U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Duchenne and Becker Muscular Dystrophy Education and Outreach Initiative
Announcement Type: New – Type 1
Funding Opportunity Number: CDC-RFA-DD08-805
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 93.184
Key Dates:
Application Deadline: May 13, 2008
Authority:
This program is authorized under Sections 311, 317 (k)(2), and 317C of the Public Health Service Act [42 U.S.C. Sections 243, 247b (k)(2), 247b-4, and 247b-19], as amended.Purpose: The purpose of the program is to develop and implement a coordinated national education and outreach initiative for Duchenne and Becker Muscular Dystrophy (DBMD). Education activities involving DBMD will be developed for, and disseminated to target audiences, including healthcare providers, individuals who have DBMD and their families, and underserved populations. The awardee will collaborate with national and international organizations and stakeholders in the muscular dystrophy community to develop education and outreach activities serving applications that include, but are not limited to, expanding awareness of DBMD for all audiences listed above, increasing an understanding of diagnostic and healthcare management issues by pediatricians and other clinical primary health care providers, and improving utilization of services to decrease morbidity and mortality and optimize health and well-being throughout an individual’s lifespan. Evaluation of the quality and relevance of educational and outreach activities is required. This program addresses the “Healthy People 2010” focus area 6:
Promote the health of people with disabilities, prevent secondary conditions, and eliminate disparities between people with and without disabilities in the U.S. population.Measurable outcomes of the program will be in alignment with one (or more) of the following performance goals for the National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities:
·
Improve the health and well-being of people with disabilities·
Helping children to develop and reach their full potential·
Promoting health and well-being among people of all ages with disabilities.This announcement is only for non-research activities supported by CDC. If research is proposed, the application will not be reviewed. For the definition of research, please see the CDC Web site at the following Internet address: http://www.cdc.gov/od/science/regs/hrpp/researchDefinition.htm
Activities:
Awardee activities for this program are as follows:
·
Collaborate with key stakeholders in the DBMD community (i.e. affected patients, family members, healthcare providers, etc.) to coordinate development and dissemination of educational activities regarding DBMD for the following targeted populations: pediatricians, family practitioners and other providers of primary health care to children; individuals who have DBMD and their families; and under-diagnosed and underserved populations in the DBMD community, including racial and ethnic minorities and low income families. This should include culturally appropriate activities for racial and ethnic minorities.·
Development and dissemination of educational materials should be conducted in concert with professional primary care organizations (for example, the American Academy of Pediatrics) that will promote the relevance to and uptake of the materials by the target group of practitioners. The focus of the educational materials should reflect current care guidelines and relate to (1) diagnostic aspects of DBMD, including developmental indicators, diagnostic procedures, genetic testing, and referral options; (2) treatment and care considerations for use in muscular dystrophy clinics and by clinical specialists and sub-specialists who treat patients with DBMD; and (3) psychosocial issues for individuals who have been diagnosed with DBMD and their family members.·
Translate educational material into languages other than English.·
Collaborate with CDC and key stakeholders in the DBMD community and other third parties to formally evaluate the effectiveness of educational activities for the target populations referenced above.In a cooperative agreement, CDC staff is substantially involved in the program activities, above and beyond routine grant monitoring.
CDC activities for this program are as follows:
Type of Award: Cooperative Agreement
CDC’s involvement in this program is listed in the Activities Section above.
Award Mechanism: U38
Fiscal Year Funds: 2008
Approximate Current Fiscal Year Funding: $706,797
Approximate Total Project Period Funding: $2,120,391 (This amount is an estimate, and is subject to availability of funds. Funding includes direct and/or indirect costs.)
Approximate Number of Awards: 1
Approximate Average Award: $706,797 (This amount is for the first 12-month budget period, and includes both direct and indirect costs.)
Floor of Individual Award Range: None
Ceiling of Individual Award Range: $706,797 (This ceiling is for the first 12-month budget period and includes both direct and indirect costs.)
Anticipated Award Date: September 30, 2008
Budget Period Length: 12 months
Project Period Length: 3 years
Throughout the project period, CDC’s commitment to continuation of awards will be conditioned on the availability of funds, evidence of satisfactory progress by the recipient (as documented in required reports), and the determination that continued funding is in the best interest of the Federal government.
