[Federal Register: June 20, 2002 (Volume 67, Number 119)]
[Notices]               
[Page 42005-42007]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr20jn02-88]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

[Program Announcement 02191]

 
Expansion of HIV/AIDS/TB Care and Prevention Activities Among 
People with HIV/AIDS in the Republic of Uganda; Notice of Availability 
of Funds

A. Purpose

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announces the 
availability of fiscal year (FY) 2002 funds for a cooperative agreement 
program to strengthen the capacity for providing basic Human 
Immunodeficiency Virus/Tuberculosis (HIV/AIDS/TB) care and prevention 
services for people with HIV/AIDS in the Republic of Uganda.
    The purpose of this program is to strengthen TB treatment and 
prevention, scale-up cotrimoxazole prophylaxis and expand other HIV/
AIDS diagnostic, care and prevention programs. Also, the program will 
support the expansion of basic HIV/AIDS care activities in multiple 
locations in support of CDC Uganda's country strategy.
    This program will enhance Uganda's capacity to provide 
comprehensive HIV/AIDS care and prevention services. Renovations and 
other infrastructure needs related to the provision of above services 
will be supported.
    Measurable outcomes of the program will be in alignment with one or 
more of the following performance goals for the Global AIDS Program 
(GAP): Working with other countries, USAID, international, and U.S. 
government agencies, reduce the number of new HIV infections among 15 
to 24 year olds in sub-Saharan Africa from an estimated two million by 
2005.

B. Eligible Applicants

    Assistance will be provided only to Ugandan non-governmental 
organizations with more than five years of experience in the 
implementation of community HIV/AIDS care programs for populations in 
multiple rural locations in Uganda. The applicants should have at least 
two years experience in implementing comprehensive HIV/AIDS care 
programs for people with AIDS that include psycho-social support, TB 
care, and prevention of opportunistic infections using Potriomoxazole.
    CDC is working in a collaborative manner with national governments 
and other agencies to develop programs of assistance to address the 
HIV/AIDS epidemic in many countries. CDC has established partnerships 
with the Uganda Ministry of Health, the Uganda AIDS Commission and a 
wide range of local and international non-governmental organizations in 
discovering and applying effective interventions to prevent HIV 
infection and associated opportunistic illnesses associated with HIV/
AIDS.


    Note:
    Title 2 of the United States Code section 1611 states that an 
organization described in section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue 
Code that engages in lobbying activities is not eligible to receive 
Federal funds constituting an award, grant or loan.

C. Availability of Funds

    Approximately $350,000 is available in FY 2002 to fund one award. 
It is expected that the award will begin on or about August 30, 2002 
and will be made for a 12-month budget period within a project period 
of three years. Funding estimates may change.
    Continuation award within an approved project period will be made 
on the basis of satisfactory progress as evidenced by required reports 
and the availability of funds.
    No matching funds are required for this program announcement.

D. Use of Funds

    Funds may only be utilized to implement HIV/AIDS/TB care and 
prevention activities as described in the goals, objectives, and 
activities of the submitted and funded program.
    The purchase of antiretrovirals, reagents, and laboratory equipment 
for antiretroviral treatment projects requires pre-approval from the 
Global AIDS Program headquarters.
    Applicants may contract with other organizations under these 
cooperative agreements, however, applicants must

[[Page 42006]]

perform a substantial portion of the activities (including program 
management and operations and delivery of prevention services for which 
funds are requested).
    The costs that are generally allowable in grants to domestic 
organizations are likewise allowable to foreign institutions and 
international organizations, with the following exceptions:
    Indirect Costs: With the exception of the American University, 
Beirut, the Gorgas Memorial Institute, and the World Health 
Organization, indirect costs will not be paid (either directly or 
through a sub-award) to organizations located outside the territorial 
limits of the United States or to international organizations 
regardless of their location.

All requests for funds, including the budget contained in the 
application, shall be stated in U.S. dollars. Once an award is made, 
the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) will not compensate 
foreign grantees for currency exchange fluctuations through the 
issuance of supplemental awards.

Needle Exchange

    No funds appropriated under this Act shall be used to carry out any 
program of distribution sterile needles or syringes for the hypodermic 
injection of any illegal drug.

