HIV/AIDS Health Promotion and Education Program, 35477-35484 [E7-12530]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 124 (Thursday, June 28, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 35477-35484]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-12530]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES


HIV/AIDS Health Promotion and Education Program

AGENCY: Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the 
Secretary, Office of Public Health and Science, Office of Minority 
Health.

ACTION: Notice.

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Announcement Type: Competitive, Initial Announcement of Availability of 
Funds.

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: HIV/AIDS Health 
Promotion and Education Program--93.004.

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) c/o WilDon 
Solutions, Office of Grants Management Operations Center, attention 
Office of Minority Health HIV/AIDS Health Promotion and Education 
Program, no later than 5 p.m. Eastern Time on July 30, 2007. The 
application due date requirement in this announcement supercedes the 
instructions in the OPHS-1 form.

ADDRESSES: Application kits may be obtained electronically by accessing 
Grants.gov at https://www.grants.gov or GrantSolutions at https://
www.GrantSolutions.gov. To obtain a hard copy of the application kit, 
contact WilDon Solutions at 1-888-203-6161. Applicants may fax a 
written request to WilDon Solutions at (703) 351-1138 or e-mail the 
request to OPHSgrantinfo@teamwildon.com. Applications must be prepared 
using Form OPHS-1 ``Grant Application,'' which is included in the 
application kit.

Contacts: For further information contact WilDon Solutions, Office of 
Grants Management Operations Center, 1515 Wilson Blvd., Third Floor 
Suite 310, Arlington, VA 22209, at 1-888-203-6161, e-mail 
OPHSgrantinfo@teamwildon.com or fax 703-351-1138.
SUMMARY: This announcement is made by the United States Department of 
Health and Human Services (HHS or Department), Office of Minority 
Health (OMH) located within the Office of Public Health and Science 
(OPHS), and working in a ``One-Department'' approach collaboratively 
with participating HHS agencies and programs (entities). As part of a 
continuing HHS effort to improve the health and well being of racial 
and ethnic minorities, the Department announces availability of FY 2007 
funding for the HIV/AIDS Health Promotion and Education Program 
(hereafter referred to as the HIV/AIDS Program). OMH is authorized to 
conduct this program under 42 U.S.C. 300 u-6, section 1707 of the 
Public Health Service Act, as amended. The mission of the OMH is to 
improve the health of racial and ethnic minority populations through 
the development of policies and programs that address disparities and 
gaps. OMH serves as the focal point within the HHS for leadership, 
policy development and coordination, service demonstrations, 
information exchange, coalition and partnership building, and related 
efforts to address the health of racial and ethnic minorities. OMH 
activities are implemented in an effort to address Healthy People 2010, 
a comprehensive set of disease prevention and health promotion 
objectives for the Nation to achieve over the first decade of the 21st 
century (https://www.healthypeople.gov). This funding announcement is 
also made in support of the OMH National Partnership for Action 
initiative. The mission of the National Partnership for Action is to 
work with individuals and organizations across the country to create a 
Nation free of health disparities with quality health outcomes for all 
by achieving the following five objectives: Increasing awareness of 
health disparities, strengthening leadership at all levels for 
addressing health disparities; enhancing patient-provider 
communication; improving cultural and linguistic competency in 
delivering health services; and better coordinating and utilizing 
research and outcome evaluations.
    Minority communities are currently at the center of the HIV/AIDS 
epidemic in this country. The Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention (CDC) estimates that more than 1.1 million Americans were 
living with HIV/AIDS at the end of 2005.\1\ The CDC also states that 
young people in the U.S. are at persistent risk for HIV infection. 
``This risk is especially notable for youth of minority races and 
ethnicities.'' \2\ Multifaceted approaches to HIV/AIDS prevention which 
involve peers, school, faith-based, and community components are 
necessary to reduce the incidence of HIV/AIDS among young people.\3\ 
Background information on racial/ethnic disparities in HIV/AIDS can be 
found in Section VIII of this announcement.
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    \1\ HIV/AIDS Surveillance Report; Cases of HIV Infection and 
AIDS in the United States, 2005; Volume 17.
    \2\ CDC HIV/AIDS Fact Sheet: HIV/AIDS Among Youth, June 2006.
    \3\ Ibid.
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    The HIV/AIDS Program is designed to support activities implemented 
by national minority serving organizations on college campuses in rural 
and urban communities that will increase awareness of HIV/AIDS risk 
factors, and positively alter the future course of HIV/AIDS among young 
adult minority populations. It is intended that this program will 
demonstrate that the involvement of national minority-serving 
organizations in partnership with institutions of higher education 
(particularly those with a history of serving minority populations, 
such as Historically Black Colleges and Universities--HBCUs, Hispanic 
Serving Institutions--HSIs, Tribal Colleges and Universities--TCUs, and 
other

