U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

A Cooperative Agreement for National Organizations For the Dissemination of Effective Strategies for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion

Announcement Type: New – Type 1

Funding Opportunity Number: CDC-RFA-DP08-812

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 93.283

Key Dates:

Application Deadline: June 16, 2008

 

Executive Summary:  

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (NCCDPHP), Division of Adult and Community Health (DACH), announces the availability of fiscal year (FY) 2008 funds for cooperative agreements with national organizations to establish a national program to promote healthy communities and prevent chronic diseases. This cooperative agreement focuses on health promotion, disease prevention, access to health services, and health disparities related to arthritis, cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, obesity, poor nutrition, physical inactivity, tobacco use, and other chronic diseases. It builds on the experiences of community-based chronic disease prevention programs to empower local communities with funding, tools, and strategies to implement and sustain policy, systems and environmental changes in chronic disease prevention and health promotion.

The goal of this cooperative agreement is to enhance national organizations’ ability to improve the health of local communities through community-based policy, systems, and environmental changes. In order to achieve this goal, this cooperative agreement focuses on two categories of activities: Category A: provision of funding and technical assistance to local affiliates/chapters in local community settings and Category B: translation and dissemination of evidence- and/or practice-based interventions, lessons learned at the local level, and other health promotion concepts, items, and materials.

For Category A, this network of national organizations will provide fiscal support and ongoing technical assistance to selected communities across the country. For the purposes of this cooperative agreement, communities are defined as local affiliates and/or chapters of a national organization. National organizations, in cooperation with the CDC, will provide technical assistance to communities which will entail the transmission of knowledge, skills, and expertise related to the implementation and evaluation of policy, systems, and environmental change strategies at the local level. The overall intent of these activities is to strengthen national organizations’ ability and expertise to activate policy, systems, and environmental changes to improve the health of the community.   

Category B, provides funding for national organizations that have experience and skills in translating and disseminating lessons learned to community-based entities. This category recognizes the importance of disseminating lessons learned from community-based chronic disease programs. Examples may include activities that build leadership, disseminate tools and resources, transfer community-based models, promote electronic communication, provide technical assistance, develop policy-related products, and create training opportunities focusing on health promotion, disease prevention, access to health services, and health disparities related to arthritis, cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, obesity, poor nutrition, physical inactivity, and tobacco use.

This Funding Opportunity Announcement contains the following information:

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I.          FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION                    PAGES 4-15

            Authority

            Background

            Purpose

            Activities

II.        AWARD INFORMATION                                                  PAGES 15-17

III.       ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION                                         PAGES 17-20

            Eligible Applicants

            Other Eligibility Requirements

IV.       APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION   PAGES 20-32

            Address to Request Application Package

            Content and Form of Submission

            Application

            Submission Dates and Times

            Explanation of Deadlines

            Intergovernmental Review of Applications

            Funding Restrictions

            Other Submission Requirements

V.        APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION                      PAGES 33-36

            Criteria

            Review and Selection Process

VI.       AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION             PAGES 36-39

            Award Notices

            Administration and National Policy Requirements

            Reporting Requirements

VII.     AGENCY CONTACTS                                                         PAGES 39-40

VIII.    OTHER INFORMATION                                                    PAGES 41-42

 

 

I. Funding Opportunity Description

 

Authority

Authority: This program is authorized under Section 317(k)(2) of the Public Health Service Act, [42 U.S.C. section 247b(k)(2), as amended].

