Human Immunodeficiency Virus Community-Based Prevention Projects for the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and the United States Virgin Islands; Notice of Availability of Funds

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

[Program Announcement 99047]

Human Immunodeficiency Virus Community-Based Prevention Projects

for the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and the United States Virgin

Islands; Notice of Availability of Funds

A. Purpose

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

availability of fiscal year (FY) 1999 funds to support cooperative

agreements for HIV prevention projects with community-based

organizations (CBOs) serving populations at increased risk of acquiring

or transmitting HIV infection in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico (the

Commonwealth) or the United States Virgin Islands (The USVI). This

program addresses the ``Healthy People 2000'' priority areas of

Educational and Community-Based Programs, HIV Infection, and Sexually

Transmitted Diseases. It also addresses the HIV Prevention

Comprehensive Plan developed by the Commonwealth's Community Planning

Group (CPG) and the Epidemiological Profile developed by the USVI

Department of Health, by providing support for primary prevention for

persons at increased risk for HIV infection and by increasing the

availability and coordination of prevention and early intervention

services for HIV-infected persons. A copy of the Commonwealth's

Comprehensive plan, the USVI Epidemiological Profile and the Healthy

People 2000 Objectives are included in the application kit.

The purpose of this program is to (1) develop and implement

effective community-based HIV prevention programs that reflect the

Commonwealth's or the USVI HIV prevention priorities outlined in their

comprehensive HIV prevention plan and Epidemiological profile developed

through HIV Prevention Community Planning; and (2) promote

collaboration and coordination of HIV prevention efforts among CBOs,

Health Departments, and private agencies such as substance abuse

agencies, educational agencies, criminal justice systems, and national

and regional organizations.

B. Eligible Applicants

Assistance will be provided only to nonprofit community-based

organizations (CBOs) providing services in the Commonwealth or the

USVI. To be eligible, CBOs must meet the following criteria:

1. Be a non-governmental organization (non-profit corporation or

association) established in the geographic area where the services will

be provided, whose net earnings in no part accrue to the benefit of

private shareholders or individuals. You must include a written

Statement of Good Standing and a Certificate of Incorporation from the

Commonwealth State Department or the USVI State Department as

acceptable evidence of nonprofit status and experience in operating and

centrally administering a community-based organization to be eligible

to apply.

2. Document that the majority of its programmatic and

administrative staff involved in the project are representative of the

population to be served.

Successful applicants will be required to apply for an Internal

Revenue Service (IRS) determination of 501(c)3 status during the first

three months of funding. CDC will provide technical assistance and

support in submitting this request.

Applicants must submit (1) a Statement of Good Standing and (2) a

Certificate of Incorporation issued by the State department as proof of

nonprofit and ``Good Standing'' status with the application for

determination of eligibility. No application will be accepted without

these two documents.

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

1. The Commonwealth

An annualized amount of approximately $1.1 million is available in

FY 1999 to fund approximately 15 awards in the Commonwealth. It is

expected that the average award will be $125,000, ranging from $85,000

to $150,000.

2. The USVI

Approximately $400,000 is available in FY 1999 to fund

approximately 3 awards in the USVI. It is expected that the average

award will be $125,000, ranging from $85,000 to $150,000.

It is expected that the awards will begin on or about July 1, 1999,

and will be made for a 12-month budget period within a project period

of up to 4 years. Applications from CBOs in the Commonwealth requesting

more than $180,000 per year, including direct and indirect costs, or

from CBOs in the USVI requesting more than $200,000 per year, including

direct and indirect costs, will be deemed ineligible and will not be

accepted by CDC.

Funding estimates may change based on the following: the

availability of funds; the scope and the quality of applications

received; distribution of the HIV epidemic in the Commonwealth and the

USVI; the appropriateness and reasonableness of the budget request; and

the proposed use of project funds.

Noncompeting continuation awards within an approved project period

will be made on the basis of satisfactory progress as evidenced by

required reports, CDC site visits, and the availability of funds.

