Billing Code: 4163-18-P

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Technical Assistance in Support of HIV Prevention, Care, and Treatment Programs  and Other Infectious Diseases That Impact HIV Infected Patients in Support of the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief

Announcement Type: New

Funding Opportunity Number: CDC-RFA-PS09-904 

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 93.067

Key Dates:

Application Deadline: September 9, 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:

The United States has responded to the challenge of combating the global HIV/AIDS

pandemic with the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), the largest

financial commitment ever, by any nation, for a major international health initiative dedicated to a single disease.  PEPFAR is the single umbrella program for all existing and new U.S. Government (USG) international HIV/AIDS assistance, including:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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 “2,7,10” 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 position of U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator and the Office of the U.S. Global AIDS

Coordinator (OGAC) has been established to lead the integrated planning and

implementation of PEPFAR.  The OGAC, who is the President’s representative on international HIV/AIDS issues, has “primary responsibility for the oversight and coordination of all resources and international activities of the USG to combat the HIV/AIDS pandemic.”   In its first year, the OGAC established a Five-Year Global AIDS Strategy for achieving the President’s goals.  Since then, programs, systems, and structures have operationalized the strategy in the focus countries.  The Five-Year Strategy for the Emergency Plan is available at the following Internet address:  http://www.pepfar.gov/guidance/76828.htm.  

 

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. This is formalized through the creation of a modified Country Operating Plan (COP).  The COP is a single inter-Agency USG operational plan which outlines key activities, targets, funding requests and implementation partners for each technical area addressed by the program in each country.

 

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

 

Purpose:

The purpose of this announcement is to fund organizations that will provide programmatic and technical assistance (TA) to in-country partners. The purpose of this assistance is  as follows:

 It is anticipated that at the end of the period of support, sufficient mechanisms and procedures will be in place to ensure continuation of the effort by the partner country.

 The list of participating countries includes but is not limited to:  Angola; Botswana; Brazil; Cambodia; China; Cote d'Ivoire; Democratic Republic of Congo; Ethiopia; Guatamala; Guyana; Haiti; India; Kenya; Malawi; Mali; Mozambique; Namibia; Nigeria; Rwanda; Senegal; South Africa; Tanzania; Thailand; Trinidad; Uganda; Vietnam; Zambia; Zimbabwe; and Atlanta Headquarters.  The Emergency Plan also targets funding to support HIV/AIDS programs in an additional 108 countries and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria (“Global Fund”).  Additional countries or locations added to the PEPFAR program will be reviewed under the requirements of this announcement.

 

A broad range of TA may be provided through on-site consultation, training, and meetings, written materials and distance (electronic) technology and work across a range of infectious diseases.  TA is defined as providing expert advice, assistance and training for in-country partners while they complete all activities detailed in the announcement.  The recipient of this agreement must submit an exit strategy plan detailing their method of building capacity and sustainability with partners in the country and their strategy for turning all work and activities over to the partner to whom they are providing technical assistance.  TA goals are to assist in:

 

Measurable outcomes of the program will be in alignment with the following general indicators and performance goal(s) for the Emergency Plan and the Five Year Global AIDS Strategy (http://www.pepfar.gov/guidance/76828.htm).   Each awardee will be responsible for monitoring and reporting progress on the following program goals and objectives:

1)      Number of individuals trained or retrained each year to support provision of prevention, care and/or treatment, strategic information, and laboratory activities, and other programmatic objectives by country, program and function;

2)      Amount of funding spent each year on network development and training, by country, program and category; and

3)      Number of service outlets or organizations or individuals supported each year, including information, training and technical assistance, by country, site and assistance type.

 

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

 

An award recipient funded under this announcement will be responsible for activities in multiple program areas designed to target underserved populations in those countries where activities are conducted.  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 OGAC.  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 performed in each of the five years of the project period, and mechanisms and procedures that will be in place to ensure continuation of the effort by the partner country at the end of the performance period.

 

Activities to assist local, regional and national organizations and governments

in country:

1.      Gap Analysis:  Provide a gap analysis that targets future needs and also indicates which areas require technical support and assistance for each country for which a proposal is submited.

2.      Operational Plan:  Create a detailed operational plan that reflects the policies and goals outlined in the Five-Year Strategy for the President’s Emergency Plan and addresses remedies for the gaps identified above, utilizing the activities listed in items 3-10 below.  The operational plan should designate which activities are planned to be performed in each of the five years of the project period.  Additional goals may be added from the list following the first year to achieve all of the Emergency Plan performance goals, as cited in the previous section. 

