52388 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 170 / Friday, September 2, 2005 / Notices 

define each one at its first use and 

periodically throughout application. 

Dated: August 25, 2005. 

Mary Lou Valdez, 

Deputy Director for Policy, Office of Global 

Health Affairs. 

Cristina V. Beato, 

Acting Assistant Secretary for Health, Office 

of Public Health and Science. 

[FR Doc. 05–17547 Filed 9–1–05; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4150–38–P 

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND 

HUMAN SERVICES 

Announcement of Availability of Funds 

for Cooperative Agreement To Provide 

Technical Assistance and Support to 

the Afghanistan Ministry of Public 

Health (MOPH) in Strengthening the 

Management of the Women’s and 

Children’s Hospitals and Hospital 

Services in Kabul 

AGENCY: Department of Health and 

Human Services, Office of the Secretary, 

Office of Public Health and Science, 

Office of Global Health Affairs. 

Announcement Type: Cooperative 

Agreement—FY 2005 Initial 

Announcement. 

Funding Opportunity Number: OGHA 

05–025. 

OMB Catalog of Federal Domestic 

Assistance: TBD, In Process. 

Authority: Division F of the Consolidated 

Appropriations Act, 2005, Public Law 108–

447 (2004). 

SUMMARY: The Office of Global Health 

Affairs (OGHA) announces that up to 

$475,000 in fiscal year (FY) 2005 of 

funds is available for one (1) cooperative 

agreement to provide support to 

strengthen the management of women’s 

and children’s hospitals by the Afghan 

Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) in 

Kabul. This effort is an undertaking by 

the Department of Health and Human 

Services (HHS) in partnership with the 

Afghan MOPH. The primary goal of this 

project is to improve the quality of care 

at women’s and children’s health 

institutions in Afghanistan. The OGHA 

anticipates substantial HHS scientific 

and programmatic involvement in the 

administration of the quality 

improvement program. The project will 

be approved for up to a one-year period 

for a total of $475,000 (including 

indirect costs). Funding for the 

cooperative agreement is contingent 

upon the availability of funds 

DATES: Application Availability: 

September 2, 2005. 

Optional Letter of Intent due by 5 

p.m. ET: September 9, 2005. 

Applications due by 5 p.m. ET: 

September 19, 2005. 

Award date: September 30, 2005. 

ADDRESSES: Application kits may be 

requested from, and applications 

submitted to: Ms. Karen Campbell, 

Director, Office of Grants Management, 

Office of Public Health and Science 

(OPHS), HHS, 1101 Wootton Parkway, 

Suite 550, Rockville, MD 20852. 

I. Funding Opportunity Description 

Purpose of the Agreement 

HHS, in partnership with other 

relevant U.S. Government agencies, 

anticipates involvement in the 

development, administration and 

oversight of this program to improve 

hospital management capacity within 

the MOPH. The program will be for a 

three-year period. Approximately 

$475,000 (including indirect costs) will 

be available in the first year. Funding 

for the cooperative agreement in 

subsequent years is contingent upon the 

availability of funds and the 

performance of the awardee against 

measurable performance targets. 

This Cooperative Agreement is 

intended to complement and build upon 

the work of the MOPH Hospital 

Management Task Force (HMTF) and its 

efforts to implement the Essential 

Package of Hospital Services (EPHS) and 

the recommendations of the Joint U.S. 

Government/MOPH health-facility 

management planning team, as outlined 

above. Implementation and adherence 

to recognized evidence-based healthcare 

and facility-management standards will 

be essential elements of successful 

proposals. 

The awardee will work in 

collaboration with the MOPH’s HMTF 

based on the approved 

recommendations of the Joint USG/ 

MOPH planning mission. The plans will 

include but are not limited to the type 

of governance structure, procurement 

strategies, human resources 

management, financial management, 

facility and environmental safety 

management, sharing of services, 

developing a continuum of maternal 

and child healthcare in Kabul and 

centers of excellence within the 

consortium, developing an integrated 

health records system, and quality 

assurance. The award recipient will 

work with HHS to review training plans 

previously developed to support 

improvements in healthcare 

administration and provide a phased 

plan for leadership and healthcare 

management training as part of their 

planning process. 

Activities: To assist the MOPH in 

carrying out the recommendations of the 

USG/MOPH team, including the 

development of a self-sustaining 

organizational structure within the 

MOPH that supports the management, 

organization and entrepreneurial growth 

of the healthcare hospital delivery 

sector in Kabul. 

Assist in planning and establishing an 

organizational structure that facilitates 

the development of a network of 

women’s and children’s hospitals, 

herein referred to as the Kabul Women’s 

and Children’s Hospital Consortium, or 

the Consortium. Specifically: Develop a 

plan and assist in establishment of a 

Consortium Board of Directors that will 

provide governance, strategic direction 

and facilitate communication for the 

Consortium. The Board and its chair 

will be appointed by the MOPH. 

Develop and implement a non-profit 

foundation to raise funds and broaden 

support for the Consortium. Solicit 

international donors’ resource support 

for the foundation. 

Implement and refine Consortium 

management and Board of Directors 

governance process. This includes 

assisting MOPH in the development of 

leadership accountability and 

performance contracts, objective 

performance assessment and 

measurement systems, and a 

performance-based salary and incentive 

system for healthcare managers and 

executives. 

Summarize in a three-year plan the 

strategies that the Kabul Women’s 

Children’s Hospital Consortium will 

undertake in the restructuring of 

hospital service delivery. This plan will 

be prepared and submitted to the MOPH 

and HHS no later than three months of 

the initiation of this grant program. 

Advise the HTMF staff on the 

establishment of a separate city-wide 

Kabul Hospital Council that will serve 

as a platform for local hospital directors 

for discussion, sharing of knowledge 

and best practices, creation of a referral 

system for continuity and coordination 

of care with the goal of improving 

healthcare services and health of the 

city of Kabul. The grantee is expected to 

assist the HMTF with preparing for 

Council meetings. 

Provide technical assistance and 

logistical support to the MOPH in 

preparing, hosting and reporting the 

recommendations of an international 

healthcare management summit at a 

date to be determined by the MOPH. 