 

Background:

Seven of ten deaths in the United States today, and a vast majority of serious illnesses, disabilities, and health care costs are attributable to chronic diseases such as arthritis, diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease, stroke, and cancer. In the past 30 years, the prevalence of overweight and obesity has sharply increased to approximately 2/3 of all U.S. adults. The percentage of young people who are overweight has more than tripled since 1980. In the past 15 years, the number of Americans with diagnosed diabetes has more than doubled, reaching 14.6 million people in 2005. More than 50% of U.S. adults do not get enough physical activity to receive health benefits – 25% are not active at all in their leisure time, and only 23% of U.S. adults and 20% of young people reported eating five or more fruits and vegetables each day. More than 46 million U.S. adults have doctor-diagnosed arthritis – over 21% of the population. Tobacco use is responsible for 440,000 deaths each year and asthma is responsible for approximately 2 million hospital visits per year. Understanding patterns of health or disease requires a focus not only on personal behaviors and biologic traits, but also on characteristics of the social and physical environments that offer or limit opportunities for health. Social, physical, and economic characteristics of communities have both short- and long-term consequences for health and quality of life. The health of youth and adults is closely linked with the health of the community in which they live.   According to the 2006 Institute of Medicine’s (IOM) Regional Symposium Progress in Preventing Childhood Obesity: Focus on Communities, themes important to accelerating change and creating healthier communities include:

·        Empowering communities and neighborhoods;

·        Changing the environment;

·        Forging strategic partnerships;

·        Educating stakeholders;

·        Identifying leaders and building on cultural assets;

·        Collecting and disseminating local data;

·        Evaluating programs and interventions; and

·        Translating successful interventions to other communities.

Research has shown that implementing policy, systems, and environmental changes – such as  mandating physical education in schools, improving the built environment, instituting workplace wellness policies, providing access to nutritious foods, etc. – can result in positive behavior changes related to physical activity, nutrition, and tobacco use, which positively impact multiple chronic disease outcomes.  

National organizations have an expanding role in chronic disease prevention and health promotion on a national, state, and local level. They have proven to be adept at implementing innovative, practical, and evidence-based strategies to build partnerships and improve policies through their network of affiliates and chapters that support chronic disease prevention and health promotion in local communities. These collaborations and partnerships with local community entities have integrated public health practice and united local leaders and stakeholders, contributing to the establishment of healthier communities. This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) seeks to capitalize on national organization experience and expertise to strengthen community leadership, build capacity, and activate change.  Instituting partnerships with national organizations can also serve as an efficient and effective mechanism to achieve community chronic disease prevention and health promotion goals.

 

Purpose: The purpose of the program is to engage and enhance national leaders’ and national organizations’ ability and capacity to expand evidence- and practice-based activities in communities nationwide to address chronic disease risk factors of physical inactivity, poor nutrition, and tobacco use at the policy, systems, and environmental change level in order to reduce the burden of chronic diseases such as, arthritis, obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. This program addresses the “Healthy People 2010” focus area(s) of 2-Arthritis; 5 – Diabetes; 7 – Educational and Community-Based Programs; 19 – Nutrition and Overweight; 22- Physical Activity and Fitness; and 27 – Tobacco Use.

 

Measurable outcomes of the program will be in alignment with one (or more) of the following performance goal(s) for the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (NCCDPHP) – “All people, especially those at higher risk due to health disparities, will achieve their optimum lifespan with the best possible quality of health in every stage of life.” This program also addresses CDC’s Healthy Communities Goal – Healthy People in Healthy Places. “The places where people live, work, learn, and play will protect and promote their health and safety, especially those at greater risk of health disparities.”

 

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

Applicant activities for this program are as follows:

Activities will be awarded for two general categories:

Category A: Community funding activities

Category B: Translation and dissemination activities

Applicants can propose activities in either Category A or Category B or both. If applying for both categories, a separate application must be submitted for each category.

Category A: Community Funding Activities

·        Program Infrastructure –

1.      Dedicate adequate national organizational staff with expertise in community-based public health interventions and translation and dissemination experience to coordinate and oversee activities of this announcement and manage the administrative and management requirements of the cooperative agreement.