III.1. Eligible Applicants
Eligible applicants that can apply for this funding opportunity are listed below:
A Bona Fide Agent is an agency/organization identified by the state as eligible to submit and application under the state eligibility in lieu of a state application. If applying as a bona fide agent of a state or local government, a letter from the state or local government as documentation of the status is required. Attach with “Other Attachments Forms” when submitting via www.grants.gov.
Competition is limited to organizations which have: (1) background, knowledge, and experience collaborating with national and international organizations and stakeholders (i.e., American Academy of Pediatrics) in developing educational and outreach activities for Duchene and Becker Muscular Dystrophy (DBMD) target audiences including healthcare providers, individuals who have DBMD and their families, and underserved populations within the DBMD community; (2) can demonstrate collaboration and experience specifically with Duchene and Becker Muscular Dystrophy in communicating with patients and their family members regarding support, treatment and care management.
III.2. Cost Sharing or Matching
Cost sharing or matching funds are not required for this program.
III.3. Other
If a funding amount greater than the ceiling of the award range is requested, the application will be considered non-responsive and will not be entered into the review process. The applicant will be notified that the application did not meet the submission requirements.
Special Requirements:
If the application is incomplete or non-responsive to the special requirements listed in this section, it will not be entered into the review process. The applicant will be notified the application did not meet submission requirements.
IV.1. Address to Request Application Package
To apply for this funding opportunity use the application forms package posted in Grants.gov.
Electronic Submission:
CDC strongly encourages the applicant to submit the application electronically by utilizing the forms and instructions posted for this announcement on www.Grants.gov, the official Federal agency wide E-grant Web site. Only applicants who apply on-line are permitted to forego paper copy submission of all application forms.
Registering your organization through www.Grants.gov is the first step in submitting applications online. Registration information is located in the “Get Registered” screen of www.Grants.gov. While application submission through www.Grants.gov is optional, we strongly encourage you to use this online tool.
Please visit www.Grants.gov at least 30 days prior to filing your application to familiarize yourself with the registration and submission processes. Under “Get Registered,” the one-time registration process will take three to five days to complete; however, as part of the Grants.gov registration process, registering your organization with the Central Contractor Registry (CCR) annually, could take an additional one to two days to complete. We suggest submitting electronic applications prior to the closing date so if difficulties are encountered, you can submit a hard copy of the application prior to the deadline.
Paper Submission:
Application forms and instructions are available on the CDC Web site, at the following Internet address: http://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/funding/grants/app_and_forms.shtm
If access to the Internet is not available, or if there is difficulty accessing the forms on-line, contact the CDC Procurement and Grants Office Technical Information Management Section (PGO-TIMS) staff at 770-488-2700 and the application forms can be mailed.
IV.2. Content and Form of Submission
Letter of Intent (LOI):
A letter of intent is not applicable to this funding opportunity announcement.
Application:
A Project Abstract must be submitted with the application forms. All electronic project abstracts must be uploaded in a PDF file format when submitting via Grants.gov. The abstract must be submitted in the following format, if submitting a paper application:
The Project Abstract must contain a summary of the proposed activity suitable for dissemination to the public. It should be a self-contained description of the project and should contain a statement of objectives and methods to be employed. It should be informative to other persons working in the same or related fields and insofar as possible understandable to a technically literate lay reader. This Abstract must not include any proprietary/confidential information.
A project narrative must be submitted with the application forms. All electronic narratives must be uploaded in a PDF file format when submitting via Grants.gov. The narrative must be submitted in the following format, if submitting a paper application:
The narrative should address activities to be conducted over the entire project period and must include the following items in the order listed:
Additional information may be included in the application appendices. The appendices will not be counted toward the narrative page limit. This additional information includes:
Additional information submitted via Grants.gov should be uploaded in a PDF file format, and should be named:
No more than 10 electronic attachments should be uploaded per application.
The agency or organization is required to have a Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number to apply for a grant or cooperative agreement from the Federal government. The DUNS number is a nine-digit identification number, which uniquely identifies business entities. Obtaining a DUNS number is easy and there is no charge. To obtain a DUNS number, access the Dun and Bradstreet website or call 1-866-705-5711.
Additional requirements that may request submission of additional documentation with the application are listed in section “VI.2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements.”
Application Deadline Date: May 13, 2008
Explanation of Deadlines: Applications must be received in the CDC Procurement and Grants Office by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on the deadline date.
