Request for Applications for the National Centers of Excellence in Women's Health (CoE) and the National Community Centers of Excellence in Women's Health (CCOE)-Ambassadors for Change Program, 14701-14707 [E6-4188]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 56 (Thursday, March 23, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14701-14707]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-4188]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES


Request for Applications for the National Centers of Excellence 
in Women's Health (CoE) and the National Community Centers of 
Excellence in Women's Health (CCOE)--Ambassadors for Change Program

AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, Office of Public Health and Science.

ACTION: Notice.

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    Funding Opportunity Title: Request for Applications for the 
National Centers of Excellence in Women's Health (CoE) and the National 
Community Centers of Excellence in Women's Health (CCOE)--Ambassadors 
for Change Program.
    Announcement Type: Competitive Cooperative Agreement--FY 2006--
Initial Announcement.
    Funding Opportunity Number: Not applicable.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance: The Catalog of Federal 
Domestic Assistance number is 93.013.

DATES: To receive consideration applications must be received by the 
Office of Grants Management, Office of Public Health and Science 
(OPHS), Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), no later than 5 
p.m. Eastern Time on May 22, 2006.

    Authority: This program is authorized by 42 U.S.C. 300u-2(a).

SUMMARY: The National Centers of Excellence in Women's Health and the 
National Community Centers of Excellence in Women's Health programs 
provide funding to academic health centers and community-based 
organizations to enhance their women's health programs through the 
integration of these components: (1) Leadership development for women, 
(2) training for lay, allied health, and professional health care 
providers, (3) public education and outreach with special emphasis on 
outreach to minority women, (4) comprehensive health service delivery 
that includes gender and age-appropriate preventive services and allied 
health professionals as members of the comprehensive care team, and (5) 
basic science, clinical and community-based research. In addition, the 
community centers must replicate their National Community Center of 
Excellence in Women's Health (CCOE) model in another organization or 
community.

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    The goals of the Ambassador for Change program are to:
    1. Increase the number of health professionals, including allied 
health professionals, trained to work with underserved and diverse 
women and to increase their leadership and advocacy skills.
    2. Increase the number of women, including American Indian or 
Alaska Native, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian, or 
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, who pursue health careers 
and increase the leadership skills and opportunities for women in the 
community and for women faculty in academic settings.
    3. Eliminate health disparities for women who are underserved due 
to age, gender, race/ethnicity, education, income, or disabilities.
    4. Reduce the fragmentation of women's health services and access 
barriers by using a framework that coordinates and integrates 
comprehensive health services. Comprehensive health services include 
gender and age-appropriate preventive services and allied health 
professionals on the service delivery team.
    5. Increase the women's health knowledge base by conducting gender-
based research and/or by involving the community in identifying and 
conducting research related to and responsive to the health needs and 
issues of concern to underserved and minority women in the target 
community.
    6. Empower women, especially underserved and minority women, as 
health care consumers and decision-makers.
    The Ambassadors for Change must continue to: (1) Develop and/or 
strengthen a framework to bring together a comprehensive array of 
services for women; (2) train a cadre of diverse health care providers 
that include allied health professionals and community health workers; 
(3) promote leadership/career development for diverse women in the 
health professions, including allied health professions and community 
health workers, and women/girls in the community; (4) enhance public 
education and outreach activities in women's health with an emphasis on 
gender-specific and age-appropriate prevention and/or reduction of 
illness or injuries that appear controllable through increased

[[Page 14702]]

knowledge that leads to a modification of behavior; (5) participate in 
any national evaluation of the CoE and/or CCOE program; (6) conduct 
basic, clinical and/or community-based research in women's health; and 
(7) provide advice and guidance to other organizations interested in 
learning more about the OWH CoE and CCOE programs.
    At a minimum, each Ambassador for Change awardee must maintain a 
physically-identifiable clinical care center for the delivery of 
comprehensive, interdisciplinary health care that includes gender and 
age-appropriate preventive services for women. The clinical care center 
must have permanent signage that identifies it as a National Center of 
Excellence in Women's Health or a National Community Center of 
Excellence in Women's Health supported by the U.S. Department of Health 
and Human Services. The clinical care center must be devoted to women-
friendly, women-centered, women-relevant care delivered from a 
multidisciplinary, holistic, and culturally and linguistically 
appropriate perspective. The clinical care center must also have a 
women's health clinical intake form, referral and tracking system, and 
procedures for identifying and counting the women served by the program 
and for tracking the cost of services provided to women who receive 
interdisciplinary care through the program. Sites must be able to 
differentiate the services provided to women counted as CoE or CCOE 
patients compared to other patients.