2.  Provide technical assistance to selected communities to include:

a)      identifying and documenting evidence- and/or practice-based activities focused on  policy, systems, and environmental change strategies (evidence-based activities are interventions, programs, and activities that have been proven to be effective or considered best practices as determined by scientific study (i.e. randomized controlled trials, case control studies, experimental designs, etc.). They also have been subject to expert/peer review that has been determined that a particular approach or strategy has a significant level of evidence or effectiveness in public health research literature) (practice-based activities are those interventions that have been developed, implemented, and evaluated in practice but have not been used in a more formal research study);

b)      developing leaders and advocates through trainings and other opportunities at the local level;

c)      providing expert consultation and technical assistance to  communities regarding the implementation and evaluation of evidence- and/or practice-based health promotion and  policy, systems, and environmental change strategies;

d)   securing the participation of organizations not historically  involved in health promotion and policy, systems, and environmental change strategies to provide additional technical assistance and expertise.

·      Community Partnerships –

1.      Set criteria, coordinate and implement a selection process for          communities (a community is being defined as a local community-based organization, local affiliate or chapter of a national organization, or a local health department.). Selected communities should exhibit characteristics such as:

a)      The capacity and ability to develop a coalition (see glossary for definition) of 7-10 high-level community leaders.

b)       The ability to implement community-wide policy, systems, and environmental change strategies.

c)      The ability to include populations disproportionately affected by chronic diseases and their associated risk factors.

2.   Select up to 50 new communities each year, that are currently not  

receiving funding from CDC community-based chronic disease      programs {e.g. REACH, Steps Pioneering Healthy Communities (PHC), etc.}. Provide a yearly funding amount of up to $75,000 of fiscal support to each selected new community to conduct the following activities:

a)      identify local resources in preparation for administering this cooperative agreement;

b)      build a coalition of community partners from various local sources (a coalition can include the mayor’s office (or equivalent); local and state health departments; local and state education agencies; key community, health care, voluntary, and professional organizations; business, community, and faith-based leaders; and at least one lay person representative of the population to be served. Other partners may include, but are not limited to, existing community coalitions (especially those already focusing on chronic diseases), community health centers, worksite wellness programs, health care purchasers, health plans, unions, health care providers for farm and migrant workers and their families, school-based and school-linked clinics, health maintenance organizations, private providers, hospitals, universities, schools of public health, academic health centers, organizations that serve young children and youth, parks and recreation departments, departments of transportation, public housing authorities, state Medicaid officials, service organizations, food manufacturers and distributors, aging service organizations, senior centers, community action groups, consumer groups, and the media).

c)      have coalition members attend either a Coaches Meeting or an Action Institute, or both,  which will be developed in collaboration with the national organizations selected under this announcement and the CDC ( an Action Institute is a 2-day meeting that will be organized in collaboration with CDC and the national organizations to provide training and capacity building to communities before they begin their implementation years to conduct policy, systems, and environmental change strategies related to chronic disease prevention and health promotion) (Capacity Building refers to activities that improve a community or organization’s ability to achieve its mission more effectively. It may relate to almost any aspect of work – improved governance, leadership, mission and strategy, administration (e.g. human resources, financial management, etc.), program development and implementation, fundraising and income generation, diversity, partnerships and collaboration, evaluation, advocacy and policy change, marketing, positioning, or planning);

d)      develop a community action plan which will be reviewed by the national organization and the CDC; the community action plan should contain sustainability strategies to continue operations after national organization funding ends;

e)      implement one or more strategy (ies) identified in the community action plan to bring about policy, systems, and/or environmental changes focused on reducing the burden of chronic diseases such as arthritis, obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer and their associated risk factors of physical inactivity, unhealthy eating and poor nutrition, and tobacco use (a systems change is the process of improving-through larger system methods and procedures – the capacity of health care organizations, worksites, communities, and schools to improve the health status of all people in a community). Additional information on strategies that may be implemented can be found at:

http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/obesity/index.htm and

http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dash/shi.

 

Category B: Translation and Dissemination Activities

This category provides funds to national organizations to develop health promotion tools, resources, technical assistance, and training related to policy, systems, and environmental change strategies and health disparities at the local level.