Use of Funds

Funds available under this announcement must support activities

directly related to primary HIV prevention. However, intervention

activities which involve preventing other Sexually Transmitted Diseases

(STDs) and drug use as a means of reducing or eliminating the risk of

HIV infection may be supported. No funds will be provided for direct

patient medical care (including substances abuse treatment, medical

prophylaxis or drugs).

These funds may not be used to supplant or duplicate existing

funding. Although applicants may contract with other organizations

under these cooperative agreements, applicants must perform a

substantial portion of the activities (including program management and

operations and delivery of prevention services) for which funds are

requested.

Funding Priority

1. The Commonwealth

Priority will be given to funding activities and interventions

identified through the Commonwealth's HIV

[[Page 13020]]

Prevention Comprehensive Plan and epidemiological profile. Please refer

to the Commonwealth's HIV Prevention Comprehensive Plan for the

recommended HIV Prevention interventions for each priority population.

2. The USVI

Priority will be given to funding activities and interventions

identified through the USVI STD/HIV/AIDS epidemiological profile or

comprehensive HIV prevention plan if available; and to CBOs with proven

records of reaching their target populations.

To maximize the effective use of CDC funds, each applicant must

conduct at least one of the priority Health Education and Risk

Reduction (HERR) interventions described in the attachment. Although

activities may cross from one intervention type to another (e.g.,

individual or group level interventions may be a part of a community-

level intervention), each applicant must indicate which one of the four

interventions is the primary focus. Because of the resources, special

expertise, and organizational capacities needed for success, applicants

are discouraged from undertaking more than two of the priority

interventions previously listed.

D. Program Requirements

In conducting activities to achieve the purpose of this program,

the recipient will be responsible for the activities under 1.

(Recipient Activities), and CDC will be responsible for activities

under 2. (CDC Activities).

1. Recipient Activities

a. Conduct a health education and risk reduction interventions

(HERR) for individuals, groups or communities at high risk of becoming

infected or transmitting HIV to others. The following four HERR

interventions will be funded in FY 1999: Individual Level, Group Level,

Community Level, and Street and Community Outreach. Each recipient must

conduct at least one of these priority HERR interventions.

b. As needed, refer high risk clients, both HIV negative and HIV

positive, and assist them in gaining access to HIV antibody counseling

and testing; HIV medical care or early medical intervention; STD

screening, testing, and treatment; psycho-social support; mental health

services; substance abuse treatment; TB prevention and treatment;

reproductive health; and other supportive services.

c. Coordinate and collaborate with the Commonwealth's or the USVI

Health Department, community planning group, and other organizations

and agencies involved in HIV prevention activities, especially those

serving the target population(s) in the local area. This may include

participation in the HIV Prevention Community Planning Process.

Participation may include involvement in workshops; attending meetings;

if nominated and selected, membership on the group; reporting on

program activities; or commenting on plans.

d. Conduct process and outcome evaluations of all major program

activities and services supported with CDC HIV prevention funds.

Further guidance on these recipient activities is available in the

application kit.

2. CDC Activities

a. Provide consultation and technical assistance in planning,

operating, and evaluating prevention activities. CDC will provide

consultation and technical assistance both directly and indirectly

through prevention partners such as health departments, national and

regional minority organizations (NRMOs), contractors, and other

national organizations.

b. Provide up-to-date scientific information on the risk factors

for HIV infection, prevention measures, and program strategies for

prevention of HIV infection.

c. Assist in the evaluation of program activities and services.

d. Assist recipients in collaborating with health departments,

community planning groups, and other federally-supported HIV/AIDS

recipients.

e. Facilitate the transfer of successful prevention interventions

and program models to other areas through convening meetings of

grantees, workshops, conferences, newsletters, and communications with

project officers.

f. Monitor the recipient's performance of program activities,

protection of client confidentiality, and compliance with other

requirements.

g. Facilitate exchange of program information and technical

assistance between community organizations, health departments, and

national and regional organizations.

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 to follow them in laying out your program

plan.

