Economic Evaluation of Engineering Control Interventions for Drywall Sanding Construction Activities; Notice of Availability of Funds

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health

[Program Announcement 98096]

Economic Evaluation of Engineering Control Interventions for

Drywall Sanding Construction Activities; Notice of Availability of

Funds

A. Purpose

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announces the

availability of fiscal year (FY) 1998 funds for a cooperative agreement

program to conduct an economic evaluation and variable analyses of

engineering control interventions during drywall sanding construction

activities. This program addresses the ``Healthy People 2000'' priority

area of Occupational Safety and Health.

The purpose of the program is to identify the financial and

behavior factors which are affected by implementing drywall sanding

engineering controls. These factors may occur throughout the

construction-model hierarchy from the individual worker on up to the

building owner. A successful project will serve as an example

throughout the construction industry that the cost and benefits of

providing a clean and safe working environment should be evaluated from

the big-picture perspective as opposed to the level of acquisition.

Such an example could lead to new implementation strategies to increase

the use of engineering controls and ultimately improve the construction

work environment.

B. Eligible Applicants

Applications may be submitted by public and private nonprofit and

for-profit organizations and by governments and their agencies; that

is, universities, colleges, research institutions, hospitals, other

public and private nonprofit and for-profit organizations, State and

local governments or their bona fide agents.

Note: Public Law 104-65 states that an organization described in

section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 that engages

in lobbying activities is not eligible to receive Federal funds

constituting an award, grant, cooperative agreement, contract, loan,

or any other form.

C. Availability of Funds

Approximately $95,000 is available in FY 1998 to fund one award. It

is expected that the award will be renewed on an annual basis for an

additional two years at an approximate amount of $95,000 per year. It

is expected that the awards will begin on or about September 1, 1998,

with 12-month budget periods within project periods of up to three

years. The funding estimate is subject to change.

Continuation awards within an approved project period will be made

on the basis of satisfactory progress as evidenced by required reports

and the availability of funds.

Use of Funds: The applicant should allocate funds for at least one

annual CDC/NIOSH directed meeting.

Programmatic Interest: The applicant should address the

availability of drywall sanding dust exposure reduction interventions

and the economic impact and related variable analyses of some or all of

the identified interventions upon the various organizational layers

(e.g. worker, subcontractor, general contractor, building owner) within

the building construction process.

D. Program Agreement Requirements

In conducting activities to achieve the purpose of this program,

the recipient will be responsible for activities under A. (Recipient

Activities), and CDC/NIOSH will be responsible for the activities

listed under B. (CDC/NIOSH Activities).

A. Recipient Activities

1. Develop, implement, and evaluate a study protocol.

2. Provide statistical analysis of the data.

3. Disseminate study results to the construction safety and health

community.

4. Collaborate with CDC/NIOSH on these activities and the

activities listed below.

B. CDC/NIOSH Activities

1. Providing scientific and technical collaboration including study

design and protocol development, and data analysis.

2. Monitor and evaluate scientific and operational accomplishments

of the project through site visits, telephone calls, and review of

technical reports and interim data analysis.

3. Collaborate with awardee(s) on data analysis, and interpretation

of findings.

4. Review the results of the study and collaborate, where

appropriate, in the preparation and publication of results in peer-

reviewed journals and construction industry trade publications.

E. Application Content

Use the information in the Program Requirements, Other

Requirements, and

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Evaluation Criteria sections to develop the application content. Your

application will be evaluated on the criteria listed, so it is

important to follow them in laying out your program plan. The narrative

should be no more than 25 double-spaced pages, printed on one side,

with one inch margins, and unreduced font.

F. Submission and Deadline

Submit the original and five copies of PHS-398 (OMB Number 0925-

0001) (adhere to the instructions on the Errata Instruction Sheet for

PHS 398). Forms are in the application kit. On or before August 10,

1998, submit the application to: Victoria Sepe, Grants Management

Specialist, Grants Management Branch, Procurement and Grants Office,

Announcement 98096, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),

Room 300, 255 East Paces Ferry Road, NE., M/S E-13, Atlanta, Georgia

30305-2209.

If your application does not arrive in time for submission to the

independent review group, it will not be considered in the current

competition unless you can provide proof that you mailed it on or

before the deadline (i.e., receipt from U.S. Postal Service or a

commercial carrier; private metered postmarks are not acceptable).

G. Evaluation Criteria

Each application will be evaluated individually against the

following criteria by an independent review group appointed by CDC.

1. Understanding of the Problem (15 Percent)

Responsiveness to the objective of the cooperative agreement

including: (a) applicant's understanding of the general objectives of

the proposed cooperative agreement, and (b) evidence of ability to

design an effective evaluation study.

2. Experience (15 Percent)

The extent to which the applicant's prior work and experience in

evaluating occupational safety and health intervention efforts and/or

experience within the construction trades affected by drywall finishing

operations.

