[Federal Register: June 20, 2002 (Volume 67, Number 119)]
[Notices]               
[Page 42001-42003]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr20jn02-85]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry

[Program Announcement 02155]

 
Linking Chronic Disease and Environmental Data Sources; Notice of 
the Availability of Funds

A. Purpose

    The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) 
announces the availability of fiscal year (FY) 2002 funds for a 
cooperative agreement program to conduct research on the potential 
impact of environmental exposures on chronic disease outcomes. This 
program addresses the ``Healthy People 2010'' focus area of 
Environmental Health.
    Measurable outcomes of the program will be in alignment with the 
following performance goals for ATSDR: (1) Ascertain the relationship 
between exposure to toxic substances and disease and (2) Build and 
enhance effective partnerships.

B. Authority and Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number

    This program is authorized in Sections 104(i)(1)(E), (7),(9) and 
(15) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and 
Liability Act (CERCLA) as amended by the Superfund Amendments and 
Reauthorization Act (SARA) [42 U.S.C. 9604 (i)(1)(E), (7), (9) and 
(15)]. The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance number is 93.206.

C. Eligible Applicants

    Assistance will be provided to official public health agencies of 
States or their bona fide agents or instrumentalities. This includes 
the District of Columbia, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of Puerto 
Rico, the Virgin Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, Guam, the 
Northern Mariana Islands, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the 
Republic of Palau, and Federally recognized Indian Tribal governments. 
Also eligible are State organizations, including State universities, 
State colleges, and State research institutions, who must establish 
that they meet their respective State legislature's definition of a 
State entity or political subdivision to be considered an eligible 
applicant.

    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.

D. Availability of Funds

    Approximately $400,000 is available in FY 2002 to fund two to three 
awards. It is expected that the average award will be $150,000, ranging 
from $100,000 to $200,000. The award(s) are expected to begin on or 
about September 1, 2002, and will be made for a 12-month budget period 
within a project period of up to three years. Funding estimates are 
subject to change.
    Continuation awards within an approved project period will be made 
on the basis of satisfactory progress as evidenced by required reports 
and the availability of funds.
    Matching funds are not required for this program.

Use of Funds

    Funds may be expended for reasonable program purposes, such as 
personnel, travel, supplies and services. Funds for contractual 
services may be requested; however, the primary recipient of ATSDR 
funds, must perform a substantive role in carrying out project 
activities and not merely serve as a conduit for an award to another 
party or provide funds to an ineligible party. Equipment may be 
purchased with these funds, however, the equipment proposed should be 
appropriate and reasonable for the research activity to be conducted. 
Equipment may be acquired only when authorized and the application 
should provide a justification of need to acquire equipment, the 
description, and the cost of purchase versus lease. At the completion 
of the project, the equipment must be returned to ATSDR.

Funding Priorities

    Priority will be given to the proposed project that demonstrates 
the existence of both well documented sources of chronic disease data 
(e.g., population-based cancer registry, birth defects registry, or 
other source of chronic disease data) and existing, well documented 
sources of environmental data.

E. Program Requirements

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

1 . Recipient Activities

    a. Develop a research project which examines the possible 
relationship between environmental exposures and chronic disease by 
linking data sources. Provide scientific information concerning 
environmental exposures

[[Page 42002]]

and chronic disease, and develop a model for others to address the 
potential health impact of the exposure(s).
    b. Develop a study protocol for approval before project 
implementation.
    c. Identify possible chronic disease and environmental data sources 
for data linkage and identify variables critical for successful 
linkage. Assess geographic coverage and generalizability of data 
identified for linkage. Identify and address any gaps in environmental 
or chronic disease data and suggest methods to eliminate gaps.
    d. Clearly demonstrate a partnership and collaborative effort 
between public health and environmental agencies, and, when 
appropriate, a mechanism for stakeholder involvement.
    e. Collaborate with partners and other award recipients on these 
program activities, and meet annually to coordinate planned efforts and 
review progress.
    f. Disseminate results to stakeholders, and publish in written 
format.

2. ATSDR Activities

    a. Provide scientific, epidemiologic, and environmental assistance.
    b. Assist with the development of the protocol and evaluation of 
the data linkage methods.
    c. Facilitate external peer review of the protocol and final 
report(s).
    d. Assist with data analysis and interpretation of findings.
    e. Provide technical assistance to ensure a sharing of information 
and methodologies and for the dissemination of information to potential 
stakeholders.
    f. Hold an annual meeting with awardee(s) to discuss issues related 
to the purpose of the announcement and review progress.

F. 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 30 pages, double-spaced, 
printed on one side, with one-inch margins, and unreduced font.

G. Submission and Deadline

Application

    Submit the original and two copies of PHS 5161-1 (OMB Number 0920-
0428). Forms are available at the following Internet address: 
www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/forminfo.htm
    The application must be received on or before 5:00 p.m. Eastern 
Time July 30, 2002. Submit the application to:
    Technical Information Management--PA 02155, Procurement and Grants 
Office, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2920 Brandywine 
Road, Suite 3000, Atlanta, GA 30341.
    Deadline: Applications will be considered as meeting the deadline 
if they are received before 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on the deadline 
date. Applicants sending applications by the United States Postal 
Service or 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 which 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 submission requirements.