The main goal of this summit is to give 

the Minister a forum to describe the 

vision for the Afghan healthcare system, 

describe plans for the establishment of 

a hospital consortium in Kabul and gain 

support from the conference attendees 

for the MOPH vision to improve the 

Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 170 / Friday, September 2, 2005 / Notices 52389 

overall access to and quality of 

healthcare services in Kabul. The 

summit is intended to: 

• Highlight MOPH’s efforts to 

improve healthcare management 

including the key role of the Hospital 

Management Task Force in the process. 

• Discuss, prioritize and coordinate 

international donor support for health 

facility management improvement 

efforts. 

• Describe and obtain support for the 

establishment of Kabul Women and 

Children. 

• Hospital Consortium and the 

Consortium Foundation. 

• Formally adopt the concept of a 

Kabul Women and Children’s Hospital 

Consortium. 

• Introduce and describe the role of 

the Kabul Hospital Council. 

In providing assistance to the MOPH 

for an International Healthcare Facility 

Management Summit, the award 

recipient will assist in developing a 

communication plan and list of invited 

participants, support MOPH 

interactions with appropriate 

stakeholders involved in maternal and 

child health (hospital directors, 

clinicians, non-governmental 

organizations, international donors, and 

others), complete a detailed agenda for 

the meeting, provide speech writing 

support for the MOPH, identify meeting 

facilitators, develop, copy and distribute 

all meeting invitations, materials and 

supporting documents and reserve and 

secure an appropriate location for the 

Summit. The award recipient will also 

assist the MOPH in preparing a report 

summarizing the Summit deliberations, 

recommendations and conclusions. 

Assist in developing a set of standards 

to be used by the MOPH in evaluating 

the quality, performance and 

management of hospitals. This activity 

should build on the previous activities 

of other international donors, nongovernmental groups, and multilateral 

organizations which have supported 

similar work. These standards should be 

modeled on standards used in other 

developed and developing countries 

and adapted to Afghan conditions. The 

standards should accommodate legal, 

religious and cultural factors found 

within Afghanistan. The objective is to 

develop over the course of the grant 

period a set of uniform, achievable 

expectations for structures, processes 

and outcomes for hospitals in 

Afghanistan and thus create an ‘‘Afghan 

National Healthcare Certification 

Program.’’ The work plan should reflect 

a schedule for developing the elements 

of the Certification Program over the 

course of the grant period. 

Train a cadre of Afghan nationals at 

the MOPH capable of performing the 

review process according to the Afghan 

hospital standards described above. The 

goal of this activity is to enable the 

MOPH to certify hospitals by the end of 

the grant period. It is anticipated that 

funding and other incentives provided 

to Kabul-based hospitals by the MOPH 

would be based on their performance 

against these standards. The award 

recipient will work with the MOPH to 

determine what these incentives will be, 

the schedule of inspections, and how 

the Certification Program will be 

implemented. 

The budget for the cooperative 

agreement is expected to support local 

expenses related to the summit, 

including meeting facilitators and 

administrative support staff. Conference 

attendees not affiliated with the grantee 

organization or the MOPH are expected 

to provide their own support. 

Special Considerations 

Travel Support: Applicants should be 

aware of and take into account the 

special security considerations when 

working in Afghanistan. Travel 

planning includes responsibility for all 

logistical arrangements for team 

members and will be the responsibility 

of the grantee. Travel expenses for 

attendees to the Summit will be the 

responsibility of the attendee or his/her 

organization. Travel expenses for MOPH 

staff attendees will be the responsibility 

of the MOPH. 

Team Accommodation and On-site 

support: Accommodation and on-site 

support is not included and it is the 

responsibility of the award recipient 

and his/her support staff. The award 

recipient shall arrange all on-site 

resources for team members, including 

but not limited to food, security, 

emergency health care, and local 

transportation. 

Finally, the award recipient will 

monitor and report progress quarterly to 

HHS/OGHA and conduct a 

comprehensive evaluation of all 

required elements and conditions, 

including outcome measures for 

effectiveness and efficiency. 

II. Award Information 

The administrative and funding 

instrument to be used for this program 

will be the cooperative agreement in 

which substantial OGHA/HHS scientific 

and/or programmatic involvement is 

anticipated during the performance of 

the project. Under the cooperative 

agreement, OGHA/HHS will support 

and/or stimulate awardee activities by 

working with them in a non-directive 

partnership role. HHS staff is 

substantially involved in the program 

activities, above and beyond routine 

monitoring. Through this cooperative 

agreement, HHS will collaborate in an 

advisory capacity with the award 

recipient, especially during the 

development and implementation of a 

mutually agreed-upon work plan. HHS 

will actively participate in periodic 

progress reviews and a final evaluation 

of the program. 

Approximately $475,000 in FY 2005 

funds is available to support the 

agreement. This level of support is 

dependent on the receipt of a sufficient 

number and diversity of applications of 

high merit. 

The anticipated start date is October 

1, 2005. There will only be one single 

award made from this announcement. 

The program and budget period for this 

agreement is for 24 months. 

Although this program is provided for 

in the financial plans of the OGHA, the 

award pursuant to this RFA is 

contingent upon the availability of 

funds for this purpose. 

The award recipient must comply 

with all HHS management requirements 

for meeting participation and progress 

and financial reporting for this 

cooperative agreement. (Please see HHS 

Activities and Program Evaluation 

sections below.) 

HHS/OS/OGHA activities for this 

program are as follows: 

• Organize an orientation meeting 

with the award recipient to brief them 

on applicable U.S. Government 

expectations, regulations, policies and 

key management requirements, as well 

as report formats and contents. The 

orientation could include meetings with 

staff from HHS agencies, the U.S. 

Departments of Defense and Veterans 

Affairs, and USAID. 

• Review and approve the process 

used by the award recipient to select 

key personnel and/or post-award 

subcontractors and/or sub grantees to be 

involved in the activities performed 

under this agreement. 

• Review and approve award 

recipients annual work plan and 

detailed budget. 

• Review and approve award 

recipient’s monitoring and evaluation 

plan. 