E. Program Requirements

    In conducting activities to achieve the purpose of this program, 
the recipient will be responsible for the activities under 1. Recipient 
Activities, and CDC will be responsible for the activities listed under 
2. CDC Activities.

F. Recipient Activities

    a. Identify staffing needs; hire and train staff.
    b. Identify and acquire programmatic needs including spacing, 
furnishings, fittings, equipment, and computers.
    c. Establish maintenance contracts for program facilities, 
equipment, and fittings.
    d. Carry out training needs assessment for medical and counseling 
staff if needed.
    e. Identify and if necessary subcontract refresher training for all 
relevant staff in the specific areas identified.
    f. Acquire medications, and other clinical and laboratory supplies 
through normal sources.
    g. Develop and implement, customized monitoring and evaluation 
plans, for each program component.
    h. Provide training in new content areas through apprenticeships 
and other skills development methodologies between treatment sites.
    i. Procure, supply, and maintain centers with materials required 
for clinical activities.
    j. Develop and establish a regular distribution system for 
cotrimoxazole and TB drugs and other supplies.
    k. Schedule regular supervisory site visits for clinical 
activities.
    l. Develop training materials including treatment and counseling 
protocols.
    m. Develop a data management plan and provide training for all 
relevant staff.
    n. Initiate collaborations with National TB and Leprosy Program, 
Ministry of Health and other care institutions.
    o. Establish administrative and management systems for the program.
    p. Prepare and submit periodic progress and financial reports.

G. CDC Activities

    a. Monitor project and budget performance.
    b. Approve the selection of key personnel to be involved in the 
activities performed under this cooperative agreement.
    c. Provide technical assistance in the design and implementation of 
monitoring and evaluation plans and other programmatic areas as needed.
    d. Assist in the planning for data management and analysis.
    e. Participate in training activities as needed.
    f. Provide technical and programmatic oversight to the program.
    g. Collaborate with recipient in developing presentations or 
manuscripts as needed.

H. Application Content

    The program announcement title and number must appear in the 
application. Use the information in the Program Requirements, Other 
Requirements, and Evaluation Criteria sections to develop the 
application content. Your application will be evaluated on the criteria 
listed, so it is important to follow them in laying out your program 
plan. The narrative should be no more than 25 double-spaced pages, 
printed on one side, with once-inch margins, and unreduced fonts.
    Each activity for which funds are requested should consist of, at a 
minimum, a plan, objectives, methods, evaluation and budget provided. A 
summary budget by line item should be provided.

I. Submission and Deadline

    Submit the original and two copies of PHS 5161-1 (OMB Number 0920-
0428). Forms are available in the application kit and at the following 
Internet address: http://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/forminfo.htm.
    Application forms must be submitted in the following order:

Cover Letter
Table of Content
Application
Budget Information Form
Budget Justification
Checklist
Assurances
Certifications
Disclosure Form
HIV Assurance Form (if applicable)
Human Subjects Certification (if applicable)
Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (if applicable)
Narrative

On or before 5 p.m. Eastern Standard Time July 17, 2002, submit the 
application to the Grants Management Specialist identified in the 
``Where to Obtain Additional Information'' section of the announcement.
    Deadline applications shall be considered as meeting the deadline 
if they are received before 5 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on the 
deadline date. Applicants sending applications commercial delivery 
services must ensure that the carrier will be able to guarantee 
delivery of the application by the closing date and time. If an 
application is received after closing due to:
    1. Carrier error, when the carrier accepted the package with a 
guarantee for delivery by the closing date and time; or
    2. Significant weather delays or natural disasters,

CDC will upon receipt of proper documentation, consider the application 
as having been received by the deadline.
    Applications that do not meet the above criteria will not be 
eligible for competition and will be discarded. Applicants will be 
notified of their failure to meet the submission requirements.

J. Evaluation Criteria

    Applicants are required to provide Measures of Effectiveness that 
will demonstrate the accomplishment of the various identified 
objectives of the grant or cooperative agreement. Measures of 
Effectiveness must relate to the performance goal (or goals) as stated 
in section ``A. Purpose'' of this announcement. Measures must be 
objective and quantitative and must measure the intended outcome. These 
Measures of Effectiveness shall be submitted with the application and 
shall be an element of evaluation.