Information and Education Activities include -

  • Building Leadership:  Build and enhance capacity to implement effective chronic disease prevention strategies by identifying and implementing effective new and/or proven approaches to recruit and retain leaders in chronic disease prevention; develop and implement continuing education opportunities to enhance competencies in leadership, management, policy development, program design, and evaluation.
  • Disseminating Tools and Resources: Create and disseminate products and tools  (e.g., success stories, compendiums, implementation “Action Guides/ How To Guides”, case studies,  etc.) that meet the needs of local communities to conduct policy, systems, and environmental change strategies for chronic disease prevention and health promotion.
  • Transferring Community-Based Models:  Foster the transfer of effective community-based models, evidence- and/or practice-based activities, program improvements, and lessons learned to community-based entities (i.e., local health departments, parks and recreational facilities, urban leagues, YMCAs and other groups) through conferences, meetings, training workshops, web forums, conference calls and other information sharing venues.
  • Promoting Electronic Communication:  Create, update, publicize, and maintain electronic services and other communication venues to inform the targeted constituency, relevant stakeholders, and the general public about policy, systems, and environmental change strategies and current chronic disease and health promotion activities, including barriers to effective local public health. Such electronic systems should provide a venue to disseminate information on local chronic disease and health promotion programs and best practices.
  • Developing Policy-Related Products: Examine existing research in order to develop and distribute publications tailored to the informational needs of local public officials on chronic disease and health promotion activities, including barriers to effective public health.
  • Creating Training Opportunities:  Conduct workshops, trainings, and skill building seminars to increase community capacity to address issues and implement program activities to reduce health disparities and/or address policy, systems, and environmental changes.

 

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:
  1. Provide and periodically update information related to the purposes or activities of this program announcement.
  2. Collaborate with grantees to identify evidence- and/or practice-based activities related to community health promotion for physical inactivity, poor nutrition, tobacco use, other unhealthy lifestyles, chronic diseases, and health disparities.
  3. Provide assistance to grantees with program planning to assure consistency of their operational plan with the intent of the announcement, including refinement and use of SMART objectives, evaluation reports, and other public health tools and resources.
  4. Participate with the national organizations in the development of criteria and in the implementation, review, and selection process of communities under Category A of the applicant activities.
  5. Participate with the national organizations in identifying appropriate evaluation strategies for identified communities including reviewing and providing feedback on community action plans, the development and use of policy, systems, and environmental change performance measures and indicators and linking national organizations to additional evaluation technical assistance.
  6. Provide national organizations with linkages to appropriate national processes, programs, and agencies with an interest in community health promotion and healthier communities.

 

II. Award Information

Type of Award:  Cooperative Agreement.  

CDC’s involvement in this program is listed in the Activities Section above.

Award Mechanism: U58              

Fiscal Year Funds: 2008

Approximate Current Fiscal Year Funding Range: $3,400,000 - $ 5,750,000

Approximate Total Project Period Funding Range: $9,300,000 - $ 20,000,000 (This amount is an estimate, and is subject to availability of funds.)  This includes both direct and indirect funding.

Approximate Number of Awards:

Category A:      2-5 awards

Category B:      1-3 awards

Approximate Average Award:

Category A: $250,000 - $ 5,000,000 (This amount is for the first 12-month budget period, and includes both direct and indirect costs).

Category B: $250,000 (This amount is for the first 12-month budget period, and includes both direct and indirect costs).

Floor of Individual Award Range:

Category A: None

Category B: None

Ceiling of Individual Award Range:

Category A: $5,000,000 (this is for the first 12-month budget period). This is for total cost, which includes both direct and indirect costs.

Category B: $250,000 (this is for the first 12-month budget period).  This is for total cost, which includes both direct and indirect costs.

