 
marketing to populations engaged in high-risk behavior,\2\ and 
networking with links to HIV-related care and treatment. Awardees may 
not implement condom social marketing without also implementing the 
abstinence and faithfulness behavior-change interventions outlined 
above.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \2\ 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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    3. Progressively build capacity members of AIDS service 
organizations (ASO) in program and financial management, monitoring and 
evaluation, resource mobilization, and/or the provision of community/
home-based palliative care and anti-retroviral treatment.
    4. Comply with all HHS/CDC management requirements for meeting 
participation and progress and financial reporting for this cooperative 
agreement. (See HHS/CDC activities and Reporting sections below for 
details.)

Administration

    Willing applicants must 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.) Winning applicants must 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 to brief the grantee 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 grantee to select key 
personnel or post-award sub-contractors 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.

[[Page 48151]]

    3. Review and approve grantee's annual work plan and detailed 
budget, as part of the Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief Country 
Operational Plan review and approval process, managed by the Office of 
the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator.
    4. Review and approve grantee's monitoring and evaluation plan, 
including for compliance with the strategic information guidance 
established by the Office of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator.
    5. Meet with grantee, as necessary, to assess quarterly technical 
and financial progress reports and modify plans as necessary.
    6. Meet on an annual basis with grantee to review annual progress 
report for each U.S. Government Fiscal Year, and to review annual work 
plans and budgets for subsequent year, as part of the Emergency Plan 
for AIDS Relief review and approval process for Country Operational 
Plans, managed by the Office of Global AIDS Coordinator.
    7. Provide technical assistance, as mutually agreed upon and 
revised annually, during validation of the first and subsequent annual 
work plans. This can include expert technical assistance and targeted 
training activities in specialized areas, such as: strategic 
information; project management; confidential counseling and testing; 
palliative care; orphans and vulnerable children (OVC); treatment 
literacy; and adult learning techniques.
    8. Provide in-country administrative support to help grantee meet 
U.S. Government financial and reporting requirements.

    Please note: Either HHS staff or staff from organizations that 
have successfully competed for funding under a separate HHS 
contract, cooperative agreement or grant will provide technical 
assistance and training.

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: $5,000,000.

(This amount is an estimate for the entire four-year project period, 
and is subject to availability of funds.)

    Approximate Number of Awards: One.
    Approximate Average Award: $1,000,000.

(This amount is for the first 12-month budget period, and includes 
direct costs.)

    Floor of Award Range: $500,000.
    Ceiling of Award Range: $1,000,000. (This ceiling is for the first 
12-month budget period and is subject to the availability of funds.)
    Anticipated Award Date: September 15, 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 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

    Public and private non-profit and for-profit organizations may 
submit applications, such as:
     Public, non-profit organizations.
     Private, non-profit organizations.
     For-profit organizations.
     Small, minority-owned, and women-owned businesses.
     Universities.
     Colleges.
     Hospitals.
     Community-based organizations.
     Faith-based organizations.
    While both U.S.-based and Ivorian organizations are eligible to 
apply, we will give preference to well-established Ivorian 
organizations, legally incorporated in Cote d'Ivoire, that have well-
developed management and financial control systems and established HIV 
activities that reach to rural areas of that country.

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.
     Applicants may be U.S.-based or Ivorian, but we will give 
preference to existing organizations legally incorporated in Cote 
d'Ivoire with well-developed management and financial control and 
established HIV activities with reach to the northern and western 
regions of Cote d'Ivoire.
     Applicant must provide documentation that substantiates 
eligibility criteria. Such proof could include, but is not limited to, 
official documents that describe legal organizational status, annual, 
financial, and audit reports, etc.
     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 you to submit your application 
electronically by using the forms and instructions posted for this 
announcement at https://www.grants.gov, the official Federal agency wide 
E-grant Web site. Only applicants who apply on-line are permitted to 
forego paper copy submission of all application forms.

