Billing Code: 4163-18-P

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Human Resources Capacity Building for Implementation of the Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART) Program in the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia under the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR)

Announcement Type: New

Funding Opportunity Number: CDC-RFA-PS07-715 

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 93.067

Key Dates:

Application Deadline: August 7, 2007

 

I. Funding Opportunity Description

Authority: This program is authorized under Sections 301(a) and 307 of the Public Health Service Act [42 U.S.C. Sections 241 and 242l], as amended, and under Public Law 108-25 (United States Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria Act of 2003) [22 U.S.C. 7601].

 

Background:

President Bush's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief has called for immediate, comprehensive and evidence-based action to turn the tide of global HIV/AIDS. The initiative aims to treat more than two million HIV-infected people with effective combination anti-retroviral therapy (ART) by 2008; care for ten million HIV-infected and affected persons, including those orphaned by HIV/AIDS, by 2008; and prevent seven million infections by 2010, with a focus on 15 priority countries, including 12 in sub-Saharan Africa.  The Five-Year Strategy for the Emergency Plan is available at the following Internet address:  http://www.state.gov/s/gac/plan/c11652.htm.

Over the same time period, as part of a collective national response, the Emergency Plan goals specific to Ethiopia are to treat at least 210,000 HIV-infected individuals; and to care for 1,050,000 HIV-affected individuals, including orphans.

 

Purpose:

Under the leadership of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator, as part of the President's Emergency Plan, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) works with host countries and other key partners to assess the needs of each country and design a customized program of assistance that fits within the host nation's strategic plan.

 

HHS focuses on two or three major program areas in each country.  Goals and priorities include the following:

 

 

The purpose of this announcement is establish and maintain minimum standards for safe and quality ART through indigenous institutions and human-resources capacity-building, to mobilize and exploit fully indigenous resources to achieve the Emergency Plan’s ambitious targets for treatment and care.  Projects funded through this announcement are expected to do the following:

  1. Support the training of physicians, health officers, nurses, pharmacists, druggists and laboratory workers in the delivery of care, drug services, and laboratory support and monitoring of ART implementation;

  2. Support and provide continuing education in local languages in all aspects of ART to those already trained;

  3. Organize and provide periodic updates to those already trained through continuing education programs in local languages, to be conducted in various regions of the country;

  4. Publish updates on new developments, national and regional guidelines in ART and other aspects of HIV/AIDS, and ensure that technical materials are properly translated into local languages, disseminated and employed by end users;

  5. Make experts available for various Emergency Plan activities in  Ethiopia, such as twinning activities (to develop partnerships between US and local universities, US and local hospitals, and American and Ethiopian health professional associations), warm-line [a1] (term used by call-in centers that operate on limited hours to serve specific audiences or needs) services, and mentoring activities;

  6. Support the mobilization and deployment of human resources to support ART delivery in various regions of the country; and

  7. Establish mechanisms for efficient communication and coordination for the development of detailed plans and implementation strategies to contribute substantially to Ethiopia’s Emergency Plan activities and targets.

 

Measurable outcomes of the program will be in alignment with the following performance goal(s) for the Emergency Plan: [a2] 

1.  Emergency Plan Indicator: Number of service outlets providing antiretroviral therapy:

2.  Emergency Plan Indicator: Number of local organizations provided with technical assistance for HIV-related policy development:

3.  Emergency Plan Indicator: Number of local organizations provided with technical assistance for HIV-related institutional capacity-building:

 

This announcement is primarily intended for non-research activities supported by HHS/CDC.  If an applicant proposes research activities, HHS/CDC will not review the application.  For the definition of “research,” please see the HHS/CDC Web site at the following Internet address:    http://www.cdc.gov/od/science/regs/hrpp/researchDefinition.htm

 

Activities:

The recipient of these funds is responsible for activities in multiple program areas designed to target underserved populations in Ethiopia.  Either the awardee will implement activities directly or will implement them through its subgrantees and/or subcontractors; the awardee will retain overall financial and programmatic management under the oversight of HHS/CDC and the strategic direction of the U.S. Office of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator.  The awardee must show a measurable, progressive reinforcement of the capacity of indigenous organizations and local communities to respond to the national HIV epidemic, as well as progress towards the sustainability of activities.