Anticipated Award Date: September 30, 2008

Budget Period Length: 12 months

Project Period Length: 5 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. Eligibility Information

III.1. Eligible Applicants

Eligible applicants that can apply for this funding opportunity announcement are national organizations with state health departments as their affiliates; those that serve city and county health departments or community affiliates, e.g. YMCA’s, parks and recreation departments, boys and girls clubs, urban leagues, etc., and those that have a specific charge from their Executive Boards or governing bodies to operate nationally within the United States and its Territories and have affiliates, offices, or chapters in at least 85% of states and territories and which are of the types listed below:

  • Nonprofit with 501C3 IRS status (other than an institution of higher education)
  • Nonprofit without 501C3 IRS status (other than an institution of higher education)
  • For- profit organizations (other than small businesses)

·        Small, minority, and women-owned businesses

·        Universities

·        Colleges

·        Research institutions

·        Hospitals

·        Community-based organizations

·        Faith-based organizations

·        Federally recognized or state-recognized American Indian/Alaska Native tribal governments

·        American Indian/Alaska native tribally designated organizations

·        Alaska Native health corporations

·        Urban Indian health organizations

·        Tribal epidemiology centers

·        State and local governments or their Bona Fide Agents (this includes the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianna Islands, American Samoa, Guam, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau)

  • Political subdivisions of States (in consultation with States)

A Bona Fide Agent is an agency/organization identified by the state as eligible to submit an 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 Attachment Forms” when submitting via www.grants.gov.   

 

III.2. Cost Sharing or Matching

Cost sharing or matching funds are not required for this program.

 

III.3. Other

CDC will accept and review applications with budgets greater than the ceiling of the award range. 

 

III. 4. 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.

  • Late applications will be considered non-responsive.  See section “IV.3.  Submission Dates and Times” for more information on deadlines.
  • Under Category A -  National organizations must document their expertise and experiences in implementing policy, systems, and environmental change strategies across multiple community settings. National organizations must have a specific charge from their executive boards or governing body to operate nationally within the United States and its Territories and have affiliates, offices, or chapters, in at least 85% of states and territories.
  • Under Category A - National organizations must provide documentation that the organization has the specific charge from its executive board or governing body to operate nationally within the United States and/or its Territories and have affiliates, offices, or chapters, in a minimum of  85% of states and territories. Documentation should include a copy of the section of the applicant organization’s Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws, or Board Resolution. Upload all additional documentation in www.grants.gov  under “Other Attachment Forms” and label each document as “Articles of Incorporation,” “Bylaws,” “Board Resolution,” or “Specific Charge from the Executive Board or Governing Body.”
  • Under Category B – National organizations must demonstrate experience and skill in translating community-based public health evidence- and/or practice-based information into practical, useful tools for public health practitioner use and implementation, e.g., success stories, compendiums, implementation “Action Guides/ How To Guides,” case studies, and/or demonstrate experience and skill in disseminating information on multiple chronic diseases across multiple local communities and/or health entities. National organizations must have local affiliates, offices, or chapters as described in Category A above that can assist with training and technical assistance.
  • 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 a grant, loan, or an award.

 

IV. Application and Submission Information

IV.1. Address to Request Application Package

To apply for this funding opportunity use the application forms package posted on

 www.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

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:
  • Maximum of two pages
  • Maximum of 3-4 paragraphs
  • Font size: 12 point unreduced, Times New Roman
  • Single spaced
  • Paper size: 8.5 by 11 inches
  • Page margin size: One inch

The Project Abstract must contain which category of activities the national organization is applying for (either Category A or Category B), a summary of the proposed activities suitable for dissemination to the public, and evidence that the organization operates nationally within the United States and/or its Territories and has affiliate offices, or chapters, in a minimum of 85% of states and territories.  If applying for both categories, a separate project abstract is required for each category.  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:

  • Maximum number of pages: 30.  If your narrative exceeds the page limit, only the first pages which are within the page limit will be reviewed.
  • Font size: 12 point unreduced, Times New Roman
  • Double spaced
  • Paper size: 8.5 by 11 inches
  • Page margin size: One inch
  • Printed only on one side of page.
  • Number all narrative pages; not to exceed the maximum number of pages.
  • Paper application should be held together only by rubber bands or metal clips; not bound in any other way.

