Billing Code: 4163-18-P

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Program Implementation and Capacity Building Support for a Four Component Prevention Program in the Republic of Zambia under the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR)

Announcement Type: New

Funding Opportunity Number: CDC-RFA-PS08-829 

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 93.067

Key Dates:

Application Deadline: June 23, 2008

 

I. Funding Opportunity Description

Authority: This program is authorized 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 Zambia are to treat at least 120,000 HIV-infected individuals; and to care for 600,000 HIV-affected individuals, including orphans, and to prevent new infections.

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’ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (HHS/CDC) 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/CDC focuses on two or three major program areas in each country.  Goals and priorities include the following:

 

 

The President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) is seeking a partner with experience working in the Republic of Zambia implementing age-appropriate local-language behavior change communication programs that promote and support behavior change through radio programs and related community based reinforcement activities.  The partner(s) should have additional experience in the implementation of programs that are able to reinforce and track the impact of the program provided in the radio programming and community reinforcement programs.

 

The program should have four distinct components as outlined below:

 

The partner(s) will implement a comprehensive prevention program addressing abstinence, being faithful, other prevention, and use of condoms in the Western and Southern Provinces of Zambia.  The program will employ the Modeling and Reinforcement approach to explore and address factors that perpetuate HIV transmission in the reproductive age groups (15-24 and 25+), promote the “Abstinence and Be faithful” approach through advocating delay in sexual debut, fidelity, address cultural factors particular to Zambia that continue to perpetuate HIV transmission among married and single people, promote circumcision for males to reduce their risk for contracting HIV, increase awareness of personal risk for becoming infected with HIV, including alcohol abuse, and promote safer sex through the use of condoms. 

 

The partner(s) will work with a local sub-partner to implement on-going program activities outlined below through building capacity of the local partner in program management of the four program components (RSD, reinforcement activities, evaluation and FM), financial management, reporting and monitoring.   The primary partner will provide extensive technical assistance with an ultimate goal of graduating the local sub-partner to operate independently within the fourth year of the cooperative agreement.

 

Where necessary this partner(s) will work closely with the other PEPFAR partners and the CDC office in Zambia to carry out their activities.  Throughout the implementation process, CDC Zambia at the end of years one, two, three and four will send a team to assess the capacity building progress made and work with the partner(s) on determining areas in need of further capacity building.  In year five, CDC Zambia will evaluate the stability, sustainability and functioning of the local sub-partner(s) to determine if total independence is appropriate.

 

 

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

  1. Number of individuals reached through community outreach that promotes HIV/AIDS prevention through abstinence and/or being faithful.
  2. Number of individuals reached through community outreach that promotes HIV/AIDS prevention through other behavior beyond abstinence and /or being faithful.
  3. Number of individuals trained to promote HIV/AIDS prevention through abstinence and/ or being faithful.
  4. Number of individuals trained to promote HIV/AIDS prevention through other behavior change beyond abstinence and/ or being faithful.

 

Prevention:
  1. Reach 100,000 new individuals each project year with activities for HIV prevention through abstinence and being faithful and other prevention in both intervention provinces.
  2. Train 150 new individuals each project year to promote HIV comprehensive prevention through Abstinence, Being Faithful, other prevention, and Correct and Consistent Condom Use in both intervention provinces.
  3. By September 2009, engage all communities within the evaluation districts with reinforcement activities, to include Livingstone, Choma, Mazabuka, Mongu, Kaoma, and Sesheke.

 

FM Component:
  1. Reach 1,000 (subset of the 100,000 reached above with prevention messages) parents with FM program each project year.
  2. Train 32 (a subset of 150 trained above) program facilitators each project year to implement the program in the Western and Southern Provinces of Zambia.