You must prepare your application in English. The narrative should

be no more than 35 double-spaced pages. Number each page clearly, and

provide a complete index to the application and its appendices. Please

begin each separate section of the application on a new page. The

original and each copy of the application set must be submitted

unstapled and unbound. All material must be typewritten, in 12 point

font type, on 8\1/2\'' by 11'' paper, with at least 1'' margins,

headings and footers, and printed on one side only. Materials which

should be part of the basic plan will not be accepted if placed in the

appendices.

In developing the application, you must follow the format and

instructions below.

Format

1. Abstract

2. Assessment of Need and Justification for Proposed Activities

3. Organizational History and Capacity

4. Program Plan

5. Evaluation Plan

6. Communications/Dissemination Plan

7. Plan for Acquiring Additional or Matching Resources

8. Budget/Staffing Breakdown and Justification

9. Training and Technical Assistance Plan

10. Attachments

Instructions

1. Abstract (not to exceed 3 pages): Summarize your proposed

activities. Include the following:

a. Summary of the need for the proposed activities;

b. Long-term goals;

c. Summary of proposed plan of operation, including the primary

population(s) to be served and their risk behavior, activities to be

conducted, and services to be provided;

d. Summary of plans for evaluating the activities of this project;

and

e. Brief summary of future year activities.

2. Assessment of Need and Justification for Proposed Activities

(not to exceed 6 pages).

a. Clearly describe the population(s) for which your proposed

program will provide services.

b. Clearly identify the need that will be addressed by your

proposed program, and describe how you assessed the need. Include

epidemiologic and other data that were used to identify the need.

Include a description of existing HIV prevention and risk-reduction

efforts provided by other organizations to address the needs of the

target population(s), and an analysis of the gap

[[Page 13021]]

between the identified need and the resources currently available to

address the need (i.e., How will the proposed activities or program

address an important unmet HIV prevention need?).

c. Describe the impact of the AIDS epidemic on the priority

population and their community and any specific environmental, social,

cultural, or linguistic characteristics of the priority population(s)

which you have considered and addressed in developing prevention

strategies, such as:

(1) HIV prevalence and incidence (if available), reported AIDS

cases, and risk behaviors (sexual behaviors, substance use, etc.) in

the target population;

(2) HIV/AIDS-related baseline knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and

behaviors;

(3) Patterns of substance use and rates of STDs and tuberculosis

(TB); and

(4) Other relevant information. (Specify)

d. Describe the specific behaviors and practices that the proposed

interventions are designed to promote and prevent (e.g., increases in

correct and consistent condom use, knowledge of serological status, not

sharing needles, and enrollment in drug treatment and other preventive

programs).

e. Describe how your proposed program complements the HIV

prevention priorities identified in the HIV Prevention Comprehensive

Plan developed by the Commonwealth's Community Planning Group or the

Epidemiological Profile developed by the USVI Department of Health. If

the plan does not adequately provide the necessary information, justify

the need and the priority of your proposed program activities and

summarize how the activities address prevention gaps and complement

ongoing prevention efforts. State why the funds requested in this

application are necessary to address the need.

f. Explain any specific barriers to the implementation of your

proposed program and how you will overcome these barriers.

3. Organizational History and Capacity (not to exceed 5 pages):

Describe the following:

a. Organizational structure, including the role, responsibilities,

and racial/ethnic composition of board of directors; committee

structure of board of directors; organizational management,

administrative and program components; constituent or affiliate

organizations or networks; how the organizational structure will

support the proposed program activities; and how the structure offers

the capacity to reach targeted populations.

b. Past and current experience in developing and implementing

effective HIV prevention strategies and activities, and in developing

and implementing programs similar to the one(s) proposed in this

application. Your discussion should include a description of programs

provided in the past, both HIV prevention and general services and

education programs.

c. The decision-making process in your organization.

d. Mechanism used by your organization to monitor program

performance and quality assurance.

e. Demonstrated ability (1) to work with governmental and non-

governmental organizations, including State, municipal and local health

departments, local and State non-governmental organizations, national

agencies or organizations, community planning groups, and other groups

that provide HIV prevention services; and (2) to coordinate program

joint program activities with existing governmental and private

prevention efforts.

f. Capacity to provide the proposed HERR interventions which are

culturally competent and linguistically appropriate, and which respond

effectively to the gender, environmental, and social characteristics of

the target populations.

g. For any of the above areas in which you do not have direct

experience or current capacity, describe how you will ensure that the

proposed program has that capacity (e.g., through staff development,

collaboration with other organizations, or a subcontract).