 

The narrative should address activities to be conducted over the entire project period for either Category A or Category B and must include the following items in the order listed:
    1. NEED
      1. Describe the need for and benefits of a national organization to address chronic disease prevention and health promotion initiatives at the community level.
      2. Describe the feasibility of developing and/or implementing chronic disease prevention and health promotion programs using evidence- and/or practice-based products, training, technical assistance, and capacity building to meet the needs of local communities to conduct policy, systems, and environmental change strategies for chronic diseases.
    2. ORGANIZATIONAL CAPACITY

a.       Describe the organization’s relevant experience at the national, regional, state, and community levels that demonstrate leadership, capacity, and state of readiness to perform the proposed activities including:

·        Facilitating, building, and maintaining workgroups, coalitions, and networks.

·        Developing, operating and administering evidence- and/or practice-based chronic disease prevention and health promotion programs and trainings at the community level.

    1. ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

a.       Describe the organization’s structure and how that structure can support the development of a chronic disease prevention and health promotion program at the community level. For example, evidence that the organization has as its affiliates, state health departments, city or county health departments, or affiliates that serve populations in local communities or evidence of expertise in health promotion at the community level.

b.      Documentation that the mission and goals of the organization demonstrates a commitment to improve the health of communities.

c.       Show evidence of capacity to carry out fiduciary responsibilities over administration and management of projects.

    1. OPERATIONAL WORK PLAN FOR REQUIRED ACTIVITIES

a.       Clearly identify which category of activities the applicant is applying for funding under – Category A – Community Funding; or Category B – translation and dissemination..

b.      List key strategies and activities – for each “applicant activity,” describe key strategies and activities to be conducted to meet program objectives.

c.       Objectives: List objectives that are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-phased (SMART) during the first 12-month budget period. The objectives should relate directly to the project goals and applicant activities. Describe possible barriers to or facilitators for reaching each objective.

d.      Activity Timeline – provide a timeline that identifies major activities and assigns approximate dates for their inception and completion.

e.       Project Monitoring and Evaluation Plan:

·        Provide a description of the monitoring and evaluation process to be used to track and measure progress in meeting program objectives.

·        Describe how the results will be reported and used to enhance progress and performance.

·        Designate who will oversee the evaluation design, process and implementation.

    1. PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND STAFFING PLAN

a.       Describe how the organization will manage the project to accomplish the “Applicant activities.” Identify barriers and challenges you may encounter and how you will problem-solve to overcome them.

b.      Describe the proposed project staffing. Staffing should include the commitment of adequate numbers of staff to provide direction for the proposed activities.

c.       Demonstrate that staff members have the professional background, experience, and organizational support needed to fulfill the proposed responsibilities. Include curricula vitae for each staff member and job descriptions for staff not yet identified in the appendices.

d.      If other organizations provide contractual or in-kind services, provide the name(s) of the organization (s), their capacity and roles in carrying out the proposed activities, and how progress will be monitored.

    1. BUDGET AND ACCOMPANYING JUSTIFICATIONS

Provide a line item budget and detailed narrative justification. The       budget should be consistent with stated program objectives and planned activities outlined in the work plan. Budget narrative and justification will not be counted in the stated narrative page limit of the application.

 

Additional information may be included in the application appendices.  The appendices will not be counted toward the narrative page limit, but the total amount of pages for the appendices will be limited to 30 pages. This additional information includes:
  •  Curricula Vitae.
  •  Resumes.
  • Organizational Charts.
  • Letters of Support.
  • Evidence of prior work in the area of community level funding and/or translation and dissemination.
  •  If requesting any additional forms, forms must be OMB approved.

Additional information submitted via Grants.gov should be uploaded in a PDF file format, and should be named:
  • “Other Attachments Forms” should be titled/named when uploaded under Mandatory Documents into Grants.gov (i.e., Curricula vitae, Letters of Support, Indirect Cost Rate Agreement, etc.).

 

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.”