Paper Submission

    Application forms and instructions are available on the 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:

[[Page 48152]]

     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.
     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.
     Must be submitted in English.
    Your narrative should address activities to be conducted over the 
entire project period, and must include the following items in the 
order listed:
     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., Henry L. Gantt 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:
     Project Budget.
     Project Budget Notes.
     Curriculum Vitas (copies from current staff who will work 
on the activity).
     Job Descriptions (summaries of proposed key positions to 
be created for the activity).
     Quality-Assurance, Monitoring-and-Evaluation and 
Strategic-Information Forms.
     Applicant's Corporate Capability Statement.
     Letters of Support.
     Evidence of Legal Organizational Structure.
    The budget justification will not count in the narrative page 
limit. Although the narrative addresses activities for the entire 
project, the applicant should provide a detailed budget only for the 
first year of activities and broad line items for the other project 
period years.
    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 9, 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 you submit your application electronically with Grants.gov, your 
application will be electronically time/date stamped, which will serve 
as receipt of submission. You will receive an e-mail notice of receipt 
when HHS/CDC receives the application.
    If you submit your application by the United States Postal Service 
or commercial delivery service, you must ensure the carrier will be 
able to guarantee delivery by the closing date and time. If HHS/CDC 
receives your submission after closing because 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 
carriers guarantee. If the documentation verifies a carrier problem, 
HHS/CDC will consider the submission as received by the deadline.
    If you submit a hard copy application, HHS/CDC will not notify you 
upon receipt of your submission. If you have a question about the 
receipt of your application, first contact your courier. If you still 
have a question, contact the PGO-TIM staff at (770) 488-2700. Before 
calling, please wait two to three days after the submission deadline. 
This will allow time for us to process and log submissions.
    This announcement is the definitive guide on application content, 
submission address, and deadline. It supersedes information provided in 
the application instructions. If your submission does not meet the 
deadline above, it will not be eligible for review, and we will discard 
it. We will notify you that you did not meet the submission 
requirements.

IV.4. Intergovernmental Review of Applications

    Executive Order 12372 does not apply to this program.

IV.5. Funding Restrictions

    Restrictions, which you must take into account while writing your 
budget, are as follows:
     Funds may not be used for research.
     Reimbursement of pre-award costs is not allowed.
     Funds may be spent for reasonable program purposes, 
including personnel, travel, supplies, and services. Equipment may be 
purchased if deemed necessary to accomplish program objectives; 
however, prior approval by HHS/CDC Cote d'Ivoire 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


[[Page 48153]]


(including program management and operations, and delivery of 
prevention services for which funds are required).

     You must obtain an annual audit of these HHS/CDC funds 
(program-specific audit) by a U.S.-based audit firm with international 
branches and current licensure/authority in-country, and in accordance 
with International Accounting Standards or equivalent standard(s) 
approved in writing by HHS/CDC.
     A Fiscal Recipient Capability Assessment may be required, 
prior to or post award, 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 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
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 https://www.grants.gov, complete it off-line, 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 customer support 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 
transmission: ``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

[[Page 48154]]

express delivery service to the following address: Technical 
Information Management Section--AA070, 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 National HIV/AIDS Response and Cultural and 
Political Context in C[ocirc]te d'Ivoire and Fitting Into the Five-Year 
Strategy and Goals of the President's Emergency Plan (30 Points)
    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 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 Cote d'Ivoire and meet the goals of 
the Emergency Plan?
2. Capacity Building (20 Points)
    Does the applicant describe a plan to progressively build the 
indigenous capacity of local organizations, and of target beneficiaries 
and communities, to respond to the epidemic, such that, if the 
applicant is not an Ivorian organization, at the end of the project 
period the applicant can turn over management of the project to a local 
partner or partners?
3. Ability To Carry Out the Proposal (20 Points)
    Does the applicant demonstrate the local experience and capability 
to achieve the goals of the project? Do the staff members have 
appropriate experience? Are the staff roles clearly defined? Does the 
applicant currently have the capacity to reach northern and western 
regions of Cote d'Ivoire despite the complex political situation?
4. Work Plan (15 Points)
    Does the applicant describe strategies that are pertinent and 
matched by 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 Cote 
d'Ivoire to achieve the goals of the Emergency Plan?
5. Management Plan (15 Points)
    Is there a plan to manage the resources of the program, prepare 
reports, monitor and evaluate activities, and audit expenditures?
6. (Not Scored)
    Is the budget itemized, well-justified and consistent with the 
five-year strategy and goals of the President's Emergency Plan and 
Emergency Plan activities in Cote d'Ivoire? Is the overhead less than 
10% of the total budget (including salaries, supplies, rent, and 
management fees) or less than 5 percent (excluding salaries, rent, 
office supplies and management fees)?

