**Billing Code: 4163-18-P**

**U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES**

**Centers for Disease Control and Prevention**

**Technical Assistance for the National HIV/AIDS Health Information
System in the Republic of Haiti under the President\'s Emergency Plan
for AIDS Relief**

**Announcement Type:** New

**Funding Opportunity Number:** CDC-RFA-PS07-751

**Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number:** 93.067

**Key Dates:**

**Application Deadline:** September 21, 2007

# I. Funding Opportunity Description

**Authority:** This program is authorized under Public Law 108-25
(United States Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria Act
of 2003) \[22 U.S.C. 7601\].

**Background:**

President Bush\'s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief has called for
immediate, comprehensive and evidence based action to turn the tide of
global HIV/AIDS. The initiative aims to treat more than two million HIV
infected people with effective combination anti retroviral therapy (ART)
by 2008; care for ten million HIV infected and affected persons,
including those orphaned by HIV/AIDS, by 2008; and prevent seven million
infections by 2010, with a focus on 15 priority countries, including 12
in sub-Saharan Africa. The *Five-Year Strategy* for the Emergency Plan
is available at the following Internet address:
http://www.state.gov/s/gac/plan/c11652.htm.

Over the same time period, as part of a collective national response,
the Emergency Plan goals specific to Haiti are to treat at least 25,000
HIV infected individuals; to care for 125,000 HIV affected individuals,
including orphans; and to prevent 122,207 new infections.

**Purpose:**

Under the leadership of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator, as part of the
President\'s Emergency Plan, the U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services (HHS) works with host countries and other key partners to
assess the needs of each country and design a customized program of
assistance that fits within the host nation\'s strategic plan.

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

-   Achieving primary prevention of HIV infection through activities
    such as expanding confidential counseling and testing programs, and
    building programs to reduce mother to child transmission;

-   Improving the care and treatment of HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted
    diseases (STDs) and related opportunistic infections by improving
    STD management; enhancing the care and treatment of opportunistic
    infections, including tuberculosis (TB); and initiating programs to
    provide anti-retroviral therapy (ART); and

-   Strengthening the capacity of countries to collect and use
    surveillance data and manage national HIV/AIDS programs by expanding
    HIV/STD/TB surveillance programs and strengthening laboratory
    support for surveillance, diagnosis, treatment, disease monitoring
    and HIV screening for blood safety.

With the rapid scale up of HIV/AIDS services supported in Haiti by both
the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief and the Global Fund to
Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, the challenge of developing a
health information system for HIV/AIDS capable of generating elements
for data reporting, program monitoring, and disease surveillance has
also expanded. In this context, the Haitian Ministry of Health has
sought the assistance of HHS/CDC, which has helped to develop a system
based upon the standardization of key indicators; the development and
roll out of paper based and electronic data collection and reporting
tools; the establishment of a data quality assurance/quality control
(QA/QC) mechanism through a local firm, sub-contracted to validate data
and provide hands on assistance to users; and the modernization of the
health management information system infrastructure through information
technology.

The purpose of this announcement is to build on that foundation by
providing support to do the following:

-   Deliver assistance to the U.S. Government country team in Haiti and
    to local partners to prepare the annual and semi annual reports for
    the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief;

-   Assist the Haitian Ministry of Health in the preparation of a
    monitoring and evaluation (M&E) plan and framework, as well as in
    the overall use of data for decision making;

-   Provide assistance to the Haitian national M&E provider, the
    *Institut Haitien de l'Enfance* (IHE), in its mandate to gather,
    process and validate reports received from all facilities that
    provide clinical based HIV/AIDS care, and train providers and data
    field personnel in the Haitian Kreol in the use of the data
    collection and reporting tools;

-   Support the ongoing development of a web based reporting system for
    HIV/AIDS, the Monitoring and Evaluation System Interface (MESI); and

-   Support the openings at sites financed by the Emergency Plan of
    information technology (IT) destined to support the applications
    developed through the program.

Measurable outcomes of the program will be in alignment with the
following performance goal(s) for the Emergency Plan:

Emergency Plan reporting:

-   Completion of data tally and cleaning templates that show current
    levels, trends over the different reporting periods, and highlight
    eventual quality errors. The grantee is required to submit these
    templates to HHS/CDC in Haiti no later than 15 days before
    submission deadlines for semi annual and annual reports for the
    President's Emergency Plan.

Data validation process:

-   Completion of an audit report of data aggregated and validated by
    IHE, which will provide the status of the IHE\'s system's validity,
    reliability, integrity, precision and timeliness of data, based on
    observation of the IHE's data management procedures (i.e., data
    collection forms, tally sheets, aggregating techniques and the
    tracking of data from the source, which is the sites' registers and
    log books). The grantee is required to complete this report no later
    than one month before submission deadlines for the semi annual and
    and annual reports for the President's Emergency Plan.

M&E training:

-   Year 2: Completion of an integrated M&E curriculum in Haitian Kreol,
    which outlines the training requirements and contents relevant to
    the necessary skills personnel must acquire in order to perform the
    data collection, reporting and analysis tasks required by the
    program. The curriculum development should also be an iterative
    process throughout the project period, which builds on new skills
    and tools.

-   Year 5: 100 percent of data field personnel and 90 percent of clinic
    based personnel at the 118 sites in Haiti financed by the
    President's Emergency Plan have completed the integrated curriculum
    as a result of the coordination effort deployed by the recipient. At
    least five individuals will receive training in Haitian Kreol at
    each of the 118 sites, including doctors, nurses, pharmacists, lab
    technicians, and data clerks.

Web based aggregate reporting system (MESI):

-   Year 1: Completion of an improved version of MESI, which must
    include new queries for the generation of interactive reports and a
    set of relevant and dynamic graphics for the display of information
    from the database. In the first year, this data will include only
    clinic based data.