II. Award Information

    The CoE/CCOE--Ambassadors for Change program will be supported 
through the cooperative agreement mechanism. The OWH anticipates making 
up to 12 new 1-year awards in FY 2006. The anticipated start date for 
new awards is September 1, 2006, and the anticipated period of 
performance is September 1, 2006, through August 31, 2007. 
Approximately $400,000 is available to make awards between $25,000-
$50,000 total cost (direct and indirect) for a 12-month budget period. 
The total amount that may be requested by academic health centers is 
$25,000 and the total amount that may be requested by community-based 
organizations is $50,000.
    CoE/CCOE--Ambassadors for Change programs will continue to be 
recognized by the OWH as National Centers of Excellence in Women's 
Health and National Community Centers of Excellence in Women's Health 
with all the privileges granted these programs by the OWH. As such, the 
Ambassadors for Change will continue to attend the CoE/CCOE Center 
Directors' meetings, have the opportunity to participate in joint 
projects initiated and funded by the OWH, remain on the list serve to 
continue to have access to information and funding opportunities, be a 
full-participating member of the CoE/CCOE Research Coordinating Center 
(if applicable), be site visited as needed, be listed on the OWH Web 
site with links to their CoE/CCOE Web site, and have their products/
activities listed on the virtual resource center.
    The eight CoEs whose options years were renewed through September 
2006 are eligible to apply for this award.
    The OWH will provide the technical assistance and oversight 
necessary for the implementation, conduct, and assessment of the 
Ambassador for Change program activities.
    The applicant shall:
    1. Implement the program described in the application.
    2. Participate in and pay for attendance at the two annual meetings 
of the CoE and CCOE Center Directors and the joint CoE/CCOE Center 
Directors' meetings.
    3. Participate in any national evaluations of the CoE and CCOE 
programs following the guidance provided by the OWH contractor.
    4. Maintain the CoE or CCOE Web site.
    5. Display permanent signage designating the facility as a National 
Center of Excellence in Women's Health or National Community Center of 
Excellence in Women's Health.
    6. Participate in special meetings (i.e., CoE/CCOE Working Group 
meetings) and projects/funding opportunities identified and/or offered 
by the OWH.
    7. Adhere to all program requirements specified in the Notice of 
Grant Award.
    8. Submit required annual progress and financial reports by the due 
dates stated in this announcement and the Notice of Grant Award.
    9. Participate in the projects of the Research Coordinating Center 
(if applicable).
    The Federal Government will:
    1. Participate in at least two annual meetings with the CoE/CCOE 
Center Directors and/or Program Coordinators.
    2. Participate in a national evaluation of the CoE or CCOE programs 
using guidance provided by the OWH contractor.
    3. Review and decide on requested project modifications.
    4. Site visit CoE/CCOE facilities, as needed.
    5. Review all reports submitted by the grantees.
    6. Facilitate review and clearance of all Center publications to 
insure adherence to DHHS policies.
    The DHHS is committed to achieving the health promotion and disease 
prevention Objectives of Healthy People 2010 and the Healthy U.S. 
Initiative. Emphasis will be placed on aligning the CoE/CCOE--
Ambassadors for Change activities and programs with the DHHS 
Secretary's four priority areas--heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and 
HIV/AIDS with an increased emphasis on adolescents, elderly women, 
mental health, and violence against women--and with the Healthy People 
2010: Goal 2--eliminating health disparities due to age, gender, race/
ethnicity, education, income, disability, or living in rural 
localities. More information on the Healthy People 2010 objectives may 
be found on the Healthy People 2010 Web site: https://www.health.gov/
healthypeople. Another reference is the Healthy People 2000 Review--
1998-99. One free copy may be obtained from the National Center for 
Health Statistics (NCHS), 6525 Belcrest Road, Room 1064, Hyattsville, 
MD 20782 or telephone (301) 458-4636 [DHHS Publication No. (PHS) 99-
1256]. This document may also be downloaded from the NCHS Web site: 
https://www.cdc.gov/nchs. Also, Steps to a HealthierUS, a program of the 
Department to help implement the Healthy U.S. initiative, advances the 
goal of helping Americans live longer, better, and healthier lives. It 
lays out DHHS priorities and programs for Steps to a HealthierUS, 
focusing attention on the importance of prevention and promising 
approaches for promoting healthy environments.

