Health Information Technology
Executive Order 13410: Promoting Quality and Efficient Health Care in Federal Government Administered or Sponsored Health Care Programs promotes efficient delivery of quality health care through the use of health information technology, transparency regarding health care quality and price, and incentives to promote the widespread adoption of health information technology and quality of care. To support this mission, the awardee shall, at a minimum, implement the following clauses(s)/condition(s) and, in doing so, the actions and steps taken to implement the clause(s)/condition(s) shall not impose additional costs onto the Federal Government.

Interoperability of Health IT Systems
• Use recognized health information interoperability standards at the time of the system update, acquisition, or implementation, in all relevant information technology systems supported, in whole or in part, through this agreement/contract.

• Use the Centers for Disease Control’s (CDC) Public Health Information Network (PHIN), such as requirements, standards, specifications, and promising practices, in the research and implementation of efficient, effective, and interoperable public health information systems, to facilitate interoperability with public health organizations and networks. More information about PHIN can be found at www.cdc.gov/phin.

• Where offerors/awardees support or participate in health information [or data] exchange with disparate entities, offerors/awardees must have an architecture that is compatible with the architecture of the Nationwide Health Information Network (www.hhs.gov/healthit/healthnetwork/background).

Adoption/Incentives
• Use health IT products, such as electronic health records, personalized health records, and the network components through which they operate and share information, certified by the Certification Commission for Healthcare Information Technology (CCHIT) or other recognized certification board, to ensure a minimum level of interoperability or compatibility of health IT products.

• Use services available at HHS’ Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) National Resource Center for Health Information Technology (NRC) at www.healthit.ahrq.gov. The NRC provides technical assistance, identifies challenges to health IT adoption and use, and identifies solutions and best practices that have the potential to transform clinical practice through the best and most effective use of IT.

• Partner with other health care plans, local quality improvement organizations, and/or local medical societies to promote the adoption of certified electronic health records in physician office settings.

• Partner with other health care plans and/or local hospital associations to promote the adoption of certified electronic health records in the hospital setting.

• Offer products which provide incentives to consumers to access and use price and quality information.

• Offer pay-for-performance programs that reward use of certified electronic health record systems.

Transparency of Quality Measurements
• Report and publish consensus-based quality measures using standardized methodologies.

• Contribute to all-payor claims data sets, where applicable.

• Partner with providers, employers, and consumers to determine the manner in which quality metrics will be made available to the public in local or regional areas.

Transparency of Pricing Information
• Report and publish average reimbursement rates for specific procedures and provider services relative to rates published by Medicare.

• Report and publish actual reimbursement rates for specific providers and procedures.

IV.6. Other Submission Requirements

Application Submission Address:

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

V. Application Review Information

Ability to Carry Out the Proposal (20 points)

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

Technical and Programmatic Approach (20 points)

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

Capacity-Building (15 points)

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

Monitoring and Evaluation (15 points)

Does the applicant demonstrate the local experience and capability to implement rigorous monitoring and evaluation of the project?  Does the applicant describe a system for reviewing and adjusting program activities based on monitoring information obtained by using innovative, participatory methods and standard approaches?  Does the plan include indicators developed for each program milestone, and incorporated into the financial and programmatic reports?  Are the indicators consistent with the Emergency Plan Indicator Guide?  Is the system able to generate financial and program reports to show disbursement of funds, and progress towards achieving the numerical objectives of the President's Emergency Plan?  Is the plan to measure outcomes of the intervention, and the manner in which they will be provided, adequate?  Is the monitoring-and-evaluation plan consistent with the principles of the "Three Ones[2]?"  Applicants must define specific output and outcome indicators in the proposal, and must have realistic targets in line with the targets addressed in the Activities section of this announcement.

Understanding of the Problem (10 points)

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

Personnel (10 points)

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

Administration and Management (10 points)

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

Budget (Reviewed, but not scored)

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

The anticipated announcement award date is December 31, 2008.

VI. Award Administration Information

• AR - 4             HIV/AIDS Confidentiality Provisions.    
• AR - 6             Patient Care.
• AR - 8                         Public Health System Reporting Requirements    
• AR - 9             Paperwork Reduction Act Requirements.           
• AR - 10           Smoke-Free Workplace Requirements.             
• AR - 12           Lobbying Restrictions.   
• AR - 14           Accounting System Requirements.
• AR - 15           Proof of Non-Profit Status.                                 
• AR - 23           Compliance with 45 C.F.R. Part 87.      
• AR - 24           Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act Requirements.          
• AR - 25           Release and Sharing of Data.     

Additional information on the requirements can be found on the CDC Web site at the following Internet address: http://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/funding/Addtl_Reqmnts.htm.