Technical Assistance to Rwandan Healthy Schools Initiative, 48553-48560 [05-16358]

Agencies

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

[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 159 (Thursday, August 18, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 48553-48560]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-16358]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention


Technical Assistance to Rwandan Healthy Schools Initiative

    Announcement Type: New.
    Funding Opportunity Number: CDC-RFA-AA105.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 93.067.
    Key Dates: Application Deadline: September 12, 2005.

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    Authority: This program is authorized under Sections 301(a) and 
307 of the Public Health Service Act [42 U.S.C. 241 and 242l], as 
amended, and under Public Law 108-25 (United States Leadership 
Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria Act of 2003) [U.S.C. 
7601].

    Background: Data from the 2000 Behavioral Surveillance Survey in 
Rwanda suggests that in-school youth are more likely to engage in early 
sexual activity than out-of-school youth, which makes secondary schools 
a natural and important focus for age-appropriate prevention and 
confidential, voluntary counseling and testing (CT) activities. In 
addition, behavior change messages or CT services have not yet 
systematically reached secondary-school students in Rwanda; while 
science lessons at the secondary level in Rwanda generally cover HIV/
AIDS-related subject matter, content and presentation vary from school 
to school.
    At present, confidential CT services in Rwanda are restricted 
primarily to health facilities, with limited availability in non-
clinical settings. Schools have great potential to function as 
community resource centers for HIV/AIDS, particularly in those cases 
where, for multiple reasons, individuals are not presenting themselves 
for HIV testing at hospitals or health centers. When it has been used, 
mobile, confidential CT has proven to be a very effective approach in 
Rwanda; single-day testing campaigns have yielded as many as 12,000 
persons tested.
    With assistance from the World Bank, the United Kingdom, Department 
for International Development (DFID), the United Nations Children's 
Fund (UNICEF) and other donors, the Rwandan Ministry of Education 
(MINEDUC) has recently completed the development of primary- and 
secondary-school curricula that integrate HIV/AIDS and life-skills 
lessons at each level of instruction. The Rwandan National Curriculum 
Development Center has approved the curricula and incorporated them 
into the training modules at Rwanda's teacher training colleges (TTC). 
The new textbooks will be distributed to schools in the near future. 
This is a valuable first step in ensuring that all students in Rwanda 
have an adequate knowledge base appropriate to their stage of physical, 
intellectual, and emotional development, with respect to HIV/AIDS 
prevention.
    Purpose: As part of the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, 
HHS announces the availability of Fiscal Year (FY) 2005 funds for 
technical assistance to Rwanda's MINEDUC in launching a pilot 
initiative to develop secondary schools into community resources for 
confidential CT and the prevention of HIV/AIDS. The initiative, 
tentatively named the Healthy Schools Initiative, will take in two main 
interventions: (1) School-based, community, confidential CT offered via 
mobile testing units to secondary-school students, their parents and 
teachers, and surrounding communities; and (2) an innovative, age-
appropriate prevention/behavior change campaign to focus on abstinence 
and parent-child communication. The grantee, to be selected on a 
competitive basis, will be responsible for collaborating closely with 
MINEDUC, HHS, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), 
and other local agencies to ensure the successful planning, 
coordination, implementation and monitoring of the initiative.