III. Eligibility Information

    1. Eligible Applicants. Eligible applicants are OWH funded National 
Centers of Excellence in Women's Health (CoE) whose funding ends in 
September 2006 without remaining option years and National Community 
Centers of Excellence in Women's Health (CCOE) programs whose funding 
ends in September 2006. The purpose of this award is to continue, at a 
reduced level of effort, those CoEs or CCOEs that were funded by the 
DHHS Office on Women's Health (OWH). The program is monitored by OWH 
program staff to ensure the establishment of a comprehensive, 
integrated, holistic system of care for women across the life span. In 
addition the program shall be evaluated by the OWH. As such, this 
competition is limited to the organizations specified above since they 
are the only ones that meet the eligibility criteria.

[[Page 14703]]

    2. Cost Sharing or Matching Funds. Cost sharing, matching funds, 
and cost participation is not a requirement of this grant.

IV. Application and Submission Information

    1. Address to Request Application Package: Application kits may be 
requested by calling (240) 453-8822 or writing to the Office of Grants 
Management, Office of Public Health and Science, Department of Health 
and Human Services, 1101 Wootten Parkway, Suite 550, Rockville, MD 
20852. Applicants may fax a written request to the OPHS Office of 
Grants Management to obtain a hard copy of the applications kit at 
(240) 453-8823. Applications must be prepared using Form OPHS-1.
    2. Content and Form of Application and Submission: At a minimum, 
each application for a cooperative agreement grant funded under this 
announcement must:
    Present a plan to continue integrating all components of the 
program. The CCOEs are not required to continue the replication 
component but preference will be given to programs that plan to 
continue to provide technical assistance to their replication site. 
Additionally, CCOEs that actively participate in the Research 
Coordinating Center (RCC) projects will be considered as fulfilling the 
requirements for the research component. A statement of willingness to 
participate in the RCC activities must be included in the application, 
if applicable. Discuss a plan to continue the involvement of the CoE or 
CCOE advisory board and their role as it relates to the Ambassadors for 
Change program.
    Be a sustainable organization capable of providing coordinated and 
integrated women's health services in the targeted community. The 
applicant will need to define the components of comprehensive, multi-
disciplinary care, demonstrate that they are culturally, 
linguistically, and gender and age appropriate, and show that they have 
a clear and sustainable framework for providing those services.
    Describe how support, advice, and guidance will be provided to 
CoEs, CCOEs, and the Demonstration CoEs, through a variety of 
opportunities, such as the ELAM program, promotoras trainings, 
discussions at Center Directors' meetings, etc. These activities may be 
supported by outside funding or sponsors in keeping with the government 
partnership ethics guidance.
    The applicant must indicate their willingness to participate in a 
national evaluation of the program to be conducted under the leadership 
of the OWH contractor.
    The Project Narrative must not exceed a total of 20 double-spaced 
pages, excluding the appendices. All pages must be numbered clearly and 
sequentially. The application must be typed double-spaced on one side 
of plain 8\1/2\'' x 11'' white paper, using at least a 12 point font, 
and contain 1'' margins all around. The application should be organized 
in accordance with the format presented in the Program Guidelines. An 
outline for the minimum information to be included in the ``Project 
Narrative'' section is presented below.
    Applications submitted via hard copy must be stapled and/or 
otherwise securely bound. Applicants are required to submit an original 
ink-signed and dated application and two photocopies. All applicants 
must pay particular attention to structuring the narrative to respond 
clearly and fully to each review Factor and associated review criteria.

I. Background

    A. Overview of CoE/CCOE program.
    B. Goal and purpose of the CoE or CCOE AFC program, including 
population to be served.
    C. Primary area(s) of expertise to serve as a Technical 
Consultant (provide a list the AFC services at the beginning of this 
section).