[[Page 35478]]

accredited minority-serving post-secondary institutions) can be vital 
in effectively reaching and educating young adult minority populations 
at risk for, affected by and/or infected with HIV/AIDS. The risk of 
many diseases and health conditions, including HIV/AIDS, are reduced 
through preventative actions. Under this program, support will be 
provided to projects that emphasize prevention, one of the HHS 
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priorities.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Table Of Contents

Section I. Funding Opportunity Description
    1. Purpose
    2. OMH Expectations
    3. Applicant Project Results
    4. Project Requirements
Section II. Award Information
Section III. Eligibility Information
    1. Eligible Applicants
    2. Cost Sharing or Matching
    3. Other
Section IV. Application and Submission Information
    1. Address to Request Application Package
    2. Content and Form of Application Submission
    3. Submission Dates and Times
    4. Intergovernmental Review
    5. Funding Restrictions
Section V. Application Review Information
    1. Criteria
    2. Review and Selection Process
    3. Anticipated Award Date
Section VI. Award Administration Information
    1. Award Notices
    2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements
    3. Reporting Requirements
Section VII. Agency Contacts
Section VIII. Other Information
    1. Background
    2. Healthy People 2010
    3. Definitions

Section I. Funding Opportunity Description

1. Purpose

    The purpose of the HIV/AIDS Health Promotion and Education Program 
is to improve the health status, relative to HIV/AIDS, of young adult 
high risk populations, particularly racial and ethnic minorities (see 
definition of minority populations in Section VIII.3 of this 
announcement) by eliminating disparities. Through this FY 2007 
announcement, the OMH promotes partnerships between national minority-
serving organizations and institutions of higher education, 
particularly those with a history of serving minority populations, such 
as Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic 
Serving Institutions (HSIs), Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs), 
and other accredited minority-serving post-secondary institutions. This 
program also promotes promising practices and model programs targeting 
unique minority communities.

2. OMH Expectations

    It is intended that the HIV/AIDS Health Promotion and Education 
Program will result in:
    Increased awareness of risk factors for HIV/AIDS, and knowledge of 
methods, such as abstinence, by which transmission of HIV/AIDs can be 
prevented;
    Adoption of health promoting behaviors;
    Reduction in high-risk behaviors;
    Improved access to HIV/AIDS services for high-risk populations; and
    Increased counseling and testing services for high-risk 
populations, connection to a continuum of care, and increased patient 
knowledge on how best to access such care.

3. Applicant Project Results

    Applicants must identify at least 2 of the following project 
results that are consistent with the HIV/AIDS Program overall and OMH 
expectations. Project results should fall within the following general 
categories:
    Increased awareness of health disparities, relative to HIV/AIDS 
among minorities;
    Improved patient-provider interaction; and/or
    Improved cultural, linguistic and literacy competency.
    The outcomes of these projects will be used to develop other 
national efforts to address health disparities among racial and ethnic 
minority populations.

4. Project Requirements

    Each applicant under the HIV/AIDS Health Promotion and Education 
Program must:
    Implement the project through collaborative partnership 
arrangements between the applicant and at least two institutions of 
higher education, particularly those with a history of serving minority 
populations (one rural and one urban). The partnership must have the 
capacity to:
    Develop, implement and conduct demonstration projects on college 
campuses and in high-risk minority communities, urban and/or rural;
    Conduct outreach, screening, prevention information dissemination 
and education, and risk reduction-focused activities;
    Plan and coordinate age-appropriate activities which reduce 
existing sociocultural, linguistic, and literacy barriers for 
individuals seeking and accepting HIV/AIDS services;
    Identify problems such as gaps in services, or issues, such as 
access to health care;
    Link to enabling services to ensure that participants followup with 
referrals and treatment; and
    Identify existing resources in the targeted communities which will 
be linked to the proposed project.