-   Year 5: 95 percent of sites in Haiti financed by the Emergency Plan
    will have directly used the MESI database to post their monthly data
    during the final six months of the project period. MESI's capacity
    will also have expanded to include lab and community based data.

This announcement is intended for non-research activities supported by
the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) within HHS**.** If
an applicant proposes research activities, HHS will not review the
application. For the definition of "research," please see the HHS/CDC
Web site at the following Internet address:
<http://www.cdc.gov/science/regs/hrpp/researchdefinition.htm>.

**Activities:**

The recipient of these funds is responsible for activities in multiple
program areas designed to target underserved populations in Haiti.
Either the awardee will implement activities directly or will implement
them through its subgrantees and/or subcontractors; the awardee will
retain overall financial and programmatic management under the oversight
of HHS/CDC and the strategic direction of the Office of the U.S. Global
AIDS Coordinator. The awardee must show a measurable progressive
reinforcement of the capacity of indigenous organizations and local
communities to respond to the national HIV epidemic, as well as progress
towards the sustainability of activities.

Applicants should describe activities in detail that reflect the
policies and goals outlined in the *Five-Year Strategy* for the
President's Emergency Plan.

The grantee will produce an annual operational plan, which the U.S.
Government Emergency Plan team on the ground in Haiti will review as
part of the annual Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief Country Operational
Plan review and approval process managed by the Office of the U.S.
Global AIDS Coordinator. The grantee may work on some of the activities
listed below in the first year and in subsequent years, and then
progressively add others from the list to achieve all of the Emergency
Plan performance goals, as cited in the previous section. HHS/CDC, under
the guidance of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator, will approve funds for
activities on an annual basis, based on documented performance toward
achieving Emergency Plan goals, as part of the annual Emergency Plan for
AIDS Relief Country Operational Plan review and approval process.

Awardee activities for this program are as follows:

1.  The recipient will provide technical assistance and backup to the
    IHE in Haiti to ensure the completeness, accuracy and quality of
    data reported from sites funded by the President's Emergency Plan.
    This assistance will include the following: a) continuous assessment
    of the relevance of the data collection and reporting tools, and
    their adjustments to the need of the programs; b) regular data
    audits that focus on the existing data quality instruments,
    reporting templates and the data base currently under use; c) joint
    site visits with the IHE to review the protocols and procedures of
    the facilities and assess the quality of their data; d) comparison
    between data posted on MESI and the Electronic Medical Record (EMR)
    and data entered into paper systems; e) support to the IHE for the
    development of a Haitian Kreol manual to better define the
    indicators; and f) regular meetings with umbrella organizations that
    are implementing the Emergency Plan in Haiti to ensure the
    harmonization of their health information systems with the national
    system.

2.  The recipient will coordinate and support M&E training activities in
    Haitian Kreol linked to the use of data collection tools, and the
    use and reporting of data for the facility based (clinic based)
    level. This assistance will include the following: a) support for
    the preparation of an integrated curriculum in Haitian Kreol adapted
    to different categories of health personnel; b) the coordination,
    preparation, and implementation of local language training
    sessions; c) local language training of IHE statisticians and data
    base managers in the use of statistical package software such as
    SPSS, to increase their capacity for analysis; and d) evaluation of
    curricula and trainings.

3.  The recipient will undertake the following activities for MESI: a)
    Provide technical support to continually assess the status of the
    MESI data base for completeness, relevance and accuracy, and verify
    the MESI database and confirm updates of data; b) Provide guidance
    for the development of key technical support documents, such as data
    management plans and data quality procedures, to facilitate the
    uniform and consistent operation of the system; c) Collaborate with
    the developer of MESI for the formulation of new queries for the
    generation of reports, and for the design of data reporting
    templates; d) Work with the developer of MESI to incorporate a set
    of relevant and dynamic graphics for the display of information; e)
    Develop built in formulae for the validation of data; f) Develop and
    implement a plan for the dissemination and use of data, which should
    include the promotion of the database among national and
    international stakeholders.

4.  Support the U.S. Government team in Haiti in the preparation of the
    semi annual and annual reports for the Emergency Plan. The recipient
    will develop templates to tally data and provide support to the U.S.
    Government in-country team for the tabulation and validation of data
    during the preparation of reports.

5.  The recipient will continue to support the deployment of IT
    infrastructure through the following: a) providing technical
    assistance for needs assessments, architecture design and
    implementation; b) providing structured cabling and servers at
    additional sites where partners will develop point of care
    functionality for the EMR; c) enter into a sub-contract with an
    Internet service provider for the seamless provision of Internet
    service at sites financed by the Emergency Plan; and d) supporting
    computer training in Haitian Kreol for field staff to enable them to
    use the various applications developed by the program, and training
    at least 10 regional staff in computer maintenance in Haitian Kreol
    to enable them to perform basic troubleshooting and maintenance.

6.  The applicant will support the Haitian Ministry of Health by
    providing specialized advice to lead and organize the task force for
    developing the National M&E Plan for the Haitian National AIDS
    Control Program by doing the following: a) organizing meetings of
    the task force and associated working groups; b) ensuring the
    efficient flow of information between and among members of the task
    force; c) working with all stakeholders; and d) leading the drafting
    of the *M&E Plan*.

# 

# Administration

The awardee of this funding competition must comply with all HHS/CDC
management requirements for meeting participation and progress and
financial reporting for this cooperative agreement (See HHS/CDC
Activities and Reporting sections below for details), and comply with
all policy directives established by the Office of the U.S. Global AIDS
Coordinator.

In a cooperative agreement, HHS staff is substantially involved in the
program activities, above and beyond routine grant monitoring.