Intervention 1: Counseling and Testing

    Under the Healthy Schools Initiative, HHS will introduce free, 
confidential mobile HIV testing to secondary schools through a 
culturally appropriate public campaign to target teachers, upper level 
secondary-school students, their families and community members. 
Building on the enthusiasm expressed by the Rwandan Minister of 
Education about a sector-wide confidential CT campaign, the mobile 
testing intervention will roll out in a top-down fashion, by starting 
with public HIV tests for the Minister and other MINEDUC officials and 
then branching out to secondary schools through Free CT days. Free CT 
days will involve dispatching a mobile CT unit to secondary schools to 
provide free, confidential testing for teachers, students, their 
families and community members. Prior to offering confidential CT at 
secondary schools, community preparation campaigns in school catchment 
areas will foster acceptance of community- and youth-centered 
confidential CT, and for people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA).
    Both a ``prevention for negatives'' component and linkages to the 
national care and treatment program for HIV infected persons will 
facilitate appropriate follow-up for all individuals tested through the 
initiative. Age-appropriate information, Education, and Communication 
(IEC) materials that emphasize behavior change will go out to all 
individuals who test negative in an effort to encourage abstinence and 
faithfulness as the best means of prevention. The program will forge 
linkages with the Rwandan national care and treatment program to ensure 
access to care and treatment for individuals who test positive. 
Specifically, local referrals to clinics providing care and treatment 
to HIV infected individuals, and anti-retroviral therapy (ART) to those 
who are eligible, will be provided to any individual who tests positive 
for HIV at any testing site. In addition, educational materials on HIV, 
ARTs, and strategies for reducing transmission of HIV will be provided 
to individuals testing positive.
    Given that Rwandan law and government policy currently require 
parental consent for the testing of youth under the age of 18, it is 
crucial that the program develop appropriate linkages between the 
initiative's prevention and confidential CT interventions to engender 
parental support for youth CT. Such linkages might include the 
integration of a module on confidential CT into the parent-child 
communication curriculum, extracurricular sensitization activities with 
parents about the importance of knowing one's serostatus at any age, or 
national advocacy activities coordinated with MINEDUC's HIV/AIDS unit.

Intervention 2: Prevention

    As part of the President's Emergency Plan, HHS seeks to build on 
MINEDUC's achievements in developing primary and secondary HIV 
curricula by introducing a culturally and age-appropriate competence-
based behavior-change curriculum to emphasize abstinence and parent-
child communication about HIV/AIDS. The curriculum will be founded on 
the conviction that the key to behavior change lies in: (1) The 
delivery of innovative, age- and culturally appropriate messages about 
HIV/AIDS behavior change; (2) the continual

[[Page 48554]]

