Public Health Conference Support Cooperative Agreement Program for Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Prevention; Notice of Availability of Funds

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

[Program Announcement 99002]

Public Health Conference Support Cooperative Agreement Program

for Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Prevention; Notice of

Availability of Funds

A. Purpose

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

availability of fiscal years (FY) 1999 and (FY) 2000 funds for a

cooperative agreement program for Public Health Conference Support for

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Prevention. This program addresses

the ``Healthy People 2000'' priority area of HIV infection.

Topics concerned with issues and areas other than HIV prevention

should be directed to other public health agencies or in accordance

with the current Federal Register notice (see Federal Register Notice

99006, [61 FR 19296] published on June 9, 1998).

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, and local governments or their

bona fide agents, and federally recognized Indian tribal governments,

Indian tribes, or Indian tribal organizations. State and local health

departments may apply for funding only under Category 2 (See E.

Application Content). Conferences planned for June 1, 1999, through May

31, 2000, are eligible. Foreign organizations are not eligible to

apply.

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 $250,000 is available in FY 1999 to fund

approximately 15 to 25 awards. It is expected that the average award

will be $20,000, ranging from $10,000 to $25,000. Organizations will be

funded in rank order within each of the three categories. It is

expected that the awards will begin on or after June 1, 1999, and will

be funded for a 12-month budget and project period. Funding estimates

may vary and are subject to change.

Contingency awards will be made allowing usage of only 10 percent

of the total amount to be awarded until a final full agenda is approved

by CDC. This will provide funds to support costs associated with

preparation of the agenda. The remainder of funds will be released only

upon CDC approval of the final full agenda. CDC reserves the right to

terminate co-sponsorship at any time.

Use of Funds

a. CDC funds may be used for direct cost expenditures: salaries,

speaker fees (for services rendered), rental of conference related

equipment, registration fees, and transportation costs (not to exceed

economy class fares) for non-Federal individuals.

b. CDC funds may not be used to purchase equipment, pay honoraria

(for conferring distinction) or organizational dues, support

entertainment, personal expenses, travel costs or payment of a Federal

employee, or per diem and expenses, other than mileage, for local

participants.

c. CDC funds may not be used to reimburse indirect costs.

d. CDC funds may not be used to purchase novelty items (e.g., bags,

T-shirts, hats, pens) distributed at meetings.

e. CDC will not fund 100 percent of the proposed conference. Part

of the cost of the proposed conference must be supported with non-

federal funds.

f. CDC will not fund a conference after it has taken place.

g. CDC funds may be used for only those parts of the conference

specifically supported by CDC as documented on the notice of award.

h. This program is not meant for conferences to educate the general

public or to deliver prevention interventions to persons at risk for

HIV infection. Such conferences cannot be supported through this

announcement.

Funding Preferences

Preference may be given to:

a. conferences sponsored by organizations that serve high-risk

populations, especially populations and geographic areas that are

under-served;

b. applications consistent with the CDC national goal of assisting

in building and maintaining State, local, and community infrastructure

and technical capacity to carry out necessary HIV and STD prevention

programs; and

c. health departments collaborating with other State agencies and

community-based organizations;

No preference will be given to organizations that have received

funding in past years.

D. Program Requirements

Development of HIV prevention conferences may require substantial

CDC collaboration and involvement. Because conference support by CDC

creates the appearance of CDC co-sponsorship, there will be active

participation by CDC in the development and approval of the conference

agenda. In addition, CDC will reserve the right to approve or reject

the content of the full agenda, press events, promotional materials

(including press releases), speaker selection, and site selection.

In conducting activities to achieve the purpose of this program,

the recipient will be responsible for the activities listed under 1,

Recipient Activities, and CDC will be responsible for the activities

listed under 2, CDC Activities.

1. Recipient Activities

a. Manage all activities related to conference content (e.g.,

objectives, topics, participants, session design, workshops, special

exhibits, speakers, fees, agenda composition, printing). Many of these

items may be developed in concert with CDC personnel assigned to

support the conference.

b. Provide draft copies of the agenda and proposed ancillary

activities to the CDC Grants Management Office for review and comment.

Submit a copy of

[[Page 11912]]

the final agenda and proposed ancillary activities to the CDC Grants

Management Office for acceptance/approval.

c. Determine and manage all promotional activities (e.g., title,

logo, announcements, mailers, press). CDC must review and approve the

use of any materials with reference to CDC involvement or support.

d. Manage all registration processes with participants, invitees,

and registrants (e.g., travel, reservations, correspondence, conference

materials and hand-outs, badges, registration procedures).

e. Plan, negotiate, and manage conference site arrangements,

including all audio-visual needs.

f. Develop and conduct education and training programs on HIV

prevention.

g. If the proposed conference is or includes a satellite broadcast:

(1) Provide individual, on-camera rehearsals for all presenters,

(2) Provide at least one full dress rehearsal involving the

moderator, all presenters, equipment, visuals, and practice telephone

calls at least one day before the actual broadcast and as close to the

actual broadcast time as possible,

(3) Provide full scripting and Teleprompter use for the moderator

and all presenters,

(4) Select a professional moderator.

h. Collaborate with CDC staff in reporting and disseminating

results and recommendations and relevant HIV/AIDS prevention and

education and training information to appropriate Federal, State, and

local agencies, health-care providers, HIV/AIDS prevention and service

organizations, and the general public.