 

IV.3. Submission Dates and Times

 

Application Deadline Date:  June 16, 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  may  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.

 

If submittal of the application is by the United States Postal Service or commercial delivery service, the applicant must ensure that the carrier will be able to guarantee delivery by the closing date and time.  The applicant will be given the opportunity to submit documentation of the carrier’s guarantee, if HHS/CDC receives the submission after the closing date 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.  If the documentation verifies a carrier problem, HHS/CDC will consider the submission as having been received by the deadline. 

 

If a hard copy application is submitted, HHS/CDC will not notify the applicant upon receipt of the submission.  If questions arise on the receipt of the application, the applicant should first contact the carrier.  If the applicant still has questions, contact the PGOTIMS staff at (770) 488-2700.  The applicant should wait two to three days after the submission deadline before calling.  This will allow time for submissions to be processed and logged.

 

This announcement is the definitive guide on 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:
  • Recipients may not use funds for research.
  • Recipients may not use funds for clinical care.
  • Recipients may only expend funds for reasonable program purposes, including personnel, travel, supplies, and services, such as contractual, etc.
  • Awardees may not generally use HHS/CDC/ATSDR funding for the purchase of furniture or equipment.  Any such proposed spending must be identified in the budget.
  • The direct and primary recipient in a cooperative agreement program must perform a substantial role in carrying out project objectives and not merely serve as a conduit for an award to another party or provider who is ineligible.
  • Reimbursement of pre-award costs is not allowed.

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:

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:

            Technical Information Management – FOA# - DP08-812

            Department of Health and Human Services       

CDC Procurement and Grants Office

2920 Brandywine Road, MS E-14

            Atlanta, GA 30341

 

V. Application Review Information

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 for consideration.

 

The application will be evaluated against the following criteria: TOTAL 100 Points

1.      OPERATIONAL WORK PLAN (30 points)

a.       Does the applicant effectively address Section 1 applicant activities? For example: is a description of the community selection process under Category A included?

b.      Is the timeline feasible? Does the applicant provide a timeline that takes into account the selection of the communities if applying for Category A, their participation in an “Action Institute,” and time for communities to fulfill the activities?

c.       Does the applicant provide a description of ways to provide technical assistance to selected communities if applying for Category A funds?

d.      Are the objectives to be accomplished in the first year SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-phased)?

2.      ORGANIZATIONAL CAPACITY AND STRUCTURE (25 points)

a.       Does the organization meet the specifications included in the “Review and Selection Process section” (Section V.2.) of the funding opportunity announcement?

b.      Does the organization have sufficient infrastructure and capacity to support and enhance the proposed activities?

c.       Does the organization have experience working with local communities to promote policy, systems, and environmental change strategies across multiple chronic diseases and their associated risk factors?

d.      Does the applicant demonstrate the capacity to assist the CDC with the development of an “Action Institute?”

3.      STAFFING AND MANAGEMANT PLAN (20 points)

a.       Do organizational staff members have appropriate experience? For example, are CV’s or resumes attached in the appendices?

b.      Are staff roles clearly defined in terms of technical assistance and administrative management of the cooperative agreement?

c.       Are clear lines of authority designated and delineated?

d.      Will staff be sufficient to accomplish the program goals?

4.      PROGRAM EVALUATION PLAN (15 points)

a.       Does the program evaluation plan include objectives and indicators used to measure progress?

b.      Does the program evaluation plan include information about the synthesis of process measures, analysis, and reporting?

5.      NEEDS (10 points)

a.       Does the organization describe the need to address chronic disease prevention and health promotion at the community level adequately?

b.      Does the organization describe the need for the proposed activities including the need for particular strategies, specifically policy, systems, and environmental change?

6.      BUDGET (SF 424A) AND BUDGET NARRATIVE (Reviewed but not scored)

a.       Does the organization provide a detailed and clear budget and a detailed budget item justification consistent with the operational work plan?

b.      Do the proposed budget line items appear to sufficiently support the operational work plan?

