[Federal Register: August 28, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 167)]
[Notices]
[Page 51781-51785]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr28au03-50]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
[Program Announcement 04004]
Public Health Conference Support Grant Program; Notice of
Availability of Funds
Application Deadline:
Cycle A: November 19, 2003.
Cycle B: March 8, 2004.
Cycle C: June 1, 2004.
A. Authority and Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) program is
authorized under section 317(k)(2) of the Public Health Service Act,
(42 U.S.C. 247b(k)(2)) as amended. The Catalog of Federal Domestic
Assistance (CFDA) number is 93.283.
The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR)
program is authorized under sections 104(i)(14) and (15) of the
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act
of 1980 (CERCLA), as amended by the Superfund Amendments and
Reauthorization Act of 1986 (SARA), [42 U.S.C. 9604(i)(14) and (15)].
The CFDA number is 93.161 for ATSDR.
B. Purpose
CDC and ATSDR announce the pending availability of appropriated
fiscal year (FY) 2004 funds for a grant program for Public Health
Conference Support. This program addresses the ``Healthy People 2010''
focus areas of Arthritis, Osteoporosis and Chronic Back Conditions,
Cancer, Diabetes, Disability and Secondary Conditions, Educational and
Community-Based Programs, Environmental Health, Heart Disease and
Stroke, Immunization and Infectious Diseases, Injury and Violence
[[Page 51782]]
Prevention, Maternal, Infant and Child Health, Occupational Safety and
Health, Oral Health, Physical Activity and Fitness, Public Health
Infrastructure, Respiratory Diseases, Sexually Transmitted Diseases,
and Tobacco Use. Conferences on Access to Quality Health Services,
Family Planning, Food Safety, Health Communications, Medical Product
Safety, Substance Abuse, and Vision and Hearing, are not priority focus
areas of CDC or ATSDR, and should be directed to other Federal
Agencies.
HIV Conferences and HIV subject matter are covered under another
program and are not permitted under this announcement.
The purpose of conference support funding is to provide partial
support for specific non-Federal conferences (not a series) in the
areas of health promotion and disease prevention information and
education programs, and applied research.
Conference support by CDC/ATSDR creates the appearance of CDC/ATSDR
co-sponsorship, and Congress has required that there will be active
participation by CDC/ATSDR in the development and approval of the
conference agenda to make sure there are no subjects that would
embarrass the Government or be an improper use of funds. CDC/ATSDR
funds will be expended only for approved portions of the conference.
C. Eligible Applicants
Applications for CDC support may be submitted by public and private
non-profit, and faith-based organizations. Public and private non-
profit entities include State and local governments or their bona fide
agents, faith-based organizations, voluntary associations, foundations,
civic groups, scientific or professional associations, universities,
and Federally-recognized Indian tribal governments, Indian tribes, or
Indian tribal organizations.
Applications for ATSDR support may be submitted by the official
public health agencies of the States, or their bona fide agents. This
includes the District of Columbia, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of
Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia,
Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, the Republic of the Marshall
Island, the Republic of Palau, and Federally-recognized Indian Tribal
governments. State organizations, including State universities, State
colleges, and State research institutions must establish that they meet
their respective State's legislature definition of a State entity or
political subdivision to be considered an eligible applicant.
Also eligible are nationally and internationally recognized
associations of health professionals and other chartered organizations
generally recognized as demonstrating a need for information to protect
the public from the health effects of exposure to hazardous substances.
Faith-based organizations are encouraged to apply.
Only conferences planned for May 1, 2004 through September 30, 2005
are eligible to apply under this announcement.
To be eligible to apply the applicant must:
1. Propose a conference that matches only one or two topic areas
identified in the ``Topic Areas of Programmatic Interest'' as listed in
Attachment II of this announcement. (All attachments are posted with
this announcement on the CDC Web site.)
2. Identify the estimated total cost of the conference and the
dollar amount of the total cost requested from CDC/ATSDR (which must be
less than 100 percent).
This information should be included in the cover letter submitted
with the application. Applications that do not include this information
and respond directly to the above information will be determined as
non-responsive and will be returned without review.
Note: Title 2 of the United States Code, Chapter 26, Section
1611 states that an organization described in section 501(c)(4) of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 that engages in lobbying
activities is not eligible to receive Federal funds constituting an
award, grant, cooperative agreement, contract, loan, or any other
form.