• Meet on a monthly basis with 

award recipient to assess monthly 

expenditures in relation to approved 

work plan, and modify plans as 

necessary. 

• Meet on a quarterly basis with 

award recipient to assess quarterly 

technical and financial progress reports, 

and modify plans as necessary. 

• Meet on an annual basis with award 

recipient to review annual progress 

52390 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 170 / Friday, September 2, 2005 / Notices 

report for each U.S. Government Fiscal 

Year, and to review annual work plans 

and budgets for the subsequent year. 

• Assure experienced HHS or other 

subject-matter experts from other 

relevant U.S. Government agencies will 

participate in the planning, 

development, implementation, and 

evaluation of all phases of this project. 

• Assist in establishing and 

maintaining U.S. Government, MOPH, 

and non-governmental organizations 

(NGOs) contracts and agreements 

necessary to carry out the program. 

III. Eligibility Information 

1. Eligible Applicants 

Applications may be submitted by 

non-profit entities with offices in the 

United States and partner country or 

incorporated and headquartered in the 

United States with offices in the United 

States. Additionally, organizations or 

consortiums of organizations, including 

faith-based and community based 

organizations, that have collective 

experience with accepting donated 

medical technology, upgrading drug 

formularies, training health care 

providers, local and international 

transportation, and other logistics are 

encouraged to apply for a grant under 

this announcement. 

2. Cost Sharing or Matching 

Cost sharing, matching funds, and 

cost participation is not a requirement 

of this agreement. 

3. Other—(If Applicable): N/A 

IV. Application and Submission 

Information 

1. Address To Request Application 

Package 

This Cooperative Agreement project 

uses the Application Form OPHS–1, 

Revised 8/2004, which is enclosed in 

your application packet. This generic 

form is used by many different programs 

funded through the Public Health 

Service (PHS). Some parts of it are not 

required; other sections need to be filled 

out in a fashion specific to the program. 

Instructions for filling out OPHS–1, 

Revised 8/2004 will be included in the 

application packet. These forms may 

also be obtained from the following sites 

by: Downloading from: https:// 

egrants.osophs.dhhs.gov and clicking on 

Grant Announcements or http:// 

www.grants.gov/ or by writing to Ms. 

Karen Campbell, Director, Office of 

Grants Management, OPHS, HHS Tower 

Building, 1101 Wootton Parkway, Suite 

550, Rockville, MD 20852; or contact the 

Office of Grants Management at (240) 

453–8822. Please specify the OGHA 

program(s) for which you are requesting 

an application kit. 

2. Content and Form of Application 

Submission 

Application Materials 

A separate budget page is required for 

the budget year requested. A line item 

budget (SF 424A) with coinciding 

justification to support each of the 

budget years must be submitted with the 

proposal. These forms will represent the 

full project period of Federal assistance 

requested. Proposals submitted without 

a budget and justification for each 

budget year requested in the application 

may not be favorably considered for 

funding. Specific instructions for 

submitting a detailed budget for this 

application will be included in the 

application packet. If additional 

information and/or clarification are 

required, please contact the OPHS 

Office of Grants Management identified 

in Section VII of this announcement. 

All applications must be accompanied 

by a Project Abstract submitted on 3.5 

inch floppy disk. The abstract must be 

typed, single-spaced, and not exceed 2 

pages. Reviewers and staff will refer 

frequently to the information contained 

in the abstract, and therefore it should 

contain substantive information about 

the proposed projects in summary form. 

A list of suggested keywords and a 

format sheet for your use in preparing 

the abstract will be included in the 

application packet. 

All grant applications must be 

accompanied by a Project Narrative. In 

addition to the instructions provided in 

OPHS–1 (Rev 8/2004) for project 

narrative, the specific guidelines for the 

project narrative are provided in the 

program guidelines. Format 

requirements are the same as for the 

Project Abstract Section; margins should 

be 1 inch at the top and 1 inch at the 

bottom and both sides; and typeset must 

be no smaller than 12 cpi and not 

reduced. Biographical sketches should 

be either typed on the appropriate form 

or plain paper and should not exceed 

two pages, with publications listed 

being limited only to those that are 

directly relevant to this project. 

Application Format Requirements 

If applying on paper, the entire 

application may not exceed 80 pages in 

length, including the abstract, project 

and budget narratives, face page, 

attachments, any appendices and letters 

of commitment and support. Pages must 

be numbered consecutively. 

Applications submitted electronically 

that exceed 80 pages when printed will 

be deemed non-compliant. All noncompliant applications will be returned 

to the applicant without further 

consideration. 

a. Number of Copies 

Please submit one (1) original and two 

(2) unbound copies of the application. 

Please do not bind or staple the 

application. Application must be single 

sided. 

b. Font 

Please use an easily readable serif 

typeface, such as Times Roman, Courier, 

or CG Times. The text and table portions 

of the application must be submitted in 

not less than 12 point and 1.0 line 

spacing. Applications not adhering to 12 

point font requirements may be 

returned. 

c. Paper Size and Margins 

For scanning purposes, please submit 

the application on 81⁄2′′ x 11′′ white 

paper. Margins must be at least one (1) 

inch at the top, bottom, left and right of 

the paper. Please left-align text. 

d. Numbering 

Please number the pages of the 

application sequentially from page 1 

(face page) to the end of the application, 

including charts, figures, tables, and 

appendices. 

e. Names 

Please include the name of the 

applicant on each page. 

f. Section Headings 

Please put all section headings flush 

left in bold type. 

Application Format: Applications for 

funding must consist of the following 

documents in the following order: 

i. Application Face Page 

Public Health Service (PHS) 

Application Form OPHS–1, provided 

with the application package. Prepare 

this page according to instructions 

provided in the form itself. 

DUNS Number 

All applicant organizations are 

required to have a Data Universal 

Numbering System (DUNS) number in 

order to apply for a grant from the 

Federal Government. The DUNS 

number is a unique nine-character 

identification number provided by the 

commercial company, Dun and 

Bradstreet. There is no charge to obtain 

a DUNS number. Information about 

obtaining a DUNS number can be found 

at https://www.dnb.com/product/ 

eupdate/requestOptions.html or call 1–

866–705–5711. Please include the 

DUNS number next to the OMB 

Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 170 / Friday, September 2, 2005 / Notices 52391 

Approval Number on the application 

face page. Applications will not be 

reviewed without a DUNS number. 

