Emerging Infections Sentinel Networks; Notice of Availability of Funds

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

[Program Announcement 99025]

Emerging Infections Sentinel Networks; Notice of Availability of

Funds

A. Purpose

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

availability of fiscal year (FY) 1999 funds for a cooperative agreement

program for the operation of provider-based Emerging Infections

Sentinel Networks (EISN). This program addresses the ``Healthy People

2000'' priority area of Immunization and Infectious Diseases. The

purpose of the program is to assist recipients in operating and

enhancing established EISNs or in setting up new networks for assessing

emerging infections. These networks will assess emerging infectious

diseases, including drug-resistant, foodborne and waterborne, and

vaccine-preventable or potentially vaccine-preventable diseases.

Sentinel networks linking groups of participating individuals or

organizations are helpful in monitoring a variety of infectious disease

problems and enhancing communication among participants, and between

participants and the public health community. They also can serve as

readily accessible mechanisms to address urgent public health

infectious disease problems rapidly. Three sentinel networks are

currently receiving funds through this cooperative agreement program:

Infectious Disease Society of America Emerging Infections Network;

Emergency ID Net, a network of academically affiliated emergency

departments; and GeoSentinel, a network operated by the International

Society for Travel Medicine. Further development of the sentinel

network concept will continue to improve understanding of specific

public health issues and enhance preparedness to meet new infectious

disease threats.

B. Eligible Applicants

Applications may be submitted by public and private nonprofit

organizations and by governments and their agencies, that is,

universities, colleges, research institutions, hospitals, other public

and private nonprofit organizations, State and local governments or

their bona fide agents, and federally recognized Indian tribal

governments, Indian tribes, or Indian tribal organizations.

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 $525,000 is available in FY 1999 to fund

approximately three awards. It is expected that the average award will

be $175,000, ranging from $150,000 to $200,000. It is expected that the

awards will begin on or about May 1, 1999, and will be made for a 12-

month budget period within a project period of up to five years. The

funding estimate may change.

Continuation awards within an approved project period will be made

on the basis of satisfactory progress as

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evidenced by required reports and the availability of funds.

Funding Preferences

Although applications for new EISNs are encouraged, funding

preference will be given to competing continuation applications over

applications for programs not already receiving support under the EISN

program. Current awardees have implemented new sentinel networks that

require continued support to become fully developed and to realize the

benefits of the network activities.

D. Program Requirements

In conducting activities to achieve the purpose of this program,

the recipient shall be responsible for the activities under Recipient

Activities, below, and CDC shall be responsible for conducting

activities under CDC Activities, below:

Recipient Activities

1. Continue to develop an emerging infections sentinel network or

develop a new sentinel network for assessing emerging infectious

diseases. Organize the EISN around a specific group of providers, e.g.,

emergency department physicians, infectious disease specialists, travel

and tropical medicine clinics, etc. EISNs must be sufficiently flexible

to be engaged swiftly to address emergent problems in infectious

diseases.

2. Analyze, present, and publish the results of projects

collaboratively with CDC.

3. In collaboration with CDC:

a. Focus and/or redirect projects as indicated through critical

review of data and evaluation of various projects; and

b. Consider and initiate novel methods of surveillance for emerging

infectious diseases; develop and modify as necessary methods for

management and communication of information within the network; and

c. In order to take full advantage of the network capacity and to

facilitate integration of surveillance and health information systems,

undertake additional projects in other public health areas (e.g,

chronic diseases, injury, etc.), as appropriate.

4. Monitor and evaluate scientific and operational accomplishments

of the EISN and progress in achieving the purpose and overall goals of

this program.

5. If a proposed project involves research on human participants,

ensure appropriate Independent Review Board (IRB) review.

CDC Activities

1. Provide consultation and scientific and technical assistance in

developing or establishing the EISN and in selecting and conducting

EISN projects.

2. Assist in monitoring and evaluating scientific and operational

accomplishments of the EISN and progress in achieving the purpose and

overall goals of this program.

3. Participate in analysis, publication, and dissemination of

information and data gathered from EISN projects.

4. If during the project period research involving human subjects

should be conducted and CDC scientists will be co-investigators in that

research, assist in the development of a research protocol for IRB

review by all institutions participating in the research project. The

CDC IRB will review and approve the protocol initially and on at least

an annual basis until the research project is completed.

E. Application Content

Use the information in the Program Requirements, Other

Requirements, and Evaluation Criteria sections to develop the

application content. Your application will be evaluated on the criteria

listed, so it is important that your narrative follow the criteria in

the order presented.