Applications must be submitted electronically at www.Grants.gov. Applications completed on-line through Grants.gov are considered formally submitted when the applicant organization’s Authorizing Organization Representative (AOR) electronically submits the application to www.Grants.gov. Electronic applications will be considered as having met the deadline if the application has been successfully submitted electronically by the applicant organization’s AOR to Grants.gov on or before the deadline date and time.
When submission of the application is done electronically through Grants.gov (http://www.grants.gov), the application will be electronically time/date stamped and a tracking number will be assigned, which will serve as receipt of submission. The AOR will receive an e-mail notice of receipt when HHS/CDC receives the application.
This announcement is the definitive guide on LOI and application content, submission address, and deadline. It supersedes information provided in the application instructions. If the application submission does not meet the deadline above, it will not be eligible for review. The application face page will be returned by HHS/CDC with a written explanation of the reason for non-acceptance. The applicant will be notified the application did not meet the submission requirements.
IV.4. Intergovernmental Review of Applications
Executive Order 12372 does not apply to this program.
IV.5. Funding Restrictions
Restrictions, which must be taken into account while writing the budget, are as follows:
If requesting indirect costs in the budget, a copy of the indirect cost rate agreement is required. If the indirect cost rate is a provisional rate, the agreement should be less than 12 months of age. The indirect cost rate agreement should be uploaded as a PDF file with “Other Attachment Forms” when submitting via Grants.gov.
The recommended guidance for completing a detailed justified budget can be found on the CDC Web site, at the following Internet address:
http://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/funding/budgetguide.htm.
IV.6. Other Submission Requirements
A letter of intent is not applicable to this funding opportunity announcement.
Application Submission Address:
Electronic Submission:
HHS/CDC strongly encourages applicants to submit applications electronically at www.Grants.gov. The application package can be downloaded from www.Grants.gov. Applicants are able to complete it off-line, and then upload and submit the application via the Grants.gov Web site. E-mail submissions will not be accepted. If the applicant has technical difficulties in Grants.gov, customer service can be reached by E-mail at support@grants.gov or by phone at 1-800-518-4726 (1-800-518-GRANTS). The Customer Support Center is open from 7:00a.m. to 9:00p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday.
HHS/CDC recommends that submittal of the application to Grants.gov should be prior to the closing date to resolve any unanticipated difficulties prior to the deadline. Applicants may also submit a back-up paper submission of the application. Any such paper submission must be received in accordance with the requirements for timely submission detailed in Section IV.3. of the grant announcement. The paper submission must be clearly marked: “BACK-UP FOR ELECTRONIC SUBMISSION.” The paper submission must conform to all requirements for non-electronic submissions. If both electronic and back-up paper submissions are received by the deadline, the electronic version will be considered the official submission.
The applicant must submit all application attachments using a PDF file format when submitting via Grants.gov. Directions for creating PDF files can be found on the Grants.gov Web site. Use of file formats other than PDF may result in the file being unreadable by staff.
AND/OR
Paper Submission:
Applicants should submit the original and two hard copies of the application by mail or express delivery service to:
2920 Brandywine Road, MS E-14
Atlanta, GA 30341
V.1. 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 stated in the “Purpose” section of this announcement. Measures must be objective and quantitative and must measure the intended outcome. The measures of effectiveness must be submitted with the application and will be an element of evaluation.
The application will be evaluated against the following criteria:
Plan and Methods (40 Points) Does the work plan address the proposed objectives? Is a complete and comprehensive plan described for the entire project period? Does the plan include quantitative process and outcome measures? Does the applicant demonstrate knowledge regarding Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy? Are the proposed methods feasible? Will the methods accomplish the program goals? Do the described methods address the intent of the announcement? Does the applicant present evidence of collaborations with critical stakeholders in the DBMD community?
Objectives (25 Points) Are the goals and objectives specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-phased (SMART)?
Evaluation: (20 Points)
Is the plan well defined to monitor progress on activities and to assess the appropriateness, completeness, and success of the proposed activities?
Timeline (15 Points)
Are the proposed activities feasible? Can the proposed activities be accomplished by the proposed timeline?
Budget (SF 424A) and Budget Narrative (Reviewed, but not scored)
Is the budget reasonable and consistent with the proposed activities and staffing requests?