Additionally, the applicant 

organization will be required to register 

with the Federal Government’s Central 

Contractor Registry (CCR) in order to do 

electronic business with the Federal 

Government. Information about 

registering with the CCR can be found 

at http://www.hrsa.gov/grants/ccr.htm. 

Finally, applicants applying 

electronically through Grants.gov are 

required to register with the Credential 

Provider for Grants.gov. Information 

about this requirement is available at 

http://www.grants.gov/ 

CredentialProvider. 

Applicants applying electronically 

throughthe OPHS E-Grants System are 

required to register with the provider. 

Information about this requirement is 

available at. https:// 

egrants.osophs.dhhs.gov. 

ii. Table of Contents 

Provide a Table of Contents for the 

remainder of the application (including 

appendices), with page numbers. 

iii. Application Checklist 

Application Form OPHS–1, provided 

with the application package. 

iv. Budget 

Application Form OPHS–1, provided 

with the application package. 

v. Budget Justification 

The amount of financial support 

(direct and indirect costs) that an 

applicant is requesting from the Federal 

granting agency for the first year is to be 

entered on the Face Sheet of 

Application Form PHS 5161–1, Line 

15a. Each application should include 

funds for electronic mail capability 

unless access by Internet is already 

available. The amount of financial 

support (direct and indirect costs) 

entered on the SF 424 is the amount an 

applicant is requesting from the Federal 

granting agency for the project year. 

Please note that if indirect costs are 

requested, the applicant must submit a 

copy of the latest negotiated rate 

agreement. The indirect costs rate refers 

to the Other Sponsored Program/ 

Activities rate and to neither the 

research rate, nor the education/training 

program rate. Those applicants without 

an established indirect cost rate for 

sponsored programs will be held at 26% 

of total direct costs except, in cases 

where there is no established rate, 

applicants may only request of 10% of 

salaries and wages. However, if an 

applicant’s established rate for other 

sponsored programs exceeds 26%, but 

would be advantageous to the 

government, the OGHA/HHS may honor 

that indirect rate cost. 

Personnel Costs: Personnel costs 

should be explained by listing each staff 

member who will be supported from 

funds, name (if possible), position title, 

percent full time equivalency, annual 

salary, and the exact amount requested. 

Indirect Costs: Indirect costs are those 

costs incurred for common or joint 

objectives which cannot be readily 

identified but are necessary to the 

operations of the organization, e.g., the 

cost of operating and maintaining 

facilities, depreciation, and 

administrative salaries. For institutions 

subject to OMB Circular A–21, the term 

‘‘facilities and administration’’ is used 

to denote indirect costs. If the applicant 

does not have an indirect cost rate, you 

may obtain one by visiting the Division 

of Cost Allocation website: http:// 

rates.psc.gov. 

Fringe Benefits: List the components 

that comprise the fringe benefit rate, for 

example health insurance, taxes, 

unemployment insurance, life 

insurance, retirement plan, tuition 

reimbursement. The fringe benefits 

should be directly proportional to that 

portion of personnel costs that are 

allocated for the project. 

Travel: List travel costs according to 

local and long distance travel. For local 

travel, the mileage rate, number of 

miles, reason for travel and staff 

member/consumers completing the 

travel should be outlined. The budget 

should also reflect the travel expenses 

associated with participating in 

meetings and other proposed trainings 

or workshops. 

Equipment: List equipment costs and 

provide justification for the need of the 

equipment to carry out the program’s 

goals. Extensive justification and a 

detailed status of current equipment 

must be provided when requesting 

funds for the purchase of computers and 

furniture items. 

Supplies: List the items that the 

project will use. In this category, 

separate office supplies from medical 

and educational purchases. Office 

supplies could include paper, pencils, 

and the like; medical supplies are 

syringes, blood tubes, plastic gloves, 

etc., and educational supplies may be 

pamphlets and educational videotapes. 

Remember, they must be listed 

separately. 

Subcontracts: To the extent possible, 

all subcontract budgets and 

justifications should be standardized, 

and contract budgets should be 

presented by using the same object class 

categories contained in the Standard 

Form 424A. Provide a clear explanation 

as to the purpose of each contract, how 

the costs were estimated, and the 

specific contract deliverables. 

Other: Put all costs that do not fit into 

any other category into this category and 

provide an explanation of each cost in 

this category. In some cases, grantee 

rent, utilities and insurance fall under 

this category if they are not included in 

an approved indirect cost rate.) 

vi. Staffing Plan and Personnel 

Requirements 

Applicants must present a staffing 

plan and provide a justification for the 

plan that includes education and 

experience qualifications and rationale 

for the amount of time being requested 

for each staff position. Position 

descriptions that include the roles, 

responsibilities, and qualifications of 

proposed project staff must be included 

in Appendix XX. Copies of biographical 

sketches for any key employed 

personnel that will be assigned to work 

on the proposed project must be 

included in Appendix XX. 

vii. Project Abstract 

Provide a summary of the application. 

Because the abstract is often distributed 

to provide information to the public and 

Congress, please prepare this so that it 

is clear, accurate, concise, and without 

reference to other parts of the 

application. It must include a brief 

description of the proposed grant 

project including the needs to be 

addressed, the proposed services, and 

the population group(s) to be served. 

Please place the following at the top 

of the abstract: 

• Project Title 

• Applicant Name 

• Address 

• Contact Phone Numbers (Voice, 

Fax) 

• E-Mail Address 

• Web Site Address, if applicable 

The project abstract must be singlespaced and limited to two pages in 

length. 

vii. Program Narrative 

This section provides a 

comprehensive framework and 

description of all aspects of the 

proposed program. It should be 

succinct, self-explanatory and well 

organized so that reviewers can 

understand the proposed project. 

Use the following section headers for 

the Narrative: 

• Introduction. 

This section should briefly describe 

the purpose of the proposed project. 

• Work Plan. 