4. Program Plan (not to exceed 11 pages): Use this section to

describe your proposed program.

a. Behaviors and Practices the Interventions will Promote: Describe

the specific behaviors and practices that the interventions are

designed to promote and prevent (i.e., increases in correct and

consistent condom use, knowledge of serological status, not sharing

needles, and enrollment in drug treatment and other preventive

programs).

b. Scientific, Theoretical, Conceptual, or Program Experience

Foundation for Proposed Activities: Provide a detailed description of

the scientific, theoretical, conceptual, or program experience

foundation on which the proposed activities are based and which support

the potential effectiveness of these activities for addressing the

stated need.

c. Involvement of the target population: Describe the involvement

of the target population in planning, implementing, and evaluating

activities and services throughout the project period.

d. Appropriateness of Interventions: Describe how the proposed

priority interventions and services are culturally competent, sensitive

to issues of sexual identity, developmentally appropriate,

linguistically-specific, and educationally appropriate. (Please

reference the appendix for definitions of these terms.)

e. Intervention goals and objectives: Describe the broad HIV

prevention goals that your proposed program aims to achieve over the

course of the project period. Develop objectives that are specific,

measurable, time-phased, realistic, related to the proposed activities

(Reference Appendix for additional guidance on writing objectives), and

if applicable, how it relates to the prevention priorities outlined in

the jurisdiction's comprehensive HIV prevention plan. Describe the

expected results of program activities on its priority population(s).

Describe potential barriers to or facilitators for reaching these

objectives.

f. Plan of Operation:

(1) Describe the specific activities to be conducted to accomplish

the objectives.

(2) Describe the services to be provided to accomplish the

objectives.

(3) Specify the approximate dates when activities will be

accomplished and staff responsible for conducting activities.

(4) Describe the potential for volunteer involvement in your

program. If volunteers will be involved, describe plans to recruit,

train, place, and retain volunteers.

(5) Describe how you will collaborate with State, municipal and

local health departments, community planning groups, members of the

target population, and other appropriate service groups or

organizations in the development and implementation of your program.

(6) Describe your mechanism for soliciting program participants.

(7) Describe how you will promote your program in the community.

(8) Describe the mechanism to assure client satisfaction.

(9) Provide the following as attachments: (a) a list of major

community resources and health care providers to which referrals will

be made; (b) a plan for ongoing training to ensure that staff are

knowledgeable about HIV and STD risks and prevention measures; (c) a

plan to assess the performance of staff to ensure that they are

providing information and services accurately and effectively; (d) a

mechanism to initiate and verify

[[Page 13022]]

referrals; and (e) protocols to guide and document training,

activities, services, and referrals (e.g., applicants seeking funds for

Street and Community Outreach Interventions must provide a description

of the policies and procedures that will be followed to assure the

safety of outreach staff).

g. Coordination/Collaboration:

(1) Specify the organizations and agencies with which you will

establish linkages and coordinate activities in the process of

developing and implementing your project. These must include State,

municipal, and local health departments, the appropriate HIV prevention

community planning group, and should include, as appropriate, the

following:

(a) Community groups and organizations, including churches and

faith groups;

(b) HIV/AIDS service organizations;

(c) Ryan White CARE Title I and Title II planning bodes;

(d) Schools, boards of education, and other State or local

education agencies;

(e) State and local substance abuse agencies, community-based and

other drug treatment or detoxification programs;

(f) Federally funded community projects, such as those funded by

the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT), Center for Substance

Abuse Prevention (CSAP), Health Resource Services Administration

(HRSA), Office of Minority Health (OMH), and other federal agencies;

(g) Providers of services to youth in high risk situations (e.g.,

youth in shelters);

(h) State or local departments of mental health;

(i) Juvenile and adult criminal justice, correctional or parole

systems and programs;

(j) Family planning and women's health agencies; and

(k) STD and TB clinics and programs.