3.      HIV/AIDS surveillance to evaluate interventions and target resources more effectively: 

·        Identify, create or modify existing systems to assist in-country staff with data collection to monitor the incidence of HIV related morbidity, mortality, and identification of trends in emerging modes of HIV transmission and affected populations.  

·        Provide TA as needed for different surveillance activities including HIV case reporting; sentinel, incidence and behavioral surveillance; development, maintenance, and updating and adapting surveillance training modules; and facilitation of surveillance trainings.  

4.      Prevention to reduce the likelihood of HIV transmission through identification and behavior change: 

·        Provide TA with developing comprehensive prevention strategies and plans in collaboration with other grantees, cooperative agreement partners, international health programs, and Global AIDS Program (GAP) staff. 

·        Provide TA in developing and monitoring of prevention programs through various health education and risk reduction activities, which include, but are but are not limited to, screening, testing, counseling and other public health education training.  It may also include the distribution of treated mosquito nets and condoms.

5.      Care and treatment to improve the delivery of services:

  • Provide TA in developing comprehensive care and treatment strategies and plans in collaboration with other grantees, cooperative agreement partners, international health programs, and GAP staff.  
  • Provide on-site TA, guidance and evaluation of existing care and treatment programs in a variety of international settings, which include, but are not limited to, TA regarding provision of medication, vaccinations, caregiving, nutrition counseling, support group development, referrals, palliative care program services for People Living with HIV/AIDS and psychological counseling.  

6.      Needs assessment to identify requirements to better target current and future resources: 

  • Assess current programs and affected populations in collaboration with other grantees, cooperative agreement partners, international health programs, and

GAP staff.  
  • Assist in implementing results of assessments through surveys, focus groups, and on-site observation.

7.      Education and training to enhance the capacity of health care staff at the local, regional, and national level providing services to the public:

  • Provide TA in developing, marketing, and providing education and training activities, including technical assistance support for local training in host countries which includes but is limited to, curriculum development.
  • Conduct on-site and distance training sessions.
  • Conduct train-the-trainer sessions.
  • Develop, modify and disseminate tools, manuals and training materials.
  • Conduct regular communication and follow-up visits with organizations or trainers. 

8.      Monitoring and evaluation (M&E) to identify strengths and weaknesses in current programs:

  • Evaluate the progress, outcome, impact and effectiveness of current programs and interventions using activities that include, but are not limited to, case studies, focus groups, monitoring, data collection, and on-site observation.
  • Identify successful interventions as well as recommend actions to improve current programs.  
  • Identify and share technical best practices using activities that include, but are not limited to, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of public sector prevention, care, and treatment programs. 

9.      Guideline development to provide documented methods for improving HIV/AIDS services:

  • Developing outcome materials such as guidelines, standard operating procedures and processes using data gathered during evaluation activities and through the sharing of best practices across various programs. 

10.  Strategic Information (SI) to assist each country in collecting, analyzing and interpreting data to monitor and assess the epidemic, better understand incidence, prevalence and new transmission rates, and to evaluate interventions and better target resources to measure impact of PEPFAR:

  • Collect, organize, analyze and interpret surveillance and M&E datausing tolls such as Health Management Information Systems (HMIS).
  • Track the incidence and prevalence of HIV and AIDS related morbidity/mortality and use data as a guide for targeting resources in prevention care, treatment, SI, and laboratory programs.
  • Identify trends in emerging modes of HIV transmission in affected populations.   

 

In addition, recipients of this agreement funding must submit an Exit Strategy Plan detailing their method of building capacity and sustainability with partners in the country and their strategy for turning all work and activities over to the partner to whom they are providing technical assistance.

 

Administration

HHS/CDC 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.  The awardee of this funding 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 OGAC. 

 

In a cooperative agreement, HHS/CDC staff is 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 OGAC.

2.      Review, assess and make recommendations to the process used by the grantee to select key personnel and/or post-award subcontractors and/or sub-grantees 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 OGAC.

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 OGAC.

4.      Review and approve the grantee’s monitoring and evaluation plan, including for compliance with the SI guidance established by the OGAC. 

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 COPs, managed by the OGAC.

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 TA and targeted training activities in specialized areas, such as SI, 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 TA 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 OGAC 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.