HHS Activities for this program are as follows:

1.  Organize an orientation meeting with the grantee to brief it on
    applicable U.S. Government, HHS, and Emergency Plan expectations,
    regulations and key management requirements, as well as report
    formats and contents. The orientation could include meetings with
    staff from HHS agencies and the Office of the U.S. Global AIDS
    Coordinator.

2.  Review and approve the process used by the grantee to select key
    personnel and/or post award subcontractors and/or subgrantees to be
    involved in the activities performed under this agreement, as part
    of the Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief Country Operational Plan
    review and approval process, managed by the Office of the U.S.
    Global AIDS Coordinator.

3.  Review and approve the grantee's annual work plan and detailed
    budget, as part of the Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief Country
    Operational Plan review and approval process, managed by the Office
    of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator.

4.  Review and approve the grantee's monitoring and evaluation plan,
    including for compliance with the strategic information guidance
    established by the Office of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator.

5.  Meet on a monthly basis with the grantee to assess monthly
    expenditures in relation to approved work plan and modify plans, as
    necessary.

6.  Meet on a quarterly basis with the grantee to assess quarterly
    technical and financial progress reports and modify plans as
    necessary.

7.  Meet on an annual basis with the grantee to review annual progress
    report for each U.S. Government Fiscal Year, and to review annual
    work plans and budgets for subsequent year, as part of the Emergency
    Plan for AIDS Relief review and approval process for Country
    Operational Plans, managed by the Office of the U.S. Global AIDS
    Coordinator.

8.  Provide technical assistance, as mutually agreed upon, and revise
    annually during validation of the first and subsequent annual work
    plans. This could include expert technical assistance and targeted
    training activities in specialized areas, such as strategic
    information, project management, confidential counseling and
    testing, palliative care, treatment literacy, and adult learning
    techniques.

9.  Provide in-country administrative support to help grantee meet U.S.
    Government financial and reporting requirements approved by the
    Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under 0920-0428 (Public Health
    Service Form 5161).

10. Collaborate with the awardee on designing and implementing the
    activities listed above, including, but not limited to the provision
    of technical assistance to develop program activities, data
    management and analysis, quality assurance, the presentation and
    possibly publication of program results and findings, and the
    management and tracking of finances.    

11. Provide consultation and scientific and technical assistance based
    on appropriate, HHS/CDC and Office of the U.S. Global AIDS
    Coordinator documents to promote the use of best practices known at
    the time.

12. Assist the recipient in developing and implementing quality
    assurance criteria and procedures.    

13. Facilitate in-country planning and review meetings for technical
    assistance activities.  

14. Coordinate, in close partnership with the entire U.S. Government
    team in Haiti, the preparation of the Emergency Plan reports.

15. The recipient will provide insights into and approve the M&E
    training curriculum.

16. Select the sites funded by the Emergency Plan that will be eligible
    for IT assistance, approve the scope of work and ensure oversight of
    the work carried out.

Please note: Either HHS staff or staff from organizations that have
successfully competed for funding under a separate HHS contract,
cooperative agreement or grant will provide technical assistance and
training.

# II. Award Information

**Type of Award:** Cooperative Agreement

HHS involvement in this program appears in the Activities Section above.

**Award Mechanism:** U2G **--** Global HIV/AIDS Non-Research Cooperative
Agreements.

In cooperation with other countries, international organizations, and
other partners to conduct HIV[/]{.underline}IDS prevention, care and
treatment non-research activities in international countries most
heavily affected by the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

**Fiscal Year Funds:** 2007

**Approximate Current Fiscal Year Funding:** \$450,000

**Approximate Total Project Period Funding:** \$2,250,000 (This amount
is an estimate, and is subject to availability of funds.)

**Approximate Number of Awards:** One.

**Approximate Average Award:** \$450,000 (This amount is for the first
12 month budget period, and includes direct costs (and indirect costs in
the case of domestic grantees.)

**Floor of Individual Award Range:** \$450,000

**Ceiling of Individual Award Range:** \$450,000 (This ceiling is for
the first 12 month budget period)

**Anticipated Award Date:** September 28, 2007

**Budget Period Length***:* 12 months

**Project Period Length:** Five years

Throughout the project period, HHS/CDC's commitment to continuation of
awards will be conditioned on the availability of funds, evidence of
satisfactory progress by the recipient (as documented in required
reports), and the determination that continued funding is in the best
interest of the Federal Government, through the Emergency Plan for AIDS
Relief review and approval process for Country Operational Plans,
managed by the Office of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator.

# III. Eligibility Information

**III.1. Eligible Applicants**

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

-   Public, non-profit organizations;

-   Private, non-profit organizations;

-   For profit organizations;

-   Small, minority, and women owned businesses;

-   Universities;

-   Colleges;

-   Research institutions;

-   Hospitals;

-   Community based organizations;

-   Faith based organizations;

-   Federally recognized Indian tribal Governments;

-   Indian tribes;

-   Indian tribal organizations;

-   U.S. State and local Governments or their *Bona Fide* Agents (this
    includes the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico,
    the Virgin Islands, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana
    Islands, American Samoa, Guam, the Federated States of Micronesia,
    the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau);
    and

-   Political subdivisions of U.S. States (in consultation with States).

A *Bona Fide* Agent is an agency/organization identified by a U.S. State
as eligible to submit an application under the U.S. State\'s eligibility
in lieu of a State application. If applying as a *Bona Fide* agent of a
State or local Government, a letter from the State or local Government
as documentation of the status is required. Place this documentation
behind the first page of the application form.

**III.2. Cost Sharing or Matching**

Matching funds are not required for this program. If applicants receive
funding from other sources to underwrite the same or similar activities,
or anticipate receiving such funding in the next 12 months, they must
detail how the disparate streams of financing complement each other.