(2) Describe the activities that will be coordinated with each

organization.

(3) Submit and include as attachments memoranda of understanding or

agreement as evidence of these established or agreed-upon collaborative

relationships. Memoranda of agreement should specifically describe the

proposed collaborative activities. Evidence of continuing collaboration

must be submitted each year to ensure that the collaborative

relationships are still in place. Memoranda of agreement from health

departments should include a statement that your application has been

reviewed.

5. Evaluation Plan (not to exceed 6 pages): Describe how you will

monitor progress to determine if the objectives are being achieved

(process evaluation), and determine if the methods used to deliver the

proposed activities are effective. Describe how data will be collected,

analyzed, and used to improve the program.

a. Evaluation Questions. Specify the questions to be answered

through the evaluation activities that are being proposed. These

questions should guide the evaluation process and be directly linked to

the objectives stated above.

b. Evaluation Data. Specify the information (data) that will be

collected to answer the Evaluation Questions stated above. This data

should enable you to measure quantity (i.e., the number of activities

conducted or people served) and quality (i.e., the effectiveness of the

activities conducted and services provided from the program

participant's point of view).

c. Sources of Data. Specify the sources of information (data) to be

collected. Data sources may include program documentation records

(i.e., client registration forms, participant evaluation forms,

referral forms, field notes, etc.), information from other service

providers or institutions (i.e., HIV testing clinics, STD clinics, drug

treatment centers, schools, etc.), and feedback from staff and clients

(i.e., client and staff satisfaction forms, etc.). Also specify at what

points during delivery of the interventions(s), that data will be

collected.

d. Collection Method. Specify the methods for data collection. For

example, data should be collected routinely as a part of program

services using data collection tools such as sign-in logs, registration

forms, activity documentation forms, etc. Specify additional methods

for collecting data such as the use of questionnaires, surveys, other

data collection instruments, interviews and focus groups, etc.

e. Baseline Data. Since this evaluation is designed to measure

change as a result of the intervention, specify the baseline against

which the change is being measured. Baseline data, such as existing

attitudes, beliefs, behaviors, and knowledge of participants, is

established by collecting information prior to the intervention.

f. Evaluator. Specify the person(s) responsible for designing and

implementing evaluation activities, collecting and analyzing data, and

reporting findings.

g. Use of Data. Explain how the data resulting from the evaluation

will be used to improve or expand the program.

h. Dissemination plan. Discuss how the results of the evaluation

will be reported and who will receive the results.

Note: Include samples of data collection tools in the

attachments, if available.

Your process evaluation plan should:

a. Provide a detailed description of:

(1) Each program activity and the documented need for that

activity; and

(2) Progress toward achieving each stated objective in the

cooperative agreement;

b. Provide detailed information for:

(1) The specific service or intervention that was provided and how

it differed from the planned services;

(2) the description and the number of persons who received the

service, including demographics such as age, race and ethnicity,

gender, and if appropriate and available, sexual orientation and risk

exposure, and how the persons actually served differed from those the

program intended to serve;

(3) When and how often the service or intervention was provided and

how this differed from program plans; and,

(4) Where the service or intervention was provided (e.g.,

Counseling, Testing, Referral, and Partner Notification (CTRPN) site,

STD clinic, street corner, housing project) and a comparison of these

data to the expected locations of service delivery.

c. Document and describe program successes, unmet needs, barriers

and problems encountered in planning, implementing, or providing

services, or in coordinating services with other organizations and

agencies serving target populations.

d. Document and describe the success of referral systems, including

the numbers of persons referred and the number actually receiving

services by site, and how well the system functions in identifying

sources of services and in assisting persons in obtaining and receiving

them.

e. Document and describe problems that affect planning or

implementing program activities (e.g., recruiting, hiring, or retaining

staff; training or ensuring quality staff performance; establishing or

maintaining contracts with other CBOs or ensuring the quality of their

performance), and

f. Describe client satisfaction with HIV prevention services.