[[Page 42007]]

    Each application will be evaluated individually against the 
following criteria by an independent review group appointed by CDC:
1. Program Capacity (25 percent)
    The proposal should demonstrate capacity and experience needed to 
implement a project of this magnitude and scope including 
infrastructure, staffing levels and laboratory capacity.
2. Technical and programmatic approach (25 percent)
    The extent to which the applications proposal demonstrates an 
understanding of how to develop, implement, monitor and evaluate a care 
program of this complexity.
3. Program Plan (20 percent)
    The proposal should demonstrate capacity and plans to rapidly roll 
out this program to multiple sites in the country.
4. Personnel (15 percent)
    The extent to which professional personnel involved in this project 
are qualified. Provide evidence of experience in working with HIV/AIDS 
and specifically in the management of opportunistic infections in HIV/
AIDS.
5. Understanding of the problem (15 percent)
    The extent in which the applicant describes a clear, concise 
understanding of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Uganda, and specifically 
addresses the gaps in the clinical management of people with HIV/AIDS.
6. Budget. (reviewed, but not scored)
    The extent to which the itemized budget for conducting the project 
is reasonable and well justified.

K. Other Requirements

Technical Reporting Requirements

    Provide CDC with original plus two copies:
    1. Annual progress report (The progress report will include a data 
requirement that demonstrates measures of effectiveness).
    2. Financial status report, no more than 90 days after the end of 
the budget period.
    3. Final financial and performance reports, no more than 90 days 
after the end of the project period.
    Awardee is required to obtain an annual audit of these CDC funds 
(program specific audit by a U.S. based audit firm with international 
branches and current licensure/authority in country, and in accordance 
with the international accounting standards of equivalent standards 
approved in writing by CDC).
    Projects that involve the collection of information from ten or 
more individuals and funded by cooperative agreement will be subject to 
review by the office of management and budget (OMB) under the paperwork 
reduction act. A fiscal recipient capability assessment may be required 
with the potential awardee, prior or post award, in order to review the 
business management and fiscal capabilities regarding the handling of 
U.S. Federal funds.
    Send all reports to both the program contact in Uganda and Grants 
Management Specialist identified in the ``Where to Obtain Additional 
Information'', section of this announcement.
    The following additional requirements are applicable to this 
program. For a complete description of each, see Attachment I of the 
announcement. Some of the more complex requirements have additional 
information provided below:

AR-1 Human Subjects Requirements
AR-2  Requirements for Inclusion of Women and Racial and Ethnic 
Minorities in Research
AR-4 HIV/AIDS Confidentiality Provisions
AR-6 Patient Care
AR-9 Paperwork Reduction Act Requirements
AR-10 Smoke-Free Workplace Requirements
AR-14 Accounting System Requirements

L. Authority and Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number

    This program is authorized under section 307 of the Public Health 
Service Act, [42 U.S.C. section 2421], as amended. The Catalog of 
Federal Domestic Assistance number is 93.118.

M. Where To Obtain Additional Information

    This and other CDC announcements can be found on the CDC home page 
Internet address--http://www.cdc.gov Click on ``Funding'' then ``Grants 
and Cooperative Agreements.''
    To obtain business management technical assistance, contact: 
Dorimar Rosado, Grants Management Specialist, Grants Management Branch, 
Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention, 2920 Brandywine Road, Room 3000, Atlanta, GA 30341-4146, 
Telephone: (770) 488-2782, E-mail: dpr7@cdc.gov.
    For program technical assistance, contact: Jonathan Mermin, MD, 
MPH, GAP, Uganda Country Team, National Center for HIV, STD and TB 
Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, PO Box 49, 
Entebbe, Uganda, Telephone: +256-410320776, E-mail: jhm@cdc.gov.

    Dated: June 2, 2002.
Sandra R. Manning,
CGFM, Director, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease 
Control and Prevention.
[FR Doc. 02-15541 Filed 6-19-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P