reinforcement of these messages by teachers, peers and parents to 
develop a new set of social norms; and (3) the development and regular 
application of core competencies, in-school and out-of-school, through 
activities to emphasize accountability to self, peers, parents and 
teachers. The program will supplement a behavior change curriculum, 
focusing on parent-child communication, with extra-curricular 
activities that aim to build a culture of solidarity among students 
with respect to HIV prevention and behavior change. The program will 
design, plan and execute extra-curricular activities in collaboration 
with anti-AIDS clubs,\1\ and will maximize student involvement through 
peer education, school-wide competitions and other activities with 
broad appeal.
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    \1\ Since 1998, anti-AIDS clubs have been established in all 
secondary schools and institutions of higher learning in Rwanda, but 
many remain inactive because of lack of materials and proper 
guidance (official MINEDUC Web site: www.mineduc.gov.rw).
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    Key actors: The MINEDUC HIV/AIDS Unit is responsible for 
coordinating all HIV/AIDS-related interventions in the education sector 
in Rwanda, whether executed by non-governmental organizations (NGOs), 
international organizations or other partners, in accordance with 
national HIV/AIDS policy. The Unit is also responsible for supervising 
and monitoring these interventions. The grantee will work with the HIV/
AIDS Unit to plan, coordinate, and monitor the Initiative.
    HHS will be directly implementing the confidential CT component of 
the Healthy Schools Initiative: purchasing a mobile CT unit, test kits 
and client resource materials; providing fuel and per diem for mobile, 
confidential CT; and hiring and housing local confidential CT project 
staff within the HHS-Rwanda office. The grantee's involvement with the 
CT component will focus primarily on integrating awareness of 
confidential CT into the behavior-change curriculum through the 
development of a confidential CT module to target students and parents. 
The grantee will also work with HHS and USAID to harmonize deployment 
of the prevention and confidential CT components.
    The Treatment and Research AIDS Center (TRAC) is the agency 
responsible for ensuring the quality of HIV CT services throughout 
Rwanda. The grantee will work with HHS and TRAC's voluntary counseling 
and testing (VCT) unit to organize and execute the mobile CT 
intervention in a manner that complies fully with Rwandan national 
norms and standards. HHS and the MINEDUC will consult with TRAC's care 
and treatment unit on the creation of linkages between the CT component 
and the Rwandan national care and treatment program, as well as on the 
development of reference materials for individuals who test positive.
    Secondary-school teacher-trainers and peer educators will be key 
actors in the execution and delivery of the prevention and CT 
interventions. They will be chiefly responsible for communicating and 
reinforcing the culturally and age-appropriate behavior change 
messages; assisting students and parents in building core competencies 
(independent decision-making, abstinence negotiation, effective 
communication); and soliciting involvement of students and parents in 
extra-curricular activities relating to prevention and CT. The 
technical assistance provider will orient and train teacher-trainers in 
local languages in the delivery of the behavior change curriculum and 
train peer educators from anti-AIDS clubs to develop their skills as 
school and community advocates for behavior change and CT.
    Geographic coverage: In Year 1, the initiative will target 
secondary schools in two provinces, Kigali City and Gitarama. In 
collaboration with TRAC, HHS and the MINEDUC HIV/AIDS unit, the grantee 
will determine how many and which schools/districts need to be targeted 
in each province to meet needs and achieve targets. If Year 1 
activities are successful during the annual review of country 
operational plans for the President's Emergency Plan managed by the 
Office of the Global AIDS Coordinator, based on the achievement of 
milestones developed jointly by HHS, MINEDUC and the grantee, the 
initiative will extend to additional provinces over the course of four 
years, with the ultimate goal of reaching all provinces by the end of 
FY2009.
    Targets: The CT intervention, expected to require more start-up 
time than the prevention intervention, will rollout at no fewer than 
ten secondary schools in Year 1. The program has the following targets 
for CT:
     Number of individuals trained in providing CT: Five
     Number of individuals who receive CT: 2,750
     Number of service outlets (schools) that provide CT: Ten
    The prevention intervention will rollout at no fewer than 30 
secondary schools in Year 1. The following targets have been set for 
prevention:
     Number of individuals reached through culturally and age-
appropriate (school/community) outreach HIV/AIDS prevention programs 
that promote abstinence: 20,250.
     Number of individuals (teacher-trainers, teachers or peer 
educators) trained to deliver culturally and age-appropriate HIV/AIDS 
prevention programs that promote abstinence: 1,150.
    HHS Measurable outcomes of the program will be in alignment with 
one (or more) of the following performance goal(s) for the National 
Center for HIV, STD, and TB Prevention (NCHSTP): Reduce the percentage 
of HIV/AIDS-related risk behaviors among school-aged youth through 
dissemination of HIV prevention education programs and, by 2010, work 
with other countries, international organizations, the U.S. Department 
of State, United States Agency for International Development (USAID), 
and other partners to achieve the United Nations General Assembly 
Special Session on HIV/AIDS goal of reducing prevalence among persons 
15 to 24 years of age.
    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.
    Over the same time period, as part of a collective national 
response, the Emergency Plan goals specific to Rwanda are to treat at 
least 50,000 HIV-infected individuals and care for 250,000 HIV-affected 
individuals, including orphans.
    This announcement is only for non-research activities supported by 
HHS. If 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 recipient of these funds is responsible for 
activities in multiple program areas designed to target underserved 
populations in Rwanda. 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

[[Page 48555]]