Describe the activities or steps that 

will be used to achieve each of the 

52392 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 170 / Friday, September 2, 2005 / Notices 

activities proposed in the methodology 

section. Use a time line that includes 

each activity and identifies responsible 

staff. 

• Resolution of Challenges. 

Discuss challenges that are likely to 

be encountered in designing and 

implementing the activities described in 

the Work Plan, and approaches that will 

be used to resolve such challenges. 

• Evaluation and Technical Support 

Capacity. 

Describe current experience, skills, 

and knowledge, including individuals 

on staff, materials published, and 

previous work of a similar nature. 

• Organizational Information. 

Provide information on the applicant 

agency’s current mission and structure, 

scope of current activities, and an 

organizational chart, and describe how 

these all contribute to the ability of the 

organization to conduct the program 

requirements and meet program 

expectations. 

iii. Appendices 

Please provide the following items to 

complete the content of the application. 

Please note that these are 

supplementary in nature, and are not 

intended to be a continuation of the 

project narrative. Be sure each appendix 

is clearly labeled. 

(1) Appendix A: Tables, Charts, etc. 

To give further details about the 

proposal. 

(2) Appendix B: Job Descriptions for 

Key Personnel. 

Keep each to one page in length as 

much as is possible. Item 6 in the 

Program Narrative section of the PHS 

5161–1 Form provides some guidance 

on items to include in a job description. 

(3) Appendix C: Biographical 

Sketches of Key Personnel. 

Include biographical sketches for 

persons occupying the key positions 

described in Appendix B, not to exceed 

two pages in length. In the event that a 

biographical sketch is included for an 

identified individual who is not yet 

hired, please include a letter of 

commitment from that person with the 

biographical sketch. 

(4) Appendix D: Letters of Agreement 

and/or Description(s) of Proposed/ 

Existing Contracts (project specific) 

Provide any documents that describe 

working relationships between the 

applicant agency and other agencies and 

programs cited in the proposal. 

Documents that confirm actual or 

pending contractual agreements should 

clearly describe the roles of the 

subcontractors and any deliverable. 

Letters of agreements must be dated. 

(5) Appendix E: Project 

Organizational Chart. 

Provide a one-page figure that depicts 

the organizational structure of the 

project, including subcontractors and 

other significant collaborators. 

(6) Appendix F: Other Relevant 

Documents. 

Include here any other documents 

that are relevant to the application, 

including letters of supports. Letters of 

support must be dated. 

3. Submission Dates and Times 

Notification of Intent To Apply 

A letter of intent is not required. 

However, if a letter of intent is 

submitted, the letter should identify the 

applicant organization and its intent to 

apply, and briefly describe the proposal 

to be submitted. Receipt of Letters of 

Intent will not be acknowledged. 

This letter should be sent by 

September 9, 2005 by mail or fax to: 

Department of Health and Human 

Services, Office of the Secretary, Office 

of Global Health Affairs, 5600 Fishers 

Lane, Suite 18–101, Rockville, MD 

20857, Facsimile Number: 301–443–

2820. 

Application Submission. The OPHS 

provides multiple mechanisms for 

submission of applications as described 

in the following sections. 

Electronic Submission: The OPHS 

electronic grants management system, 

eGrants, provides for applications to be 

submitted electronically. While 

applications are accepted in hard copy, 

the use of the electronic application 

submissions capabilities provided by 

the eGrants system is encouraged. 

Information about this system is 

available on the Office of Population 

Affairs Web site at http:// 

opa.osophs.dhhs.gov, or may be 

requested from the OPHS Office of 

Grants Management at 240–453–8822. 

Applications sent via any other means 

of electronic communication, including 

facsimile or electronic mail, outside of 

the OPHS eGrants system will not be 

accepted for review. 

The body of the application and 

required forms can be submitted using 

the e-Grants system. In addition to 

electronically submitted materials, 

applicants are required to provide a 

hard copy of the application face page 

(Standard Form 424 [Revised 07/03]) 

with the original signature of an 

individual authorized to act for the 

applicant agency or organization and to 

assume for the organization the 

obligations imposed by the terms and 

conditions of the grant award. The 

application is not considered complete 

until both the electronic application and 

the hard copy of the face page with the 

original signature are received. 

Electronic grant application 

submissions must be submitted no later 

than 5 p.m. eastern time on the deadline 

date specified in the DATES section of 

the announcement. All required hard 

copy original signatures and mail-in 

items must be received by the OPHS 

Office of Grants Management no later 

than 5 p.m. eastern time on the next 

business day after the deadline date 

specified in the DATES section of the 

announcement. 

Applications will not be considered 

valid until all electronic application 

components, hard copy original 

signatures, and mail-in items are 

received by the OPHS Office of Grants 

Management according to the deadlines 

specified above. Any application 

submitted electronically after 5 p.m. 

eastern time on the deadline date 

specified in the DATES section of the 

announcement will be considered late 

and will be deemed ineligible. Failure of 

the applicant to submit all required hard 

copy original signatures to the OPHS 

Office of Grants Management by 5 p.m. 

eastern time on the next business day 

after the deadline date specified in the 

DATES section of the announcement will 

result in the electronic application being 

deemed ineligible. 

Upon completion of a successful 

electronic application submission, the 

eGrants system will provide the 

applicant with a confirmation page 

indicating the date and time (eastern 

time) of the electronic application 

submission. This confirmation page will 

also provide the receipt status of all 

indicated signatures and items to be 

mailed to the OPHS Office of Grants 

Management. As items are received by 

the OPHS Office of Grants Management, 

the electronic application status will be 

updated to reflect the receipt of mail-in 

items. It is recommended that the 

applicant monitor the status of their 

application to ensure that all signatures 

and mail-in items are received. 

Applicants are encouraged to initiate 

electronic applications early in the 

application development process, and to 

submit early on the due date or before. 

This will aid in addressing any 

problems with submission prior to the 

application deadline. 

Mailed Hard Copy Applications: 

Applications submitted in hard copy 

must include an original and two copies 

of the application. The original 

application must be signed by an 

individual authorized to act for the 

applicant agency or organization and to 

assume for the organization the 

obligations imposed by the terms and 

conditions of the grant award. 

