Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 95 / Tuesday, May 16, 2000 / Notices 31175

and capacity to carry out the program

objectives and specific project plan.

Budget (Reviewed But Not Scored)

The extent to which the budget and

justification are consistent with program

objectives and purpose.

Human Subjects (Reviewed But Not

Scored)

Does the application adequately

address the requirements of Title 45

CFR part 46 for the protection of human

subjects?

H. Other Requirements

Technical Reporting Requirements

Provide CDC with original plus two

copies of:

1. Progress reports (annual);

2. Financial status report, not more than

90 days after the end of the budget

period; and

3. Final financial and performance

reports, no more than 90 days after

the end of the project period.

Send all reports to the Grants

Management Specialist identified in

Section J., ‘‘Where to Obtain Additional

Information’.

The following additional

requirements are applicable to this

program. For a complete description of

each, see Attachment I in the

application kit.

AR–1 Human Subjects Requirements

AR–2 Requirements for Inclusion of

Women and Racial and Ethnic

Minorities in Research

AR–7 Executive Order 12372 Review

AR–8 Public Health System Reporting

Requirements

AR–9 Paperwork Reduction Act

Requirements

AR–10 Smoke-Free Workplace

Requirements

AR–11 Healthy People 2010

AR–12 Lobbying Restrictions

I. Authority and Catalog of Federal

Domestic Assistance Number

This program is authorized under

section 301(a) [42 U.S.C. 241(a)] of the

Public Health Service Act, as amended.

The Catalog of Federal Domestic

Assistance number is 93.283.

J. Where To Obtain Additional

Information

If you have questions after reviewing

the contents of all the documents,

business management assistance may be

obtained from: Robert Hancock, Grants

Management Specialist, Grants

Management Branch, Procurement and

Grants Office, Announcement 00088,

Centers for Disease Control and

Prevention (CDC), Room 3000, 2920

Brandywine Road, Atlanta, GA 30341–

4146, telephone (770) 488–2746, E-mail

address: RNH2@cdc.gov.

This and other CDC announcements

can be found on the CDC home page

internet address: http://www.cdc.gov.

For program technical assistance,

contact: Lynda Doll, Ph.D., Program

Director, Prevention Research Centers

Office, National Center for Chronic

Disease Prevention and Health

Promotion, Centers for Disease Control

and Prevention (CDC), 4770 Buford

Highway, NE., Atlanta, GA 30341–3724,

telephone 404–488–5395, E-mail

address: LSD1@cdc.gov.

Dated: May 10, 2000.

John L. Williams,

Director, Procurement and Grants Office,

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

(CDC).

[FR Doc. 00–12241 Filed 5–15–00; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4163–18–P

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND

HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and

Prevention

[Program Announcement 00046]

Integration of Viral Hepatitis

Prevention Services Into Existing

Prevention Programs; Notice of

Availability of Funds

A. Purpose

The Centers for Disease Control and

Prevention (CDC) announces the

availability of fiscal year (FY) 2000

funds for a cooperative agreement

program for integration of viral hepatitis

prevention services into existing

prevention programs. CDC is committed

to achieving the health promotion and

disease prevention objectives of

‘‘Healthy People 2010’’, a national

activity to reduce morbidity and

mortality and improve the quality of

life. This announcement is related to the

focus areas of Immunization and

Infectious Diseases. For the conference

copy of ‘‘Healthy People 2010’’, visit the

internet site http://www.health.gov/

healthypeople.

The purpose of the program is to

develop strategies and guidance for

integrating recommended viral hepatitis

prevention and control services for

persons at high risk for infection into

existing settings that provide public

health services and to improve public

health service delivery by integrating

viral hepatitis with existing prevention

services to reach persons at high risk for

disease. This announcement is intended

to support implementation and

evaluation of integrating currently

recommended prevention activities for

viral hepatitis (including hepatitis A

and hepatitis B vaccination) into

existing disease prevention programs,

with the primary intent to improve

delivery of established prevention

services that may directly benefit clients

served by these programs.