oversight of HHS/CDC and the strategic direction of the Office of the 
U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator. The awardee must show a measurable 
progressive reinforcement of the capacity of indigenous organizations 
and local communities to respond to the national HIV epidemic, as well 
as progress towards the sustainability of activities.
    Applicants should describe activities in detail as part of a four-
year action plan (U.S. Government Fiscal Years 2005-2008 inclusive) 
that reflects the policies and goals outlined in the five-year strategy 
for the President's Emergency Plan.
    The awardee will produce an annual operational plan in the context 
of this four-year plan, which the U.S. Government Emergency Plan team 
on the ground in Rwanda will review as part of the annual Emergency 
Plan for AIDS Relief Country Operational Plan review and approval 
process managed by the Office of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator. The 
awardee may work on some of the activities listed below in the first 
year and in subsequent years, and then progressively add others from 
the list to achieve all of the Emergency Plan performance goals, as 
cited in the previous section. HHS/CDC, under the guidance of the U.S. 
Global AIDS Coordinator, will approve funds for activities on an annual 
basis, based on documented performance toward achieving Emergency Plan 
goals, as part of the annual Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief Country 
Operational Plan review and approval process.
    Awardee activities for this program are as follows:
    1. Work closely with key partners and stakeholders in Rwanda, 
including the MINEDUC HIV/AIDS unit, TRAC, and HHS, to develop an 
implementation plan for the pilot phase of the initiative. This will 
require:
    a. Identifying which schools/districts will participate in the CT 
and prevention interventions.
    b. Determining the scope of work of each of the actors (school 
inspectors, teacher-trainers, teachers, peer educators) involved in the 
prevention intervention.
    c. Determining the scope of work of each of the actors, TRAC, 
health educators, anti-AIDS clubs, involved in the promotion and 
execution of the CT intervention.
    d. Developing a detailed work plan complete with interventions, 
milestones and a timeline for achieving prevention and CT targets.
    2. Hire a local unit to manage the initiative. This unit will be 
responsible for the day-to-day implementation and management of CT and 
prevention activities at secondary schools and will report to the 
MINEDUC HIV/AIDS unit on a monthly basis.
    Counseling and Testing:
    1. Develop materials for distribution by health educators during 
Free CT days:
    a. IEC materials promoting behavior change (individuals who test 
negative).
    b. Reference materials on care and treatment options in Rwanda 
(individuals who test positive).
    2. Collaborate with HHS, MINEDUC HIV/AIDS unit and TRAC to develop 
a mobile CT plan:
    a. Develop a community preparation plan for schools and catchment 
areas.
    b. Schedule and plan Free CT days at MINEDUC and ten target 
schools.
    c. Estimate test kits, fuel and staff needed.
    d. Identify and train staff needed for community preparation 
campaign and provide CT.
    3. Initiate school- and community-based CT preparation campaign via 
anti-AIDS clubs and health educators in catchment areas.
    Prevention:
    1. Design/adapt a competence-based culturally and age-appropriate 
behavior change curriculum in local languages for secondary-school 
students that focuses on abstinence and parent-child communication 
about HIV, including CT.
    2. Identify a cohort of teachers to serve as teacher-trainers, 
responsible for training all teachers at participating schools in the 
behavior change curriculum.
    3. Train teacher-trainers in the delivery of the behavior change 
curriculum; ensure periodic supervision of:
    a. Training for teachers and peer educators.
    b. Delivery of curriculum to students and parents.
    4. Assist MINEDUC in awarding small grants to anti-AIDS clubs for 
extra-curricular activities linked to abstinence and behavior change.
    In a cooperative agreement, HHS staff is substantially involved in 
the program activities, above and beyond routine grant monitoring.
    HHS-Rwanda will be directly managing and implementing the mobile CT 
component of the Healthy Schools Initiative. Principal activities to be 
carried out by HHS-Rwanda include the following:
    1. Design and printing of resource materials for CT clients (i.e., 
IEC pamphlets, care and treatment referral guides, prevention for 
positives guidance).
    2. Hiring and placement of a local mobile CT management unit within 
the HHS-Rwanda office (this unit will consist of two youth counselor/
trainers and one community mobilizer/trainer).
    3. Design and execution of two-day community preparation campaigns 
in local languages in ten communities within Kigali City and Gitarama 
province (to target school administrators and teachers, local 
government officials and community leaders).
    4. Recruitment and training of six volunteer community mobilizers 
and ten volunteer youth counselors.
    5. Procurement of a mobile CT vehicle, test kits, and CT equipment 
and supplies.
    6. Implementation of a pilot mobile CT campaign to target teachers, 
upper secondary-school students and community members in ten 
communities within Kigali City and Gitarama province (provision of 
counseling and testing services to at least 5,000 individuals).
    The grantee's involvement with the CT component will focus 
primarily on integrating awareness of CT into the culturally and age-
appropriate behavior change curriculum through the development of a CT 
module targeting students and parents. The grantee will also work with 
HHS to harmonize deployment of the prevention and CT components.
    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 grantee to brief them 
on applicable U.S. Government, HHS, and Emergency Plan expectations, 
regulations and key management requirements, as well as report formats 
and contents. The orientation could include meetings with staff from 
HHS agencies and the Office of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator.
    2. Review and approve the process used by the grantee 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.