13.  Facilitate in-country planning and review meetings for TA.       

 

Please note: Either HHS/CDC staff or staff from organizations that have successfully competed for funding under a separate HHS/CDC contract, cooperative agreement or grant will provide TA 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: 2009

Approximate Fiscal Year Funding by Country:

Botswana                                                         $4.7M

Cote d’Ivoire                                                    $11M  

Democratic Republic of Congo             $2.5M

Ethiopia                                                            $19M

Haiti                                                                 $800,000

Mozambique                                                    $10M

Nigeria                                                             $3M

Rwanda                                                            $2M

Tanzania                                                           $1,080M

Uganda                                                            $1,050M

Zambia                                                 $14.6M

Atlanta Headquarters                                        $5M

Approximate Total Project Period Funding: $350M (This amount is an estimate, and is subject to availability of funds.) 

Approximate Number of Awards:  11

Approximate Average Award:  Amounts stated by country as shown above and as determined through the OGAC process.  [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:  $10,000

Ceiling of Individual Award Range: Varies by each country; see Approximate Fiscal Year Funding by Country directly above. (This ceiling is for the first 12 month budget period.)

Anticipated Award Date:  April 1, 2009

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 COPs, managed by OGAC.

Additionally, pending availability of funds in Fiscal Year (FY) 10 through FY 13, in other countries where PEPFAR activities are conducted and are not funded in FY 09, each year of the project period for this overall program announcement will incorporate an open season for competitive applications.  These applications will be due on or around December 31st of each year and each application will receive a competitive review through the objective review process.   (Specific guidance for application submission with exact dates and competitive submission will be provided through announcement in future years.)  In future budget years and awards, the project period will be shortened so that no awarded project period shall exceed the 5 years as stated in this announcement. 

 

III. Eligibility Information

III.1. Eligible applicants

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

·        Nonprofit with 501C3 IRS status (other than institution of higher education)

·        Nonprofit without 501C3 IRS status (other than institution of higher education)

·        For-profit organizations (other than small business)

·        Small, minority, and women-owned businesses

·        Universities

·        Colleges

·        Research institutions

·        Hospitals

·        Community-based organizations

·        Faith-based organizations

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

·        American Indian/Alaska native tribally designated organizations

·        Alaska Native health corporations

·        Urban Indian health organizations

·        Tribal epidemiology centers

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

  • Political subdivisions of States (in consultation with States)
  • Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entity
  • Other (specify)

A Bona Fide Agent is an agency/organization identified by the state as eligible to submit an application under the state eligibility in lieu of a state application.  If applying as a bona fide agent of a state or local government, a letter from the state or local government as documentation of the status is required.  Attach with “Other Attachment Forms” when submitting via www.grants.gov.   

 

 III.2. Cost Sharing or Matching

Matching funds are not required for this program. 

 

III.3. Other

If an applicant requests a funding amount greater than the ceiling of the award range, HHS/CDC will review the budgets greater than the ceiling of the award range.  

 

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.

  • HHS/CDC will consider late applications 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 U.S. Government funds constituting a grant, loan, or an award.
  • Applications submitted with proposed multiple countries in one application will not reviewed or considered.

 

IV. Application and Submission Information

IV.1. Address to Request Application Package

To apply for this funding opportunity use the application forms package posted in Grants.gov.

 

Electronic Submission:

HHS 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 U.S. Government agency wide E-grant Web site.  Only applicants who apply online may forego submitting paper copies of all application forms.

 

Registering the applicant’s organization through www.Grants.gov is the first step in submitting applications online.  Registration information is located in the “Get Registered” screen of www.Grants.gov.

 

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, HHS/CDC strongly encourages applicants to use this online tool.

Key tips for Registration on Grants.gov:
  • Please visit www.Grants.gov at least 30 days prior to filing the applicant’s application to become familiar with the registration and submission processes.
  • The one time registration process will take three to five days to complete.
  • Only the person who registers the organization on grants.gov can submit the application.  This is important to remember if the person who originally registered an 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 applicants encounter difficulties, applicants can submit a hard copy of the application prior to the deadline.

If applicants have technical difficulties in Grants.gov, applicants may reach customer service by email 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 CDC Web site, at the following Internet address: http://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/funding/grants/app_and_forms.shtm.

 

If access to the Internet is not available, or if there is difficulty accessing the forms on-line, contact the CDC Procurement and Grants Office Technical Information Management Section (PGOTIMS) staff at 770-488-2700.

 

IV.2. Content and Form of Submission

A letter of intent is not applicable to this funding opportunity announcement.