 

Applicants should describe activities in detail that reflect the policies and goals outlined in the Five-Year Strategy for the President’s Emergency Plan.

 

The grantee will produce an annual operational plan, which the U.S. Government Emergency Plan team on the ground in Ethiopia will review as part of the annual Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief Country Operational Plan review-and-approval process, managed by the Office of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator.  The grantee may work on some of the activities listed below in the first year and in subsequent years, and then progressively add others from the list to achieve all of the Emergency Plan performance goals, as cited in the previous section.  HHS/CDC, under the guidance of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator, will approve funds for activities on an annual basis, based on documented performance toward achieving Emergency Plan goals, as part of the annual Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief Country Operational Plan review-and-approval process.

 

Awardee activities for this program are as follows:

  1. Collaborate and found a consortium with other local Ethiopian associations (e.g. Ethiopian nurses association, Ethiopian pharmaceutical association, association of medical laboratory technologists, association of physicians in private practice) and lead the consortium in its activities;      

  2. Support designing, conducting, and evaluating the training in local languages of health professionals on ART implementation at national and regional levels throughout Ethiopia;      

  3. Conduct a needs assessment among already-trained HIV/AIDS health-care providers at different levels, and organize and provide periodic continuing-education programs, workshops and seminars, etc. in local languages in various regions in Ethiopia;      

  4. Conduct a needs assessment on updating knowledge and practice of ART implementation, and publish and disseminate educational materials in local Ethiopian languages on new developments in ART and HIV/AIDS management; and    

  5. Provide expert support by serving as advisors and consultants to various ART-related activities, including clinical mentoring and warmline services for ART providers (prescribing clinicians), pharmacists, and laboratory workers.     

 

Administration

The applicant selected through this funding competition must comply with all HHS/CDC management requirements for meeting participation and progress and financial reporting for this cooperative agreement (See HHS/CDC Activities and Reporting sections below for details), and comply with all policy directives established by the Office of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator.

 

In a cooperative agreement, HHS/CDC staff are substantially involved in the program activities, above and beyond routine grant-monitoring. 

HHS Activities for this program are as follows:

  1. Organize an orientation meeting with the grantee to brief it on applicable U.S. Government, HHS, and Emergency Plan expectations, regulations and key management requirements, as well as report formats and contents.  The orientation could include meetings with staff from HHS agencies and the Office of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator.

  2. Review and approve the process used by the grantee to select key personnel and/or post-award subcontractors and/or subgrantees to be involved in the activities performed under this agreement, as part of the Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief Country Operational Plan review and approval process, managed by the Office of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator.

  3. Review and approve the grantee’s annual work plan and detailed budget, as part of the Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief Country Operational Plan review-and-approval process, managed by the Office of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator.

  4. Review and approve the grantee’s monitoring-and-evaluation plan, including for compliance with the strategic-information guidance established by the Office of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator. 

  5. Meet on a monthly basis with the grantee to assess monthly expenditures in relation to approved work plan and modify plans, as necessary.

  6. Meet on a quarterly basis with the grantee to assess quarterly technical and financial progress reports and modify plans as necessary.

  7. Meet on an annual basis with the grantee to review annual progress report for each U.S. Government Fiscal Year, and to review annual work plans and budgets for subsequent year, as part of the Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief review and approval process for Country Operational Plans, managed by the Office of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator.

  8. Provide technical assistance, as mutually agreed upon, and revise annually during validation of the first and subsequent annual work plans.  This could include expert technical assistance and targeted training activities in specialized areas, such as strategic information, project management, confidential counseling and testing, palliative care, treatment literacy, and adult-learning techniques.  