5. Federal Involvement

    Projects supported under the HIV/AIDS Program will be funded via a 
cooperative agreement mechanism. Cooperative agreements involve 
significant Federal interaction with the recipient organization in the 
implementation of program activities. For this program, this 
interaction includes, but is not limited to:
    Oversight and clearance for the implementation, conduct and 
assessment of project activities.
    Collaborative work with funding recipients to develop and implement 
evaluation strategies incorporating the required Uniform Data Set which 
is to be used to report program information.
    Review and approval of assessment and evaluation instruments and/or 
plans.
    Direction to funding recipients on the submission of project data 
to OMH.
    Coordination and communication between funding recipients and other 
national organizations.
    Serving in a liaison capacity between funding recipients and 
appropriate federal government agencies.
    Planning and conducting an annual grantee meeting.

Section II. Award Information

    Estimated Funds Available for Competition: $2,300,000 in FY 2007 
(Grant awards are subject to the availability of funds.)
    Anticipated Number of Awards: 10 to 12.
    Range of Awards: $175,000 to $200,000 per year.
    Anticipated Start Date: September 1, 2007.
    Period of Performance: 3 Years (September 1, 2007 to August 31, 
2010).
    Budget Period Length: 12 months.
    Type of Award: Cooperative Agreement.
    Type of Application Accepted: New, Competing Continuation.

Section III. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants

    To qualify for funding, an applicant must:
    Be a private, nonprofit national minority-serving organization 
which addresses health and human services

[[Page 35479]]

and has a history of service to racial and ethnic minority populations. 
Examples of national minority-serving organizations that may apply 
include, but are not limited to:
    Organizations representing community health organizations serving 
minority populations;
    Organizations that focus on minority health, education, leadership 
development, and national partnerships; and
    Organizations whose membership represents minority-focused health 
professionals.
    Implement the project through a collaborative partnership 
arrangement with at least two institutions of higher education, 
particularly those with a history of serving minority populations (one 
rural, one urban). The collaboration must be documented through 
separate signed Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the applicant and 
each partnering institution of higher education. The partners must each 
have a specific, significant role in conducting the proposed project. 
The MOA must specify in detail the roles and resources that each entity 
will bring to the project, and the terms of the agreement. The MOA must 
cover the entire project period. The MOA must be signed by individuals 
with the authority to obligate the organization (e.g., president of 
college or university, chief executive officer, executive director).
    Be an established national (defined by charter or bylaws to operate 
nationally), nonprofit organization (a non-governmental, nonprofit 
corporation or association whose net earnings in no part accrue to the 
benefit of private shareholders or individuals). Bylaws and/or charter 
must be furnished with the application.
    Other entities that meet the definition of a private non-profit 
national minority-serving organization eligible to apply, such as 
national faith-based and/or national tribal organizations.
    Because the intent of this program is to address the HIV/AIDS 
epidemic at the national level, only organizations with a national 
reach are eligible to apply.
    The organization submitting the application will:
    Serve as the lead agency for the project;
    Be responsible for implementation and management; and
    Serve as the fiscal agent for the Federal grant awarded.

2. Cost Sharing or Matching

    Matching funds are not required for the HIV/AIDS Program.

3. Other

    Organizations applying for funds under the HIV/AIDS Health 
Promotion and Education Program must submit documentation of nonprofit 
status and documentation of an established national nonprofit 
organization as defined by charter or bylaws to operate nationally with 
their applications. If documentation is not provided, the application 
will be considered non-responsive and will not be entered into the 
review process. The organization will be notified that the application 
did not meet the submission requirements.
    Any of the following serves as acceptable proof of nonprofit 
status:
    A reference to the applicant organization's listing in the Internal 
Revenue Service (IRS) most recent list of tax-exempt organizations 
described in section 501(c)(3) of the IRS Code.
    A copy of a currently valid IRS tax exemption certificate.
    A statement from a State taxing body, State Attorney General, or 
other appropriate State official certifying that the applicant 
organization has a nonprofit status and that none of the net earnings 
accrue to any private shareholders or individuals.
    A certified copy of the organization's certificate of incorporation 
or similar document that clearly establishes nonprofit status.
    If funding is requested in an amount greater than the ceiling of 
the award range, the application will be considered non-responsive and 
will not be entered into the review process. The application will be 
returned with notification that it did not meet the submission 
requirements.
    Applications that are not complete or that do not conform to or 
address the criteria of this announcement will be considered non-
responsive and will not be entered into the review process. The 
application will be returned with notification that it did not meet the 
submission requirements.
    An organization may submit no more than one application to the HIV/
AIDS Health Promotion and Education Program. Organizations submitting 
more than one proposal for this cooperative agreement program will be 
deemed ineligible. The multiple proposals from the same organization 
will be returned without comment.
    Organizations are not eligible to receive funding from more than 
one OMH grant program to carry out the same project and/or activities.