D. Funding
Availability of Funds: Approximately $1,100,000 may be available
from CDC in FY 2004 to fund approximately 60 to 80 awards. It is
expected that the average award will be $20,000.
Approximately $25,000 is available from ATSDR in FY 2004 to fund
approximately three to five awards. It is expected that the average
award will be $8,000, ranging from $5,000 to $10,000.
Application requests that exceed $50,000 (CDC) or $10,000 (ATSDR)
will be determined as non-responsive and will be returned to the
applicant without review.
It is expected that the awards will begin on or about sixty days
before the date of the conference. For FY 2004, awards will be made for
each cycle with a 12-month budget period within a 12-month project
period. Funding estimates may change.
Recipient Financial Participation: Matching funds are not required
for this program.
Use of Funds
1. Funds may be used for direct cost expenditures: salaries;
speaker fees (for services rendered); rental of necessary conference-
related equipment; registration fees; and transportation costs (not to
exceed economy class fare) for non-Federal individuals.
2. Funds may be used for only those parts of the conference
specifically supported by CDC or ATSDR as documented in the grant
award.
3. Funds may not be used for the purchase of equipment; payments of
honoraria (for conferring distinction); alterations or renovations;
organizational dues; support entertainment or personal expenses; food
or snack breaks; cost of travel and payment of a Federal employee or
per diem or expenses for local participants (other than local mileage).
Travel for Federal employees will be supported by CDC/ATSDR. Travel for
other Federal employees will be supported by the employees' Federal
agency.
4. Funds may not be used for reimbursement of indirect costs.
5. CDC and ATSDR will not fund 100 percent of any conference
proposed under this announcement. Part of the cost of the proposed
conference must be supported with funds other than Federal funds.
6. CDC and ATSDR will not fund a conference after it has taken
place.
7. Federal funds may not be used to fund novelty items or
souvenirs.
E. Programmatic Interest Areas
The mission of CDC is to promote health and improve the quality of
life by preventing and controlling disease, injury, and disability.
Through the support of conferences and meetings (not a series) in
the areas of public health research, education, prevention research in
program and policy development, managed care, and prevention
application, CDC is meeting its overall goal of dissemination and
implementation of new cost-effective intervention strategies.
The mission of ATSDR is to prevent both exposure and adverse human
health effects that diminish the quality of life associated with
exposure to hazardous substances from waste sites, unplanned releases,
and other sources of pollution present in the environment.
ATSDR's systematic approaches are needed for linking applicable
resources in public health with individuals and organizations involved
in the practice of applying such research. Mechanisms are also needed
to shorten the time frame between the development of disease prevention
and health promotion
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techniques and their practical application. ATSDR believes that
conferences and similar meetings (not a series) that permit individuals
to engage in hazardous substances and environmental health research,
education, and application (related to actual and/or potential human
exposure to toxic substances) to interact, are critical for the
development and implementation of effective programs to prevent adverse
health effects from hazardous substances.
(See Attachment II for the specific topic areas that each Center/
Agency is requesting.)
F. Program Requirements
In conducting activities to achieve the purpose of this program,
the recipient will be responsible for the following activities:
1. The conference organizer(s) may use CDC's/ATSDR's name only in
factual publicity for the conference. CDC/ATSDR involvement in the
conference does not necessarily indicate support for the organizer's
general policies, activities, products, or the content of speakers'
presentations.
2. Any national conference co-sponsored under this announcement
shall be held in facilities that are fully accessible to the public as
required by the Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility
Guidelines (ADAAG). Accessibility under ADAAG addresses accommodations
for persons with sensory impairments as well as persons with physical
disabilities or mobility limitations.
3. Manage all activities related to program content (e.g.,
objectives, topics, attendees, session design, workshops, special
exhibits, speaker's fees, agenda composition, and printing). Many of
these items may be developed in concert with assigned CDC or ATSDR
project personnel.
4. Provide draft copies of the agenda and proposed ancillary
activities to CDC or ATSDR for approval. All but ten percent of the
total funds awarded for the proposed conference will be initially
restricted pending approval by CDC or ATSDR of a full, final agenda.
The remaining 90 percent of funds will be released by letter to the
grantee upon the approval of the final agenda. Because conference
support by CDC and ATSDR creates the appearance of CDC co-sponsorship,
there will be active participation by CDC or ATSDR in the development
and approval of those portions of the agenda supported by CDC funds.