Mailed applications will be 

considered as meeting the deadline if 

Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 170 / Friday, September 2, 2005 / Notices 52393 

they are received by the OPHS Office of 

Grants Management on or before 5 p.m. 

eastern time on the deadline date 

specified in the DATES section of the 

announcement. The application 

deadline date requirement specified in 

this announcement supercedes the 

instructions in the OPHS–1. 

Applications that do not meet the 

deadline will be returned to the 

applicant unread. 

Hand-Delivered Applications: Handdelivered applications must be received 

by the OPHS Office of Grants 

Management, 1101 Wootten Parkway, 

Suite 550, Rockville, Maryland 20852, 

no later than 5 p.m. eastern time on the 

deadline date specified in the DATES

section of the announcement. Handdelivered applications must include an 

original and two copies of the 

application. The original application 

must be signed by an individual 

authorized to act for the applicant 

agency or organization and to assume 

for the organization the obligations 

imposed by the terms and conditions of 

the grant award. 

Applications will be screened upon 

receipt. Those that are judged to be 

incomplete or arrive after the deadline 

will be returned without review or 

comment. Applications that exceed the 

requested amount may also be returned 

without review or comment. Applicants 

that are judged to be in compliance will 

be notified by the OPHS Office of Grants 

Management. Accepted applications 

will be reviewed for technical merit in 

accordance with DHHS policies. 

Applications should be submitted to: 

Director, Office of Grants Management, 

OPHS, HHS, 1101 Wootten Parkway, 

Suite 550, Rockville, MD 20852. 

Technical assistance on budget and 

business aspects of the application may 

be obtained from the Office of Grants 

Management, OPHS, HHS, 1101 

Wootten Parkway, Suite 550, Rockville, 

MD 20852, telephone: (240) 453–8822. 

4. Internal Government Review 

This program is not subject to the 

review requirements of Executive Order 

12372, Intergovernmental Review of 

Federal Programs. 

5. Funding Restrictions 

Allowability, allocability, 

reasonableness, and necessity of direct 

and indirect costs that may be charged 

are outlined in the following 

documents: OMB–21 (Institutes of 

Higher Education); OMB Circular A–122 

(Nonprofit Organizations) and 45 CFR 

Part 74, Appendix E (Hospitals). Copies 

of these circulars can be found on the 

Internet at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/ 

omb. 

6. Other Submission Requirements: N/A 

V. Application Review Information 

1. Criteria 

Applications will be screened by 

OGHA staff for completeness and for 

responsiveness to the program guidance. 

Applicants should pay strict attention 

addressing these criteria, as they are the 

basis upon which their applications will 

be judged. Those applications judged to 

be non-responsive or incomplete will be 

returned to the applicant without 

review. 

Applications that are complete and 

responsive to the guidance will be 

evaluated for scientific and technical 

merit by an appropriate peer review 

group specifically convened for this 

solicitation and in accordance with HHS 

policies and procedures. As part of the 

initial merit review, all applications will 

receive a written critique. All 

applications recommended for approval 

will be discussed fully by the ad hoc 

peer review group and assigned a 

priority score for funding. Eligible 

applications will be assessed according 

the following criteria: 

(1) Technical Approach (40 points): 

• The applicant’s presentation of a 

sound and practical technical approach 

for executing the requirements with 

adequate explanation, substantiation 

and justification for methods for 

handling the projected needs of the 

partner institution. 

• The successful applicant must 

demonstrate a clear understanding of 

the scope and objectives of the 

cooperative agreement, recognition of 

potential difficulties that may arise in 

performing the work required, 

presentation of adequate solutions, and 

understanding of the close coordination 

necessary between the OGHA/HHS, 

Afghanistan Ministry of Public Health, 

U.S. Agency for International 

Development, and other organizations, 

such as the World Health Organization 

and United Nations Children’s Fund. 

• Applicants must submit a strategic 

plan that outlines the schedule of 

activities and expected products of the 

Group’s work with benchmarks at 

months six, 12. The strategic plan 

should specifically address the expected 

progress of the Quality of Care program. 

(4) Personnel Qualifications and 

Experience (20 points): 

• Project Leadership—For the 

technical and administrative leadership 

of the project requirements, successful 

applicants must demonstrate 

documented training, expertise, relevant 

experiences, leadership/management 

skills, and availability of a suitable 

overall project manager and 

surrounding management structure to 

successfully plan and manage the 

project. Successful applicant will 

provide documented history of 

leadership in the establishment and 

management of training programs that 

involve training of health care 

professionals in countries other than the 

United States. Expertise in maternal and 

child health care and services including 

documented training, expertise, relevant 

experience, leadership skills, and 

maternal and child health specific 

medical expertise. Documented 

managerial ability to achieve delivery or 

performance requirements as 

demonstrated by the proposed use of 

management and other personnel 

resources and to successfully manage 

the project, including subcontractor 

and/or consultant efforts, if applicable, 

as evidence by the management plan 

and demonstrated by previous relevant 

experience. 

• Partner Institutions and other 

Personnel—Applicants should provide 

documented evidence of availability, 

training, qualifications, expertise, 

relevant experience, education and 

competence of the scientific, clinical, 

analytical, technical and administrative 

staff and any other proposed personnel 

(including partner institutions, 

subcontractors and consultants), to 

perform the requirements of the work 

activities as evidenced by resumes, 

endorsements and explanations of 

previous efforts. 

• Staffing Plan—Applicants should 

submit a staffing plan for the conduct of 

the project, including the 

appropriateness of the time commitment 

of all staff and partner institutions, the 

clarity and appropriateness of assigned 

roles, lines of authority. Applicants 

should also provide an organizational 

chart for each partner institution named 

in the application showing relationships 

among the key personnel. 

• Administrative and Organizational 

Framework—Adequacy of the 

administrative and organizational 

framework, with lines of authority and 

responsibility clearly demonstrated, and 

adequacy of the project plan, with 

proposed time schedule for achieving 

objectives and maintaining quality 

control over the implementation and 

operation of the project. Adequacy of 

back-up staffing and the evidence that 

they will be able to function as a team. 