B. Eligible Applicants

Limited Competition

Because of the requirement that viral

hepatitis services be integrated with

existing state or local public health

programs, assistance will be provided

only to the health departments of States

or their bona fide agents, including the

District of Columbia and the cities of

Philadelphia, New York City, San

Francisco, Los Angeles, Houston,

Chicago, and Baltimore, the

Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the

Virgin Islands, the Commonwealth of

the Northern Mariana Islands, American

Samoa, Guam, federally recognized

Indian tribal governments, the

Federated States of Micronesia, the

Republic of the Marshall Islands, and

the Republic of Palau. In consultation

with States, assistance may be provided

to political subdivisions of States.

C. Availability of Funds

Approximately $800,000 is available

in FY 2000 to fund approximately four

awards. It is expected that the average

award will be $200,000, ranging from

$150,000 to $400,000. It is expected that

the awards will begin on or about

September 30, 2000, and will be made

for a 12-month budget period within a

project period of up to three years. The

funding estimate may change.

Continuation awards within an

approved project period will be made

on the basis of satisfactory progress as

evidenced by required reports and the

availability of funds.

Funding Preferences

Preference will be given to programs

that deliver or provide oversight for

public health services to populations in

which a high proportion (1000 to 3000

individuals with identifiable risk factors

for viral hepatitis are likely to be

infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV).

Such programs include STD Clinics,

HIV/AIDS counseling/testing sites,

correctional settings and providers of

services to injection drug users. Also to

ensure geographic diversity, additional

consideration will be given to the

location of the program based on the

region of the U.S. (Northeast, southeast,

northwest, southwest, north central, and

south central states). Finally, to ensure

31176 Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 95 / Tuesday, May 16, 2000 / Notices

racial and ethnic diversity of the

program populations served,

consideration will be given to gender

and ethnicity of the populations served.

D. Program Requirements

In conducting activities to achieve the

purposes of this program, the recipient

will be responsible for the activities

under 1. (Recipient Activities), and CDC

will be responsible for the activities

listed under 2. (CDC Activities).

1. Recipient Activities

a. Develop and implement protocol(s)

to integrate currently recommended

viral hepatitis prevention services into

existing public health programs and

services, as appropriate for the

particular setting(s) proposed. Viral

hepatitis prevention services may

include, but are not limited to:

(1) Assessing risk histories for viral

hepatitis among clients;

(2) Providing client-centered

prevention counseling to patients with

risks for infection;

(3) Providing testing to appropriate

risk groups for HCV infection (antiHCV) and chronic hepatitis B virus

(HBV) infection (hepatitis B surface

antigen (HBsAg), when appropriate;

(4) Providing hepatitis B vaccine to

persons in appropriate risk groups (e.g.,

>1 sex partner in prior 6 months, history

of other sexually transmitted diseases

(STDs), men who have sex with men

(MSM), incarcerated persons, injecting

drug users);

(5) Providing hepatitis A vaccine to

persons in appropriate risk groups (e.g,

MSM, illegal drug users);

(6) Providing primary prevention

services for anti-HCV positive and

HBsAg-positive persons, including: (a)

Counseling on how to prevent

transmission to others, (b) Identification

of partners (sex and/or needle-sharing)

for counseling and referral services, if

appropriate, and (c) Providing hepatitis

B vaccination for at-risk (sex or needlesharing) partners and household

contacts of HBsAg-positive persons; and

(7) Providing, either directly or by

referral, appropriate services to persons

found to be HBsAg-positive or anti-HCV

positive, including:

(a) Alcohol and drug counseling, and

(b) appropriate medical referral and

assistance in accessing medical care for

evaluation of chronic liver disease and

possible treatment.

b. Provide staff training regarding

viral hepatitis prevention and control

related to implementing this program.

c. Develop and implement a

monitoring and evaluation system to

assess the feasibility, impact, and

effectiveness of integrating viral

hepatitis prevention services into

existing prevention programs, including

measurement of the cost of services and

the impact of integration on existing

disease prevention services.

d. Conduct appropriate data analysis

and interpretation.

e. Attend and participate in an annual

meeting of project managers, to plan and

present program activities and evaluate

activities.

2. CDC Activities

a. Provide technical support for and

training in the design, implementation,

and evaluation of program activities, if

requested.

b. Assist in data management,

analysis, presentation, and publication

of project findings.

c. Assist in the development of a

research protocol for Institutional

Review Board (IRB) review by all

cooperating institutions participating in

the research project. The CDC IRB will

review and approve the protocol

initially and on at least an annual basis

until the research project is completed.