2. CDC Activities

a. Provide technical assistance through telephone calls,

correspondence, and site visits in the areas of program agenda

development, implementation, and priority setting related to the

cooperative agreement.

b. Provide scientific collaboration for appropriate aspects of the

program, including selection of speakers, pertinent scientific

information on risk factors for HIV infection, preventive measures, and

program strategies for the prevention of HIV infection.

c. Review draft agendas and the Grants Management Officer will

issue approval or disapproval of the final agenda and proposed

ancillary activities prior to release of restricted funds.

d. Assist in the reporting and dissemination of research results

and relevant HIV prevention education and training information to

appropriate Federal, State, and local agencies, health-care providers,

the scientific community, and HIV/AIDS prevention and service

organizations, and the general public.

E. Application Content

Organizations should submit separate applications in any of the

three following categories:

Category 1--Sharing Lessons Learned From HIV Prevention Program or

Service Delivery and Networking With Other Organizations and Agencies

Regional, national, or international conferences for individuals or

organizations responsible for implementing HIV prevention programs or

providing relevant services. The focus will be on information exchange

including lessons learned from program or service delivery and sharing

information about successful or unsuccessful program experiences.

Conferences may also provide opportunity for staff of different

organizations and agencies involved in HIV prevention programs and

services to meet and develop joint plans or activities or other

collaborations and working relationships;

Category 2--Technical Support for HIV Prevention Program Services for a

Defined Population or Geographic Area

Local, statewide, or regional conferences supported by local or

State health departments, providing information or training on HIV

prevention interventions believed or proven to be effective for a

defined population within a specific locality including a State, or

multi-state area. The focus will be on technology transfer, guidelines

for program implementation, lessons learned from program or service

delivery experience, successful program delivery models, and

development of professional skills. State and local health departments

may apply only under Category 2; and

Category 3--Technology Transfer Training

Regional, national, or international conferences for researchers to

impart information or guidelines on how to implement theoretically

based or empirically demonstrated health research. The main goal is to

train health and other professionals in new, innovative, and enhanced

interventions.

Letter Of Intent (LOI)

Interested applicants must submit Letters of Intent (LOIs) to CDC.

They will be used to eliminate potential applicants. Upon review of the

LOIs, CDC will extend written invitations to prospective applicants to

submit applications. CDC will accept applications by invitation only.

Availability of funds may limit the number of applicants, regardless of

merit, that receive an invitation to submit an application. CDC will

notify prospective applicants within 30 days following receipt of the

LOI.

Applicants must submit an original and two copies of a two-page

typewritten LOI that briefly describes:

a. The application category (1, 2, or 3)

b. The title of the proposed conference

c. The location of the proposed conference

d. Proposed conference dates

e. The purpose of the proposed conference

f. The intended audience of the proposed conference (number and

description)

g. Target population(s) (e.g., youth, women, men who have sex with

men [MSM], injecting drug users [IDU])

h. The estimated total cost of the proposed conference

i. The percentage of the total cost (which must be less than 100

percent) being requested from CDC

j. The relationship of the conference to CDC Topics of Special

Interest below.

Topics of Special Interest

Prevention of HIV infection related to:

a. Populations in special settings (e.g., correctional

institutions);

b. Under-served geographic areas, especially rural populations;

c. Communities of color;

d. Support of comprehensive primary and secondary prevention

programs for persons living with HIV;

Also include the name of the organization, primary contact person's

name, mailing address, telephone number, and if available, fax number

and e-mail address. Current recipients of CDC HIV funding must provide

the award number and title of the funded programs. No attachments,

booklets, or other documents accompanying the LOI will be considered.

THE TWO PAGE LIMITATION (INCLUSIVE OF LETTERHEAD AND SIGNATURES), MUST

BE OBSERVED OR THE LETTER OF INTENT WILL BE RETURNED WITHOUT REVIEW.

CDC will review the LOIs based on the following criteria:

a. documented need for the proposed conference;

b. potential contribution to the prevention of HIV/AIDS;

c. national HIV prevention priorities based on emerging trends in

the epidemic:

(1) Prevention of HIV transmission through behavior change

[[Page 11913]]

(2) Providing comprehensive prevention services to persons living

with HIV

(3) Building capacity and enhancing HIV prevention programs for

populations at higher risk for infection (e.g., MSM, IDU, and their sex

and needle-sharing partners), especially in communities of color.

d. the proposed conference's relationship to the CDC determined

topics of special interest;

e. timing of the conference that will allow for CDC input; and

f. availability of funds.