 

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 the National Center For Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (NCCDPHP) 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 process will be performed by CDC employees from inside and outside the funding Center, other relevant Federal employees (e.g. from the Indian Health Service, office of Minority Health, etc.), and external experts.

Applications will be funded in order by score and rank determined by the review panel for each funding category. For example, applications for funding Category A will compete only with applications for funding Category A. Applicants applying for both categories must submit separate applications for each category for consideration and will  be competing against other applications for that same category.

In addition, the following entities are encouraged to apply:

·        National organizations with evident health disparities foci;

·        National organizations whose constituency involves lack of access to health priority area-related resources and/or with high levels of poverty;

·        And national organizations serving a wide distribution of the population

 

CDC will provide justification for any decision to fund out of rank order.

 

V.3. Anticipated Announcement Award Dates

September 30, 2008

 

VI. Award Administration Information

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:  
  • AR-8               Public Health System Reporting Requirements
  • AR-9               Paperwork Reduction Act Requirements
  • AR-10                         Smoke-Free Workplace Requirements
  • AR-11                         Healthy People 2010
  • AR-12                         Lobbying Restrictions
  • AR-14                         Accounting System Requirements
  • AR-15                         Proof of Non-Profit Status
  • AR-21                         Small, Minority, and Women-Owned Business
  • AR-23                         States and Faith-Based Organizations
  • AR-25             Release and Sharing of Data
  • AR 26              National Historic Preservation Act of 1996
  • AR-27             Conference Disclaimer and Use of Logos

Additional information on the requirements can be found on the CDC web site: http://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/funding/Addtl_Reqmnts.htm.

 

CDC Assurances and Certifications can be found on the CDC web site: 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.      The interim progress report is due no less than 90 days before the end of the budget period.  The 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.

f.        Annual work plan for the next budget year.

g.       Additional Requested Information.

 

Additionally, the applicant must provide CDC with an original, plus two hard copies of the following reports:

2.       Financial status report and annual progress report due 90 days after the end of the budget period.  The annual progress report must contain the following elements:

a.       Standard Form (“SF”) 424S Form.

b.      SF-424A Budget Information Non-Construction Programs.

c.       Budget Narrative.

d.      Project Narrative.

e.       Additional Requested Information.

  1. Final performance and Financial Status reports, no more than 90 days after the end of the project period.

These reports must be submitted to the attention of the Grants Management Specialist listed in the “VII. Agency Contacts” section of this announcement.

 

VII. Agency Contacts

CDC encourages inquiries concerning this announcement.

For general questions, contact:

            Technical Information Management Section – DP08-812

Department of Health and Human Services

            CDC Procurement and Grants Office

            2920 Brandywine Road, MS E-14

            Atlanta, GA 30341

            Telephone: 770-488-2700

 

For program technical assistance, contact:

            Richard S. Roman, Public Health Analyst,

            Division of Adult and Community Health

            National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention & Health Promotion

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Department of Health and Human Services

            4770 Buford hwy., N.E., MS K-93

            Chamblee, GA 30341

            Telephone: 770-488-5144

            E-mail: rsr1@cdc.gov

 

For financial, grants management, or budget assistance, contact:

Teresa Belcher, Grants Management Specialist

Department of Health and Human Services

            CDC Procurement and Grants Office

            2920 Brandywine Road, MS E09

            Atlanta, GA 30341

            Telephone: 770-488-2919

            E-mail: tbelcher@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.

  • The individual designated as the PD/PI on the application must also be registered in the eRA Commons. It is not necessary for PDs/PIs to register with Grants.gov.
  • The PD/PI must hold a PD/PI account in the eRA Commons and must be affiliated with the applicant organization. This account cannot have any other role attached to it other than the PD/PI.
  • This registration/affiliation must be done by the Authorized Organization Representative/Signing Official (AOR/SO) or their designee who is already registered in the eRA Commons.
  • Both the PD/PI and AOR/SO need separate accounts in the eRA Commons since both hold different roles for authorization and to view the application process.

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