Section IV. Application and Submission Information

1. Address To Request Application Kit

    Application kits for the HIV/AIDS Health Promotion and Education 
Program may be obtained by accessing Grants.gov at https://
www.grants.gov or the GrantsSolutions system at https://
www.grantsolutions.gov. To obtain a hard copy of the application kit 
for this cooperative agreement program, contact WilDon Solutions at 1-
888-203-6161.
    Applicants may also fax a written request to WilDon Solutions at 
(703) 351-1138 or e-mail the request to OPHSgrantinfo@teamwildon.com. 
Applications must be prepared using Form OPHS-1, which can be obtained 
at the Web sites noted above.

2. Content and Form of Application Submission

A. Application and Submission
    Applicants must use Grant Application Form OPHS-1 and complete the 
Face Page/Cover Page (SF 424), Checklist, and Budget Information Forms 
for Non-Construction Programs (SF 424A). In addition, the application 
must contain a project narrative. The project narrative (including 
summary and appendices) is limited to 75 pages double-spaced. For those 
institutions that previously received funding under the OMH-supported 
HIV/AIDS Health Promotion and Education Program, in addition to the 
project narrative, you must attach a report on that program and its 
results. This report is limited to 15 pages double-spaced, which do not 
count against the page limitation
    The narrative description of the project must contain the 
following, in the order presented:
    Table of Contents.
    Project Summary (Overview): Briefly describe key aspects of the 
Background, Objectives, Program Plan, and Evaluation Plan. The summary 
is limited to 3 pages.
    Background:
    Statement of Need: Describe and document, with data, demographic 
information on the targeted local geographic area, and the significance 
or prevalence of HIV/AIDS health problem(s) or issue(s) affecting the 
local target minority group(s), especially young adult minority 
populations. Identify problems such as gaps in services, or issues such 
as access to HIV/AIDS health care, social and cultural barriers, or 
mental health concerns affecting the targeted communities to be 
addressed by the proposed project. Describe the minority group(s) 
targeted by the project (e.g.,

[[Page 35480]]

race/ethnicity, age, gender, educational level/income).
    Experience: Describe the applicant organization's background, and 
the background/experience of all participating institutions of higher 
education, as well as any additional partners. Provide a rationale for 
their inclusion in the project. Describe any similar projects 
implemented to work with the targeted population(s) and the results of 
those projects. Document at least three years of experience working 
with the targeted minority populations, and the capacity to conduct 
HIV/AIDS programs and activities. (For those institutions that 
previously received funding under the OMH-supported HIV/AIDS Health 
Promotion and Education Program, you must attach a report on that 
specific project and its results.)
    Discuss the applicant organization's experience in managing 
projects/activities, especially those targeting the high-risk 
population to be served. Indicate where the project will be located 
within the applicant organization's structure and the reporting 
channels. Provide a chart of the proposed project's organizational 
structure, showing who will report to whom. Describe how the partner 
institutions of higher education, as well as any additional partners, 
will interface with the applicant organization.
    Objectives: Provide objectives stated in measurable terms including 
baseline data, improvement targets, and time frames for achievement for 
the three-year project period. Explain how the stated objectives relate 
to the expected results of the project.
    Program Plan: Provide a plan which clearly describes how the 
project will be carried out. Describe specific activities and 
strategies planned to achieve each objective. For each activity, 
describe how, when, where, by whom, and for whom the activity will be 
conducted. Describe how outreach, counseling and testing, prevention 
information and education to reduce risk behaviors and promote the 
adoption of health promoting behaviors, and connecting to enabling 
services and to treatment will be accomplished. Include the role of 
each participating partner institution of higher education as well as 
any additional partners and/or collaborating agencies. Provide a 
description of the proposed program staff, including resumes and job 
descriptions for key staff, qualifications and responsibilities of each 
staff member, and percent of time each will commit to the project. 
Provide a description of duties for any proposed consultants. Describe 
any products to be developed by the project. Provide a time line for 
each year of the three-year project period.
    Evaluation Plan: Delineate how program activities will be 
evaluated. The evaluation plan must clearly articulate how the project 
will be evaluated to determine if the intended results have been 
achieved. The evaluation plan must describe, for all funded activities:

--Intended results (i.e., impacts and outcomes);
--How impacts and outcomes will be measured (i.e., what indicators or 
measures will be used to monitor and measure progress toward achieving 
project results);
--Methods for collecting and analyzing data on measures;
--Evaluation methods that will be used to assess impacts and outcomes;
--Evaluation expertise that will be available for this purpose;
--How results are expected to contribute to: The objectives of the 
Program as a whole, and Healthy People 2010 goals and objectives; and
--The potential for replicating the evaluation methods for similar 
efforts by this or other applicants.

    Discuss plans and describe the vehicle (e.g., manual, CD) that will 
be used to document the steps which others may follow to replicate the 
proposed project in similar communities. Describe plans for 
disseminating project results to other communities.
    Appendices:

--Submit a Memorandum of Agreement between the applicant and each 
partnering institution of higher education with the application for 
funding.
--Include other relevant information in this section, such as 
documentation of non-profit status, and bylaws and/or charter to 
operate nationally must be furnished with the application.

    If required, attach a report on the project and outcomes supported 
under the HIV/AIDS Health Promotion and Education Program (does not 
count against page limitation).
    In addition to the project narrative, the application must contain 
a detailed budget justification which includes a narrative explanation 
and indicates the computation of expenditures for each year for which 
grant support is requested. The budget request must include funds for 
key project staff to attend an annual OMH grantee meeting. (The budget 
justification does not count toward the page limitation.)
B. Data Universal Numbering System Number (DUNS)
    Applications must have a Dun & Bradstreet (D&B) Data Universal 
Numbering System number as the universal identifier when applying for 
Federal grants. The D&B number can be obtained by calling (866) 705-
5711 or through the Web site at https://www.dnb.com/us/.

3. Submission Dates and Times

    To be considered for review, applications must be received by the 
Office of Public Health and Science, Office of Grants Management, c/o 
WilDon Solutions, by 5 p.m. Eastern Time on July 30, 2007. 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 form.
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.
    While applications are accepted in hard copy, the use of the 
electronic application submission capabilities provided by the 
Grants.gov and GrantSolutions.gov systems is encouraged. 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.
    In order to apply for new funding opportunities which are open to 
the public for competition, you may access the Grants.gov Web site 
portal. All OPHS funding opportunities and application kits are made 
available on Grants.gov. If your organization has/had a grantee 
business relationship with a grant program serviced by the OPHS Office 
of Grants Management, and you are applying as part of ongoing grantee 
related activities, please access GrantSolutions.gov.

[[Page 35481]]

