Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 99 / Monday, May 22, 2000 / Notices 32107

The following additional

requirements are applicable to this

program. For a complete description of

each, see Attachment 1 in the

application kit.

AR–1 Human Subjects Requirements

AR–2 Requirements for Inclusion of

Women and Racial and Ethnic

Minorities in Research

AR–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 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 93.283.

J. Where To Obtain Additional

Information

This and other funding opportunities

may be found on the CDC home page on

the Internet: http://www.cdc.gov.

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:

William Paradies, Grants Management

Specialist, Grants Management Branch,

Procurement and Grants Office, Centers

for Disease Control and Prevention

(CDC), 2920 Brandywine Road, Room

3000, Atlanta, GA 30341–4146;

Telephone number: (770) 488–2721;

Email address: wep2@cdc.gov.

For program technical assistance,

contact:

Dr. Louise Floyd, (770) 488–7370, Email

address: rlf3@cdc.gov .

OR

Connie Granoff, (770) 488–7513, Email

address: clg4@cdc.gov. Division of

Birth Defects, Child Development,

and Disability and Health, National

Center for Environmental Health,

Centers for Disease Control and

Prevention 4770 Buford Highway, (F–

49), Atlanta, Georgia 30341–3724.

Dated: May 16, 2000.

John L. Williams,

Director, Procurement and Grants Office,

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

(CDC).

[FR Doc. 00–12743 Filed 5–19–00; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4163–18–P

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND

HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and

Prevention

[Program Announcement 00094]

Cooperative Agreements for the

Development of State-Based Birth

Defects Surveillance Programs and the

Use of the Surveillance Data for Public

Health 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 developing and improving

birth defects surveillance and using

surveillance data to develop birth

defects prevention programs and

activities to improve the access of

children born with birth defects to

health services and early intervention

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 Substance Abuse,

Environmental Health, and Maternal,

Infant, and Child Health. For the

conference copy of ‘‘Healthy People

2010’’, visit the internet site: http://

www.health.gov/healthypeople.

The purpose of the program is to

support (1) the development,

implementation, expansion, and

evaluation of State based birth defects

surveillance systems; (2) the

development and implementation of

State based programs to prevent birth

defects; and (3) the development and

implementation of activities to improve

the access of children with birth defects

to health services and early intervention

programs.

B. Eligible Applicants

Applicants will be limited to those

not currently involved in CDC Program

Announcement 051 (Cooperative

Agreements for Enhanced State-Based

Birth Defects Surveillance and Use of

Surveillance Data to Guide Prevention

and Intervention Programs) and Program

Announcement 643 (Centers of

Excellence to Provide Surveillance,

Research, Services, and Evaluation

Aimed at Prevention of Birth Defects).

See Attachment 1 for a list of the States

funded under these program

announcements.

Assistance will be provided only to

the health departments of States or their

bona fide agents, including the District

of Columbia, 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. The eligible States are: Alabama,

Alaska, Arizona, Connecticut, Delaware,

Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas,

Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota,

Mississippi, Nebraska, North Dakota,

Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode

Island, South Dakota, Tennessee,

Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West

Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

Applicants may apply under one of two

categories:

Category 1—States/territories/tribes

with no birth defects surveillance

systems; or

Category 2—States/territories/tribes

with newly implemented or ongoing

surveillance systems.

In the cover letter to the application,

please state the category (1 or 2) for

which you are applying.

Note: Public Law 104–65 states that an

organization described in section 501(c)(4) of

the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 which

engages in lobbying activities is not eligible

to receive Federal funds constituting an

award, grant, cooperative agreement,

contract, loan, or any other form.

C. Availability of Funds

Approximately $800,000 is available

in FY 2000 to fund approximately 3–6

awards in Category 1 and 3–6 awards in

Category 2. It is expected that the

average award will be $100,000, ranging

from $50,000 to $150,000. 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 3 years. Funding estimates 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.

Use of Funds

These awards may be used for

personnel services, equipment, travel,

and other costs related to project

activities. Project funds may not be used

32108 Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 99 / Monday, May 22, 2000 / Notices

to supplant State funds available for

birth defects surveillance, prevention,

health care services, patient care,

construction, nor lease/purchase of

facilities or space.

D. Program Requirements

In conducting activities to achieve the

purpose of this program, Category 1

recipients will be responsible for the

activities under 1. Recipient activities

for States with no birth defects

surveillance systems; Category 2

recipients will be responsible for the

activities under 2. Recipient activities

for States with newly implemented or

ongoing surveillance systems; and CDC

will be responsible for the activities

under 3. CDC activities.