Provide a brief (no more than two pages) abstract of the

application. The narrative should be no more than 15 double-spaced

pages (excluding abstract, budget, and appendices), printed on one

side, with one inch margins and unreduced font on white 8.5'' x 11''

paper. All pages must be clearly numbered, a complete index to the

application and its appendices must be included, and the required

original and two copies must be submitted unstapled and unbound.

F. Submission and Deadline

Letter of Intent (LOI)

All parties intending to submit an application are requested to

inform CDC of their intention to do so at least ten (10) business days

prior to the application due date. The LOI is not required and will not

be used for accepting or evaluating applications. The sole purpose of

the LOI is to assist CDC in timely planning and administration of the

evaluation process. The LOI should be a brief notice that includes (1)

the name and address of the institution, (2) the name, address, and

telephone number of the contact person, and (3) a very brief

description (e.g., 2-3 sentences) of the EISN that will be proposed.

LOIs should be provided by facsimile, postal mail, or Email to

Catherine Spruill, Office of the Director, National Center for

Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),

1600 Clifton Road, N.E., Mailstop C-12, Atlanta, Georgia 30333.

Facsimile: (404) 639-4197. Email address: [email protected]

Application

Submit the original and two copies of PHS 5161-1 (OMB Number 0937-

0189). Forms are in the application kit.

On or before February 15, 1999, submit the application to: Andrea

Wooddall, Grants Management Specialist, Grants Management Branch,

Procurement and Grants Office Announcement 99025, Centers for Disease

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

N.E., Mailstop E18, Atlanta, Georgia 30305-2209.

Deadline: Applications shall be considered as meeting the deadline

if they are either:

(a) Received on or before the deadline date; or

(b) Sent on or before the deadline date and received in time for

orderly processing. (Applicants must request a legibly dated U.S.

Postal Service postmark or obtain a legibly dated receipt from a

commercial carrier or U.S. Postal Service. Private metered postmarks

shall not be acceptable as proof of timely mailing.)

G. Evaluation Criteria

Each application will be evaluated individually against the

following criteria by an independent review group appointed by CDC.

1. Understanding the Objectives of the EISN: (10 Points)

The extent to which the applicant demonstrates a clear

understanding of the purpose and objectives of this cooperative

agreement program and of the requirements, responsibilities, problems,

constraints, and complexities that may be encountered in establishing

and operating the EISN.

2. Description of Existing Capacity: (30 Points)

a. For competing continuation applicants, the extent to which the

applicant has successfully established and operated an EISN and

provides documentation of the accomplishments of the network.

For applicants proposing new networks, the extent to which the

applicant: (1) demonstrates the capacity and ability to establish a

provider-based EISN, including description of the applicant's

qualifications, standing, and relationships to represent a group of

providers in a sentinel network, (2) describes the niche that the

proposed EISN will fill that is not currently filled

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by other networks or systems (EISN or otherwise), (3) comments on the

long-term potential of the network to provide important information for

public health.

b. The extent to which the applicant describes past experience in

conducting: (1) infectious disease surveillance and/or applied research

in infectious diseases, particularly public health-related work; (2)

surveillance or research related to emerging infectious diseases,

including drug-resistant, foodborne and waterborne, and vaccine-

preventable or potentially vaccine-preventable diseases.

c. The extent to which the applicant: (1) demonstrates ability to

develop and maintain strong cooperative relationships with various

public and private, local and regional, medical, public health,

academic, and community organizations, (2) provides letters of support

from non-applicant participating agencies, institutions, organizations,

individuals, consultants, etc., identified in applicant's operational

plan, and the extent to which the letters of support clearly indicate

the signatory's willingness to participate in the EISN (e.g., as

sources of information or members of the network). (The letters of

support should be placed in an appendix. Letters of support from CDC

scientists should not be included.)

3. Operational Plan: (50 points)

a. For both new and continuation applications, the extent to which

the applicant provides a detailed and time-phased plan for establishing

and operating the EISN. The extent to which applicant's operational

plan clearly describes (1) the organizational and operating structure

and procedures for accomplishing all Recipient Activities, (2)

agreements currently in place with potential participants in the

network, (3) what new agreements with potential participants will be

necessary, and the likelihood that these agreements can be implemented

promptly, (4) plans to collaborate with CDC in the establishment and

operation of the EISN, including planning and development of projects,

management and analysis of data, and synthesis and dissemination of

findings. The extent to which applicant's plan is consistent with and

adequate to accomplish the purpose and objectives of this program.