CDC funds will not be expended for non-approved portions of meetings.
In addition, CDC will reserve the right to approve or reject the
content of the full agenda, press events, promotional materials
(including press releases), speaker selection, and site selection. CDC
and ATSDR reserves the right to terminate co-sponsorship if it does not
concur with the final agenda.
5. Determine and manage all promotional activities (e.g., title,
logo, announcements, mailers, press, etc.). CDC or ATSDR must review
and approve any materials with reference to CDC or ATSDR involvement or
support.
6. Manage all registration processes with participants, invitees,
and registrants (e.g., travel, reservations, correspondence, conference
materials and handouts, badges, registration procedures, etc.).
7. Plan, negotiate, and manage conference site arrangements,
including all audio-visual needs.
G. Content
Letter of Intent (LOI): A Letter of Intent (LOI) is required for
this Program Announcement. The LOI will not be evaluated or scored.
Your letter of intent will be used to estimate the potential reviewer
workload and to avoid conflicts of interest during the review. If you
do not submit a LOI, you will not be allowed to submit an application.
You must submit an original and two copies. The LOI should be two
to three pages in-depth, single-spaced, and typewritten. Use English
only and avoid jargon and unusual abbreviations.
Applications: Beginning October 1, 2003, applicants will be
required to have a Dun and Bradstreet Number (DUNS) number to apply for
a grant or cooperative agreement from the Federal government. The DUNS
number is a nine-digit identification number, which uniquely identifies
business entities. Obtaining a DUNS number is easy and there is no
charge.
You are encouraged to obtain a DUNS number now if you believe you
will be submitting an application to any Federal agency on or after
October 1, 2003. Proactively obtaining a new DUNS number at the current
time will facilitate the receipt and acceptance of applications after
September 2003.
To obtain a DUNS number, access the following Web site: http://www.dunandbradstreet.com
OR call 1-866-705-5711.
Use the information in the Program Requirements and Evaluation
Criteria sections to develop the application content. The application
narrative should be no longer than 12 double-spaced pages, printed on
one side, with one-inch margins, and 12-point font. Use English only
and avoid jargon and unusual abbreviations. Pages must be clearly
numbered, and a complete index to the application and its appendices
must be included. The original and two required copies of the
application must be submitted unstapled and unbound. Materials that are
part of the basic plan should not be in the appendices.
The application should include:
1. A one-page cover letter addressing Eligibility. Include the
Announcement title, number and programmatic interest area being
addressed by your conference. This cover letter does not count toward
the 12-page narrative limit.
2. A one-page project summary cover sheet that includes:
a. Name of organization
b. Name of conference
c. Location of conference
d. Date(s) of conference
e. Intended audience and number
f. Dollar amount requested
g. Total conference budget amount
This project summary cover sheet does not count toward the 12-page
narrative limit.
3. A narrative that includes:
a. A brief background of your organization--include the
organizational history, purpose, and previous experience related to the
proposed conference topic.
b. A clear statement of the need for, and purpose of, the
conference. This statement should also describe any problems the
conference will address or seek to solve, and the action items or
resolutions it may stimulate.
c. An elaboration on the conference objectives and target audience.
A list should be included of the principal areas or topics to be
addressed. A proposed or final agenda must be included.
d. A clear description of the evaluation plan and how it will
assess the accomplishments of the conference objectives. A sample of
the evaluation instrument that will be used must be included and a
step-by-step schedule and detailed operation plan of major conference
planning activities necessary to attain specified objectives.
e. Budget plan and justification--A clearly justified budget
narrative that is consistent with the purpose, objectives, and
operation plan of the conference. It should include the share requested
from this grant as well as those funds from other sources, including
organizations, institutions, conference income, and/or registration
fees.
4. Biographical sketches are required of the individuals
responsible for planning and implementing the conference. Experience
and training related to conference planning and implementation as it
relates to the
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proposed topic should be noted. The biosketches should be placed in an
appendix, and will not be counted toward the 12-page narrative limit.
5. Letters of endorsement or support--Letters of endorsement or
support for the sponsoring organization and its capability to perform
the proposed conference activity. Letters of support should be placed
in an appendix, and will not be counted toward the 12-page narrative
limit.