II. Implementation Plan

    A. Describe the level of effort to be maintained for each AFC 
CoE or CCOE program component.
    B. Describe how the components will continue to be integrated.
    C. The applicant must discuss/describe the resources available 
to support each component, plans for maintaining components. In 
addition, describe the relationship of each integrated component to 
the overall goals and objectives of the CoE/CCOE Ambassador for 
Change program.
    D. Describe how support, advice, and guidance will be provided 
to the CoEs, CCOEs, and Demonstration CoEs.
    E. Describe plans to develop and maintain partnerships and 
include in the appendix signed partnership agreements that specify 
the services the partner will provide and the contact information 
for the person serving as the main liaison for the partnering 
organization.
    F. State willingness to participate in any CoE or CCOE national 
evaluation.

 III. Management Plan

    A. Key project staff and their resumes for budgeted staff 
affiliated with the new CoE/CCOE Ambassador for Change program
    B. Staff responsibilities
    C. CoE or CCOE Advisory Board

Appendices

    A. Required Forms (Assurance of Compliance Form, etc.)
    B. Key Staff Resumes
    C. AFC Program Staff Chart
    D. Institutional Letters of Support
    E. Signed partnership agreements
    F. Other attachments

    3. Submission Dates and Times. To be considered for review, 
applications must be received by the Office of Grants Management, 
Office of Public Health and Science, by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on May 
22, 2006. Applications will be considered as meeting the deadline if 
they are received on or before the deadline date. The application due 
date requirement in this announcement supercedes the instructions in 
the OPHS-1.

Submission Mechanisms

    The Office of Public Health and Science (OPHS) provides multiple 
mechanisms for the submission of applications, as described in the 
following sections. Applicants will receive notification via mail from 
the OPHS Office of Grants Management confirming the receipt of 
applications submitted using any of these mechanisms. Applications 
submitted to the OPHS Office of Grants Management after the deadlines 
described below will not be accepted for review. Applications which do 
not conform to the requirements of the grant announcement will not be 
accepted for review and will be returned to the applicant.
    Applications may only be submitted electronically via the 
electronic submission mechanisms specified below. Any applications 
submitted via any other means of electronic communication, including 
facsimile or electronic mail, will not be accepted for review. While 
applications are accepted in hard copy, the use of the electronic 
application submission capabilities provided by the OPHS eGrants system 
or the Grants.gov Web site Portal is encouraged.
    Electronic grant application submissions must be submitted no later 
than 5 p.m. Eastern Time on the deadline date specified in the 
SUBMISSION DATES AND TIMES section of the announcement using one of the 
electronic submission mechanisms specified below. All required hard 
copy original signatures and mail-in items must be received by the OPHS 
Office of Grants Management no later than 5 p.m. Eastern Time on the 
next business day after the deadline date specified in the SUBMISSION 
DATES AND TIMES section of the announcement.
    Applications will not be considered valid until all electronic 
application components, hard copy original signatures, and mail-in 
items are received by the OPHS Office of Grants

[[Page 14704]]

Management according to the deadlines specified above. Application 
submissions that do not adhere to the due date requirements will be 
considered late and will be deemed ineligible.
    Applicants are encouraged to initiate electronic applications early 
in the application development process, and to submit early on the due 
date or before. This will aid in addressing any problems with 
submissions prior to the application deadline.