  9. Provide in-country administrative support to help grantee meet U.S. Government financial and reporting requirements approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under 0920-0428 (Public Health Service Form 5161).    

  10. Collaborate with the awardee on designing and implementing the activities listed above, including, but not limited to the provision of technical assistance to develop program activities, data management and analysis, quality assurance, the presentation and possibly publication of program results and findings, and the management and tracking of finances.    

  11. Provide consultation and scientific and technical assistance based on appropriate, HHS/CDC and Office of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator documents to promote the use of best practices known at the time.

  12. Assist the recipient in developing and implementing quality-assurance criteria and procedures.    

  1. Facilitate in-country planning and review meetings for technical assistance activities.    

 

Please note: Either HHS staff or staff from organizations that have successfully competed for funding under a separate HHS contract, cooperative agreement or grant will provide technical assistance and training.

 

II. Award Information

Type of Award: Cooperative Agreement

HHS involvement in this program appears in the Activities Section above.

Award Mechanism: U2G – Global HIV/AIDS Non-Research Cooperative Agreements

Fiscal Year Funds: 2007

Approximate Current Fiscal Year Funding: $200,000

Approximate Total Project Period Funding: $1,000,000 (This amount is an estimate, and is subject to availability of funds.) 

Approximate Number of Awards: One

Approximate Average Award: $200,000 (This amount is for the first 12-month budget period, and includes direct costs (and indirect costs in the case of domestic grantees.) )

Floor of Individual Award Range: $150,000

Ceiling of Individual Award Range: $200,000 (This ceiling is for the first 12-month budget period.)

Anticipated Award Date: August 31, 2007

Budget Period Length: 12 Months

Project Period Length: Five Years

Throughout the project period, HHS/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, through the Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief review and approval process for Country Operational Plans, managed by the Office of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator.

 

III. Eligibility Information

III.1. Eligible Applicants

Eligible applicants that can apply for this funding opportunity appear below:

This funding opportunity announcement is limited to indigenous organizations located in Ethiopia.  Institutional capacity-building of indigenous organizations is a key strategy for achieving the prevention, care, and treatment goals of the Emergency Plan, and to ensuring the long-term sustainability of Emergency Plan programs.  Engaging indigenous partners is a critical step towards achieving this strategy.

 

An indigenous organization is any entity whose headquarters is in Ethiopia.  As such, the majority of the entity’s staff (senior, mid-level, support) must be host-country and/or regional nationals.  Indigenous organizations refers to both Governmental and non-governmental (including faith-based, and community-based) organizations.  Organizations brought into existence solely to respond to this announcement are ineligible.

 

III.2. Cost-Sharing or Matching

Matching funds are not required for this program.  Although matching funds are not required, preference will go to organizations that can leverage additional funds to contribute to program goals.  If applicants receive funding from other sources to underwrite the same or similar activities, or anticipate receiving such funding in the next 12 months, they must detail how the disparate streams of financing complement each other.

 

III.3. Other

If an applicant requests a funding amount greater than the ceiling of the award range, HHS/CDC will consider the application non-responsive, and it will not enter into the review process.  HHS/CDC will notify the applicant 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 enter into the review process.  HHS/CDC will notify the applicant the application did not meet submission requirements.

 

IV. Application and Submission Information

IV.1. Address to Request Application Package

To apply for this funding opportunity use application form PHS 5161-1.

Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal Number System

Each applicant agency or organization must 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, please go to the following Internet address: http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform/displayHomePage.do;jsessionid=D12B99D19654F9B26C193B1EFDE3430B.  From the home page: 1) click on "Begin DUNS Search/Request Process", 2) select country and submit the applicant organization’s information.  A DUNS number should be created within one day.  Please direct any questions to govt@dnb.com. 

 

For more information, see the HHS/CDC Web site at the following Internet address: http://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/funding/grantmain.htm.