Client satisfaction should be assessed periodically via quantitative or

qualitative methods (e.g., periodic focus groups with current or former

clients).

You are encouraged to conduct outcome evaluation. However, due to

the additional cost and need for scientific support beyond the scope of

these cooperative agreements, you

[[Page 13023]]

cannot conduct impact evaluations with cooperative agreement funds

(e.g., long-term effects of the program in terms of changes in

behavior). CDC will continue to support special projects to evaluate

the behavioral and other outcomes of interventions commonly used by

CBOs and other organizations, and disseminate information and lessons

learned from this research to CBOs, health departments, community

planning groups, and other organizations and agencies involved in HIV

prevention programs. If funds become available, CDC may supplement

these cooperative agreements for outcome evaluation. Indicate which

members of the staff will be responsible for developing and

implementing the evaluation plan.

6. Communications/Dissemination Plan (not to exceed 2 pages):

Describe how you will share successful approaches and ``lessons

learned'' with other organizations.

7. Plan for Acquiring Additional or Matching Resources (not to

exceed 1 page): Describe your plan for obtaining additional resources

from other (non-CDC) sources to supplement the program conducted

through this cooperative agreement and to increase the likelihood of

its continuation after the end of the project period.

2. Budget/Staffing Breakdown and Justification:

a. Detailed Budget: Provide a detailed, separate budget for each

HERR intervention proposed (i.e., individual level, group level,

community level, or street and community outreach) to be undertaken,

with accompanying justification of all operating expenses that is

consistent with the stated objectives and planned priority activities.

CDC may not approve or fund all proposed activities. Be precise about

the program purpose of each budget item and itemize calculations

wherever appropriate.

In the personnel section, specify the job title, annual salary/rate

of pay, and percentage of time spent on this program. If the identity

of any key personnel who will fill a position is known, his or her name

and resume should be attached. Experience and training related to the

proposed project should be noted.

For contracts, applicants should name the contractor, if known;

describe the services to be performed which justifies the use of a the

contractor; provide a breakdown of and justification for the estimated

costs of the contracts; the period of performance; the method of

selection; and method of monitoring the contract.

Note: If indirect costs are requested, you must provide a copy

of your organization's current negotiated Federal indirect cost rate

agreement.

b. Staffing Plan: Provide a job description for each position for

this program that specifies job title, function, general duties,

activities, and salary range. Include the level of effort and

allocation of time for each project activity by staff positions. If the

identity of any key personnel who will fill a position is known, her/

his name and resume should be attached. Experience and training related

to the proposed project should be attached. Experience and training

related to the proposed project should be noted. If the identity of

staff is not known, describe your recruitment plan. If volunteers are

involved in the project, provide job descriptions.

3. Training and Technical Assistance Plan (not to exceed 2 pages):

Describe areas in which you anticipate needing technical assistance in

designing, implementing, and evaluating your program and how you will

obtain this technical assistance. Describe anticipated staff training

needs related to the proposed program and how these needs will be met.

10. Attachments:

Provide the following as attachments:

a. Statement of Good Standing issued by the State department;

b. Certificate of Incorporation issued by the State department;

c. A list of the members of its governing body along with their

positions on the board, their expertise in working with or providing

services to the proposed target population, and their racial/ethnic

backgrounds (Submission of information regarding the HIV status or

other confidential information regarding any individual is optional);

d. An organizational chart of existing and proposed staff,

including the board of directors, volunteer staff, and their racial/

ethnic backgrounds;

e. A description of funds received from any source to conduct HIV/

AIDS programs and other similar programs targeting the population

proposed in the program plan. This summary must include: the name of

the sponsoring organization/source of income, amount of funding, a

description of how the funds have been used, and the budget period. In

addition, identify proposed personnel devoted to this project who are

supported by other funding sources and the activities they are

supporting;

f. A summary of the objectives and activities of the funded

program(s);

g. An assurance that the funds being requested will not duplicate

or supplant funds received from any other Federal or non-Federal

source. CDC awarded funds can be used to expand or enhance services

supported with other Federal or non-Federal funds;

h. Independently audited financial statements from a Certified

Public Accountant (CPA) for the previous 2 years written in English;

i. Affiliates of national organizations must include with the

application an original, signed letter from the chief executive officer

of the national organization assuring their understanding of the intent

of this program announcement and the responsibilities of recipients;

and

j. Memoranda of Agreement with collaborative organizations which

describes nature and duration of the relationship and specific joint

activities to be conducted.