Electronic Submissions Via the Grants.gov Web Site Portal

    The Grants.gov Web site Portal provides organizations with the 
ability to submit applications for OPHS grant opportunities. 
Organizations must successfully complete the necessary registration 
processes in order to submit an application. Information about this 
system is available on the Grants.gov Web site, https://www.grants.gov.
    In addition to electronically submitted materials, applicants may 
be required to submit hard copy signatures for certain Program related 
forms, or original materials as required by the announcement. It is 
imperative that the applicant review both the grant announcement, as 
well as the application guidance provided within the Grants.gov 
application package, to determine such requirements. Any required hard 
copy materials, or documents that require a signature, must be 
submitted separately via mail to the OPHS Office of Grants Management, 
and, if required, must contain the original signature of an individual 
authorized to act for the applicant agency and the obligations imposed 
by the terms and conditions of the grant award.
    Electronic applications submitted via the Grants.gov Web site 
Portal must contain all completed online forms required by the 
application kit, the Program Narrative, Budget Narrative and any 
appendices or exhibits. All required mail-in items must be received by 
the due date requirements specified above. Mail-in items may only 
include publications, resumes, or organizational documentation.
    Upon completion of a successful electronic application submission 
via the Grants.gov Web site Portal, the applicant will be provided with 
a confirmation page from Grants.gov indicating the date and time 
(Eastern Time) of the electronic application submission, as well as the 
Grants.gov Receipt Number. It is critical that the applicant print and 
retain this confirmation for their records, as well as a copy of the 
entire application package.
    All applications submitted via the Grants.gov Web site Portal will 
be validated by Grants.gov. Any applications deemed ``Invalid'' by the 
Grants.gov Web site Portal will not be transferred to the OPHS eGrants 
system, and OPHS has no responsibility for any application that is not 
validated and transferred to OPHS from the Grants.gov Web site Portal. 
Grants.gov will notify the applicant regarding the application 
validation status. Once the application is successfully validated by 
the Grants.gov Web site Portal, applicants should immediately mail all 
required hard copy materials to the OPHS Office of Grants Management to 
be received by the deadlines specified above. It is critical that the 
applicant clearly identify the Organization name and Grants.gov 
Application Receipt Number on all hard copy materials.
    Once the application is validated by Grants.gov, it will be 
electronically transferred to the OPHS eGrants system for processing. 
Upon receipt of both the electronic application from the Grants.gov Web 
site Portal, and the required hard copy mail-in items, applicants will 
receive notification via mail from the OPHS Office of Grants Management 
confirming the receipt of the application submitted using the 
Grants.gov Web site Portal. Applicants should contact Grants.gov 
regarding any questions or concerns regarding the electronic 
application process conducted through the Grants.gov Web site Portal.

Electronic Submissions Via the OPHS eGrants System

    The OPHS electronic grants management system, eGrants, provides for 
applications to be submitted electronically. Information about this 
system is available on the OPHS eGrants Web site, https://
egrants.osophs.dhhs.gov, or may be requested from the OPHS Office of 
Grants Management at (240) 453-8822.
    When submitting applications via the OPHS eGrants system, 
applicants are required to submit a hard copy of the application face 
page (Standard Form 424) with the original signature of an individual 
authorized to act for the applicant agency and assume the obligations 
imposed by the terms and conditions of the grant award. If required, 
applicants will also need to submit a hard copy of the Standard Form 
LLL and/or certain Program related forms (e.g., Program Certifications) 
with the original signature of an individual authorized to act for the 
applicant agency.
    Electronic applications submitted via the OPHS eGrants system must 
contain all completed online forms required by the application kit, the 
Program Narrative, Budget Narrative and any appendices or exhibits. The 
applicant may identify specific mail-in items to be sent to the Office 
of Grants Management separate from the electronic submission; however 
these mail-in items must be entered on the eGrants Application 
Checklist at the time of electronic submission, and must be received by 
the due date requirements specified above. Mail-in items may only 
include publications, resumes, or organizational documentation.
    Upon completion of a successful electronic application submission, 
the OPHS eGrants system will provide the applicant with a confirmation 
page indicating the date and time (Eastern Time) of the electronic 
application submission. This confirmation page will also provide a 
listing of all items that constitute the final application submission 
including all electronic application components, required hard copy 
original signatures, and mail-in items, as well as the mailing address 
of the OPHS Office of Grants Management where all required hard copy 
materials must be submitted.
    As items are received by the OPHS Office of Grants Management, the 
electronic application status will be updated to reflect the receipt of 
mail-in items. It is recommended that the applicant monitor the status 
of their application in the OPHS eGrants system to ensure that all 
signatures and mail-in items are received.

Mailed or Hand-Delivered Hard Copy Applications

    Applicants who submit applications in hard copy (via mail or hand-
delivered) are required to submit an original and two copies of the 
application. The original application must be signed by an individual 
authorized to act for the applicant agency or organization and to 
assume for the organization the obligations imposed by the terms and 
conditions of the grant award.
    Mailed or hand-delivered applications will be considered as meeting 
the deadline if they are received by the OPHS Office of Grant 
Management on or before 5 p.m. Eastern Time on the deadline date 
specified in the SUBMISSION DATES AND TIME section of the announcement. 
The application deadline date requirement specified in this 
announcement supersedes the instructions in the OPHS-1. Applications 
that do not meet the deadline will be returned to the applicant unread.