 

Partner Capacity Building:
  1. By the end of the eighth month, the sub-partner(s) will have an organization implementation strategy outlining a framework and workplan for all four components of the program.
  2. By the end of year one of the implementation, the local partner(s) will achieve the following milestones:
    1. be well conversant in radio serial and street theatre drama production;
    2. have in place the necessary team required as outlined in the implementation strategy;
    3. have critical structures for financial management in place such as software and appropriate staff trained on financial management and monitoring; and
    4. multiple sites data collection.
  3. By the end of year two, the local partner(s) will have a community program management structure addressing all aspects of prevention outlined above and parent-child communication.  The necessary staff should be in place with the necessary skills required to implement and manage the program.
  4. By the end of year three the partner(s) and CDC Zambia will be able to assess the local partner’s progress and capacity to effectively manage multiple components of the implementation:  program management; financial management; drama production and dissemination; reinforcement activities; and FM component.
  5. By the end of year four, the local partner(s) will be able to operate independently with technical oversight where necessary.
  6. In year five, the partner(s) will be able to evaluate the stability, sustainability and functioning of the local sub-partner to determine if total independence is appropriate.

 

This announcement is intended for non-research activities supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) within HHS.  If an applicant proposes research activities, HHS 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 Zambia.  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 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 Zambia 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:

 

Coordination:

 Work to link activities described here with related HIV care and other basic social services in the area, and promote coordination at all levels, including through bodies such as village, District, regional and national HIV-coordination committees, and networks of faith-based and other community organizations.     

 

Capacity-Building and Reinforcement to Community Groups:

 Progressively reinforce the capacity of faith- and community-based organizations and village and District AIDS committees to promote quality, local ownership, accountability and sustainability of activities.  For this project, this includes continued support for organizational development of the local implementing agency.     

 

Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E):

Develop and implement a project-specific participatory M&E plan by drawing on national and U.S. Government requirements and tools, including the strategic-information guidance provided by the Office of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator, that is consistent with the principles of the “Three Ones” established by the United Nations Joint Programme on HIV/AIDS.    

 

Prevention - Abstinence and Being Faithful and FM:

1.      Implement an age-appropriate local-language radio program(s) promoting positive behavior change in the areas of abstinence, delayed sexual debut, fidelity, HIV testing, partner reduction, and related social and community norms.  The program(s) should target youth and other populations in rural and semi-urban settings.  The main program(s) should involve character modeling (positive and negative), and should reflect the range of factors known to influence HIV-related behavior change in Zambia, including the harmful use of alcohol.

2.      Work with the local leadership to ensure that the drama’s produced reinforcement activities and FM messages are appropriate to the local culture.

3.      Develop reinforcement activities within both provinces.

4.      Train drama producers.

5.      Develop the FM component based on existing FM program guidelines.

6.      Increase community awareness about prevention, voluntary counseling and testing and other HIV/AIDS services.

7.      Conduct workshops and training related to behavior change communication and intervention for the promotion of Abstinence/Be Faithful (A/B) messages and behaviors that target teachers, community leaders, and/or other HIV prevention agency representatives. These activities should follow the Emergency Plan ABC Prevention and the Zambian National Prevention Strategy, and support best practices in behavior change communication.     

8.      Carry out coordinated, community-based outreach activities to increase the population testing for HIV in both provinces.

9.      Use community mobilization and participation to develop innovative, community-based modes of communication.

10.  Work with community leaders and support group members to promote the importance of HIV prevention, testing, availability of testing, and antiretroviral treatment adherence activities in local communities.

11.  Support the development and testing of additional messages and implement the effective messages supporting the approach outlined in the national prevention strategy.

12.  Develop innovative competition activities to improve listener participation.

13.  Train 150 individuals to promote HIV prevention activities.      

 

Evaluation:

1.      Work with CDC Zambia and Atlanta to plan, coordinate and implement the evaluation component.

2.      Recruit data collection team.

3.      Work with CDC Zambia to train data collection team.

4.      Coordinate financial management of the evaluation process.

5.      Assist CDC Zambia with coordination of evaluation logistics.

6.      Use evaluation feedback to strengthen all components of the program.     

 

Other Prevention:

1.      Implement age-appropriate local-language radio program(s) promoting correct and consistent condom use among individuals engaged in high-risk behavior, HIV-related stigma reduction, and the appropriate use of key interventions, such as confidential counseling and testing, PMTCT, screening for TB and Directly Observed Treatment, Short-course (DOTS) TB treatment, ARV, and isoniazid prophylaxis therapy (IPT) programs. Condom social marketing for the other prevention component cannot be implemented without also implementing behavior-change interventions to promote abstinence and faithfulness behavior change.  The main program(s) should involve character modeling (positive and negative), and should reflect the range of factors known to influence HIV-related behavior change in Zambia.