The framework should identify the 

institution that will assume legal and 

financial responsibility and 

accountability for the use and 

disposition of funds awarded on the 

basis of this RFA. 

(5) Experience and Capabilities of the 

Organization (30 Points): 

52394 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 170 / Friday, September 2, 2005 / Notices 

• Applicants should submit 

documented relevant experience of the 

organization in managing projects of 

similar complexity and scope of the 

activities. 

• Clarity and appropriateness of lines 

of communication and authority for 

coordination and management of the 

project. Adequacy and feasibility of 

plans to ensure successful coordination 

of a multiple-partner collaboration. 

• Documented experience recruiting 

qualified medical personnel for projects 

of similar complexity and scope of 

activities. 

(4) Facilities and Resources (10 

Points): 

Documented availability and 

adequacy of facilities, equipment and 

resources necessary to carry out the 

activities specified under Program 

Requirements. 

2. Review and Selection Process 

Applications will be reviewed in 

competition with other submitted 

applications, by a panel of peer 

reviewers. Each of the above criteria 

will be addressed and considered by the 

reviewers in assigning the overall score. 

Final award will be made by the Deputy 

Director, Asia and Pacific Division of 

the Office Global Health Affairs on the 

basis of score, program relevance and, 

availability of funds. 

VI. Award Administration Information 

1. Award Notices 

OGHA/HHS does not release 

information about individual 

applications during the review process 

until final funding decisions have been 

made. When these decisions have been 

made, applicants will be notified by 

letter regarding the outcome of their 

applications. The official document 

notifying an applicant that an 

application has been approved and 

funded is the Notice of Award, which 

specifies to the awardee the amount of 

money awarded, the purpose of the 

agreement, the terms and conditions of 

the agreement, and the amount of 

funding, if any, to be contributed by the 

awardee to the project costs. 

2. Administrative and National Policy 

Requirements 

The regulations set out at 45 CFR 

parts 74 and 92 are the Department of 

Health and Human Services (HHS) rules 

and requirements that govern the 

administration of grants. Part 74 is 

applicable to all recipients except those 

covered by part 92, which governs 

awards to state and local governments. 

Applicants funded under this 

announcement must be aware of and 

comply with these regulations. The CFR 

volume that includes parts 74 and 92 

may be downloaded from http:// 

www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/ 

waisidx_03/45cfrv1_03.html. 

3. Reporting 

Each party to this Cooperative 

Agreement has agreed to undertake the 

following obligations: 

The applicant (recipient) agrees to: 

a. Provide a budget for the acquisition 

and installation of the necessary 

equipment to complete the HHS Project, 

using the provided HHS Guidelines on 

Medical Equipment Donation; 

b. Facilitate the acquisition, 

refurbishment and calibration of the 

necessary equipment at a reduced cost; 

c. Prepare the necessary items for 

shipping including preparation of 

shipping documents for entry into 

partner country; 

d. Provide manuals for the donated 

equipment which can be translated into 

the primary language, at a sixth grade 

reading level and contain illustrations. 

Manuals must include content on the 

proper storage, cleaning and care and 

repair of the equipment; 

e. Ensure that the training method or 

module includes essential content 

regarding the adherence to established 

infection control principles; 

f. Provide technical training and 

examination of proficiency by the user 

on agreed upon technologies and 

supplied equipment; 

g. Ensure that training is provided by 

a certified trainer at a time closely 

coordinated with the delivery of the 

equipment or materials; and, 

h. Accompany the equipment and 

supplies for the purpose of overseeing 

the distribution, installation, and 

training in partner institution. 

HHS agrees to: 

a. Identify the funds necessary for the 

acceptance of the necessary equipment 

in keeping with the approved budget; 

and, 

b. Identify the funds or transportation 

necessary for the shipping of goods to 

partner country. 

All projects are required to have an 

evaluation plan, consistent with the 

scope of the proposed project and 

funding level that conforms to the 

project’s stated goals and objectives. The 

evaluation plan should include both a 

process evaluation to track the 

implementation of project activities and 

an outcome evaluation to measure 

changes in knowledge and skills that 

can be attributed to the project. Project 

funds may be used to support 

evaluation activities. 

In addition to conducting their own 

evaluation of their projects, successful 

applicants must be prepared to 

participate in an external evaluation, to 

be supported by OGHA/HHS and 

conducted by an independent entity, to 

assess efficiency and effectiveness for 

the project funded under this 

announcement. 

Within 30 days following the end of 

each of quarter, submit a performance 

report no more than ten pages in length 

must be submitted to OGHA/HHS. A 

sample monthly performance report will 

be provided at the time of notification 

of award. At a minimum, monthly 

performance reports should include: 

• Concise summary of the most 

significant achievements and problems 

encountered during the reporting 

period, e.g. number of training courses 

held and number of trainees. 

• A comparison of work progress 

with objectives established for the 

quarter using the grantee’s 

implementation schedule, and where 

such objectives were not met, a 

statement of why they were not met. 

• Specific action(s) that the grantee 

would like the OGHA/HHS to undertake 

to alleviate a problem. 

• Other pertinent information that 

will permit monitoring and overview of 

project operations. 

• A quarterly financial report 

describing the current financial status of 

the funds used under this award. The 

awardee and OGHA will agree at the 

time of award for the format of this 

portion of the report. 

Within 90 days following the end of 

the project period a final report 

containing information and data of 

interest to the Department of Health and 

Human Services, Congress, and other 

countries must be submitted to OGHA/ 

HHS. The specifics as to the format and 

content of the final report and the 

summary will be sent to successful 

applicants. At minimum, the report 

should contain: 

• A summary of the major activities 

supported under the agreement and the 

major accomplishments resulting from 

activities to improve mortality in 

partner country. 

• An analysis of the project based on 

the problem(s) described in the 

application and needs assessments, 

performed prior to or during the project 

period, including a description of the 

specific objectives stated in the grant 

application and the accomplishments 

and failures resulting from activities 

during the grant period. 

Quarterly performance reports and the 

final report may be submitted to: Ms. 