V.2. Review and Selection Process
Applications will be reviewed for completeness by the Procurement and Grants Office (PGO) staff, and for responsiveness jointly by NCBDDD and PGO. Incomplete applications and applications that are non-responsive to the eligibility criteria will not advance through the review process. Applicants will be notified the application did not meet submission requirements.
An objective review panel will evaluate complete and responsive applications according to the criteria listed in the “V.1. Criteria” section above.
The objective review panel will consist of CDC employees. The panel votes to approve or disapprove based on this information and the application is scored and ranked.
Applications will be funded in order by score and rank determined by the review panel.
CDC will provide justification for any decision to fund out of rank order.
VI.1. Award Notices
Successful applicants will receive a Notice of Award (NoA) from the CDC Procurement and Grants Office. The NoA shall be the only binding, authorizing document between the recipient and CDC. The NoA will be signed by an authorized Grants Management Officer and emailed to the program director and a hard copy mailed to the recipient fiscal officer identified in the application.
Unsuccessful applicants will receive notification of the results of the application review by mail.
VI.2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements
Successful applicants must comply with the administrative requirements outlined in 45 CFR Part 74 and Part 92, as appropriate. The following additional requirements apply to this project:
Additional information on the requirements can be found on the CDC Web site at the following Internet address: http://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/funding/Addtl_Reqmnts.htm.
CDC Assurances and Certifications can be found on the CDC Web site at the following Internet address: http://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/funding/grants/foamain.shtm
For more information on the Code of Federal Regulations, see the National Archives and Records Administration at the following Internet address: http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/cfr-table-search.html
VI.3. Reporting Requirements
The applicant must provide CDC with an annual interim progress report via www.grants.gov:
1. 1. The interim progress report is due no less than 90 days before the end of the budget period. The interim progress report will serve as the non-competing continuation application, and must contain the following elements: a. Standard Form (“SF”) 424S Form. b. SF-424A Budget Information-Non-Construction Programs. c. Budget Narrative. d. Indirect Cost Rate Agreement. e. Project Narrative.
Additionally, the applicant must provide CDC with an original, plus two hard copies of the following reports:
2. 2. Financial status report and annual progress report, due no more than 90 after the end of the budget period.
These reports must be submitted to the attention of the Grants Management Specialist listed in the “VII. Agency Contacts” section of this announcement.
CDC encourages inquiries concerning this announcement.
For general questions, contact:
CDC Procurement and Grants Office
2920 Brandywine Road, MS E-14
Atlanta, GA 30341
Telephone: 770-488-2700
For program technical assistance, contact:
Tiffany Neal, Project Officer
Telephone: 404- 498-1447
E-mail: TNeal@cdc.gov
For financial, grants management, or budget assistance, contact:
William Ryan, Grants Management Officer
CDC Procurement and Grants Office
2920 Brandywine Road, (E09)
Telephone: 770-488-2717
E-mail: WRyan@cdc.gov
CDC Telecommunications for the hearing impaired or disabled is available at: TTY 770-488-2783.
VIII. Other Information
Other CDC funding opportunity announcements can be found on the CDC Web site, Internet address: http://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/funding/FOAs.htm.
Applicants may access the application process and other awarding documents using the Electronic Research Administration System (eRA Commons). A one-time registration is required for interested institutions/organizations at http://era.nih.gov/ElectronicReceipt/preparing.htm
Program Directors/Principal Investigators (PD/PIs) should work with their institutions/organizations to make sure they are registered in the eRA Commons.
1. Organizational/Institutional Registration in the eRA Commons
2. Project Director/Principal Investigator (PD/PI) Registration in the eRA Commons: Refer to the NIH eRA Commons System (COM) Users Guide.
Note that if a PD/PI is also an HHS peer-reviewer with an Individual DUNS and CCR registration, that particular DUNS number and CCR registration are for the individual reviewer only. These are different than any DUNS number and CCR registration used by an applicant organization. Individual DUNS and CCR registration should be used only for the purposes of personal reimbursement and should not be used on any grant applications submitted to the Federal Government.
Several of the steps of the registration process could take four weeks or more. Therefore, applicants should check with their business official to determine whether their organization/institution is already registered in the eRA Commons. HHS/CDC strongly encourages applicants to register to utilize these helpful on-line tools when applying for funding opportunities.
CDC Home Page: http://www.cdc.gov
CDC Funding Web Page: http://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/funding/FOAs.htm
CDC Forms Web Page:
http://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/funding/grants/app_and_forms.shtm