If the application form does not have a DUNS number field, please write the DUNS number at the top of the first page of the application, and/or include the DUNS number in the cover letter that accompanies the application.

 

Electronic Submission:

HHS/CDC strongly encourages the applicant to submit the application electronically by using 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 may forego submitting paper copies of all application forms.

 

Registering an organization through www.Grants.gov is the first step in submitting applications online. Registration information is located in the “Get Started” screen of www.Grants.gov. For Foreign Organizations, the next step would be to obtain an NATO Commercial and Governmental Entity (NCAGE) Code http://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/funding/grantmain.htm.  While application submission through www.Grants.gov is optional, applicants are strongly encouraged to use this online tool.

 

Key tips for Registration on Grants.gov:

If technical difficulties are encountered in Grants.gov, customer service may be reached by e-mail at support@grants.gov, or by phone 1-800-518-4726 (1-800-518-GRANTS).  The Customer Support Center is open from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday. 

 

Paper Submission:

Application forms and instructions are available on the HHS/CDC Web site, at the following Internet address: www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/funding/forms.shtm  

 

If access to the Internet is not available, or difficulty is encountered in accessing the forms on-line, contact the HHS/CDC Procurement and Grants Office Technical Information Management Section (PGO-TIM) staff at 770-488-2700, who can mail the application forms.

 

IV.2. Content and Form of Submission

Application:

A Project Abstract must be submitted with the application forms.  The abstract must be submitted in the following format:

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.  The abstract must not include any proprietary/confidential information.

 

Applicants must submit a project narrative with the application forms, in the following format:

·        Maximum number of pages: 25 (If the narrative exceeds the page limit, HHS/CDC will only review the first pages that are within the page limit.);

 

The narrative should address activities the applicant will conduct over the entire project period, and must include the following items, in the order listed:

 

Applicants may include additional information in appendices.  The appendices and budget information will not count toward the narrative page limit.  This additional information includes the following:

With staffing breakdown and justification, provide a line-item budget and a narrative with justification for all requested costs. Be sure to include, if any, in-kind support or other contributions provided by the national Government and its donors as part of the total project, but for which the applicant is not requesting funding.

Budgets must be consistent with the purpose, objectives of the Emergency Plan and the program activities listed in this Announcement and must include the following:

o       Line-item breakdown and justification for all personnel, i.e., name, position title, annual salary, percentage of time and effort, and amount requested;

○    For each contract, list the following: (1) name of proposed contractor; (2) breakdown and justification for estimated costs; (3) description and scope of activities the contractor will perform; (4) period of performance; (5) method of contractor selection (e.g., competitive solicitation); and (6) methods of accountability.  Applicants should, to the greatest extent possible, employ transparent and open competitive processes to choose contractors. 

 

 

Additional requirements that could require submission of additional documentation with the application appear in Section “VI.2.  Administrative and National Policy Requirements.”

 

IV.3. Submission Dates and Times

Application Deadline Date: August 7, 2007

 

Explanation of Deadlines: The HHS/CDC Procurement and Grants Office must receive applications by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on the deadline date.

 

Electronic Submission: 

HHS/CDC will consider applications completed on-line through Grants.gov as formally submitted when the applicant organization’s Authorizing Official electronically submits the application to www.grants.gov. The application will be electronically time/date stamped, which will serve as receipt of submission. Applicants will receive an e-mail notice of receipt when HHS/CDC receives the application.

 

HHS/CDC will consider electronic applications as having met the deadline if the applicant organization’s Authorizing Official has submitted the application electronically to Grants.gov on or before the deadline date and time.

 

Paper Submission:

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

 

If an applicant submits a hard-copy application, 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, it should contact the HHS/CDC staff at (770) 488-2700.  The applicant should wait two to three days after the submission deadline before calling.  This will allow time for HHS/CDC to process and log submissions.