    Electronic grant application submissions must be submitted no later 
than 5 p.m. Eastern Time on the deadline date specified in the DATES 
section of the announcement using one of the electronic submission 
mechanisms specified below. All required hardcopy original signatures 
and mail-in items must be received by the OPHS Office of Grants 
Management, c/o WilDon Solutions, no later than 5 p.m. Eastern Time on 
the next business day after the deadline date specified in the DATES 
section of the announcement.
    Applications will not be considered valid until all electronic 
application components, hardcopy original signatures, and mail-in items 
are received by the OPHS Office of Grants 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, 
c/o WilDon Solutions, 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. When submitting the required forms, do not send the entire 
application. Complete hard copy applications submitted after the 
electronic submission will not be considered for review.
    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 received by the 
due date requirements specified above. Mail-In items may only include 
publications, resumes, or organizational documentation. When submitting 
the required forms, do not send the entire application. Complete hard 
copy applications submitted after the electronic submission will not be 
considered for review.
    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 
GrantSolutions 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, c/o WilDon Solutions, 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 GrantSolutions system for processing. 
Upon receipt of both the electronic application from the Grants.gov Web 
site Portal, and the required hardcopy 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 GrantSolutions System
    OPHS is a managing partner of the GrantSolutions.gov system. 
GrantSolutions is a full life-cycle grants management system managed by 
the Administration for Children and Families, Department of Health and 
Human Services (HHS), and is designated by the Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) as one of the three Government-wide grants management 
systems under the Grants Management Line of Business initiative 
(GMLoB). OPHS uses GrantSolutions for the electronic processing of all 
grant applications, as well as the electronic management of its entire 
Grant portfolio.
    When submitting applications via the GrantSolutions 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. When submitting the required forms, do not send the 
entire application. Complete hard copy applications submitted after the 
electronic submission will not be considered for review.
    Electronic applications submitted via the GrantSolutions 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 
GrantSolutions 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. When submitting the required forms, do 
not send the entire application. Complete hard copy applications 
submitted after the electronic submission will not be considered for 
review.
    Upon completion of a successful electronic application submission, 
the GrantSolutions system will provide the

[[Page 35482]]

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 hardcopy 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 GrantSolutions 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, c/o WilDon Solutions, on or before 5 
p.m. Eastern Time on the deadline date specified in the DATES 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.

 4. Intergovernmental Review

    The HIV/AIDS Program is subject to requirements of Executive Order 
12372 which allows States the options of setting up a system for 
reviewing applications from within their States for assistance under 
certain Federal programs. The application kits available under this 
notice will contain a list of States which have chosen to set up a 
review system and will include a State Single Point of Contact (SPOC) 
in the State for review. The SPOC list is also available on the 
Internet at the following address: https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/
grants/spoc.html. 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. The due date for State process recommendations is 60 
days after the application deadlines established by the OPHS Grants 
Management Officer. The OMH 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

    Budget Request: If funding is requested in an amount greater than 
the ceiling of the award range, the application will be considered non-
responsive and will not be entered into the review process. The 
application will be returned with notification that it did not meet the 
submission requirements.
    Grant funds may be used to cover costs of:
    Personnel.
    Consultants.
    Equipment.
    Supplies (including screening and outreach supplies).
    Grant-related travel (domestic only), including attendance at an 
annual OMH grantee meeting.
    Other grant-related costs.
    Grant funds may not be used for:
    Building alterations or renovations.
    Construction.
    Fund raising activities.
    Job training.
    Medical care, treatment or therapy.
    Political education and lobbying.
    Research studies involving human subjects.
    Vocational rehabilitation.
    Tuition/support for a regular course of education leading to a 
degree, certificate, license or diploma.
    Guidance for completing the budget can be found in the Program 
Guidelines, which are included with the complete application kit.

Section V. Application Review Information

1. Criteria

    The technical review of the HIV/AIDS Health Promotion and Education 
Program applications will consider the following four generic factors 
listed, in descending order of weight.
A. Factor 1: Program Plan (40%)
    Appropriateness and merit of proposed approach and specific 
activities for each objective.
    Logic and sequencing of the planned approaches as they relate to 
the statement of need and to the objectives.
    Soundness of established partnership and the roles of the 
partnership members in the program.
    Qualifications and appropriateness of proposed staff or 
requirements for ``to be hired'' staff and consultants.
    Proposed staff level of effort.
    Appropriateness of defined roles including staff reporting channels 
and that of any proposed consultants.
B. Factor 2: Evaluation Plan (25%)
    The degree to which intended results are appropriate for the 
objectives of the HIV/AIDS Program overall, stated objectives of the 
proposed project and proposed activities.
    Appropriateness of the proposed methods for data collection 
(including demographic data to be collected on project participants), 
analysis and reporting.
    Suitability of process, outcome, and impact measures.
    Clarity of the intent and plans to assess and document progress 
towards achieving objectives, planned activities, and intended 
outcomes.
    Potential for the proposed project to impact the health status of 
the target population(s) relative to the health areas addressed.
    Soundness of the plan to document the project for replicability in 
similar communities.
    Soundness of the plan to disseminate project results.
    The potential for replicating the evaluation methods for similar 
efforts.
C. Factor 3: Background (20%)
    Demonstrated knowledge of the problem at the national and local 
level.
    Significance and prevalence of HIV/AIDS issues on the proposed 
campuses, in surrounding community(ies) and among the target 
population(s).
    Extent to which the applicant demonstrates access to the target 
community(ies), and whether it is well positioned and accepted within 
the community(ies) to be served.
    Extent and documented outcome of past efforts and activities with 
the target high-risk and/or HIV/AIDS minority population.
    Applicant's capability to manage and evaluate the project as 
determined by:
    The applicant organization's experience in managing HIV/AIDS-
oriented project/activities involving the targeted young adult minority 
population.
    The applicant's organizational structure and proposed project 
organizational structure.
    Clear lines of authority among and between the proposed staff and 
the partnership organizations.