H. Submission and Deadline (For All Applicants) Deadline
LOI and application deadlines have now been imposed for all
conference support grants, and dates should be strictly followed by
applicants to ensure that their LOI's and applications are received in
a timely manner.
There will be three conference support reviews this year:
If your conference dates fall between May 1, 2004 and April 30,
2005, you should apply under Cycle A under this announcement.
If your conference dates fall between August 1, 2004 and July 31,
2005, you should apply under Cycle B under this announcement.
If your conference dates fall between November 1, 2004 and
September 30, 2005, you should apply under Cycle C under this
announcement.
If your conference dates fall between October 1, 2003 and April 30,
2004, you should have applied under the previous Program Announcement
03012, and your LOI will be considered non-responsive to Program
Announcement 04004.
Letter of Intent Due Dates
Cycle A: October 1, 2003.
For conferences May 1, 2004-April 30, 2005.
Cycle B: January 6, 2004.
For conferences August 1, 2004-July 31, 2005.
Cycle C: April 1, 2004.
For conferences November 1, 2004-September 30, 2005.
Letter of Intent (LOI) Submission: On or before October 1, 2003;
January 6, 2004; and April 1, 2004 submit an original and two signed
copies of the LOI to: Technical Information Management (TIMS)--
PA04004, CDC Procurement and Grants Office, 2920 Brandywine
Road, Atlanta, GA 30341-4146.
Applicants who do not submit a LOI will not be eligible to submit
an application for review or funding.
Application Forms: Applicants must also submit the original and two
copies of PHS form 5161-1, (OMB Number 0937-0189). Forms are available
on the CDC Web site at: http://forms.psc.gov/forms/PHS/PHS-5161-1.pdf.
If you do not have access to the Internet, or if you have
difficulty accessing the forms on-line, you may contact the CDC
Procurement and Grants Office Technical Information Management Section
(PGO-TIM) at: 770-488-2700. Application forms can be mailed to you.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earliest possible award
Application due dates dates
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cycle A: November 19, 2003................ April 1, 2004.
Cycle B: March 8, 2004.................... June 30, 2004.
Cycle C: June 1, 2004..................... September 1, 2004.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Application Submission: On or before November 19, 2003; March 8,
2004; and June 1, 2004 submit an original and two signed copies of the
application to: Technical Information Management--PA04004, CDC
Procurement and Grants Office, 2920 Brandywine Road, Atlanta, GA 30341-
4146.
Applications may not be submitted electronically. Applications
received that were not preceded by a LOI will not be reviewed or
funded.
CDC Acknowledgement of Application Receipt: If you have a question
about the receipt of your application, first contact your courier. If
you still have a question, contact the PGO-TIM staff at: 770-488-2700.
Before calling, please wait two to three days after the application
deadline. This will allow time for applications to be processed and
logged.
Letters of Intent and applications shall be considered as meeting
the deadline if they are received in the CDC Procurement and Grants
Office before 4 p.m. Eastern Time on the deadline date. Any applicant
who sends their application by the United States Postal Service or
commercial delivery services must ensure that the carrier will be able
to guarantee delivery of the application by the closing date and time.
If an application is received after closing due to (1) carrier error,
when the carrier accepted the package with a guarantee for delivery by
the closing date and time, or (2) significant weather delays or natural
disasters, CDC will upon receipt of proper documentation, consider the
application as having been received by the deadline.
Any application that does not meet the above criteria will not be
eligible for competition, and will be discarded. The applicant will be
notified of their failure to meet the submission requirements.
I. Evaluation Criteria
Letter of Intent: The required Letter of Intent will not be
evaluated or scored.
A conference is a symposium, seminar, workshop, or any other
organized and formal meeting lasting one day or more (not a series),
where persons assemble to exchange information and views, explore, or
clarify a defined subject, problem, or area of knowledge, whether or
not a published report results from such meeting. The conference should
support CDC or ATSDR's public health principles in furtherance of CDC's
mission or ATSDR's mission.
Application: Each application will be evaluated individually
against the following criteria by an independent review group appointed
by CDC.
Section 1.a., is ATSDR specific.
Section 1.b., is CDC specific.