2.      Conduct age-appropriate, local-language workshops, training, and popularization events related to behavior-change communication and intervention for the promotion of correct and consistent condom use among individuals engaged in high-risk behavior, reduction of HIV-related stigma, and the appropriate use of key interventions, such as counseling and testing, PMTCT, screning for TB and DOTS TB treatment, ARV, and IPT programs.  These activities should follow the Emergency Plan ABC and the Zambian National Prevention Strategies, and support best practices in behavior-change communication.  These activities should follow the ABC strategy that target teachers, community leaders, other HIV prevention activists, and, when appropriate (e.g. in some popularization events), the general public.     

 

Across Both Program Areas:

Strengthen the technical and administrative capacity of the local implementing organization(s) through trainings, workshops, and additional assistance in any area identified for improvement.  Technical capacity could include strengthening the local organization(s) expertise in approaches to age-appropriate behavior-change communication and to youth involvement.  Administrative capacity could include RSD training, management training, assistance with management of accounting and, assistance in managing human resources, and developing workplans or strategies for each of the four program components, as needed.    

 

Administration

The selected applicant(s) of 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/CDC Activities for this program are as follows:

1.      Organize an orientation meeting with the grantee for a briefing on applicable U.S. Government, HHS/CDC, 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(s) 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(s) in developing and implementing quality-assurance criteria and procedures.

13.  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/CDC involvement in this program appears in the Activities Section above.

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

Fiscal Year Funds: 2008

Approximate Current Fiscal Year Funding: $1,200,000

Approximate Total Project Period Funding: $7,000,000 (This amount is an estimate, and is subject to availability of funds.) 

Approximate Number of Awards: One

Approximate Average Award: $1,200,000

Floor of Individual Award Range: $1

Ceiling of Individual Award Range: $1,200,000 (This ceiling is for the first 12-month budget period.)

Anticipated Award Date: September 30, 2008

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 U.S. 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:

  •  Public, non-profit organizations;
  • Private, non-profit organizations;
  • Universities;
  • Colleges;
  • Research institutions;
  • Community based organizations; and
  • Faith based organizations.

The competition should be open to eligible applicants who have prior and/or current experience developing and implementing RSD and technical assistance to that effect and implementing such activities under PEPFAR.  Limiting the competition to supporting existing collaborations between partners in the Republic of Zambia will minimize the disruption inherent in the development of the new funding mechanism and ensure that available time, energy and resources support the on-going program.  Existing partners are encouraged to apply so that there is no disruption in services, or capacity building of the GRZ is neglected.  Experience working in the Republic of Zambia is preferred to allow for rapid implementation, along with demonstrated expertise in selected program areas of application.

 

III.2. Cost-Sharing or Matching

Matching funds are not required for this program. 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 that the application did not meet the submission requirements.

 

Special Requirements:

If the application is incomplete or non-responsive to the special requirements listed in this section, it will not be entered into the review process.  The applicant will be notified the application did not meet submission requirements.

  • Late applications will be considered non-responsive.  See section “IV.3.  Submission Dates and Times” for more information on deadlines.
  • 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 applications forms posted in Grants.gov.

 

Electronic Submission:

HHS strongly encourages applicants to submit applications 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 the applicant organization through www.Grants.gov is the first step in submitting an application online. Registration information is located in the “Get Registered” screen of www.Grants.gov.   Please visit www.Grants.gov at least 30 days prior to filing an application to become familiar with the registration and submission processes.  Under “Get Registered,” the one-time registration process will take three to five days to complete.  Only the person who registers the applicant organization on Grants.gov can submit the application.  This is important to remember if the person who originally registered the organization on Grants.gov is no longer working for that particular organization.  HHS/CDC suggests submitting electronic applications prior to the closing date so if difficulties are encountered, a hard copy of the application can be submitted prior to the deadline.