[[Page 35483]]

    If applicable, the extent and documented outcome(s) of activities 
conducted under the OMH-supported HIV/AIDS Health Promotion and 
Education Program included in the required progress report.
D. Factor 4: Objectives (15%)
    Merit of the objectives.
    Relevance to Healthy People 2010 and National Partnership for 
Action objectives
    Relevance to the HIV/AIDS Health Promotion and Education Program 
purpose and expectations, and to the stated problem to be addressed by 
the proposed project.
    Degree to which the objectives are stated in measurable terms.
    Attainability of the objectives in the stated time frames.

2. Review and Selection Process

    Accepted HIV/AIDS Program applications will be reviewed for 
technical merit in accordance with PHS policies. Applications will be 
evaluated by an Objective Review Committee (ORC). Committee members are 
chosen for their expertise in minority health and health disparities, 
and their understanding of the unique health problems and related 
issues confronted by the racial and ethnic minority populations in the 
United States. Funding decisions will be determined by the Deputy 
Assistant Secretary for Minority Health who will take under 
consideration:
    The recommendations and ratings of the ORC.
    Geographic distribution of applicants.
    A balanced distribution of populations to be served.

3. Anticipated Award Date

    September 1, 2007.

Section VI. Award Administration Information

1. Award Notices

    Successful applicants will receive a notification letter from the 
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Minority Health and a Notice of Grant 
Award (NGA), signed by the OPHS Grants Management Officer. The NGA 
shall be the only binding, authorizing document between the recipient 
and the Office of Minority Health. Unsuccessful applicants will receive 
notification from OPHS.

2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

    In accepting this award, the grantee stipulates that the award and 
any activities thereunder are subject to all provisions of 45 CFR parts 
74 and 92, currently in effect or implemented during the period of the 
grant.
    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, all grantees shall clearly state the percentage and 
dollar amount of the total costs of the program or project which 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 Requirements

    A successful applicant under this notice will submit: (1) Semi-
annual progress reports;(2) an Annual Financial Status Report; and (3) 
a final progress report and Financial Status Report in the format 
established by the OMH, in accordance with provisions of the general 
regulations which apply under ``Monitoring and Reporting Program 
Performance,'' 45 CFR 74.51-74.52, with the exception of State and 
local governments to which 45 CFR part 92, Subpart C reporting 
requirements apply.
    Uniform Data Set: The Uniform Data Set (UDS) is a web-based system 
used by OMH grantees to electronically report progress data to OMH. It 
allows OMH to more clearly and systematically link grant activities to 
OMH-wide goals and objectives, and document programming impacts and 
results. All OMH grantees are required to report program information 
via the UDS (https://www.dsgonline.com/omh/uds). Training will be 
provided to all new grantees on the use of the UDS system during the 
annual grantee meeting.
    Grantees will be informed of the progress report due dates and 
means of submission. Instructions and report format will be provided 
prior to the required due date. The Annual Financial Status Report is 
due no later than 90 days after the close of each budget period. The 
final progress report and Financial Status Report are due 90 days after 
the end of the project period. Instructions and due dates will be 
provided prior to required submission.