[[Page 14705]]

    Applications will be screened upon receipt. Those that are judged 
to be incomplete or arrive after the deadline will not be reviewed. 
Applications that exceed the specified amount for a twelve-month budget 
period may also not be reviewed. Applications that are judged to be in 
compliance will be reviewed for technical merit in accordance with DHHS 
policies. Applications will be evaluated by a technical review panel 
composed of experts in the fields of program management, service 
delivery, outreach, health education, research, leadership development 
and evaluation. Consideration for award will be given to applicants 
that best demonstrate progress and/or plausible strategies for 
eliminating health disparities through the integration of training, 
leadership/career development, public education and outreach, 
comprehensive services that include gender and age-appropriate 
preventive services, and research. Applicants are advised to pay close 
attention to the specific program guidelines and general instructions 
in the application kit.
    4. Intergovernmental Review: This program is subject to the Public 
Health Systems Reporting Requirements. Under these requirements, a 
community-based non-governmental applicant must prepare and submit a 
Public Health System Impact Statement (PHIS). Applicants shall submit a 
copy of the application face page (SF-424) and a one page summary of 
the project, called the Public Health System Impact Statement. The 
PHSIS is intended to provide information to State and local health 
officials to keep them apprised of proposed health services grant 
applications submitted by community-based, non-governmental 
organizations within their jurisdictions.
    Community-based, non-governmental applicants are required to 
submit, no later than the Federal due date for receipt of the 
application, the following information to the head of the appropriate 
State and local health agencies in the area(s) to be impacted: (a) A 
copy of the face page of the application (SF 424), (b) a summary of the 
project (PHIS), not to exceed one page, which provides: (1) A 
description of the population to be served, (2) a summary of the 
services to be provided, and (3) a description of the coordination 
planned with the appropriate state or local health agencies. Copies of 
the letters forwarding the PHIS to these authorities must be contained 
in the application materials submitted to the OWH.
    This program is also subject to the requirements of Executive Order 
12372 that allows States the option of setting up a system for 
reviewing applications from within their States for assistance under 
certain Federal programs. The application kit to be made available 
under this notice will contain a listing of States that have chosen to 
set up a review system and will include a State Single Point of Contact 
(SPOC) in the State for review. Applicants (other than federally 
recognized Indian tribes) should contact their SPOC as early as 
possible to alert them to the prospective applications and receive any 
necessary instructions on the State process. For proposed projects 
serving more than one State, the applicant is advised to contact the 
SPOC in each affected State. A complete list of SPOC may be found at 
the following Web site: https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/spoc.html 
The due date for State process recommendations is 60 days after the 
application deadline. The OWH does not guarantee that it will 
accommodate or explain its responses to State process recommendations 
received after that date. (See ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal 
Programs,'' Executive Order 12372, and 45 CFR part 100 for a 
description of the review process and requirements.)
    5. Funding Restrictions: A majority of the funds must be used to 
support staff (direct labor) and efforts aimed at coordinating and 
integrating the components of the program and travel to the two Center 
Directors' Meetings held each year . The senior person responsible for 
the program shall continue to devote the maximum effort needed to 
maintain program excellence. Funds may also be used for program related 
travel.
    Funds may not be used for construction, building alterations, 
equipment, printing, food, and medical treatment. All budget requests 
must be justified fully in terms of the proposed goals and objectives 
and include an itemized computational explanation/breakout of how costs 
were determined.
    The CoE and CCOE Center Directors meet twice a year. A portion of 
these meetings will be devoted to the Ambassadors for Change program. 
The budget should include a request for funds to pay for the travel, 
lodging, and meals for the two Center Directors' meetings. The first 
meeting is usually held between mid-November and mid-December and the 
second Center Directors' meeting is usually held in May. This year the 
joint Center Directors' meetings will be held December 4, 2006. CCOE 
Center Directors are encouraged to bring the person with primary 
responsibility for the day-to-day management of the Ambassador for 
Change program to these meetings and should include their travel cost 
in the budget.
    6. Other Submission Requirements: Beginning October 1, 2003, all 
applicants are required to obtain a Data Universal Numbering System 
(DUNS) number as preparation for doing business electronically with the 
Federal Government. The DUNS number must be obtained prior to applying 
for OWH funds. The DUNS number is a nine-character identification code 
provided by the commercial company Dun & Bradstreet, and serves as a 
unique identifier of business entities. There is no charge for 
requesting a DUNS number, and you may register and obtain a DUNS number 
by either of the following methods:
    Telephone: 1-866-705-5711.
    Web site: https://www.dnb.com/product/eupdate/requestOptions.html.
Be sure to click on the link that reads, ``DUNS Number Only'' at the 
right hand, bottom corner of the screen to access the free registration 
page. Please note that registration via the Web site may take up to 30 
business days to complete.