Karen Campbell, Director, Office of 

Grants Management, OPHS, HHS, 1101 

Wootton Parkway, Suite 550, Rockville, 

MD 20852, phone (240) 453–8822. 

Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 170 / Friday, September 2, 2005 / Notices 52395 

VII. Agency Contacts 

For assistance on administrative and 

budgetary requirements, please contact: 

Ms. Karen Campbell, Director, Office of 

Grants Management, OPHS, HHS 1101 

Wootton Parkway, Suite 550, Rockville, 

MD 20852, phone (240) 453–8822. 

For assistance with questions 

regarding program requirements, please 

contact: Dr. Amar Bhat, Asia-Pacific 

Division, Office of Global Health Affairs, 

Office of the Secretary, Department of 

Health and Human Services, 5600 

Fishers Lane, Suite 18–101, Rockville, 

MD 20857. Phone Number: 301–443–

1410. 

VIII. Tips for Writing a Strong 

Application 

Include DUNS Number. You must 

include a DUNS Number to have your 

application reviewed. Applications will 

not be reviewed without a DUNS 

number. To obtain a DUNS number, 

access www.dunandbradstreet.com or 

call 1–866–705–5711. Please include the 

DUNS number next to the OMB 

Approval Number on the application 

face page. 

Keep your audience in mind. 

Reviewers will use only the information 

contained in the application to assess 

the application. Be sure the application 

and responses to the program 

requirements and expectations are 

complete and clearly written. Do not 

assume that reviewers are familiar with 

the applicant organization. Keep the 

review criteria in mind when writing 

the application. 

Start preparing the application early. 

Allow plenty of time to gather required 

information from various sources. 

Follow the instructions in this 

guidance carefully. Place all information 

in the order requested in the guidance. 

If the information is not placed in the 

requested order, you may receive a 

lower score. 

Be brief, concise, and clear. Make 

your points understandable. Provide 

accurate and honest information, 

including candid accounts of problems 

and realistic plans to address them. If 

any required information or data is 

omitted, explain why. Make sure the 

information provided in each table, 

chart, attachment, etc., is consistent 

with the proposal narrative and 

information in other tables. 

Be organized and logical. Many 

applications fail to receive a high score 

because the reviewers cannot follow the 

thought process of the applicant or 

because parts of the application do not 

fit together. 

Be careful in the use of appendices. 

Do not use the appendices for 

information that is required in the body 

of the application. Be sure to crossreference all tables and attachments 

located in the appendices to the 

appropriate text in the application. 

Carefully proofread the application. 

Misspellings and grammatical errors 

will impede reviewers in understanding 

the application. Be sure pages are 

numbered (including appendices) and 

that page limits are followed. Limit the 

use of abbreviations and acronyms, and 

define each one at its first use and 

periodically throughout application. 

Dated: August 26, 2005. 

Mary Lou Valdez, 

Deputy Director for Policy, Office of Global 

Health Affairs. 

Cristina V. Beato, 

Acting Assistant Secretary for Health, Office 

of Public Health and Science. 

[FR Doc. 05–17546 Filed 9–1–05; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4150–38–P 

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND 

HUMAN SERVICES 

Federal Guidelines for Requesting, 

Stockpiling, Distributing Potassium 

Iodide (KI) From the Strategic National 

Stockpile (SNS); Correction 

AGENCY: Office of Public Health 

Emergency Preparedness (OPHEP), 

HHS. 

SUMMARY: This document corrects the 

notice that appeared in the Federal 

Register on August 29, 2005, (70 FR 

51065), entitled ‘‘Federal Guidelines for 

Requesting, Stockpiling, Distributing 

Potassium Iodide (KI) From the Strategic 

National Stockpile (SNS)’. 

We inadvertently omitted the DATES

section of the notice to inform the 

public of how long we will be receiving 

comments. 

We are adding the DATES section to 

read as follows: 

DATES: Submit comments on or before 

November 1, 2005. 

Robert G. Claypool, 

Deputy Assistant Secretary, Office of Public, 

Health Emergency Preparedness. 

[FR Doc. 05–17556 Filed 9–1–05; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4150–37–P 

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND 

HUMAN SERVICES 

Centers for Disease Control and 

Prevention 

[Program Announcement DP05–133] 

Mind/Body Research and Chronic 

Disease Conditions; Notice of Intent To 

Fund a Sole Source Award 

A. Purpose 

The Centers for Disease Control and 

Prevention (CDC) announces the intent 

to fund fiscal year (FY) 2005 funds for 

a grant program to support research on 

the impact and effectiveness of 

relaxation and stress reduction on 

chronic health conditions. This 

announcement will build on research 

currently being conducted in this area 

by the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical 

Center (BIDMC), Mind/Body Medical 

Institute (MBMI). The results from this 

study will continue to generate new 

knowledge on the physiologic 

mechanisms of the relaxation response, 

mechanisms of acute changes, and 

identification of those most likely to 

benefit in a specific clinical model. 

The Catalog of Federal Domestic 

Assistance number for this program is 

93.283. 

B. Eligible Applicant 

Assistance will be provided only to 

the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical 

Center (BIDMC), Mind/Body Medical 

Institute (MBMI), Harvard Medical 

School, 824 Boylston Street, Chestnut 

Hill, MA 02467. No other applications 

will be solicited. 

The BIDMC, MBMI is specifically 

referenced in the House of 

Representatives 2nd Session Conference 

Report 108–792. Page 1161 of the report 

states: ‘‘Within amounts provided for 

Community Health Promotion: * * * 

$1,974,000 is for the Mind-Body 

Institute in Boston, Massachusetts to 

continue practice-based assessments, 

identification, and study of promising 

and heavily-used mind/body practices.’’

The BIDMC, MBMI is a non-profit 

scientific and educational organization 

dedicated to the study of mind/body 

interactions, including the relaxation 

response. The institute uses its expertise 

to enhance the recognition and 

understanding of mind/body medicine’s 

role in the practice of medicine to foster 

and expand the uses of mind/body 

interaction in health care and other 

appropriate settings, thereby advancing 

health and well-being throughout the 

world. Today over 9,000 patients 

throughout the United States participate 

in the institutes clinical programs.