 

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, and HHS/CDC will discard it.  HHS/CDC will notify the applicant 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 applicants must take into account while writing the budget, are as follows:

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

·        Recipients may spend funds for reasonable program purposes, including personnel, training, travel, supplies and services.  Recipients may purchase equipment and complete renovations if deemed necessary to accomplish program objectives; however, recipients must request prior approval by HHS/CDC officials in writing, and conduct procurements in a transparent and competitive manner.

·        Applicants shall state all requests for funds contained in the budget in U.S. dollars.  Once HHS/CDC makes an award, foreign grantees will not be compensated for currency-exchange fluctuations through the issuance of supplemental awards.

·        The costs generally allowable in grants to domestic organizations are allowable to foreign institutions and international organizations, with the following exception: With the exception of the American University, Beirut, and the World Health Organization, HHS/CDC will not pay indirect costs (either directly

or through sub-award) to organizations located outside the territorial limits of the United States or to international organizations, regardless of their location.

·        Recipients may contract with other organizations under this program; however, recipients must perform a substantial portion of the activities (including program management and operations, and delivery of prevention services for which funds are required) relating to the management of sub-grants to local organizations and improving their capacity, and must award any subcontracts through a competitive and transparent process.

·        Recipients must obtain an annual audit of these HHS/CDC funds (program-specific audit) by a U.S.-based audit firm with international branches and current licensure/authority in-country, and in accordance with International Accounting Standards or equivalent standard(s) approved in writing by HHS/CDC.

·        A fiscal Recipient Capability Assessment may be required, prior to or post award, to review the applicant’s business management and fiscal

capabilities regarding the handling of U.S. Federal funds.

·        Prostitution and Related Activities

 

The U.S. Government is opposed to prostitution and related activities, which are inherently harmful and dehumanizing, and contribute to the phenomenon of trafficking in persons. 

 

Any entity that receives, directly or indirectly, U.S. Government funds in connection with this document (“recipient”) cannot use such U.S. Government funds to promote or advocate the legalization or practice of prostitution or sex trafficking.  Nothing in the preceding sentence shall be construed to preclude the provision to individuals of palliative care, treatment, or post-exposure pharmaceutical prophylaxis, and necessary pharmaceuticals and commodities, including test kits, condoms, and, when proven effective, microbicides. 

 

A recipient that is otherwise eligible to receive funds in connection with this document to prevent, treat, or monitor HIV/AIDS shall not be required to endorse or utilize a multisectoral approach to combating HIV/AIDS, or to endorse, utilize, or participate in a prevention method or treatment program to which the recipient has a religious or moral objection.  Any information provided by recipients about the use of condoms as part of projects or activities that are funded in connection with this document shall be medically accurate and shall include the public health benefits and failure rates of such use.

 

In addition, any recipient must have a policy explicitly opposing prostitution and sex trafficking.  The preceding sentence shall not apply to any “exempt organizations” (defined as the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, the World Health Organization and its six Regional Offices, the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative or any United Nations agency).

 

The following definition applies for purposes of this clause:

·        Sex trafficking means the recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, or obtaining of a person for the purpose of a commercial sex act.  22 U.S.C. § 7102(9).

 

All recipients must insert provisions implementing the applicable parts of this section, “Prostitution and Related Activities,” in all subagreements under this award.  These provisions must be express terms and conditions of the subagreement, must acknowledge that compliance with this section, “Prostitution and Related Activities,” is a prerequisite to receipt and expenditure of U.S. Government funds in connection with this document, and must acknowledge that any violation of the provisions shall be grounds for unilateral termination of the agreement prior to the end of its term.  Recipients must agree that HHS may, at any reasonable time, inspect the documents and materials maintained or prepared by the recipient in the usual course of its operations that relate to the organization’s compliance with this section, “Prostitution and Related Activities.”