V. Application Review Information

    1. Criteria: The technical review of applications will consider the 
following factors:

Factor 1: Level of Integration of the Components and Gender-Based 
Medicine at the Institution (30%)

    The CoE/CCOE Ambassadors for Change Program model shall include: 
(a) Training for professional, allied health, and lay health care 
workers serving underserved diverse women, (b) leadership/career 
development for women providers and underserved women/girls in the 
community, including American Indian or Alaska Native, Black or African 
American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian, and Native Hawaiian or Other 
Pacific Islander women/girls, (c) outreach and public education, (d) 
comprehensive multi-disciplinary women's health services that include 
gender and age-appropriate preventive services, (e) gender-based 
research originating at the institution and/or involved with the CoE/
CCOE Research Coordinating Center. All components shall be in place/
operational and integrated with one another at the time the application 
is submitted. The applicant must discuss/describe the resources 
available to support each component, plans for maintaining components, 
and the relationship of each integrated component to the overall goals 
and objectives of the CoE/CCOE Ambassador

[[Page 14706]]

for Change program. In addition the applicant must state a willingness 
to participate in any CoE or CCOE national evaluation.

Factor 2: Degree of Self-Sustainment at the Parent Institution (30%)

    Applicant organization's capability to manage the project as 
determined by the qualifications of the proposed staff; proposed staff 
level of effort; management experience of the staff; and the 
experience, resources and role of each partner organization as it 
relates to the needs and programs/activities of the CoE/CCOE Ambassador 
for Change program; integration of allied health professionals into the 
CoE/CCOE AFC program; and integration of the CoE/CCOE AFC advisory 
board into the program's activities. Detailed position descriptions, 
resumes of key staff, an AFC staffing chart, and letter of support from 
key institutional administrator that demonstrate a commitment to the 
AFC program (form letters are discouraged) should be included in the 
appendix. The AFC Program Staff chart shall include the name, degrees 
earned, position, FTE equivalent, race/ethnicity and gender of each 
person/partner working on the AFC program. This chart shall provide 
information to identify the number of people involved in the program 
and to identify trends in demographics. The management plan should also 
describe succession planning for key personnel and cross training of 
responsibilities. Thoughtful succession planning and cross training of 
responsibilities should contribute to the sustainability of the program 
and provide promotion potential.

Factor 3: Agreement To Serve as a Technical Consultant to Other Sites 
on Your Most Successful Component (30%)

    A clear statement of willingness to provide technical consultation 
to other academic health centers interest in the CoE model or other 
community-based organizations interested in the CCOE model could 
include work with the Executive Leadership in Academic Medicine 
Program, a promotoras training program, presentations at CoE and CCOE 
Center Directors' meetings, technical assistance visits to other CoE/
CCOE sites, etc.

Factor 4: Partnerships (10%)

    The CoE or CCOE shall maintain existing partnership and develop new 
ones within their region and neighboring regions and with government-
sponsored agencies and organizations:
    The Regional Women's Health Coordinator (RWHC) in their region. The 
RWHCs and contact information can be found at https://www.4woman.gov/
owh/reg/.
    The Minority Women's Health Panel of Experts (if there is one in 
their region). The MWHPEs and contact information can be found at 
https://www.4woman.gov/owh/minority.htm#mwhpe.
    DHHS agencies (HRSA, OMH/OPHS, IHS, NIH, CDC, FDA, etc.).
    Other government and non-government agencies.
    The partnerships shall work towards:
    Improving diversity at their institution regarding populations 
served, culturally competent materials and center staff, and
    Continuing to transform the programs through leadership, outreach 
especially to adolescents and elderly women, prevention programs on 
heart disease, diabetes/obesity, cancer, HIV/AIDS, mental health, and 
violence against women, and underserved women, including the American 
Indian population.

Partnership agreements shall be included in the appendix of the 
application.