 

Foreign organizations must include a NATO Commercial and Governmental Entity (NCAGE) Code to complete their Grants.gov registration.  Instructions for obtaining an NCAGE Code may be found at: http://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/funding/NATO_Commercial_and_Governmental_Entity_12-18-06.doc.

 

While application submission through www.Grants.gov is optional, applicants are strongly encouraged to use this online tool.

 

If you have technical difficulties in Grants.gov, you may reach customer service 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/grants/app_and_forms.shtm.

 

If access to the Internet is not available, or if there is difficulty 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, the application forms can be mailed.

 

IV.2. Content and Form of Submission

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 2-3 paragraphs;
  • Font size: 12 point unreduced, Times New Roman;
  • Single spaced;
  • Paper size: 8.5 by 11 inches (preferred), or generally accepted paper size;
  • Page margin size: One inch.

The Project Abstract must contain a summary of the proposed activity suitable for dissemination to the public.  It should be a self-contained description of the project and should contain a statement of objectives and methods to be employed.  It should be informative to other persons working in the same or related fields and insofar as possible understandable to a technically literate lay reader.  This Abstract must not include any proprietary/confidential information.

 

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.);

  • Font size: 12-point, unreduced;
  • Double-spaced;
  • Paper size: 8.5 by 11 inches (preferred), or generally accepted paper size;
  • Page-margin size: One-inch;
  • Number all narrative pages, not to exceed the maximum number of 25 pages, and all additional application pages sequentially to the end of the application, including charts, figures, tables, and appendices;
  • Print only on one side of each page; and
  • Held together only by rubber bands or metal clips, not bound in any other way.

 

The narrative should address activities the applicant will conduct over the entire project period, and must include the following items, in the order listed:
  • Project Context and Background (Understanding and Need):  Describe the background and justify the need for the proposed project.  Describe the current infrastructure system; targeted geographical area(s), if applicable; and identified gaps or shortcomings of the current health systems and AIDS-control projects in Zambia;
  • Project Strategy - Description and Methodologies:  Present a detailed operational plan for initiating and conducting the project.  Clearly describe the applicant’s technical approach/methods for implementing the proposed project.  Describe the existence of or plans to establish partnerships necessary to implement the project.  Describe linkages, if appropriate, with programs funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development;
  • Project Goals and Objectives:  Describe the overall goals of the project, and specific objectives that are measurable and time-phased, consistent with the objectives and numerical targets of the President’s Emergency Plan and for this Cooperative Agreement program as provided in the “Purpose” Section at the beginning of this Announcement;
  • Project Outputs:  Be sure to address each of the program objectives listed in the “Purpose” Section of this Announcement.  Measures must be specific, objective and quantitative so as to provide meaningful outcome evaluation;
  • Project Contribution to the Goals and Objectives of the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief:  Provide specific measures of effectiveness to demonstrate accomplishment of the objectives of this program; 
  • Work Plan and Description of Project Components and Activities:  Be sure to address each of the specific tasks listed in the Activities section of this Announcement.  Clearly identify specific assigned responsibilities for all key professional personnel; 
  • Performance Measures:  Measures must be specific, objective and quantitative;
  • Timeline (e.g., GANNT Chart); and
  • Management of Project Funds and Reporting.

 

Applicants may include additional information in appendices.  The appendices will not count toward the narrative page limit.  This additional information includes:
  • Project Budget and Justification:

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 funding in being requested.

 

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; 

 
  • Curricula vitae of current staff who will work on the activity;
  • Job descriptions of proposed key positions to be created for the activity;
  • Applicant’s Corporate Capability Statement;
  • Letters of Support; and
  • Evidence of Legal Organizational Structure.

 

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 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: June 23, 2008

 

Explanation of Deadlines: The HHS/CDC Procurement and Grants Office must receive applications by 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time on the deadline date.

 

Electronic Submission: 

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 application must be received electronically, delete guidance for submission of a hard copy paper application below.]

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 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 applicants must take into account while writing the budget, are as follows:
  • Recipients may not use funds for research.