3. Goals, Objectives and Methods (35 Percent)

The extent to which the proposed goals and objectives are clearly

stated, time-phased, and measurable. The extent to which the methods

are sufficiently detailed to allow assessment of whether the objectives

can be achieved for the budget period. Clearly state the evaluation

method for evaluating the accomplishments. The extent to which a

qualified plan is proposed that will help achieve the goals stated in

the proposal.

This includes: (a) The proposed plan for the inclusion of both

sexes and racial and ethnic minority populations for appropriate

representation; (b) The proposed justification when representation is

limited or absent; (c) A statement as to whether the design of the

study is adequate to measure differences when warranted; (d) A

statement as to whether the plans for recruitment and outreach for

study participants include the process of establishing partnerships

with community(ies) and recognition of mutual benefits.

4. Facilities and Resources (10 Percent)

The adequacy of the applicant's facilities, equipment, and other

resources available for performance of this project. The proposal

should include a commitment from the participating institution, as

evidenced by a written agreement. For applicants who have already

identified potential construction site(s) to conduct the evaluation,

the proposal should include a commitment, as evidenced by a written

agreement, from the building owner, general contractor, and relevant

subcontractors with jurisdiction over the drywall finishing and budget

management operations, when such exist at the applicant's anticipated

study location(s).

5. Project Management and Staffing Plan (15 Percent)

The extent to which the management staff and their working partners

are clearly described, appropriately assigned, and have pertinent

skills and experiences. The extent to which the applicant proposes to

involve appropriate personnel who have the needed qualifications to

implement the proposed plan. The extent to which the applicant has the

capacity to design, implement, and evaluate the proposed intervention

program.

6. Collaboration (10 Percent)

The extent to which all partners are clearly described and their

qualifications and the extent to which their intentions to participate

are explicitly stated. The extent to which the applicant provides proof

of support (e.g., letters of support and/or memoranda of understanding)

for proposed activities. Evidence or a statement should be provided

that these funds do not duplicate already funded components of ongoing

projects.

7. Budget Justification (Not Scored)

The budget will be evaluated to the extent that it is reasonable,

clearly justified, and consistent with the intended use of funds.

8. Human Subjects (Not Scored)

If human subjects will be involved, how will they be protected,

i.e., describe the review process which will govern their

participation.

H. Other Requirements

Technical Reporting Requirements

Provide CDC with original plus two copies of:

1. Semi-annual progress reports including a brief program

description and a listing of program goals and objectives accompanied

by a comparison of the actual accomplishments related to the goals and

objectives established for the period;

2. financial status report, no more than 90 days after the end of

the budget period; and

3. final financial status and performance reports, no more than 90

days after the end of the project period.

Send all reports to: Victoria Sepe, Grants Management Specialist,

Grants Management Branch, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for

Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Room 300, 255 East Paces Ferry

Road, NE., M/S E-13, Atlanta, GA 30305-2209

The following additional requirements are applicable to this

program. For a complete description of each, see Addendum I (included

in the application package).

AR98-1 Human Subjects Requirements

AR98-2 Requirements for Inclusion of Women and Racial and Ethnic

Minorities in Research

AR98-9 Paperwork Reduction Act Requirements

AR98-10 Smoke-Free Workplace Requirements

AR98-11 Healthy People 2000

AR98-12 Lobbying Restrictions

I. Authority and Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number

This program is authorized under Sections 20(a) and 22(e)(7) of the

Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 [29 U.S.C. 669(a) and

671(e)(7)]. The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance number is 93.262

for the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.

J. Where To Obtain Additional Information

To receive additional written information call 1-888-GRANTS4. You

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will be asked to leave your name, address, and phone number and will

need to refer to NIOSH Announcement 98096. You will receive a complete

program description, information on application procedures, and

application forms. CDC will not send application kits by facsimile or

express mail. Please refer to NIOSH announcement number 98096 when

requesting information and submitting an application.

If you have questions after reviewing the contents of all the

documents, business management technical assistance may be obtained by

contacting: Victoria Sepe, Grants Management Specialist, Grants

Management Branch, Procurement and Grants Office, Announcement 98096,

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Room 300, 255 East

Paces Ferry Road, NE., M/S E-13, Atlanta, GA 30305-2209, telephone

(404) 842-6804, Email address: [email protected].

See also the CDC home page on the Internet: http://www.cdc.gov.

For program technical assistance contact: Kenneth Mead, P.E.,

telephone (513) 841-4319, Email [email protected], National Institute for

Occupational Safety and Health, Center for Disease Control and

Prevention (CDC), Division of Physical Sciences and Engineering, 4676

Columbia Parkway, Mailstop R-5, Cincinnati, OH 45226.

National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA): CDC, NIOSH is

committed to the program priorities developed by NORA. Copies of the

publication, ``The National Occupational Research Agenda'' may be

obtained from The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health,

Publications Office, 4676 Columbia Parkway, Cincinnati, OH 45226-1998

or telephone 1-800-356-4674, and is available through the NIOSH Home

Page, ``http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/nora.html''.

Dated: June 23, 1998.

Diane D. Porter,

Acting Director, National Institute For Occupational Safety and Health,

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

[FR Doc. 98-17300 Filed 6-29-98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4163-18-P