Section VII. Agency Contact(s)

    For application kits, submission of applications, and information 
on budget and business aspects of the application, please contact: 
WilDon Solutions, Office of Grants Management Operations Center, 1515 
Wilson Blvd., Third Floor, Suite 310, Arlington, VA 22209 at 1-888-203-
6161, e-mail OPHSgrantinfo@teamwildon.com, or fax 703-351-1138.
    For questions related to the HIV/AIDS Health Promotion and 
Education Program or assistance in preparing a grant proposal, contact 
Ms. Sonsiere Cobb-Souza, Acting Director, Division of Program 
Operations, Office of Minority Health, Tower Building, Suite 600, 1101 
Wootton Parkway, Rockville, MD 20852. Ms. Cobb-Souza can be reached by 
telephone at (240) 453-8444; or by e-mail at Sonsiere.Cobb-
Souza@hhs.gov.
    For health information, call the OMH Resource Center (OMHRC) at 1-
800-444-6472.

Section VIII. Other Information

1. Background

    From 2001 to 2005, African Americans accounted for 48% of newly 
diagnosed cases of HIV/AIDS, despite the fact that they comprise only 
13% of the U.S. population. Similarly, Hispanics, who comprise 14% of 
the U.S. population, accounted for nearly 17% of newly diagnosed cases. 
With respect to HIV/AIDS trends among youth age 15 to 24 years, 
scientists believe that HIV infection trends are an indicator of the 
future course of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, since infections among youth 
are fairly recent. Up until 2003 there were an estimated 9,789 deaths 
from HIV reported for youth aged 15 to 24. Although the death rate from 
AIDS for youth has declined 71% (from 1989 through 2003), the challenge 
of assisting youth living with AIDS have long-term implications in 
terms of disparities in care, preventing secondary transmission of HIV, 
and addressing their social and medical needs.\4\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \4\ HIV Prevention in the Third Decade; Specific Populations, 
How Are they Affected?; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; 
January 24, 2006.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

2. Healthy People 2010

    The Public Health Service (PHS) is committed to achieving the 
health promotion and disease prevention objectives of Healthy People 
2010, a PHS-led national activity announced in January 2000 to 
eliminate health disparities and improve years and quality of life. 
More information may be found on the Healthy People 2010 Web site: 
https://www.healthypeople.gov/ and copies of the documents may be 
downloaded. Copies of the Healthy People 2010: Volumes I and II can be 
purchased by calling (202) 512-1800 (cost $70.00 for printed version; 
$20.00 for CD-ROM). Another reference is the Healthy People 2010 Final 
Review--2001.
    For one free copy of the Healthy People 2010, contact: The National 
Center for Health Statistics, Division of Data Services, 3311 Toledo 
Road,

[[Page 35484]]

Hyattsville, MD 20782, or by telephone at (301) 458-4636. Ask for HHS 
Publication No. (PHS) 99-1256. This document may also be downloaded 
from: https://www.healthypeople.gov.

2. Definitions

    For purposes of this announcement, the following definitions apply:
    Memorandum of Agreement (MOA)--A document signed by the applicant 
and an authorized representative of each participating institution of 
higher education, as well as any additional partnering entities. The 
MOA should detail the roles and resources each entity will provide for 
the project, the terms, and the duration of the agreement (must cover 
the entire project period).
    Minority Populations--American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian, 
Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, and Native Hawaiian or 
Other Pacific Islander (42 U.S.C. 300u-6, section 1707 of the Public 
Health Service Act, as amended).
    National Minority-Serving Organization--A national private non-
profit organization whose mission focuses on health issues affecting 
minority communities nationwide and that has a history of service to 
racial/ethnic minority populations.
    National Organizations--A national private, nonprofit organization 
which addresses health or human services.
    Nonprofit Organizations--Corporations or associations, no part of 
whose net earnings may lawfully inure to the benefit of any private 
shareholder or individual. Proof of nonprofit status must be submitted 
by private nonprofit organizations with the application or, if 
previously filed with PHS, the applicant must state where and when the 
proof was submitted. (Section III, 3. Other, for acceptable evidence of 
non-profit status.)
    Sociocultural Barriers--Policies, practices, behaviors and beliefs 
that create obstacles to health care access and service delivery. 
Examples of sociocultural barriers include:
    Cultural differences between individuals and institutions.
    Cultural differences of beliefs about health and illness.
    Customs and lifestyles.
    Cultural differences in languages or nonverbal communication 
styles.

    Dated: June 13, 2007.
Garth N. Graham,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Minority Health.
[FR Doc. E7-12530 Filed 6-27-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4150-29-P