**III.3. Other**

If an applicant requests a funding amount greater than the ceiling of
the award range, HHS/CDC will not review the budgets greater than the
ceiling of the award range.

**Special Requirements:**

If the application is incomplete or non-responsive to the special
requirements listed in this section, it will not enter into the review
process. HHS/CDC will notify the applicant the application did not meet
submission requirements.

-   HHS/CDC will consider late applications non-responsive. See section
    "IV.3. Submission Dates and Times" for more information on
    deadlines.

-   Note: Title 2 of the United States Code Section 1611 states that an
    organization described in Section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue
    Code that engages in lobbying activities is not eligible to receive
    Federal funds constituting a grant, loan, or an award.

# IV. Application and Submission Information

**IV.1. Address to Request Application Package**

To apply for this funding opportunity use application form PHS 5161-1.

[Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal Number System]{.underline}

Each applicant agency or organization must have a Dun and Bradstreet
Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number to apply for a grant or
cooperative agreement from the Federal Government. The DUNS number is a
nine digit identification number, which uniquely identifies business
entities. Obtaining a DUNS number is easy and there is no charge. To
obtain a DUNS number, please go to the following Internet address:
<http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform/displayHomePage.do;jsessionid=D12B99D19654F9B26C193B1EFDE3430B>.
From the home page, 1) click on \"Begin DUNS Search/Request Process\",
2) select country and submit the applicant's information. A DUNS number
should be created within one day. Please direct any questions to
<govt@dnb.com>.

For more information, see the HHS/CDC Web site at the following Internet
address: <http://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/funding/grantmain.htm>.

If the application form does not have a DUNS number field, please write
the DUNS number at the top of the first page of the application, and/or
include the DUNS number in the cover letter that accompanies the
application.

Electronic Submission:

HHS/CDC strongly encourages the applicant to submit the application
electronically by using the forms and instructions posted for this
announcement on [www.Grants.gov](http://www.Grants.gov/), the official
Federal agency wide E-grant Web site. Only applicants who apply online
may forego submitting paper copies of all application forms.

Registering your organization through
[www.Grants.gov](http://www.Grants.gov/) is the first step in submitting
applications online. Registration information is located in the "Get
Registered" screen of [www.Grants.gov](http://www.Grants.gov/). For
Foreign Organizations, the next step would be to obtain an NATO
Commercial and Governmental Entity (NCAGE) Code
<http://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/funding/grantmain.htm>. While application
submission through [www.Grants.gov](http://www.Grants.gov/) is optional,
we strongly encourage you to use this online tool.

[Key tips for Registration on Grants.gov:]{.underline}

-   Please visit [www.Grants.gov](http://www.Grants.gov/) at least 30
    days prior to filing your application to familiarize yourself with
    the registration and submission processes.

-   The one time registration process will take three to five days to
    complete.

-   Only the person who registers the organization on grants.gov can
    submit the application. This is important to remember if the person
    who originally registered an organization on grants.gov is no longer
    working for that particular organization.

-   HHS/CDC suggests submitting electronic applications prior to the
    closing date so if difficulties are encountered, a hard copy of the
    application may be submitted prior to the deadline.

If you have technical difficulties in Grants.gov, you may reach customer
service by email at <support@grants.gov>, or by phone 1-800-518-4726
(1-800-518-GRANTS). The Customer Support Center is open from 7:00 a.m.
to 9:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday.

Paper Submission:

Application forms and instructions are available on the HHS/CDC Web
site, at the following Internet address:
<http://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/funding/forms.shtm>.

If access to the Internet is not available, or if difficulty is
encountered in accessing the forms online, contact the HHS/CDC
Procurement and Grants Office Technical Information Management Section
(PGO-TIM) staff at 770-488-2700, who can mail the application forms to
you.

**IV.2. Content and Form of Submission**

**Application:**

A Project Abstract must be submitted with the application forms. The
abstract must be submitted in the following format:

-   Maximum length of 2-3 paragraphs

-   Font size: 12-point unreduced, Times New Roman

-   Single spaced

-   Paper size: 8.5 by 11 inches

-   Page margin size: One inch

The Project Abstract must contain a summary of the proposed activity
suitable for dissemination to the public. It should be a self-contained
description of the project and should contain a statement of objectives
and methods to be employed. It should be informative to other persons
working in the same or related fields and insofar as possible
understandable to a technically literate lay reader. This abstract must
not contain any proprietary/confidential information.

Applicants must submit a project narrative with the application forms,
in the following format:

-   Maximum number of pages: 25 (If the narrative exceeds the page
    limit, HHS/CDC will only review the first pages that are within the
    page limit.)

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-   Font size: 12-point, unreduced; Times new Roman

-   Single Spaced

-   Paper size: 8.5 by 11 inches (preferred), or generally accepted
    paper size;

-   Page-margin size: One-inch

-   Number all narrative pages, not to exceed the maximum number above

-   Print only on one side of each page

-   Held together only by rubber bands or metal clips, not bound in any
    other way

The narrative should address activities the applicant will conduct over
the entire project period, and must include the following items, in the
order listed:

-   Written in plain language, avoid jargon;

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-   Project Context and Background (Understanding and Need): Describe
    the background and justify the need for the proposed project.
    Describe the current infrastructure system; targeted geographical
    area(s), if applicable; and identified gaps or shortcomings of the
    current health systems and AIDS control projects in Haiti;

-   Project Strategy - Description and Methodologies: Present a detailed
    operational plan for initiating and conducting the project. Clearly
    describe the applicant's technical approach/methods for implementing
    the proposed project. Describe the existence of or plans to
    establish partnerships necessary to implement the project. Describe
    linkages, if appropriate, with programs funded by the U.S. Agency
    for International Development;