 

All prime recipients that receive U.S. Government funds (“prime recipients”) in connection with this document must certify compliance prior to actual receipt of such funds in a written statement that makes reference to this document (e.g., “[Prime recipient's name] certifies compliance with the section, ‘Prostitution and Related Activities.’”) addressed to the agency’s grants officer.  Such certifications by prime recipients are prerequisites to the payment of any U.S. Government funds in connection with this document. 

 

Recipients' compliance with this section, “Prostitution and Related Activities,” is an express term and condition of receiving U.S. Government funds in connection with this document, and any violation of it shall be grounds for unilateral termination by HHS of the agreement with HHS in connection with this document prior to the end of its term.  The recipient shall refund to HHS the entire amount furnished in connection with this document in the event HHS determines the recipient has not complied with this section, “Prostitution and Related Activities.”

 

Guidance for completing the budget appears on the HHS/CDC Web site, at the following Internet address:

http://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/funding/budgetguide.htm

 

IV.6. Other Submission Requirements

Application Submission Address:

Electronic Submission:

HHS/CDC strongly encourages applicants to submit applications electronically at www.Grants.gov.  The application package is available at www.Grants.gov.  Applicants are able to complete it off-line, and then upload and submit the application via the Grants.gov Web site.  HHS/CDC will not accept e-mail submissions.  If an 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 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Eastern Time, Monday through Friday. 

 

HHS/CDC recommends applicants submit their applications to Grants.gov early enough to resolve any unanticipated difficulties prior to the deadline.  Applicants may also

submit a back-up paper submission of the application.  HHS/CDC must receive any such paper submission in accordance with the requirements for timely submission detailed in Section IV.3. of the grant announcement. The applicant must clearly mark the paper submission:  “BACK-UP FOR ELECTRONIC SUBMISSION.”  The paper submission must conform to all requirements for non-electronic submissions.  If HHS/CDC receives both electronic and back-up paper submissions by the deadline, the electronic version will be considered as 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 are available on the Grants.gov Web site.  Use of file formats other than PDF may result in the file being unreadable by staff.

 

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- PS07-715

            Procurement and Grants Office

            Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

            U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

2920 Brandywine Road, MS E-14

            Atlanta, GA 30341

 

V. Application Review Information

V.1. Criteria

Applicants are required to provide specific 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.  Applicants must submit the measures of effectiveness with the application, and they will be an element of evaluation.

 

HHS/CDC will evaluate the application against the following criteria:

 

Ability to Carry Out the Proposal (20 points)

Does the applicant demonstrate the local experience in Ethiopia and institutional capacity (both management and technical) to achieve the goals of the project with documented good-governance practices?  Does the applicant have the ability to coordinate and collaborate with existing Emergency Plan partners and other donors, including the Global Fund and other U.S. Government Departments and agencies involved in implementing the Emergency Plan, including the U.S. Agency for International Development?  Is there evidence of leadership support and evidence of current or past efforts to enhance HIV prevention?  Does the applicant have the capacity to reach rural and other underserved populations in Ethiopia? Does the organization have the ability to target audiences that frequently fall outside the reach of the traditional media, and in local languages[a3] ? To what extent does the applicant provide letters of support?

 

Technical and Programmatic Approach (20 points)

Does the application include an overall design strategy, including measurable time lines, clear monitoring-and-evaluation procedures, and specific activities for meeting the proposed objectives?  Does the applicant display knowledge of the strategy, principles and goals of the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, and are the proposed activities consistent with and pertinent to that strategy and those principles and goals?  Does the applicant describe activities that are evidence-based, realistic, achievable, measurable and culturally appropriate to achieve the goals of the Emergency Plan?  Does the application propose to build on and complement the current national response in Ethiopia with evidence-based strategies designed to reach underserved populations and meet the goals of the Emergency Plan?  Does the application include reasonable estimates of outcome targets?  (For example, the numbers of sites to be supported, number of clients the program will reach.)  To what extent does the applicant propose to work with other organizations?  The reviewers will assess the feasibility of the applicant's plan to meet the target goals, whether the proposed use of funds is efficient, and the extent to which the specific methods described are sensitive to the local culture.