E. Application Content

Letter of Intent (LOI)

In order to assist CDC in planning and

executing the evaluation of applications

submitted under this announcement, all

parties intending to submit an

application are requested to inform CDC

of their intention to do so at least thirty

(30) days prior to the application due

date. Notification should include: (1)

Name and address of institution, and (2)

name, address, and telephone number of

contact person. Notification should be

provided by facsimile, postal mail, or Email, to the Grants Management

Specialist identified in the ‘‘Where to

Obtain Additional Information’’ section

of this announcement’’.

Applications

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. The narrative should be no more

than 20 double-spaced pages (excluding

appendices), printed on one side, with

one inch margins, unreduced (12-point)

font, unbound, and unstapled. A

complete index to the application and

its appendices should be provided, and

a one-page executive summary

included.

F. Submission and Deadline

Letter of Intent (LOI)

One original and two copies of the

Letter of Intent (LOI) must be submitted

on or before June 15, 2000. Submit the

letter of intent to the Grants

Management Specialist identified in the

‘‘Where to Obtain Additional

Information’’ section of this

announcement.

Application

Applications should include an

original and two copies of PHS 5161–1

(OMB Number 0937–0189). Forms are in

the application kit. Submit the

application to the Grants Management

Specialist identified in the ‘‘Where to

Obtain Additional Information’’ section

of this announcement on or before July

14, 2000.

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 prior to submission to the

review panel. (Applicants must request

a legibly dated U.S. Postal Service

postmark or obtain a legibly dated

receipt from a commercial carrier or

U.S. Postal Service. Private metered

postmarks shall not be acceptable as

proof of timely mailing.)

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. Background and Need (10 Points)

a. Extent to which the applicant

demonstrates a clear understanding of

the subject area and of the purpose and

objectives of this cooperative agreement

(5 points).

b. Extent to which the applicant

demonstrates need based on disease

burden of viral hepatitis (i.e.,

prevalence, incidence data) among high

risk populations, as well as prevalence

of risk factors for viral hepatitis among

populations accessible to the applicant

programs and services (5 points).

2. Capacity (40 Points)

Extent to which the applicant

provides evidence of ability to provide

all recommended and appropriate viral

hepatitis prevention and control

activities and services annually to 1000

Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 95 / Tuesday, May 16, 2000 / Notices 31177

to 3000 individuals with identifiable

risk factors for viral hepatitis. This

should include:

a. Description of adequate resources,

including personnel and facilities (both

technical and administrative), either

direct or through collaboration, for

conducting the project (10 points);

b. Description of population served by

existing program(s) and access to

additional populations with identifiable

risk factors for viral hepatitis (MSM,

injection drug users (IDUs), sex partners

of IDUs, heterosexuals at high risk) that

may accept viral hepatitis prevention

and control activities and services

provided through an integrated program

(10 points);

c. Extent to which applicant

documents experience of proposed

personnel, either direct or collaborating,

in providing viral hepatitis prevention

and control activities and services (e.g.,

training, testing, counseling,

vaccination, clinical services) (10

points);

d. Evidence of existing quality

assurance mechanisms to insure

appropriate counseling and other

services as recommended for the

proposed setting, as provided by

published CDC guidelines in various

settings (e.g. STD, HIV, Drug Treatment)

and the extent the applicant

demonstrates how the planned

integration activities may improve

existing prevention services. (10 points).