-   Project Goals and Objectives: Describe the overall goals of the
    project, and specific objectives that are measurable and time
    phased, consistent with the objectives and numerical targets of the
    President's Emergency Plan and for this Cooperative Agreement
    program as provided in the "Purpose" Section at the beginning of
    this Announcement;

-   Project Outputs: Address each of the program's objectives listed in
    the "Purpose" Section of this Announcement. Measures must be
    specific, objective and quantitative so as to provide meaningful
    outcome evaluation;

-   Project Contribution to the Goals and Objectives of the President's
    Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief: Provide specific measures of
    effectiveness to demonstrate accomplishment of the objectives of
    this program;

-   Work Plan and Description of Project Components and Activities:
    Address each of the specific tasks listed in the Activities section
    of this Announcement. Clearly identify specific assigned
    responsibilities for all key professional personnel;

-   Performance Measures: Measures must be specific, objective and
    quantitative;

-   Timeline (e.g., GANNT Chart); and

-   Management of Project Funds and Reporting.

Applicants may include additional information in appendices. The
appendices and budget information will not count toward the narrative
page limit. This additional information includes the following:

-   Project Budget and Justification:

With staffing breakdown and justification, provide a line item budget
and a narrative with justification for all requested costs. Be sure to
include, if any, in-kind support or other contributions provided by the
national Government and its donors as part of the total project, but for
which funding is not being requested.

Budgets must be consistent with the purpose, objectives of the Emergency
Plan and the program activities listed in this announcement and must
include the following:

-   Line item breakdown and justification for all personnel, i.e., name,
    position title, annual salary, percentage of time and effort, and
    amount requested.

> For each contract, list the following: (1) name of proposed
> contractor; (2) breakdown and justification for estimated costs; (3)
> description and scope of activities the contractor will perform; (4)
> period of performance; (5) method of contractor selection (e.g.,
> competitive solicitation); and (6) methods of accountability.
> Applicants should, to the greatest extent possible, employ transparent
> and open competitive processes to choose contractors;

-   *Curricula vitae* of current staff who will work on the activity;

-   Job descriptions of proposed key positions to be created for the
    activity;

-   Quality Assurance, Monitoring and Evaluation, and Strategic
    Information Forms;

-   Applicant's Corporate Capability Statement;

-   Letters of Support; and

-   Evidence of Legal Organizational Structure.

Additional requirements that could require submission of additional
documentation with the application appear in Section "VI.2.
Administrative and National Policy Requirements."

# IV.3. Submission Dates and Times

**Application Deadline Date:** September 21, 2007

**Explanation of Deadlines: The HHS/CDC Procurement and Grants Office
must receive applications by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on the deadline
date**.

Electronic Submission:

HHS/CDC will consider applications completed online through Grants.gov
as formally submitted when the applicant organization's Authorizing
Official electronically submits the application to
[www.grants.gov](http://www.grants.gov/). The application will be
electronically time/date stamped, which will serve as receipt of
submission. Applicants will receive an email notice of receipt when
HHS/CDC receives the application.

HHS/CDC will consider electronic applications as having met the deadline
if the applicant organization's Authorizing Official has submitted the
application electronically to Grants.gov on or before the deadline date
and time.

Paper Submission:

If an applicant submits an application by the United States Postal
Service or commercial delivery service, the applicant must ensure the
carrier will be able to guarantee delivery by the closing date and time.
If HHS/CDC receives the submission after the closing date because of (1)
carrier error, when the carrier accepted the package with a guarantee
for delivery by the closing date and time; or (2) significant weather
delays or natural disasters, the applicant will have the opportunity to
submit documentation of the carrier's guarantee. If the documentation
verifies a carrier problem, HHS/CDC will consider the submission as
having been received by the deadline.

If an applicant submits a hard copy application, HHS/CDC will not notify
the applicant upon receipt of the submission. If questions arise on the
receipt of the application, the applicant should first contact the
carrier. If the applicant still has questions, it should contact the
HHS/CDC staff at (770) 488-2700. The applicant should wait two to three
days after the submission deadline before calling. This will allow time
for HHS/CDC to process and log submissions.

This announcement is the definitive guide on application content,
submission address, and deadline. It supersedes information provided in
the application instructions. If the application submission does not
meet the deadline above, it will not be eligible for review, and HHS/CDC
will discard it. HHS/CDC will notify the applicant the application did
not meet the submission requirements.

**IV.4. Intergovernmental Review of Applications**

Executive Order 12372 does not apply to this program.

**IV.5. Funding Restrictions**

Restrictions, which applicants must take into account while writing the
budget, are as follows:

-   Recipients may not use funds for research.

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-   Needle Exchange - No funds appropriated under this Act shall be used
    to carry out any program of distributing sterile needles or syringes
    for the hypodermic injection of any illegal drug.

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-   Recipients may spend funds for reasonable program purposes,
    including personnel, training, travel, supplies and services.
    Recipients may purchase equipment and complete renovations if deemed
    necessary to accomplish program objectives, and if authorized by,
    and in accordance with, applicable federal law and HHS/CDC policy
    and the funding stream used for this activity.

-   Applicants shall state all requests for funds contained in the
    budget in U.S. dollars. Once HHS/CDC makes an award, foreign
    grantees will not be compensated for currency exchange fluctuations
    through the issuance of supplemental awards.

-   The costs generally allowable in grants to domestic organizations
    are allowable to foreign institutions and international
    organizations, with the following exception: With the exception of
    the American University, Beirut, and the World Health Organization,
    HHS/CDC will not pay indirect costs (either directly or through
    sub-award) to organizations located outside the territorial limits
    of the United States or to international organizations, regardless
    of their location.