Section 1.c., and all other sections in these criteria are
applicable to both CDC and ATSDR. Each application will be evaluated
based on the following criteria:
1. Proposed Program and Technical Approach (25 Points)
a. The public health significance of the proposed conference,
including the degree to which the conference can be expected to
influence the prevention of exposure, adverse human health effects, and
diminished quality of life associated with exposure to hazardous
substances from waste sites, unplanned releases, and other sources of
pollution present in the environment (Applicable to ATSDR applications
only).
b. The applicant's description of the proposed conference as it
relates to specific non-Federal conferences in the areas of health
promotion and disease prevention information/education programs (except
substance abuse), including the public health need of the proposed
conference and the degree to which the conference can be expected to
influence public health practices. Evaluation will also be based on the
extent of the applicant's collaboration with other organizations
serving the intended audience (Applicable to all CDC applications
except ATSDR).
c. The applicant's description of conference objectives, in terms
of quality, specificity, and the feasibility of the conference based on
the operational plan, will also be evaluated.
2. Conference Objectives (25 Points)
a. The overall quality, reasonableness, feasibility, and logic of
the designed conference objectives, including the overall work plan and
timetable.
b. The likelihood of accomplishing conference objectives, as they
relate to
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disease prevention and health promotion goals, and the feasibility of
the project in terms of the operational plan.
3. The Qualifications of Program Personnel (20 Points)
a. The extent to which the application provides evidence of the
qualifications, experience, and commitment of the principal staff
person, and his/her ability to devote adequate time and effort to
provide effective leadership.
b. The extent to which the application provides evidence of the
competence of associate staff persons, discussion leaders, speakers,
and presenters to accomplish conference objectives.
c. The extent to which the application demonstrates the knowledge
of nationwide and educational efforts currently underway which may
affect, and be affected by, the proposed conference.
4. Evaluation Methods (20 Points)
Evaluation instrument(s) for the conference should adequately
assess increased knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of the target
audience.
5. Applicant's Capability (10 Points)
a. The applicant's capability includes the adequacy of the
applicant's resources (additional sources of funding, organization's
strengths, staff time, proposed physical facilities, etc.) available
for conducting conference activities.
b. The extent to which the applicant demonstrates a history (at
least three years) of managing conferences.
6. Budget Justification and Adequacy of Facilities (Not Scored)
The proposed budget will be evaluated on the basis of its
reasonableness, concise and clear justification, and consistent with
the intended use of grant funds. The application will also be reviewed
as to the adequacy of existing or proposed facilities and resources for
conducting conference activities.
J. Other Requirements
Technical Reporting Requirements: Provide the CDC with original
plus two copies of:
1. A performance report or, in lieu of a performance report,
proceedings of the conference, no later than 90 days after the end of
the budget/project period.
2. Financial status report, no later than 90 days after the end of
the budget/project period.
Send all reports to the Grants Management Specialist identified in
the ``Where to Obtain Additional Information'' section of this
announcement.
Additional Requirements: The following additional requirements are
applicable to this program. For a complete description of each, see
Attachment I of this announcement as posted on the CDC Web site.
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.
AR-13--Prohibition on Use of CDC Funds for Certain Gun Control
Activities.
AR-15--Proof of Non-Profit Status.
AR-20--Conference Support.
K. Where To Obtain Additional Information
This and other CDC announcements, the necessary applications and
associated forms can be found on the CDC Web site, Internet address:
http://www.cdc.gov. Click on ``Funding'' then ``Grants and Cooperative
Agreements.''
For general questions about this announcement, contact: Technical
Information Management, CDC Procurement and Grants Office, 2920
Brandywine Road, Atlanta, GA 30341-4146, Telephone: (770) 488-2700.
For business management assistance, contact: Rick Jaeger, Grants
Management Specialist, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 2920 Brandywine Road, Atlanta,
Georgia 30341-4146, Telephone: (770) 488-2727, e-mail address:
rjaeger@cdc.gov. For program technical assistance, contact: Janet Telman, Funding
Resource Specialist, Office of the Director Extramural Services
Activity, Public Health Practice Program Office (PHPPO), Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 4770 Buford Highway, NE, MS K38,
Atlanta, Georgia 30341-3714, Telephone: (770) 488-2834, e-mail address:
jtelman@cdc.gov.
Dated: August 21, 2003.
Sandra R. Manning,
Director, Program and Grants Office, Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention.
[FR Doc. 03-22007 Filed 8-27-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P