Competing Application

Use the information in the Program Requirements, Evaluation

Criteria, and Other Requirements 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 12 double-spaced pages, printed on one

side, with one-inch margins, and 12-point font. Pages must be clearly

numbered, and a complete index to the application and its appendices

must be included. The original and two required copies of the

application must be submitted UNSTAPLED AND UNBOUND. Materials which

should be part of the basic plan should not be in the appendices.

Include the following information:

a. A project summary cover sheet that includes:

(1) application category (1, 2, or 3)

(2) name of organization

(3) name of conference

(4) location of conference

(5) date(s) of conference

(6) target population(s) (e.g., youth, women, MSM, IDU)

(7) intended audience and number

(8) dollar amount requested

(9) total conference budget

b. Biographical sketches and job descriptions of the individuals

responsible for planning and coordinating the conference.

c. A Budget Narrative separately identifying and justifying line

items to which the requested Federal funds would be applied.

d. A draft agenda for the proposed conference.

e. Award number and title of funded programs for current recipients

of CDC HIV funding. Applicants must not have submitted the same

proposal for review for funding to other parts of CDC.

F. Submission and Deadline

Letter of Intent (LOI)

The original and two copies of the LOI must be postmarked by the

following deadline dates in order to be considered in either of this

announcement's two cycles. (Facsimiles are not acceptable).

Letter of Intent Due Dates

Cycle A: April 2, 1999

Cycle B: July 30, 1999 *

* LOI's due July 30, 1999 will support funding for calendar year

2000.

Submit to: Juanita Crowder, Grants Management Specialist, Grants

Management Branch, Procurement and Grants Office, Announcement 99002,

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2920 Brandywine Road, M/S

E-15, Room 3000, Atlanta, GA 30341-4146.

If your LOI does not arrive in time for submission to the 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 (e.g.,

receipt from U.S. Postal Service or a commercial carrier; private

metered postmarks are not acceptable).

Application

If invited, submit the original and two copies of PHS 5161 (OMB

Number 0937-0189). Forms are in the application kit.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Application due dates Earliest possible award date

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Cycle A: April 30, 1999.............. June 1, 1999.

Cycle B: September 17, 1999 *........ November 1, 1999.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

* Applications due September 17, 1999 will support funding for calender

year 2000.

Submit to: Juanita Crowder, Grants Management Specialist, Grants

Management Branch, Procurement and Grants Office, Announcement 99002,

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2920 Brandywine Road,

M/S E-15, Room 3000, Atlanta, GA

30341-4146.

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 (e.g., receipt from U.S. Postal Service or a

commercial carrier; private metered postmarks are not acceptable).

G. Evaluation Criteria

Letter of Intent

LOIs will be reviewed by CDC and an invitation to submit a full

application will be made based on the following criteria:

1. Documented need for the proposed conference;

2. Potential contribution to the prevention of HIV/AIDS;

3. National HIV prevention priorities based on emerging trends in

the epidemic:

a. Prevention of HIV transmission through behavior change.

b. Providing comprehensive prevention services to persons living

with HIV.

c. Building capacity and enhancing HIV prevention programs for

populations at higher risk for infection (e.g., MSM, IDU, and their sex

and needle-sharing partners), especially in communities of color.

4. The proposed conference's relationship to the CDC determined

topics of special interest;

5. Timing of the conference that will allow for CDC input; and

6. Availability of funds.

Application

Each application will be evaluated individually against the

following criteria (TOTAL 100 POINTS) by an independent review group

appointed by CDC. Use these headings in preparing your application.

1. Category-Specific Criterion (20 points)

a. If applying under Category 1--Sharing Lessons Learned From HIV

Prevention Program or Service Delivery and Networking With Other

Organizations and Agencies: Extent to which the applicant provides

evidence that participants and presenters will have the opportunity to

interact during the conference, share information on successful and

unsuccessful program experiences, and develop collaborative working

relationships.

b. If applying under Category 2--Technical Support for HIV

Prevention Program Services for a Defined Population or Geographic

Area: Extent to which the applicant specifically relates the content of

the conference to HIV prevention community planning priorities for a

defined population or within a specific geographic area and the extent

to which the Applicant justifies the need for the proposed conference.

c. If applying under Category 3--Technology Transfer Training:

Extent to which the applicant demonstrates the scientific soundness of

the technology to be transferred as evidenced by its inclusion in HIV

prevention research publications, peer reviewed journals, or scientific

consensus panel review; and the extent of the need for applying the new

technology or knowledge by HIV prevention programs.