-   Recipients may contract with other organizations under this program;
    however, recipients must perform a substantial portion of the
    activities (including program management and operations, and
    delivery of prevention services for which funds are required)
    relating to the management of sub-grants to local organizations and
    improving their capacity, and must award any subcontracts through a
    competitive and transparent process.

-   Recipients must obtain an annual audit of these HHS/CDC funds[^1]
    (program specific audit) by a U.S. based audit firm with
    international branches and current licensure/authority in-country,
    and in accordance with International Accounting Standards or
    equivalent standard(s) approved in writing by HHS/CDC.

-   A fiscal Recipient Capability Assessment may be required, prior to
    or post award, to review the applicant's business management and
    fiscal

> capabilities regarding the handling of U.S. Federal funds.

-   Prostitution and Related Activities

> The U.S. Government is opposed to prostitution and related activities,
> which are inherently harmful and dehumanizing, and contribute to the
> phenomenon of trafficking in persons.
>
> Any entity that receives, directly or indirectly, U.S. Government
> funds in connection with this document ("recipient") cannot use such
> U.S. Government funds to promote or advocate the legalization or
> practice of prostitution or sex trafficking. Nothing in the preceding
> sentence shall be construed to preclude the provision to individuals
> of palliative care, treatment, or post exposure pharmaceutical
> prophylaxis, and necessary pharmaceuticals and commodities, including
> test kits, condoms, and, when proven effective, microbicides.
>
> A recipient that is otherwise eligible to receive funds in connection
> with this document to prevent, treat, or monitor HIV/AIDS shall not be
> required to endorse or utilize a multisectoral approach to combating
> HIV/AIDS, or to endorse, utilize, or participate in a prevention
> method or treatment program to which the recipient has a religious or
> moral objection. Any information provided by recipients about the use
> of condoms as part of projects or activities that are funded in
> connection with this document shall be medically accurate and shall
> include the public health benefits and failure rates of such use.
>
> In addition, any recipient must have a policy explicitly opposing
> prostitution and sex trafficking. The preceding sentence shall not
> apply to any "exempt organizations" (defined as the Global Fund to
> Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, the World Health Organization
> and its six Regional Offices, the International AIDS Vaccine
> Initiative or any United Nations agency).
>
> The following definition applies for purposes of this clause:

-   Sex trafficking means the recruitment, harboring, transportation,
    provision, or obtaining of a person for the purpose of a commercial
    sex act. 22 U.S.C. § 7102(9).

> All recipients must insert provisions implementing the applicable
> parts of this section, "Prostitution and Related Activities," in all
> subagreements under this award. These provisions must be express terms
> and conditions of the subagreement, must acknowledge that compliance
> with this section, "Prostitution and Related Activities," is a
> prerequisite to receipt and expenditure of U.S. Government funds in
> connection with this document, and must acknowledge that any violation
> of the provisions shall be grounds for unilateral termination of the
> agreement prior to the end of its term. Recipients must agree that HHS
> may, at any reasonable time, inspect the documents and materials
> maintained or prepared by the recipient in the usual course of its
> operations that relate to the organization's compliance with this
> section, "Prostitution and Related Activities."
>
> All prime recipients that receive U.S. Government funds ("prime
> recipients") in connection with this document must certify compliance
> prior to actual receipt of such funds in a written statement that
> makes reference to this document (e.g., "\[Prime recipient\'s name\]
> certifies compliance with the section, Prostitution and Related
> Activities.") addressed to the agency's grants officer. Such
> certifications by prime recipients are prerequisites to the payment of
> any U.S. Government funds in connection with this document.
>
> Recipients\' compliance with this section, "Prostitution and Related
> Activities," is an express term and condition of receiving U.S.
> Government funds in connection with this document, and any violation
> of it shall be grounds for unilateral termination by HHS of the
> agreement with HHS in connection with this document prior to the end
> of its term. The recipient shall refund to HHS the entire amount
> furnished in connection with this document in the event HHS determines
> the recipient has not complied with this section, "Prostitution and
> Related Activities."

Guidance for completing the budget appears on the HHS/CDC Web site, at
the following Internet address:

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

**IV.6. Other Submission Requirements**

**Application Submission Address**:

Electronic Submission:

HHS/CDC strongly encourages applicants to submit applications
electronically at [www.Grants.gov](http://www.grants.gov/). The
application package is available at
[www.Grants.gov](http://www.Grants.gov/). Applicants are able to
complete it offline, and then upload and submit the application via the
Grants.gov Web site. HHS/CDC will not accept email submissions. If the
applicant has technical difficulties in Grants.gov, it can reach
customer service by email at support@grants.gov, or by phone at
1-800-518-4726 (1-800-518-GRANTS). The Customer Support Center is open
from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Eastern Time, Monday through Friday.

HHS/CDC recommends applicants submit their applications to Grants.gov
early enough to resolve any unanticipated difficulties prior to the
deadline. Applicants may also

submit a back up paper submission of the application. HHS/CDC must
receive any such paper submission in accordance with the requirements
for timely submission detailed in Section IV.3. of the grant
announcement. The applicant must clearly mark the paper submission:
"BACK UP FOR ELECTRONIC SUBMISSION." The paper submission must conform
to all requirements for non-electronic submissions. If HHS/CDC receives
both electronic and back up paper submissions by the deadline, the
electronic version will be considered as the official submission.

The applicant must submit all application attachments using a PDF file
format when submitting via Grants.gov. Directions for creating PDF files
are available on the Grants.gov Web site. Use of file formats other than
PDF could make the file unreadable for our staff.