·        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, and if authorized by, and in accordance with, applicable federal law and HHS/CDC policy, 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, 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.

·        Foreign recipients are subject to audit requirements specified in 45 CFR 74.26(d). A non-Federal audit is required, if during the recipients fiscal year, the recipient expended a total of $500,000.00 or more under one or more HHS awards (as a direct recipient and/or as a sub-recipient). The recipient either may have (1) A financial related audit (as defined in the Government Auditing Standards, GPO stock #020-000-00-265-4) of a particular award in accordance with Government Auditing Standards, in those cases where the recipient receives awards under only one HHS program; or, if awards are received under multiple HHS programs, a financial related audit of all HHS awards in accordance with Government Auditing Standards; or (2) An audit that meets the requirements contained in OMB Circular A-133.

·        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.  E-mail submissions will not be accepted.  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 that submittal of applications to Grants.gov should be early enough 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 in accordance with the requirements for timely submission detailed in Section IV.3. of the grant announcement. The paper submission must 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 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 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.

 

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- PS08-829

            Procurement and Grants Office

            Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

            U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

2920 Brandywine Road, Mail Stop 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 Zambia 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 Zambia?  Does the organization have the ability to target audiences that frequently fall outside the reach of the traditional media, and in local languages?  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 Zambia 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)

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

Applications will be reviewed for completeness by the HHS/CDC Procurement and Grants Office (PGO) and for responsiveness jointly by the HHS/CDC Global AIDS Program 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 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 Zambia.   The panel may include both Federal and non-Federal participants. 

 

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

Funding preference will be given to those entities who meet the priority activities of CDC-Zambia as outlined in the Country Operational Plan for Fiscal Year 2008. 

 

V.3. Anticipated Announcement and Award Dates

The anticipated award date is September 30, 2008.

 

VI. Award Administration Information

VI.1. Award Notices

Successful 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.  The NoA will be signed by an authorized Grants Management and e-mailed 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 - 4             HIV/AIDS Confidentiality Provisions.    
  • AR - 6             Patient Care.
  • AR – 8             Public Health System Reporting Requirements.
  • AR - 9             Paperwork Reduction Act Requirements.           
  • AR - 10           Smoke-Free Workplace Requirements.                          
  • AR - 12           Lobbying Restrictions.   
  • AR - 14           Accounting System Requirements.          
  • AR - 23           Compliance with 45 C.F.R. Part 87.      
  • AR - 24           Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act Requirements.          
  • AR - 25           Release and Sharing of Data.     

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.

 

Applicants must include an additional Certifications form from the PHS5161-1 application in the Grants.gov electronic submission only.  Applicants should refer to the following Internet address:

http://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/funding/PHS5161-1-Certificates.pdf.  Once the applicant has filled out the form, it should be attached to the Grants.gov submission as an Other Attachments Form.  CDC Assurances and Certifications can be found on the CDC Web site at the following Internet address: http://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/funding/grants/foamain.shtm

 

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.      Detailed Budget;

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

f.        Additional Requested Information;

2.      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 Zambia;

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

4.      Final financial status and progress reports, due no more than 90 days after the end of the project period.

5.      Additional reporting requirements for CDC-Zambia include timely responses to requests from the Office of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator, U.S. Embassy in Lusaka, and CDC-Zambia as needed.  This includes, but is not limited to, semi- and annual progress report.

 

Recipients must mail the reports to the Grants Management or Contract 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, Mail Stop E-14

            Atlanta, GA 30341

            Telephone: 770-488-2700

 

For program technical assistance, contact:

Joy Masheke Banda, Project Officer

            Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

            U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

CDC-Zambia, American Embassy, Lusaka, Zambia, P.O. Box 31617

Telephone: +260211257515

E-mail: bandaj@cdczm.org

 

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

Sonja Smith, 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)488-2793

            E-mail: hff8@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 (Click on “Funding” and “Grants – General Information,” then “Funding Opportunity Announcements”), and on the web site of the HHS Office of Global Health Affairs, Internet address: www.globalhealth.gov .

 

  

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