 

Capacity-Building (15 points)

Does the applicant have a proven track-record of building the capacity of indigenous organizations and individuals?  Does the applicant have relevant experience in using participatory methods and approaches, in project planning and implementation?  Does the applicant describe an adequate and measurable plan to progressively build the capacity of local organizations and of target beneficiaries to respond to the epidemic?  If not a local indigenous organization, does the applicant articulate a clear exit strategy, which will maximize the legacy of this project in the intervention communities? Does the capacity-building plan clearly describe how it will contribute to a) improved quality and geographic coverage of service delivery to achieve the "2,7,10" targets of the Emergency Plan, and b) (if not a local indigenous organization) an evolving role of the prime beneficiary with transfer of critical technical and management competence to local organizations/sites in support of a decentralized response?

 

Monitoring and Evaluation (15 points)

Does the applicant demonstrate the local experience and capability to implement rigorous monitoring and evaluation of the project?  Does the applicant describe a system for reviewing and adjusting program activities based on monitoring information obtained by using innovative, participatory methods and standard approaches?  Does the plan include indicators developed for each program milestone, and incorporated into the financial and programmatic reports?  Are the indicators consistent with the Emergency Plan Indicator Guide?  Is the system able to generate financial and program reports to show disbursement of funds, and progress towards achieving the numerical objectives of the President's Emergency Plan? Is the plan to measure outcomes of the intervention, and the manner in which they will be provided, adequate?  Is the monitoring-and-evaluation plan consistent with the principles of the "Three Ones?"  Applicants must define specific output and outcome indicators must be defined in the proposal, and must have realistic targets in line with the targets addressed in the Activities section of this announcement.

 

Understanding of the Problem (10 points)

Does the applicant demonstrate a clear and concise understanding of the current national HIV/AIDS response and the cultural and political context relevant to the programmatic areas targeted?  Does the applicant display an understanding of the Five-Year Strategy and goals of the President's Emergency Plan?  To what extent does the applicant justify the need for this program within the target community?

 

Personnel (10 points)[a4] 

Does the organization employ staff fluent in local languages who will work on this project? Are the staff roles clearly defined? As described, will the staff be sufficient to meet the goals of the proposed project?  If not an indigenous organization, does the staff plan adequately involve local individuals and organizations?  Are staff involved in this project qualified to perform the tasks described? Curricula vitae provided should include information that they are qualified in the following:  management of HIV/AIDS prevention activities, especially confidential, voluntary counseling and testing; and the development of capacity-building among and collaboration between Governmental and non-governmental partners.

 

Administration and Management (10 points)

Does the applicant provide a clear plan for the administration and management of the proposed activities, and to manage the resources of the program, prepare reports, monitor and evaluate activities, audit expenditures and produce collect and analyze performance data?  Is the management structure for the project sufficient to ensure speedy implementation of the project?  If appropriate, does the applicant have a proven track record in managing large laboratory budgets; running transparent and competitive procurement processes; supervising consultants and contractors; using subgrants or other systems of sharing resources with community-based organizations, faith-based organizations or smaller non-governmental organizations; and providing technical assistance in laboratory or pharmacy management?  The grantee must demonstrate an ability to submit quarterly reports in a timely manner to the HHS/CDC office.

 

Budget (Reviewed, but not scored)

Is the itemized budget for conducting the project, along with justification, reasonable and consistent with stated objectives and planned program activities?  Is the budget itemized, well-justified and consistent with the Five-Year Strategy (2003-2008) and goals of the President's Emergency Plan and Emergency Plan activities?  If applicable, are there reasonable costs per client reached for both year one and later years of the project?

 

V.2. Review and Selection Process

The HHS/CDC Procurement and Grants Office (PGO) staff will review applications for completeness, and the HHS/CDC Global AIDS Program will review them for responsiveness.  Incomplete applications and applications that are non-responsive to the eligibility criteria will not advance through the review process.  Applicants will receive notification that their 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.  All persons who serve on the panel will be external to the U.S. Government Country Program Office in Ethiopia.   The panel may include both Federal and non-Federal participants. 