OR

Paper Submission:

Applicants should submit the original and two hard copies of the
application by mail or express delivery service to:

Technical Information Management - PS07-751

Procurement and Grants Office

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

2920 Brandywine Road, MS E-14

Atlanta, GA 30341

# V. Application Review Information

**V.1. Criteria**

Applicants are required to provide specific measures of effectiveness
that will demonstrate the accomplishment of the various identified
objectives of the cooperative agreement. Measures of effectiveness must
relate to the performance goals stated in the "Purpose" section of this
announcement. Measures must be objective and quantitative, and must
measure the intended outcome. Applicants must submit the measures of
effectiveness with the application, and they will be an element of
evaluation.

HHS/CDC will evaluate the application against the following criteria:

**Ability to Carry Out the Proposal** **(20 points)**

Does the applicant demonstrate the local experience in Haiti and
institutional capacity (both management and technical) to achieve the
goals of the project with documented good governance practices? Does the
applicant have the ability to coordinate and collaborate with existing
Emergency Plan partners and other donors, including the Global Fund and
other U.S. Government Departments and agencies involved in implementing
the Emergency Plan, including the U.S. Agency for International
Development? Is there evidence of leadership support and evidence of
current or past efforts to enhance HIV prevention? Does the applicant
have the capacity to reach rural and other underserved populations in
Haiti? Does the organization have the ability to target audiences that
frequently fall outside the reach of the traditional media, and in local
languages? To what extent does the applicant provide letters of support?

**Technical and Programmatic Approach** **(20 points)**

Does the application include an overall design strategy, including
measurable time lines, clear monitoring and evaluation procedures, and
specific activities for meeting the proposed objectives? Does the
applicant display knowledge of the strategy, principles and goals of the
President\'s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, and are the proposed
activities consistent with and pertinent to that strategy and those
principles and goals? Does the applicant describe activities that are
evidence based, realistic, achievable, measurable and culturally
appropriate to achieve the goals of the Emergency Plan? Does the
application propose to build on and complement the current national
response in Haiti with evidence based strategies designed to reach
underserved populations and meet the goals of the Emergency Plan? Does
the application include reasonable estimates of outcome targets? (For
example, the numbers of sites to be supported, number of clients the
program will reach.) To what extent does the applicant propose to work
with other organizations? The reviewers will assess the feasibility of
the applicant\'s plan to meet the target goals, whether the proposed use
of funds is efficient, and the extent to which the specific methods
described are sensitive to the local culture.

**Capacity Building** **(15 points)**

Does the applicant have a proven track record of building the capacity
of indigenous organizations and individuals? Does the applicant have
relevant experience in using participatory methods and approaches, in
project planning and implementation? Does the applicant describe an
adequate and measurable plan to progressively build the capacity of
local organizations and of target beneficiaries to respond to the
epidemic? If not a local indigenous organization, does the applicant
articulate a clear exit strategy, which will maximize the legacy of this
project in the intervention communities? Does the capacity building plan
clearly describe how it will contribute to a) improved quality and
geographic coverage of service delivery to achieve the \"2,7,10\"
targets of the Emergency Plan, and b) (if not a local indigenous
organization) an evolving role of the prime beneficiary with transfer of
critical technical and management competence to local
organizations/sites in support of a decentralized response?

**Monitoring and Evaluation** **(15 points)**

Does the applicant demonstrate the local experience and capability to
implement rigorous monitoring and evaluation of the project? Does the
applicant describe a system for reviewing and adjusting program
activities based on monitoring information obtained by using innovative,
participatory methods and standard approaches? Does the plan include
indicators developed for each program milestone, and incorporated into
the financial and programmatic reports? Are the indicators consistent
with the Emergency Plan Indicator Guide? Is the system able to generate
financial and program reports to show disbursement of funds, and
progress towards achieving the numerical objectives of the President\'s
Emergency Plan? Is the plan to measure outcomes of the intervention, and
the manner in which they will be provided, adequate? Is the monitoring
and evaluation plan consistent with the principles of the \"Three
Ones?\" Applicants must define specific output and outcome indicators
must be defined in the proposal, and must have realistic targets in line
with the targets addressed in the Activities section of this
announcement.

**Understanding of the Problem** **(10 points)**

Does the applicant demonstrate a clear and concise understanding of the
current national HIV/AIDS response and the cultural and political
context relevant to the programmatic areas targeted? Does the applicant
display an understanding of the *Five-Year Strategy* and goals of the
President\'s Emergency Plan? To what extent does the applicant justify
the need for this program within the target community?

**Personnel** **(10 points)**

Does the organization employ staff fluent in local languages who will
work on this project? Are the staff roles clearly defined? As described,
will the staff be sufficient to meet the goals of the proposed project?
If not an indigenous organization, does the staff plan adequately
involve local individuals and organizations? Are staff involved in this
project qualified to perform the tasks described? *Curricula vitae*
provided should include information that they are qualified in the
following: management of HIV/AIDS prevention activities, especially
confidential, voluntary counseling and testing; and the development of
capacity building among and collaboration between Governmental and
non-governmental partners.

**Administration and Management** **(10 points)**

Does the applicant provide a clear plan for the administration and
management of the proposed activities, and to manage the resources of
the program, prepare reports, monitor and evaluate activities, audit
expenditures and produce collect and analyze performance data? Is the
management structure for the project sufficient to ensure speedy
implementation of the project? If appropriate, does the applicant have a
proven track record in managing large laboratory budgets; running
transparent and competitive procurement processes; supervising
consultants and contractors; using subgrants or other systems of sharing
resources with community based organizations, faith based organizations
or smaller non-governmental organizations; and providing technical
assistance in laboratory or pharmacy management? The grantee must
demonstrate an ability to submit quarterly reports in a timely manner to
the HHS/CDC office.

**Budget** **(Reviewed, but not scored)**

Is the itemized budget for conducting the project, along with
justification, reasonable and consistent with stated objectives and
planned program activities? Is the budget itemized, well justified and
consistent with the *Five-Year Strategy* (2003-2008) and goals of the
President\'s Emergency Plan and Emergency Plan activities? If
applicable, are there reasonable costs per client reached for both year
one and later years of the project?

