Two-Step Application Review

Step One:  In the first step of the evaluation process, applications will be evaluated based on each item referenced in section IV. “Application and Submission Information.” Applications will be evaluated by an independent review panel assigned by the CDC.  The panel will assign each application a score using scored evaluation criteria as specified in section V. “Application Review Information.”  The score will be based on the applicant’s responses to the questions in section IV. “Application and Submission Information” starting with the project narrative.

 An applicant must score at least 300 of the 500 possible points during the special emphasis panel review. To ensure that no application has an undue competitive advantage resulting from the selection of multiple categories and components, CDC has developed a mechanism that will appropriately adjust scores for each application. Each category for which funding is sought will be separately reviewed and scored, thus the requirement for submission of separate Program Plans and Program Monitoring and Evaluation Plans.

In addition to a highly ranked score, CDC will consider its funding preferences to determine whether an applicant will receive a pre-decisional site visit (PDSV).  For more information, see section V.2. “Review and Selection Process.”

Step Two:  During a PDSV, CDC staff will meet with key project staff including representatives of the board of directors, executive director, program manager, trainers, curriculum developers, TA specialists, evaluators, behavioral scientists, and consultants or contractors.  The PDSV (1) facilitates a review of the application and discussion of proposed program plans, (2) further assesses an applicant's organizational and fiscal capacity to implement the proposed program, and (3) identifies unique programmatic conditions that may require training, TA or other resources.  Applicants must score at least 180 points of the 300 possible points during the PDSV to be considered for an award.

Criteria for Application Review:
Step One Criteria - Applications will be evaluated on the following criteria:

• Eligibility (Not scored)
• Organizational and Personnel Capacity (100 points)
• Program Experience (100 Points)
• Program Plan (200 Points)
• Program Monitoring and Evaluation Plan (100 points)
• Budget (Not scored)

Step Two Criteria - The following programmatic areas will be evaluated during the PDSV:

• Review of the application and discussion of proposed program plans (150 points)
• Assessment of the applicant’s organizational capacity to implement the proposed program (100 points)
• Assessment of fiscal and organizational infrastructure (50 points).

In conjunction with a PDSV, CDC’s Procurement and Grants Office (PGO) may conduct a Recipient Capability Assessment (RCA) to evaluate the organization’s ability to manage CDC funds. PGO staff will conduct this assessment.

PDSVs -- July 15-30, 2009
All applicants deemed eligible for a PDSV are expected to be available for this onsite review.

Notice of Award (NoA) -- September 2009
Successful applicants will receive a Notice of Award (NoA) from CDC’s PGO. The NoA shall be the only binding, authorizing document between you and CDC. The NoA will be signed by an authorized grants management officer and mailed to the fiscal officer identified in the application.

Unsuccessful applicants will receive notification of the results of the application review by mail.