    2. Review and Selection Process: Accepted applications will be 
reviewed for technical merit in accordance with DHHS policies. 
Applications will be evaluated by a objective/technical review panel 
composed of experts in the fields of program management, academic/
community service delivery, outreach, health education, research, and 
leadership development and evaluation. Consideration for award will be 
given to applicants that meet the goals and review criteria of the CoE/
CCOE Ambassadors for Change programs.
    Funding decisions will be made by the OWH, and will take into 
consideration the recommendations and ratings of the review panel, 
program needs, stated preferences, and the organization's women's 
health experience.

VI. Award Administration Information

    1. Award Notices: Within a month of the review of all applications, 
applicants not scoring in the funding range will receive a letter 
stating that they have not been recommended for funding. Applicants 
selected for funding support will receive a Notice of Grant Award 
signed by the grants officer. This is the authorizing document to begin 
performing grant activities and it will be sent electronically and 
followed up with a mailed copy. Pre-award costs are not supported by 
the OWH.
    2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements: (1) In 
accepting this award, the grantee stipulates that the award and any 
activities thereunder are subject to all provisions of the 45 CFR parts 
74 and 92, currently in effect or implemented during the period of this 
grant. (2) Requests that require prior approval from the awarding 
office (See Chapter 8, PHS Grants Policy Statement) must be submitted 
in writing to the OPHS Grants Management Office. Only responses signed 
by the Grants Management Officer are to be considered valid. Grantees 
who take action on the basis of responses from other officials do so at 
their own risk. Such responses will not be considered binding by or 
upon the OWH. (3) Responses to reporting requirements, conditions, and 
requests for post-award amendments must be mailed to the Office of 
Grants Management at the address indicated below in ``Agency 
Contacts.'' All correspondence requires the signature of an authorized 
business official and/or the project director. Failure to follow this 
guidance will result in a delay in responding to your correspondence. 
(4) The DHHS Appropriations Act requires that, when issuing statements, 
press releases, requests for proposals, bid solicitations, and other 
documents describing projects or programs funded in whole or in part 
with Federal money, the issuance shall clearly state the percentage and 
dollar amount of the total costs of the program or project that will be 
financed with Federal money and the percentage and dollar amount of the 
total costs of the project or program that will be financed by non-
governmental sources.
    3. Reporting: A successful applicant will submit an annual 
technical report and a Financial Status Report in accordance with 
provisions of the general regulations which apply under ``Monitoring 
and Reporting Program Performance,'' 45 CFR parts 74 and 92. An 
original and two copies of the annual report must be submitted by 
August 15. The annual report will serve as the non-competing 
continuation application and must cover all activities for the entire 
budget year. Therefore, this report must also include the budget 
request for the next grant year, with appropriate justification, and 
signatures, and be submitted using Form OPHS-1. A Financial Status 
Report (FSR) SF-269 is due 90 days after the close of each 12-month 
budget period.

VII. Agency Contact(s)

    For application kits and information on budget and business aspects 
of the application, please contact: Office of Grants Management, Office 
of Public Health and Science, Department of Health and Human Services, 
1101

[[Page 14707]]

Wootten Parkway, Suite 550, Rockville, MD 20857. Telephone: (240) 453-
8822.
    Questions regarding programmatic information and/or requests for 
technical assistance in the preparation of the grant application by 
CCOEs should be directed in writing to Ms. Barbara James, Director, 
National Community Centers of Excellence in Women's Health Program, 
5600 Fishers Lane, Room 16A-55, Rockville, MD 20859. Telephone: (301) 
443-1402. E-mail: bjames1@osophs.dhhs.gov. Questions from the CoEs 
should be directed to Ms. Eileen Newman, Public Health Analyst at the 
same address. Her e-mail is enewman@osophs.dhhs.gov.

VIII. Other Information

    Eleven (11) CCOE programs and three (3) CCOE Ambassador for Change 
programs are currently funded by the OWH. Information about these 
programs may be found at the following Web site: https://www.4woman.gov/
owh/CCOE/index.htm.
    Seventeen (17) CoE programs and three (3) CoE Ambassadors for 
Change programs are currently funded by the OWH. Information about 
these programs may be found at the following Web site: https://
www.4woman.gov/COE/index.htm.

    Dated: March 16, 2006.
Wanda K. Jones,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health (Women's Health), Office of 
Public Health and Science.
[FR Doc. E6-4188 Filed 3-22-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4150-33-P