**V.2. Review and Selection Process**

The HHS/CDC Procurement and Grants Office (PGO) staff will review
applications for completeness, and the HHS Global AIDS Program will
review them for responsiveness. Incomplete applications and applications
that are non-responsive to the eligibility criteria will not advance
through the review process. Applicants will receive notification that
their application did not meet submission requirements.

An objective review panel will evaluate complete and responsive
applications according to the criteria listed in the "V.1. Criteria"
section above. All persons who serve on the panel will be external to
the U.S. Government Country Program Office in Haiti. The panel may
include both Federal and non-Federal participants.

In addition, the following factors could affect the funding decision:

HHS/CDC will fund applications in order by the score and rank determined
by the review panel. HHS/CDC will provide justification for any decision
to fund out of rank order.

**V.3. Anticipated Announcement and Award Dates**

# The anticipated award date is September 28, 2007.

# VI. Award Administration Information

**VI.1. Award Notices**

Successful applicants will receive a Notice of Award (NoA) from the
HHS/CDC Procurement and Grants Office. The NoA shall be the only
binding, authorizing document between the recipient and HHS/CDC. An
authorized Grants Management

Officer will sign the NoA, and mail it to the recipient fiscal officer
identified in the application.

Unsuccessful applicants will receive notification of the results of the
application review by mail.

**VI.2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements**

Successful applicants must comply with the administrative requirements
outlined in 45 CFR Part 74 and Part 92, as appropriate. The following
additional requirements apply to this project:

-   AR - 4 HIV/AIDS Confidentiality Provisions;

-   AR - 6 Patient Care;

-   AR - 9 Paperwork Reduction Act Requirements;

-   AR - 10 Smoke Free Workplace Requirements;

-   AR - 11 Healthy People 2010;

-   AR - 12 Lobbying Restrictions;

-   AR -- 15 Proof of Non-Profit Status

-   AR - 14 Accounting System Requirements;

-   AR - 23 Compliance with 45 C.F.R. Part 87;

-   AR - 24 Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act
    Requirements;

> and

-   AR - 25 Release and Sharing of Data.

Additional information on the requirements is available on the HHS/CDC
Web site, at the following Internet address:
<http://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/funding/Addtl_Reqmnts.htm>.

CDC Assurances and Certifications can be found on the CDC Web site at
the following Internet address:
<http://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/funding/foamain.htm>.

For more information on the Code of Federal Regulations, see the
National Archives and Records Administration, at the following Internet
address: <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/cfr-table-search.html>.

**VI.3. Reporting Requirements**

The applicant must provide HHS/CDC with an original, plus two hard
copies, of the following reports:

1.  Interim progress report, due no less than 90 days before the end of
    the budget period. The progress report will serve as the
    non-competing continuation application, and must contain the
    following elements:

    a.  Activities and Objectives for the Current Budget Period;

    b.  Financial Progress for the Current Budget Period;

    c.  Proposed Activity and Objectives for the New Budget Period
        Program;

    d.  Budget;

    e.  Measures of Effectiveness, including progress against the
        numerical goals of the President\'s Emergency Plan for AIDS
        Relief for Haiti; and

    f.  Additional Requested Information;

2.  Semi-Annual progress report, due 90 days after the end of the budget
    period. Reports should include progress against the numerical goals
    of the President\'s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief for Haiti;

3.  Financial status report, due no more than 90 days after the end of
    the budget period; and

4.  Final financial performance reports, due no more than 90 days after
    the end of the project period.

Recipients must mail the reports to the Grants Management listed in the
\"VII. Agency Contacts\" section of this announcement.

# VII. Agency Contacts

HHS/CDC encourages inquiries concerning this announcement.

For general questions, contact:

Technical Information Management Section

Procurement and Grants Office

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

2920 Brandywine Road, MS E-14

Atlanta, GA 30341

Telephone: 770-488-2700

For program technical assistance, contact:

> Patrice Joseph, MD, MPH, Project Officer

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

> 17 Blvd Harry Truman
>
> Port au Prince, Haiti
>
> Telephone: 509-229-3132

Email: <josephp@ht.cdc.gov>

For financial, grants management, or budget assistance, contact:

> Vivian Walker, Grants Management Specialist

Procurement and Grants Office

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

2920 Brandywine Road, Mail stop: K-75

Atlanta, GA 30341

Telephone: 770-488-2724

Email: <vew4@cdc.gov>

CDC Telecommunications for the hearing impaired or disabled is available
at: TTY 770-488-2783.

**VIII. Other Information**

Other HHS/CDC funding opportunity announcements are available on the
HHS/CDC Web site, Internet address:
[***http://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/funding/FOAs.htm***](http://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/funding/FOAs.htm),
and on the web site of the HHS Office of Global Health Affairs, Internet
address: [***www.globalhealth.gov***](http://www.globalhealth.gov/).

[^1]: AUDIT REQUIREMENT: Foreign recipients are subject to audit
    requirements specified in 45 CFR 74.26(d). A non-Federal audit is
    required, if during the recipients fiscal year, the recipient
    expended a total of \$500,000 or more under one or more HHS awards
    (as a direct recipient and/or as a subrecipent). The recipient
    either may have (1) A financial related audit (as defined in the
    Government Auditing Standards, GPO stock #020-000-00-265-4) of a
    particular award in accordance with Government Auditing Standards,
    in those cases where the recipient received awards under only one
    HHS program; or, if awards are received under multiple HHS programs,
    a financial related audit of all HHS awards in accordance with
    Government Auditing Standards; or (2) An audit that meets the
    requirements contained in OMB Circular A-133.