3. Objectives and Technical Approach

(50 Points)

a. Extent to which the applicant

describes objectives of the proposed

project which are (1) consistent with the

purpose and goals of this cooperative

agreement program, (2) measurable and

time-phased, and (3) consistent with

published CDC guidelines on

prevention and control of hepatitis C

(MMWR 1998;47 [No. RR–19], hepatitis

B (MMWR 1991;40 [No. RR–13] and

hepatitis A (MMWR 1999;48 [No. RR–

12]. (15 points)

b. Extent and quality of operational

plan proposed for implementing the

program, including maximizing the use

of existing resources and staff to

integrate viral hepatitis prevention

services, which clearly and

appropriately addresses all ‘‘Recipient

Activities’’ in the application. (15

points)

c. Extent to which the applicant

clearly identifies specific assigned

responsibilities of all key professional

personnel. (5 points)

d. Extent to which the applicant

prioritizes resources for evaluation and

determination of effectiveness of

integrating services through a detailed

and adequate plan for evaluating

progress toward achieving program

process and outcome objectives. This

should include methods and

instruments for evaluating progress in

planning, implementation, and

effectiveness of interventions through

measurement of outcomes related to

viral hepatitis and to impact of

integrating these services on other

prevention services offered (e.g., HIV

counseling and testing) (10 points).

e. The degree to which the applicant

has met the CDC Policy requirements

regarding the inclusion of women,

ethnic, and racial groups in the

proposed program. This includes: (1)

The proposed plan for the inclusion of

both sexes and racial and ethnic

minority populations for appropriate

representation; (2) The proposed

justification when representation is

limited or absent; (3) A statement as to

whether the plans for recruitment and

outreach for participants include the

process of establishing partnerships

with community(ies) and recognition of

mutual benefits. (5 points)

4. Budget (Not Scored)

The budget will be reviewed to

determine the extent to which it is

reasonable, clearly justified, consistent

with the intended use of funds, and

allowable.

a. Submit line-item descriptive

justification for personnel, travel,

supplies, laboratory testing, and other

services related to the project;

b. For contracts, include the name of

the person or firm to receive the

contract, the method of selection, the

period of performance, and a

description of the contracted service

requested, itemized budget with

narrative justification and method of

accountability.

c. Funding levels for years two and

three should be estimated.

5. Human Subjects (Not Scored)

Does the application adequately

address the requirements of Title 45

CFR part 46 for the protection of human

subjects?

H. Other Requirements

Technical Reporting Requirements

Provide CDC with original plus two

copies of:

1. Progress reports (semiannual);

2. Financial status report, no more than

90 days after the end of the budget

period; and

3. Final financial status and

performance reports, no more than 90

days after the end of the project

period.

Send all reports to the Grants

Management Specialist identified in the

‘‘Where to Obtain Additional

Information’’ section of this

announcement.

For descriptions of the following

Other Requirements, see Attachment I

in the application kit.

AR–1–Human Subjects Requirements

AR–2–Requirements for Inclusion of

Women and Racial and Ethnic

Minorities in Research

AR–7–Executive Order 12372 Review

AR–9–Paperwork Reduction Act

Requirements

AR–10–Smoke-Free Workplace

Requirements

AR–11–Healthy People 2010

AR–12–Lobbying Restrictions

I. Authority and Catalog of Federal

Domestic Assistance Number

This program is authorized under

sections 301(a), and 317(k)(1) and

317(k)(2) of the Public Health Service

Act, [42 U.S.C. sections 241(a), and

247b(k)(1) and 247(k)(2)], as amended.

The Catalog of Federal Domestic

Assistance number is 93.283.

J. Where To Obtain Additional

Information

This and other CDC announcements

can be found on the CDC home page

Internet address—http://www.cdc.gov.

Click on ‘‘Funding’’ then ‘‘Grants and

Cooperative Agreements’’.

To obtain additional information,

contact: Gladys Gissentanna, Grants

Management Specialist, Grants

Management Branch, Procurement and

Grants Office, Centers for Disease

Control and Prevention, Room 3000,

2920 Brandywine Road, Atlanta, GA

30341–4146, Telephone number (770)

488–2753, Facsimile number (770) 488–

2777, E-mail address gcg4@cdc.gov.

For program technical assistance,

contact: Dr. Joanna Buffington, Centers

for Disease Control and Prevention,

National Center for Infectious Diseases,

Division of Rickettsial Diseases,

Hepatitis Branch, 1600 Clifton Road,

NE, M/S G–37, Atlanta, GA 30333,

Telephone: (404) 371–5460, E-mail

address: eem1@cdc.gov.

Dated: May 10, 2000.

John L. Williams,

Director, Procurement and Grants Office,

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

(CDC).

[FR Doc. 00–12240 Filed 5–15–00; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4163–18–P