H. Evaluation Criteria

    Applicants are required to provide measures of effectiveness that 
will demonstrate the accomplishment of the various identified 
objectives of the cooperative agreement. Measures of effectiveness must 
relate to the performance goals 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 will be 
submitted with the application and will be an element of evaluation.
    Each application will be evaluated individually against the 
following criteria by an objective review group appointed by ATSDR:

1. Study Design and Methods (30 percent)

    a. Adequacy of the study design and methodology for accomplishing 
the stated goals and objectives.
    b. The degree to which efficient and innovative approaches are 
proposed to address the problems.
    c. The extent to which the applicant's plans and schedule proposed 
for accomplishing the activities to be carried out in this project are 
clearly stated, are realistic given the length of the funding period, 
and can be achieved within the proposed budget.
    d. Adequacy of a plan establishing partnerships with state or local 
environmental agencies and relevant stakeholders.
    e. The extent to which the applicant has met the CDC Policy 
requirements regarding the inclusion of women, ethnic, and racial 
groups in the proposed research. This includes:
    (1) The proposed plan for the inclusion of both sexes and racial 
and ethnic minority populations for appropriate representation.
    (2) The proposed justification when representation is limited or 
absent.
    (3) A statement as to whether the design of the study is adequate 
to measure differences when warranted.

2. Program Personnel (20 percent)

    a. Applicant's technical experience and understanding (e.g., in the 
areas of chronic disease, environmental health, and database linkage).
    b. Qualifications and time allocation of the professional staff to 
be assigned to this project.
    c. Extent to which the management staff and their working partners 
are clearly described.

3. Goals and Objectives (20 percent)

    The extent to which the proposed goals and objectives are clearly 
stated, measurable, time-phased, and achievable.

4. Understanding of the Problem (10 percent)

    Responsiveness to the objectives of the cooperative agreement 
including:
    a. The applicant's understanding of the problems related to 
environmental exposures and chronic disease outcome(s).
    b. Relevance of the proposed program to these and related problems.

5. Dissemination of Results (10 percent)

    Adequacy of methods to disseminate the study results to state and 
local public health officials, state and local environmental health 
officials, and other stakeholders.

6. Facilities and Resources (10 percent)

    The adequacy of the applicant's facilities, equipment, and other 
resources available for performance of this project.

7. Human Subjects (Not scored)

    The extent to which the application adequately addresses the 
requirements of 45 CFR 46 for the protection of human subjects.

[[Page 42003]]

8. Budget Justification (Not Scored)

    The budget will be evaluated to the extent that it is reasonable, 
clearly justified, and consistent with the intended use of funds.

I. Other Requirements

Technical Reporting Requirements

    Provide CDC with the original and two copies of:
    1. Semi-annual progress report. The progress report will include a 
data requirement that demonstrates measures of effectiveness.
    2. Financial Status Report (FSR) no more than 90 days after the end 
of the budget period.
    3. Final financial status report and performance report, no more 
than 90 days after the end of the project.
    Send all reports to the Grants Management Specialist identified in 
the ``Where to Obtain Additional Information'' section of this 
announcement.
    The following additional requirements are applicable to this 
program:

AR-1  Human Subjects Requirements
AR-2  Requirements of Inclusion of Women and Racial and Ethnic 
Minorities in Research
AR-7  Executive Order 12372 Review
AR-10  Smoke-Free Workplace Requirements
AR-11  Healthy People 2010
AR-12  Lobbying Restrictions
AR-17  Peer Review and Technical Reviews of Final Reports of Health 
Studies--ATSDR
AR-18  Cost Recovery--ATSDR
AR-19  Third Party Agreements--ATSDR
AR-22  Research Integrity

J. Where to Obtain Additional Information

    A complete copy of the announcement may be downloaded from CDC's 
home page on the Internet at http://www.cdc.gov Click on ``Funding'' 
then ``Grants and Cooperative Agreements.''
    If you have questions after reviewing the contents of all the 
documents, business management technical assistance may be obtained 
from:
    Edna Green, Grants Management Specialist, Grants Management Branch, 
Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention (CDC), Announcement 02155, 2920 Brandywine Road, Suite 3000, 
Atlanta, Georgia 30341-4146, Telephone (770) 488-2743, E-mail address: 
ecg4@cdc.gov.
    For program assistance, contact:
    Wendy E. Kaye, Ph.D.,Chief, Epidemiology and Surveillance Branch, 
Division of Health Studies, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease 
Registry, 1600 Clifton Road, NE., Mail Stop E-31, Atlanta, Georgia 
30333, Telephone: (404) 498-0102, E-mail address: wek1@cdc.gov. Or: 
Patricia Price-Green, MSPH, Division of Health Studies, Agency for 
Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, 1600 Clifton Road, NE., Mail 
Stop E-31, Atlanta, Georgia 30333, Telephone: (404) 498-0558, E-mail 
address: pap5@cdc.gov.

    Dated: June 14, 2002.
Sandra R. Manning, CGFM,
 Director, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease Control 
and Prevention.
[FR Doc. 02-15548 Filed 6-19-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-70-P