 

In addition, the following factors could affect the funding decision:

HHS/CDC will fund applications in order by the score and rank determined by the review panel.  HHS/CDC will provide justification for any decision to fund out of rank order. 

 

V.3. Anticipated Announcement and Award Dates

The anticipated award date is August 31, 2007.

 

VI. Award Administration Information

VI.1. Award Notices

Successfully selected applicants will receive a Notice of Award (NoA) from the HHS/CDC Procurement and Grants Office.  The NoA shall be the only binding, authorizing document between the recipient and HHS/CDC.  An authorized Grants Management Officer will sign the NoA, and mail it 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:

and  

Additional information on the requirements is available on the HHS/CDC Web site, at the following Internet address: http://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/funding/Addtl_Reqmnts.htm.

 

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 HHS/CDC with an original, plus two hard copies, of the following reports:

1.      Interim progress report, 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.       Activities and Objectives for the Current Budget Period;

b.      Financial Progress for the Current Budget Period;

c.       Proposed Activity and Objectives for the New Budget Period Program;

d.      Budget;

e.       Measures of Effectiveness, including progress against the numerical goals of the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief for Ethiopia; and

f.        Additional Requested Information;

2.      Quarterly progress report, due 30 days after the reporting period.

3.      Annual progress report, due 90 days after the end of the budget period.  Reports should include progress against the numerical goals of the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief for Ethiopia;

4.      Financial status report, due no more than 90 days after the end of the budget period; and

5.      Final financial performance reports, due no more than 90 days after the end of the project period.

Recipients must mail the reports to the Grants Management Specialist listed in the "VII. Agency Contacts" section of this announcement.

 

VII. Agency Contacts

HHS/CDC encourages inquiries concerning this announcement.

For general questions, contact:

            Technical Information Management Section

            Procurement and Grants Office

            Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

            U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

            2920 Brandywine Road, MS E-14

            Atlanta, GA 30341

            Telephone: 770-488-2700

 

For program technical assistance, contact:

Carolyn Greene, MD, Project Officer

            Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

            U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

CDC-Ethiopia

US Embassy Addis Ababa

Department of State

Washington, DC  20521-2030

Telephone: 011 251 114 66 95 66

E-mail: greenec@et.cdc.gov

 

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

Larry Ware, Grants Management Specialist

            Procurement and Grants Office

            Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

            U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

            2920 Brandywine Road, Mail stop: K-75

            Atlanta, GA 30341

            Telephone: 770-488-4791

            E-mail: fwu6@cdc.gov

 

VIII. Other Information

Other HHS/CDC funding opportunity announcements are available on the HHS/CDC Web site, Internet address: http://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/funding/FOAs.htm, and on the web site of the HHS Office of Global Health Affairs, Internet address: www.globalhealth.gov.

  

 [a1] A warm line service is for provision of any medical information (clinical, pharmacological, etc) to practicing clinicians. The service is available during working hours only and experts are available to answer for questions and consultation.

 [a2]The planned activity includes technical assistance for institutional capacity building and policy development. The activity also requires the formation of a consortium. This will be the a crucial step in the implementation of the plan. This will begin after the award is confirmed, i.e. recruitment of staff and laying the ground work. So, these indicators can be measured starting three to four months after the fund is made available to the awardee and awardee has began implementing.

 [a3]This is beyond the scope of work described in the activity. Activity involves capacity building of health professionals; not reaching populations.

 [a4]Personnel will be recruited by the associations in the consortium after the award and is dependent on the capacity building achieved.

 

CDC Home Page: http://www.cdc.gov

CDC Funding Web Page: http://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/funding/grants/foamain.shtm

CDC Forms Web Page: http://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/funding/grants/app_and_forms.shtm