[[Page 48556]]

    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 on a monthly basis with grantee to assess monthly 
expenditures in relation to approved work plan and modify plans as 
necessary.
    6. Meet on a quarterly basis with grantee to assess quarterly 
technical and financial progress reports and modify plans as necessary.
    7. Meet on an annual basis with grantee to review annual progress 
report for each U.S. Government Fiscal Year, and to review annual work 
plans and budgets for subsequent year, as part of the Emergency Plan 
for AIDS Relief review and approval process for Country Operational 
Plans, managed by the Office of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator.
    8. Provide technical assistance, as mutually agreed upon, and 
revise annually during validation of the first and subsequent annual 
work plans. This could include expert technical assistance and targeted 
training activities in specialized areas, such as strategic 
information, project management, confidential counseling and testing, 
palliative care, treatment literacy, and adult learning techniques.
    9. 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: $600,000 (This amount is an estimate for 
the first 12-month budget period, and is subject to availability of 
funds; it is anticipated to be increased progressively throughout the 
life of the project.)
    Approximate Number of Awards: One.
    Approximate Average Award: $600,000 (This amount is for the first 
12-month budget period, and includes direct costs.)
    Floor of Award Range: $600,000.
    Ceiling of Award Range: $600,000 (This ceiling is for the first 12-
month budget period.)
    Anticipated Award Date: September 15, 2005.
    Budget Period Length: 12 months.
    Project Period Length: Four years.
    Throughout the project period, HHS' 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

    Domestic or foreign public, private nonprofit, and for profit 
organizations may submit applications, such as:
     Public, non-profit organizations
     Private, non-profit organizations
     For-profit organizations
     Small, minority, women-owned businesses
     Universities
     Colleges
     Research institutions
     Hospitals
     Community-based organizations
     Faith-based organizations
     Federally recognized Indian tribal governments
     Indian tribes
     Indian tribal organizations
     State and local governments or their Bona Fide Agents 
(this includes the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto 
Rico, the Virgin Islands, the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianna 
Islands, American Samoa, Guam, the Federated States of Micronesia, the 
Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau)
     Political subdivisions of States (in consultation with 
States)
    A Bona Fide Agent is an agency/organization identified by the state 
as eligible to submit an application under the state eligibility in 
lieu of a state application. If applying as a bona fide agent of a 
state or local government, a letter from the state or local government 
as documentation of the status is required. Place this documentation 
behind the first page of the application form.

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 you request a funding amount greater than the ceiling of the 
award range, HHS will consider your 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.
     Applications must demonstrate an overall match between the 
applicant's vision and experience and the program priorities as 
described.
     Applications must demonstrate that the applicant is 
capable of building effective and well-defined working relationships 
with local governmental and non-governmental entities, which will help 
ensure successful implementation of the proposed activities.
     Eligibility should be documented through an institutional 
capacity statement and letters of commitment from key project staff (to 
be included in an appendix to the application).
     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 on www.Grants.gov, the official Federal agency 
wide E-grant Web site. Only applicants who apply on-line are permitted 
to forego paper

[[Page 48557]]