V.2. Review and Selection Process

    The HHS/CDC Procurement and Grants Office (PGO) staff will review 
applications for completeness, and the 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 applications 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 in Cote d'Ivoire. The panel 
can 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/Ivorian 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 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 
HHS/CDC Procurement and Grants Office. The NoA shall be the only 
binding, authorizing document between the recipient and HHS/CDC. An 
authorized Grants Management Officer will sign the NOA, and mail it to 
the recipient fiscal officer identified in the application.
    Unsuccessful applicants will receive notification of the results of 
the application review by mail.

VI.2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

    45 CFR part 74 and part 92.
    For more information on the Code of Federal Regulations, see the 
National Archives and Records Administration at the following Internet 
address: https://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/cfr-table-search.html.
    The following additional requirements apply to this project:
     AR-4 HIV/AIDS Confidentiality Provisions
     AR-5 HIV Program Review Panel Requirements
     AR-8 Public Health System Reporting Requirements
     AR-12 Lobbying Restrictions
     AR-14 Accounting System Requirements
     AR-15 Proof of Non-Profit Status
     AR-21 Small, Minority, and Women-Owned Business
    Applicants can find additional information on these requirements on 
the HHS/CDC Web site at the following Internet address: https://
www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/funding/ARs.htm.
    You need to include an additional Certifications form from the PHS 
5161-1 application in your Grants.gov electronic submission only. 
Please refer to https://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/funding/PHS5161-1-
Certificates.pdf. Once you have filled out the form, please attach it 
to your Grants.gov submission as Other Attachment Forms.

VI.3. Reporting Requirements

    You must provide HHS/CDC with an original, plus two hard copies, of 
the following reports (in English):
    1. Interim progress report, due no less than 90 days before the end 
of the

[[Page 48155]]

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 
C[ocirc]te d'Ivoire.
    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 
C[ocirc]te d'Ivoire.
    3. Financial status report, due no more than 90 days after the end 
of the budget period.
    4. Final financial and performance reports, no more than 90 days 
after the end of the project period.
    Recipients must mail these reports to the Grants Management 
Specialist listed in the ``Agency Contacts'' section of this 
announcement. Copies of the reports must also be submitted to the 
Project Management Officer at the HHS/CDC Country Office in Cote 
d'Ivoire.

    Please note: The grantee is responsible for accurate translation 
of all reports, and should submit French-language versions to the 
local HHS/CDC office in Abidjan and English-language versions to the 
HHS/CDC Grants Office in the U.S., by the established deadlines. See 
the HHS/CDC project management officer in Abidjan for more details.

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: Monica Nolan, Director, 
HHS/CDC/Project RETRO-CI, 2010 Abidjan Place, Dulles, Virginia 20189-
2010. Telephone: 225-21-25-41-89. E-mail: mnolan@cdc.gov.
    For report mailing, contact: Jean-Claude Crinot, Project Management 
Officer, HHS/CDC /Project RETRO-CI, 01 BP 1712 Abidjan 01. Telephone: 
225-21-21-42-50. E-mail: crinotj@gapcdcci.org.
    For financial, grants management, or budget assistance, contact: 
Diane Flournoy, Grants Management Specialist, CDC Procurement and 
Grants Office, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2920 
Brandywine Road, Atlanta, GA 30341. Telephone: 770-488-2072. E-mail: 
dflournoy@cdc.gov.

VIII. Other Information

    Applicants can find this and other 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 9, 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. 05-16174 Filed 8-15-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P