 

Application:

A Project Abstract must be submitted with the application forms.  All electronic project abstracts must be uploaded in a PDF file format when submitting via Grants.gov.  The abstract must be submitted in the following format, if submitting a paper application:
  • Maximum of 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.  All electronic narratives must be uploaded in a PDF file format when submitting via Grants.gov.  The narrative must be submitted in the following format:

●     Maximum number of pages: 25 (If  the individual country application narrative exceeds the page limit, only the first pages which are within the page limit will be reviewed.);

  • 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 pages of the application sequentially from page one (Application Face Page) 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 the country where activities will be conducted.
  • Project Strategy - Description and Methodologies:  Present a detailed operational plan for initiating and conducting the projects with sufficient mechanisms and procedures to ensure continuation of the effort by the partner country in each country appliation.  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 in the specific country of application funding, and specific objectives that are measurable, time-phased and consistent with the objectives and targets of the President’s Emergency Plan, sufficient mechanisms and procedures are in place to ensure continuation of the effort in each country application, 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 and Activities” Section of this Announcement for the specific country of application funding.  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 in the specific country of application funding; 
  • 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 for each country.  Clearly identify specific assigned responsibilities for all key professional personnel and identify the country where activities will be conducted and if proposing work in more than one country identify the percentage of time working in each location; 
  • Performance Measures:  Measures must be specific, objective and quantitative;
  • Timeline for each country (e.g., GANTT Chart); and
  • Management of Project Funds and Reporting for each specific country.

 

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:
  • Project Budget and Justification:

Staffing breakdown and justification provide a line item budget and a narrative with justification for each specific country and 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 applicants are 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; 

 
  • 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;
  • Evidence of Legal Organizational Structure; and
  • Indirect Cost Rate Agreement, if a domestic organization.

 

Recommended guidance for completing a detailed justified budget appears on the HHS/CDC Web site, at the following Internet address:

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

 

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. 

 

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.

 

Additional requirements that may request 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: September 9, 2008

 

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 online 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 email 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 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 LOI and application content, submission address, and deadline.  It supersedes information provided in the application instructions.  If the application submission does not meet the deadline above, it will not be eligible for review.  The application face page will be returned by HHS/CDC with a written explanation of the reason for non-acceptance.  The applicant will be notified the application did not meet the submission requirements. 

 

IV.4. Intergovernmental Review of Applications

Executive Order 12372 does not apply to this program.

 

IV.5. Funding restrictions

Restrictions, which 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; 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, HHS\CDC will not compensate foreign grantees 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 recipient’s 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, (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. Government 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 sub-agreements under this award.  These provisions must be express terms and conditions of the sub-agreement, 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.”

 

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 offline, and then upload and submit the application via the Grants.gov Web site.  HHS/CDC will not accept email submissions.  If the applicant has technical difficulties in Grants.gov, it can reach customer service by email 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, HHS\CDC will consider the electronic version as the official submission.

 

HHS/CDC strongly recommends applicants submit the grant application by using Microsoft Office products (e.g., Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, etc.).  If the applicant does not have access to Microsoft Office products, it may submit a PDF file.  Directions for creating PDF files are available on the Grants.gov Web site.  Use of file formats other than Microsoft Office or PDF could make the file unreadable for our 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-

            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 and Activities” sections 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 independently objectively review each of the individual country applications against other applications for funding in that country (i.e., applications for Botswana will be reviewed, rated and ranked with other applications for Botswana). 

 

Each application will be independently objectively reviewed against the following criteria:

 

Ability to Carry Out the Proposal (20 points)

Does the applicant demonstrate the local experience for the country applicable to this funding announcement 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 the country where funding is requested?  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?

 

TA Technical and Programmatic Approach (20 points)

Does the application include an overall design strategy, including measurable timelines, 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 objectives/activities that are evidence based, realistic, achievable, measurable, and culturally appropriate to achieve the goals of the Emergency Plan?  Does the applicant propose to build on and complement the current national response 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 number of sites to be supported, number of clients the program will reach.)

 

Capacity Building (20 points)

Does the applicant demonstrate the ability to build 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 the project in the intervention communities and ensure sufficient mechanisms and procedures will be place to ensure continuation of the effort by the partner country?  Does the capacity and sustainability 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?

 

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? 

 

Monitoring and Evaluation (10 points)

Does the applicant demonstrate experience and capability to provide TA to each country on how to monitor and evaluate their activities?  Does the applicant describe a system for reviewing and adjusting program activities based on monitoring information obtained by using innovative,