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, 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: 30. If your narrative exceeds the 
page limit, we will only review the first pages within the page limit. 
The budget and justification will not count toward the 30-page limit.
     Font size: 12 point unreduced
     Double-spaced
     Paper size: 8.5 by 11 inches
     Page margin size: One inch
     Printed only on one side of page
     Held together only by rubber bands or metal clips; not 
bound in any other way.
    Your narrative should address activities to be conducted over the 
entire project period, and must include the following items in the 
order listed:
    1. Goal and Objectives
    a. Provide a goal statement relating to the project.
    b. Enumerate measurable objectives by which to assess the success 
of your program.
    2. Plan of Action/Methods
    a. Detail how your organization will achieve the stated goals and 
objectives.
    3. Timeline
    a. Provide a timeline for the implementation of program activities.
    4. Staff
    a. Provide a list of staff that will be responsible for the 
implementation of this project.
    5. Performance Measures and Methods of Evaluation
    6. Summary Budget composed 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 be counted toward the narrative 
page limit. This additional information includes the following:
     Curriculum Vitas (CVs)/Resumes
     Organizational Charts
     Job descriptions 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
    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 
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 12, 2005.
    Explanation of Deadlines: Applications must be received in the CDC 
Procurement and Grants Office by 4 p.m. Eastern Time on the deadline 
date.
    You may submit you application electronically at www.grants.gov. We 
consider applications completed on-line through Grants.gov as formally 
submitted when the applicant organization's Authorizing Official 
electronically submits the application to www.grants.gov. Electronic 
applications will be considered 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 through Grants.gov 
(https://www.grants.gov), your application will be electronically time/
date stamped, which will serve as receipt of submission. You will 
receive an e-mail notice of receipt when HHS/CDC receives the 
application.
    If you submit your application by the United States Postal Service 
or commercial delivery service, you must ensure that the carrier will 
be able to guarantee delivery by the closing date and time. If HHS/CDC 
receives the submission after the closing date because: (1) Carrier 
error, when the carrier accepted the package with a guarantee for 
delivery by the closing date and time; or (2) significant weather 
delays or natural disasters, you will have the opportunity to submit 
documentation of the carrier's guarantee. If the documentation verifies 
a carrier problem, HHS/CDC will consider the submission as having been 
received by the deadline.
    If you submit a hard copy application, HHS/CDC will not notify you 
upon receipt of the submission. If you have a question about the 
receipt of the application, first contact the carrier. If you still 
have a question, contact the PGO-TIM staff at (770) 488-2700. Before 
calling, please wait two to three days after the submission deadline. 
This will allow time for us to process and log submissions.
    This announcement is the definitive guide on application content, 
submission address, and deadline. It supersedes information provided in 
the application instructions. If your submission does not meet the 
deadline above, it will not be eligible for review, and 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 Rwanda 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

[[Page 48558]]

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.
     Needle Exchange--No funds appropriated under this Act 
shall be used to carry out any program of distributing sterile needles 
or syringes for the hypodermic injection of any illegal drug.
    Prostitution and Related Activities: The U.S. Government is opposed 
to prostitution and related activities, which are inherently harmful 
and dehumanizing, and contribute to the phenomenon of trafficking in 
persons.
    Any entity that receives, directly or indirectly, U.S. Government 
funds in connection with this document (``recipient'') cannot use such 
U.S. Government funds to promote or advocate the legalization or 
practice of prostitution or sex trafficking. Nothing in the preceding 
sentence shall be construed to preclude the provision to individuals of 
palliative care, treatment, or post-exposure pharmaceutical 
prophylaxis, and necessary pharmaceuticals and commodities, including 
test kits, condoms, and, when proven effective, microbicides.
    A recipient that is otherwise eligible to receive funds in 
connection with this document to prevent, treat, or monitor HIV/AIDS 
shall not be required to endorse or utilize a multisectoral approach to 
combating HIV/AIDS, or to endorse, utilize, or participate in a 
prevention method or treatment program to which the recipient has a 
religious or moral objection. Any information provided by recipients 
about the use of condoms as part of projects or activities that are 
funded in connection with this document shall be medically accurate and 
shall include the public health benefits and failure rates of such use.
    In addition, any recipient must have a policy explicitly opposing 
prostitution and sex trafficking. The preceding sentence shall not 
apply to any ``exempt organizations'' (defined as the Global Fund to 
Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, the World Health Organization and 
its six Regional Offices, the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative or 
to any United Nations agency).
    The following definition applies for purposes of this clause:
     Sex trafficking means the recruitment, harboring, 
transportation, provision, or obtaining of a person for the purpose of 
a commercial sex act. 22 U.S.C. 7102(9).
    All recipients must insert provisions implementing the applicable 
parts of this section, ``Prostitution and Related Activities,'' in all 
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 
applications electronically at www.grants.gov. You will be able to 
download a copy of the application package from www.grants.gov, 
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 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 recommended that you submit the grant application by 
using Microsoft Office products (e.g., Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, 
etc.). If you do not have access to Microsoft Office products, you may 
submit a PDF file. You may find directions for creating PDF files on 
the Grants.gov Web site. Use of file formats other than Microsoft 
Office or PDF could make your file unreadable for our staff; or
    Paper Submission: Submit the original and two hard copies of your 
application by mail or express delivery service to the following 
address:

[[Page 48559]]

Technical Information Management-CDC-RFA-AA105, 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.
    Your application will be evaluated against the following criteria:
1. 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 the 
five-year strategy and goals of the President's Emergency Plan, such 
that it can build on these to develop a comprehensive, collaborative 
project to reach underserved populations in Rwanda and meet the goals 
of the Emergency Plan? Is the plan well-articulated and adequate to 
carry out the proposed objectives? How realistic and appropriate is the 
plan, given local conditions and challenges? Does the plan include 
process and outcome indicators? Does the application include an overall 
design strategy, including measurable time lines, clear monitoring and 
evaluation procedures, and specific activities for meeting the proposed 
objectives?
2. Methods (25 Points)
    Are the proposed methods feasible? Do they reflect a spirit of 
cooperation with other key agencies and organizations in Rwanda? 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. Experience (25 Points)
    Do the staff members have relevant programmatic experience working 
in resource-limited settings and the ability to work in local 
languages? Are staff roles clearly articulated? As described, will the 
staff be sufficient to accomplish the program goals?
4. Administration and Management (20 points)
    Does the applicant provide a clear plan for the administration and 
management of the proposed activities, to manage the resources of the 
program, prepare reports, monitor and evaluate activities and audit 
expenditures?
5. Budget (Reviewed, But Not Scored)

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.
    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/Rwandan 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

    Anticipated award date: September 15, 2005.

VI. Award Administration Information

VI.1. Award Notices

    Successful applicants will receive a Notice of Award (NoA) from the 
HHS/CDC Procurement and Grants Office. The NoA shall be the only 
binding, authorizing document between the recipient and HHS/CDC. An 
authorized Grants Management Officer will sign the NoA, and mail it to 
the recipient fiscal officer identified in the application.
    Unsuccessful applicants will receive notification of the results of 
the application review by mail.

VI.2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

45 CFR Part 74 and Part 92
    For more information on the Code of Federal Regulations, see the 
National Archives and Records Administration at the following Internet 
address: https://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/cfr-table-search.html.
    The following additional requirements apply to this project:
     AR-4 HIV/AIDS Confidentiality Provisions
     AR-5 HIV Program Review Panel Requirements
     AR-6 Patient Care
     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
     AR-23 States and Faith-Based Organizations
    Applicants can find additional information on the requirements on 
the HHS/CDC Web site at the following Internet address: https://
www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/funding/ARs.htm.
    You need to include an additional Certifications form from the 
PHS5161-1 application in the Grants.gov electronic submission only. 
Please refer to https://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/funding/PHS5161-1-
Certificates.pdf. Once you have has 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 
Rwanda.
    f. Additional Requested Information.

[[Page 48560]]

    2. Annual progress report, due 60 days after the end of the budget 
period. The progress report will follow the format developed jointly by 
the U.S. Government and the Government of Rwanda, consisting of 
interventions, milestones, timelines, status explanations and budget 
expenditures to date.
    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: Valerie Koscelnik, 
Project Officer, National Center for HIV, STD, and TB Prevention, 
Address: HHS/CDC/US Embassy, Kigali, Rwanda, Telephone: +250 08303986, 
E-mail: vak7@cdc.gov.
    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 HHS Office of Global Health Affairs, Internet 
address: https://www.globalhealth.gov.

    Dated: August 11, 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. 05-16358 Filed 8-17-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P