1. Category 1—Recipient Activities for

States with no birth defects surveillance

systems:

a. Develop and begin implementation

of a State based surveillance system to

ascertain cases and generate timely

population-based data of major birth

defects occurring in the State.

b. Analyze the surveillance data

generated by the system in a timely

fashion including rates and trends of

major birth defects.

c. Disseminate data and collaborate

with appropriate organizations within

the State and with other States.

d. Develop and implement a plan to

evaluate the surveillance methodology

used.

e. Develop a plan and begin

implementation of a birth defects

prevention program (e.g. Neural Tube

Defects (NTD) occurrence prevention),

and/or develop a plan and begin

implementation of activities to improve

the access of children with birth defects

to comprehensive, community-based,

family-centered care.

f. Develop a plan to evaluate the

intervention or prevention activities.

2. Category 2—Recipient Activities for

States with newly implemented or

ongoing surveillance systems:

a. Broaden methodologies and

approaches which will improve,

sustain, and expand the capacity of the

existing State based surveillance system

to ascertain cases and generate timely

population-based data of major birth

defects occurring in the State.

b. Analyze the surveillance data

generated by the system in a timely

fashion including rates and trends of

major birth defects.

c. Disseminate data and collaborate

with appropriate organizations within

the State and with other States.

d. Develop and implement a plan to

evaluate the surveillance methodology

used.

e. Develop a plan and begin

implementation of a birth defects

prevention program (e.g., Neural Tube

Defects [NTD] occurrence prevention),

and/or develop a plan and begin

implementation of activities to improve

the access of children with birth defects

to comprehensive, community-based,

family-centered care.

f. Develop a plan to evaluate the

intervention or prevention activities.

3. CDC Activities.

a. Assist, if requested, in designing,

developing, and evaluating

methodologies and approaches used for

State based birth defects surveillance.

b. Assist, if requested, in analyzing

surveillance data related to birth

defects.

c. Assist, if requested, in designing

plans for prevention programs and plans

to improve the access of children with

birth defects to health services and

intervention programs.

d. Provide, if requested, a reference

point for sharing regional and national

data and information pertinent to the

surveillance and prevention of birth

defects.

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 describing the program

plan.

The applicant should provide a

detailed description of first-year

activities and briefly describe futureyear objectives and activities. The

application must contain the following:

1. Cover Letter: A one page cover

letter should indicate whether the

applicant is applying for Category 1 or

Category 2.

2. A one-page, single-spaced, typed

abstract in 12 point font must be

submitted with the application. The

heading should include the title of the

grant program, project title,

organization, name and address, project

director and telephone number. The

abstract should clearly state which

option the applicant is applying for:

Category 1 or Category 2. The abstract

should briefly summarize the program

for which funds are requested, the

activities to be undertaken, and the

applicant’s organization structure. The

abstract should precede the Program

Narrative. A table of contents that

provides page numbers for each of the

following sections should be included.

All pages must be numbered.

3. Narrative: The narrative should be

no more than 20 double-spaced pages

printed on one side, with one inch

margins, and unreduced font (12 pitch).

The required detailed budget and

detailed budget justification are not

considered to be part of the Program

Narrative. The narrative must contain

the following sections:

a. Understanding the Problem and

Current Status;

b. Impact on State based Birth Defects

Surveillance;

c. Use of Surveillance Data for

Prevention and Intervention;

d. Organizational and Program

Personnel Capability;

e. Human Subjects Review;

4. Budget and Budget Justification—

Provide a detailed budget which

indicates the anticipated costs for

personnel, fringe benefits, travel,

supplies, contractual, consultants,

equipment, indirect, and other items.

F. Submission and Deadline

Submit the original and two copies of

PHS 5161–1 (OMB Number 0937–0189).

On or before July 20, 2000, submit the

application to the Grants Management

Specialist identified in the ‘‘Where to

Obtain Additional Information’’ section

of this announcement. Forms are

available at the following Internet

address: www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/

forminfo.htm or in the application kit.

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 submission to

the independent review group.

(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. Applicant’s understanding of the

problem (10 percent):

The extent to which the applicant has

a clear, concise understanding of the

requirements, objectives, and purpose of

the cooperative agreement. The extent to

which the application reflects an

understanding of the purpose and

complexities of birth defects

surveillance as it relates to their State.

Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 99 / Monday, May 22, 2000 / Notices 32109

2. Impact on State based birth defects

surveillance (35 percent):

The extent to which the applicant

describes the anticipated level of impact

this cooperative agreement will have on

birth defects surveillance activities in

the State. The current and proposed

activities evaluated in this element are

specific for Category 1 and Category 2.

a. Evaluation criteria for category 1

(States with no birth defects

surveillance systems):

(1) Plans for developing State based

birth defects surveillance;

(2) Methods of case ascertainment;

(3) Timeliness of case ascertainment;

(4) Level of coverage of the

population;

(5) Specific birth defects ascertained;

and

(6) Plans for analyzing and reporting

surveillance data to appropriate State,

local, and federal health officials.

b. Evaluation criteria for category 2

(States with newly implemented or

ongoing birth defects surveillance

systems):

(1) Plans for improving/expanding

State based birth defects surveillance;

(2) Methods of case ascertainment;

(3) Timeliness of case ascertainment;

(4) Level of coverage of the

population;

(5) Specific birth defects ascertained;

(6) Plans for analyzing and reporting

surveillance data to appropriate State,

local, and federal health officials.

Also included in this criteria is the

degree to which the applicant has met

the CDC Policy requirements regarding

the inclusion of women, ethnic, and

racial groups in the proposed research.

This includes:

1. The proposed plan for the inclusion

of both sexes and racial and ethnic

minority populations for appropriate

representation.

2. The proposed justification when

representation is limited or absent.

3. A statement as to whether the

design of the study is adequate to

measure differences when warranted.

4. A statement as to whether the plans

for recruitment and outreach for study

participants include the process of

establishing partnerships with

community(ies) and recognition of

mutual benefits.

3. Use of the surveillance data for

prevention and intervention (35

percent):

The extent to which the applicant

describes the plans for using

surveillance data to develop and

implement programs to prevent birth

defects and/or activities to improve the

access of children with birth defects to

health services and early interventions.

a. Develop a plan for working with

appropriate partners in the State to

develop prevention or intervention

programs.

b. Describe methods or a plan for

sharing surveillance data with programs

or agencies that will use the data for

prevention or intervention.

4. Organizational and program

personnel capability (20 percent):

The extent to which the applicant has

the experience, skills, and ability to

develop and improve birth defects

surveillance and use surveillance data

to develop prevention or intervention

programs. The adequacy of the present

staff and capability to assemble

competent staff to implement a birth

defects surveillance system and develop

programs for prevention or intervention.

To the extent possible, the applicant

shall identify all current and potential

personnel who will work on this

cooperative agreement including

qualifications and specific experience as

it relates to the requirements set forth in

this announcement.

5. Human Subjects Review (not

scored):

Does the application adequately

address the requirements of Title 45

CFR Part 46 for the protection of human

subjects?

6. Budget justification and adequacy

of facilities (not scored):

The budget will be evaluated for the

extent to which it is reasonable, clearly

justified, and consistent with the

intended use of the cooperative

agreement funds. The applicant shall

describe and indicate the availability of

facilities and equipment necessary to

carry out this project.

H. Other Requirements

Technical Reporting Requirements

Provide CDC with original plus two

copies of:

1. Semiannual progress reports;

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.

The following additional

requirements are applicable to this

program. For a complete description of

each, see Attachment 2 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), 311 and 317 (c) of the

Public Health Service Act [42 U.S.C.

241(a), 243, and 247 (b–4)], as amended.

The Catalog of Federal Domestic

Assistance number is 93.283.

J. Where To Obtain Additional

Information

For this and other CDC funding

opportunities, refer to the CDC home

page on the Internet: http://

www.cdc.gov. 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:

William A. Paradies, Grants

Management Specialist, Grants

Management Branch, Procurement and

Grants Office, Centers for Disease

Control and Prevention (CDC), 2920

Brandywine Road, Atlanta, GA 30341–

4146, Telephone: (770) 488–2721, Email address: WParadies@cdc.gov

Programmatic technical assistance

may be obtained from: Larry D.

Edmonds, State Services, Birth Defects

and Pediatric Genetics Branch, Division

of Birth Defects, Child Development,

Disability and Health, National Center

for Environmental Health, Centers for

Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),

4770 Buford Highway NE., Mailstop F–

45, Atlanta, GA 30341–3724, Telephone:

(770) 488–7170, E-mail address:

LEdmonds@cdc.gov

Dated: May 16, 2000.

John L. Williams,

Director, Procurement and Grants Office,

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

(CDC).

[FR Doc. 00–12740 Filed 5–19–00; 8:45 am]

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