The following criteria apply to all applications:

[[Page 11914]]

2. Proposed Program and Technical Approach (30 points)

a. The extent to which the applicant's description of the proposed

conference demonstrates that the conference relates to HIV prevention

and education, responds to a specific public health need, and can be

expected to influence public health practices; and the extent of the

applicant's collaboration with other agencies serving the intended

audience, including local health and education agencies concerned with

HIV prevention.

b. The applicant's description of conference objectives in terms of

quality, specificity, and the feasibility of the conference based on

the operational plan, and the extent to which evaluation mechanisms for

the conference adequately assess increased knowledge, attitudes, and

behaviors of the target participants.

c. The relevance and effectiveness of the proposed agenda in

addressing the chosen HIV prevention and education topic(s).

d. The degree to which conference activities proposed for CDC

funding strictly adhere to the prevention of HIV transmission. For

conferences dealing with people living with HIV/AIDS the degree to

which conference activities focus on primary and secondary prevention

goals.

3. Applicant Capability and Experience (25 points)

a. The adequacy and commitment of institutional resources to

administer the program for the proposed conference.

b. The adequacy of existing and proposed facilities and resources

for conducting conference activities.

c. The degree to which the applicant has established and used

critical linkages with health and education departments and community

planning groups with the mandate for HIV prevention. Letters of support

(limit of 5) from such agencies which address related capability and

experience should be included. They must explain how the agency will

work with the applicant to plan the proposed conference. Letters that

do not pertain directly to the proposed conference will not be

considered.

4. Qualifications of Program Personnel (25 points)

a. The qualifications, experience, and commitment of the principal

staff person, and his or her ability to devote adequate time and effort

to provide effective leadership.

b. The competence of associate staff persons, discussion leaders,

and speakers to accomplish conference objectives.

c. The degree to which the application demonstrates that all key

personnel have education and expertise relative to the conference

objectives, are informed about the transmission of HIV, and understand

nationwide information and education efforts currently underway that

may affect, and be affected by, the proposed conference.

5. Budget Justification: (not scored)

The proposed budget will be evaluated on the basis of its

reasonableness, concise and clear justification, consistency with the

intended use of cooperative agreement funds, and the extent to which

the applicant documents financial support from other sources.

H. Other Requirements

Technical Reporting Requirements

Provide CDC with the original plus two copies of the final

financial status report (reporting actual expenses) and performance

report, no more than 90 days after the end of the budget/project

period. The performance report should include:

1. the cooperative agreement number;

2. title of the conference;

3. name of the principal investigator, program director or

coordinator;

4. name of the organization that conducted the conference;

5. a copy of the agenda;

6. a list of individuals who participated in the formally planned

sessions of the meeting;

7. a summarization of the meeting results, including a discussion

of its achievement of the stated conference objectives; and

8. the Program Review Panel's report that all written materials

have been reviewed as required.

With the prior approval of CDC, copies of proceedings or

publications resulting from the conference may be substituted for the

final performance report, provided they contain the information

requested in items 1 through 8 above.

Send all reports to: Juanita Crowder, Grants Management Specialist,

Grants Management Branch, Procurement and Grants Office, Announcement

99002, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2920 Brandywine

Road, M/S E-15, Room 3000, Atlanta, GA 30341-4146.

The following additional requirements are applicable to this

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

application kit:

AR-5 HIV Program Review Panel Requirements

AR-8 Public Health System Reporting Requirements

AR-9 Paperwork Reduction Act Requirements

AR-10 Smoke-Free Workplace Requirements

AR-11 Healthy People 2000

AR-12 Lobbying Restrictions

AR-15 Proof of Non-Profit Status

AR-20 Conference Support

See Attachment II for Background Statement

I. Authority and Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number

This program is authorized under the Public Health Service Act,

Section 301(a), 42 U.S.C. 241(a), as amended and Section 317(a), 42

U.S.C. 247b(a), as amended. The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance

number is 93.941.

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 (99002).

If you have questions after reviewing the contents of all the

documents, business management technical assistance may be obtained

from: Juanita Crowder, Grants Management Specialist, Grants Management

Branch, Procurement and Grants Office, Announcement 99002, Centers for

Disease Control and Prevention, 2920 Brandywine Road, M/S E-15, Room

3000, Atlanta, GA 30341-4146, Telephone (770) 488-2734, E-mail address

[email protected].

For program technical assistance, contact: Linda LaChanse, Program

Analyst, Training and Technical Support Systems Branch, Division of

HIV/AIDS Prevention--Intervention Research and Support, National Center

for HIV, STD and TB Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road, NE, M/S E40,

Atlanta, GA 30333, Telephone (404) 639-0964, E-mail address

[email protected].

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

Dated: March 4, 1999.

John L. Williams,

Director, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease Control

and Prevention (CDC).

[FR Doc. 99-5867 Filed 3-9-99; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4163-18-p