Note: Materials submitted as attachments should be printed on

one side of 8\1/2\x11 paper. Please do not attach bound materials

such as booklets or pamphlets. Rather, submit copies of the

materials printed on one side of 8\1/2\x11 paper. Bound materials

will not be reviewed.

F. Submission and Deadline

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

0937-0189). forms are in the application kit. On or before May 7, 1999,

submit the application written in English to: Patrick Smith, Grants

Management Specialist, Grants Management Branch, Procurement and Grants

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

Number 99047, 2920 Brandywine Road, Suite 3000, Atlanta, Georgia 30341-

4146.

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

are not acceptable proof of timely mailing.)

Late Applications: Applications which do not meet the criteria in

(a) or (b) above are considered late applications, will not be

considered, and will be returned to the applicant.

G. Evaluation Criteria

Each application will be evaluated individually against the

following criteria by an independent review group appointed by CDC.

1. Abstract (not scored).

[[Page 13024]]

2. Assessment of Need and Justification for the Proposed Activities

(20 points):

a. The extent to which the applicant soundly documents a

substantial need for the proposed program and activities. (10 points)

b. The quality of the applicant's plan to ensure consistency with

applicable State and local comprehensive HIV prevention plans and, if

applicable, the adequacy with which the applicant demonstrates the

rational for deviating from the jurisdiction's comprehensive HIV

prevention plan. (10 points)

3. Organizational History and Capacity (15 points): The extent to

which the applicant's documents having at least 12 months experience in

operating and centrally administering a community-based organization

targeting priority populations as described in the Commonwealth's HIV

Prevention Comprehensive Plan and the USVI Epidemiological Profile; and

demonstrates experience, capacity, and ability to address the

identified needs and implement the proposed activities, including:

a. How the applicant's organizational structure and planned

collaborations (including constituent or affiliated organizations or

networks) will support the proposed program activities, and how the

proposed program will have the capacity to reach targeted populations;

(3 points)

b. Applicant's past and current experience in developing and

implementing effective HIV prevention strategies and activities, and in

developing and implementing programs similar to those proposed in this

application; (3 points)

c. Applicant's capacity to provide culturally competent and

appropriate services which respond effectively to the cultural, gender,

environmental, social and multilingual character of the target

audiences, including documentation of any history of providing such

services; (3 points)

d. Applicant's experience and ability in collaborating with

governmental and non-governmental organizations, including other

national agencies or organizations, State and local health departments,

community planning groups, and State and local non-governmental

organizations that provide HIV prevention services; (3 points) and

e. Plans to ensure capacity to implement proposed program where no

direct experience or capacity currently exists within the applicant

organization. (3 points)

4. Program Plan (45 total points):

a. Behaviors and Practices the Interventions will Promote (5

points): The degree to which the applicant describes the specific

behaviors and practices that the interventions are designed to promote

and prevent (i.e., increases in correct and consistent condom use,

knowledge of serological status, not sharing needles, and enrollment in

drug treatment and other preventive programs).

b. Scientific, Theoretical, Conceptual, or Program Experience

Foundation for Proposed Activities (5 points): The degree to which the

applicant provides a detailed description of the scientific,

theoretical, conceptual, or program experience foundation on which the

proposed activities are based and which support the potential

effectiveness of these activities for addressing the stated need.

c. Involvement of the target population (5 points): The degree to

which the applicant describes the involvement of the target population

in planning, implementing, and evaluating activities and services

throughout the project period.

d. Appropriateness of Interventions (5 points): The degree to which

the applicant describes how the proposed priority interventions and

services are culturally competent, sensitive to issues of sexual

identity, developmentally appropriate, linguistically-specific, and

educationally appropriate. (Please reference the appendix for

definitions of these terms.)