b. The extent to which the applicant: (1) clearly identifies and

describes the EISN participants and sources of information, (2)

describes the structure of the EISN ``network'', such as number,

location, etc., of sites or surveillance information sources, (3)

describes procedures and mechanisms to transfer information between

network participants and the network's central data collection point.

c. The extent to which applicant clearly identifies specific

diseases or conditions (e.g., notifiable diseases, foodborne and

waterborne diseases, drug-resistant infections, or infectious disease

syndromes) which will be addressed. The extent to which the applicant's

current or proposed activities are appropriate for the participants/

sources in the network and address significant emerging syndromes,

diseases, conditions, events, etc. For a new network, the extent to

which these projects appear feasible and the likelihood they can be

successfully conducted.

d. The extent to which the applicant clearly describes how the EISN

(or its design for a new EISN) is flexible and able to swiftly address

new public health challenges in infectious diseases.

e. The extent to which the applicant describes an appropriate and

effective process for providing necessary information to State and

local health departments and appropriate others about findings related

to notifiable conditions.

f. The extent to which applicant: (1) identifies professional staff

who have the knowledge, experience, and authority to carry out

recipient activities as evidenced by job descriptions, curricula vitae,

organizational charts, etc., (2) clearly describes the respective roles

of the personnel in the management and operation of the EISN.

(Curricula vitae and organizational charts should be placed in an

appendix.)

g. The extent to which the applicant describes support staff

services to be provided for the program.

h. If any research involving human subjects is proposed, the degree

to which the applicant has met the CDC Policy requirements regarding

the inclusion of women, ethnic, and racial groups in any proposed

research. This includes:

(1) The proposed plan for the inclusion of both sexes and racial

and ethnic minority populations for appropriate representation.

(2) The proposed justification when representation is limited or

absent.

(3) A statement as to whether the design of the study is adequate

to measure differences when warranted.

(4) 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. Evaluation: (10 Points)

The extent to which the applicant provides a plan for monitoring

and evaluating: (1) scientific and operational accomplishments of the

EISN and its projects, (2) progress in achieving the purpose and

overall goals of this program.

5. Budget: (Not Scored)

The extent to which the proposed budget is reasonable, clearly

justified, and consistent with the intended use of the cooperative

agreement funds.

6. Human Subjects: (Not Scored)

If any research involving human subjects is proposed, does the

application adequately address the requirements of Title 45 CFR Part 46

for the protection of human subjects? ______ Yes ______ No

Comments: ____________________

H. Other Requirements

Technical Reporting Requirements

Provide CDC with original plus two copies of:

1. Progress reports (annual), no more than 90 days after the end of

the budget 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: Andrea Wooddall, Grants Management Specialist,

Grants Management Branch, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for

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

Road, N.E., Mailstop E18, Atlanta, GA 30305-2209.

The following additional requirements are applicable to this

program. For a complete description of each, see Attachment 1 in the

application kit.

AR-1 Human Subjects Requirements

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

Minorities in Research

AR-7 Executive Order 12372 Review

AR-9 Paperwork Reduction Act Requirements

AR-10 Smoke-Free Workplace Requirements

AR-11 Healthy People 2000

AR-12 Lobbying Restrictions

I. Authority and Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number

This program is authorized under the Public Health Service Act

Sections 301(a) [42 U.S.C. 241(a)], 317(k)(1) and 317(k)(2), [42 U.S.C.

247b(k)(1)] and [247b(k)(2)], as amended. The Catalog of

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Federal Domestic Assistance number is 93.283.

J. Where To Obtain Additional Information

To receive additional written information and to request an

application kit, call 1-888-GRANTS4 (1-888-472-6874). You will be asked

to leave your name and address and will be instructed to identify the

Announcement number of interest (this is Announcement number 99025).

If you have questions after reviewing the contents of all the

documents, business management technical assistance may be obtained

from: Andrea Wooddall, Grants Management Specialist, Grants Management

Branch, Procurement and Grants Office, Announcement 99025, Centers for

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

Road, N.E., Mailstop E18, Atlanta, GA 30305-2209, telephone (404) 842-

6522. Email address: [email protected]

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

For program technical assistance, contact Catherine Spruill, Office

of the Director, National Center for Infectious Diseases, Centers for

Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Mailstop C-12, 1600 Clifton Road,

N.E., Atlanta, Georgia 30333. Phone: (404) 639-2603.

Dated: December 22, 1998.

John L. Williams,

Director, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease Control

and Prevention (CDC).

[FR Doc. 98-34375 Filed 12-28-98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4163-18-P