e. Goals and Objectives (10 points): Degree to which the proposed

objectives are specific, measurable, time-phased, related to the

proposed activities, and consistent with the program's long-term goals;

the extent to which the applicant identifies possible barriers to or

facilitators for reaching these objectives.

f. Plan of Operations (10 points): The quality of the applicant's

plan for conducting program activities, and the potential effectiveness

of the proposed activities in meeting objectives.

g. Coordination/Collaboration (5 points): Appropriateness of

collaboration and coordination with other organizations serving the

same priority population(s). At minimum, the applicant provides a

description of the collaboration and a signed memoranda of agreement

for each agency with which collaborative activities are proposed, and

other evidence of collaboration that describe previous, current, as

well as future areas of collaboration.

5. Evaluation Plan (10 points): The potential of the evaluation

plan to measure the effectiveness of program implementation,

achievement of program objectives, and facilitate program improvement.

6. Communications/Dissemination Plan (5 points): The degree to

which the applicant describes how successful approaches and ``lessons

learned'' will be shared with other organizations.

7. Plan for Acquiring Additional or Matching Resources (5 points):

The degree to which the applicant describes the plan for obtaining

additional resources from other (non-CDC) sources to supplement the

program conducted through this cooperative agreement and to increase

the likelihood of its continuation after the end of the project period.

8. Budget/Staffing Breakdown and Justification (not scored):

a. Personnel (not scored) Appropriateness of the staffing pattern

for the proposed project.

b. Budget (not scored) Appropriateness of the budget for the

proposed project.

9. Training and Technical Assistance Plan (not scored): The extent

to which the applicant describes areas in which technical assistance is

anticipated in designing, implementing, and evaluating the proposed

program and how the applicant will obtain this technical assistance.

The extent to which the applicant describes anticipated staff training

needs related to the proposed program and how these needs will be met.

Before final award decisions are made, CDC will either make

predecisional site visits to CBOs whose applications are highly ranked

or review the items below with the local or State health department and

applicant's board of education.

a. The organizational and financial capability of the applicant to

implement the proposed program.

b. The application and program plans for priority HERR

interventions, compliance with the jurisdictional's HIV prevention

priorities as outlined in the comprehensive plan or, if the proposed

program varies from the jurisdiction's comprehensive plan, evaluate the

rationale for the variance.

c. The special programmatic conditions and technical assistance

requirements of the applicant.

A business management and fiscal recipient capability assessment

may be required of some applicants prior to the award of funds.

H. Other Requirements

Technical Reporting Requirement

Provide CDC with the original plus two copies of:

1. Progress reports quarterly;

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

the budget period; and

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

days after the end of the project period.

Send all reports to: Patrick Smith, Grants Management Specialist,

Grants Management Branch, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for

Disease Control and Prevention, 2920 Brandywine Road, Suite 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 package.

AR-4 HIV/AIDS Confidentiality Provisions

AR-5 HIV Program Review Panel Requirements

AR-7 Executive Order 12372

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-14 Accounting System Requirements

AR-15 Proof of Non-Profit Status

I. Authority and Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number

This program is authorized under Sections 301 and 317 of the Public

Health Service Act, [42 U.S.C. Sections 241 and 247B], as amended. The

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number is 93.939.

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.

If you have questions after reviewing the contents of all the

documents, business management technical assistance may be obtained

from: Patrick Smith, Grants Management Specialist, Grants Management

Branch, Procurement and Grants Office, Announcement Number 99047,

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 2920 Brandywine Road,

Suite 3000, Atlanta, GA 30341-4146, telephone (770) 488-2731, Email

address: [email protected]

For program technical assistance, contact Samuel Martinez, Project

Officer at (404) 639-5219, Email address: [email protected] or Samuel

Taveras, Team Leader, at (404) 639-5230, Email address: [email protected].

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

John L. Williams,

Director, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease Control

and Prevention (CDC).

[FR Doc. 99-6298 Filed 3-15-99; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4163-18-M