[Federal Register: August 27, 2002 (Volume 67, Number 166)]
[Notices]               
[Page 55017-55018]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr27au02-57]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

[Program Announcement 02032]

 
Cooperative Agreement to the Medical Research Council of South 
Africa (MRC) for Tuberculosis Control Activities; Notice of Award of 
Funds

A. Purpose

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announces the 
award of fiscal year (FY) 2002 funds for a sole source cooperative 
agreement for the Medical Research Council of South Africa (MRC).
    The purpose of this program is to help support and ensure 
implementation of tuberculosis (TB) control activities that are 
designed to develop, establish, and coordinate systems and procedures 
to address the obstacles to achieving control of TB and multi-drug 
tuberculosis (MDR-TB) in South Africa.

[[Page 55018]]

These collaborative activities can profoundly change the focus and 
activities of the South African National TB Control Program and improve 
TB treatment and control programs and related prevention efforts in 
South Africa.

B. Eligible Applicants

    Assistance will be provided only to the Medical Research Council 
(MRC) of South Africa. No other applications will be solicited. MRC 
will support and ensure implementation of tuberculosis (TB) control 
activities that are designed to develop, establish, and coordinate 
systems and procedures to address the obstacles to achieving control of 
tuberculosis and multi-drug tuberculosis (MDR-TB) in South Africa.
    MRC is the most appropriate and qualified agency to conduct the 
activities under this cooperative agreement because:
    1. The MRC is uniquely positioned, in terms of legal authority, 
ability, track record, and credibility in South Africa to develop and 
support TB control activities in both public and non-governmental 
organization sites throughout the country.
    2. The MRC has already established mechanisms to develop and 
implement TB treatment services in South Africa, enabling it to 
immediately become engaged in the activities listed in this 
announcement.
    3. The purpose of the announcement is to build upon the existing 
framework of TB control activities that the MRC has developed or 
initiated.
    4. The MRC has been mandated by the South African government to 
coordinate and implement TB treatment and control activities including 
MDR-TB within the country.
    5. MRC has a unique and unparalleled involvement with the Ministry 
of Health's National Tuberculosis Control Program (NTP) and the South 
African National Tuberculosis Association (SANTA) based on a history of 
collaboration.
    6. MRC coordinates the research and development activities for the 
Global Alliance for TB Drug Development in the search for a better, 
more effective and affordable cure for TB that is shorter, equally 
effective against susceptible and drug-resistant TB, accessible to the 
populations that need it most, and be on the market in less than 10 
years.

C. Funds

    Approximately $307,000 is being awarded in FY 2002. The award will 
be made by July 1, 2002, for a 12-month budget period within a project 
period of up to five years.

D. Where To Obtain Additional Information

    If you have questions after reviewing the contents of all the 
documents, business management technical assistance may be obtained 
from:
    Angelia D. Hill, Grants Management Specialist, Grants Management 
Branch, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention, 2920 Brandywine Road, MS E-09, Atlanta, GA 30341-4146, 
Telephone: (770) 488-2785, FAX: (770) 488-2688, E-mail: aph8@cdc.gov.
    Michael Qualls, Deputy Associate Director, International 
Activities, Division of Tuberculosis Elimination, National Center for 
HIV, STD, and TB Prevention Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 
(CDC), 1600 Clifton Road Mailstop E-10, Atlanta, GA 30333, Telephone 
404-639-8488, Email address: muq1@cdc.gov.

    Dated: August 20, 2002.
Sandra R. Manning, CGFM,
Director, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease Control & 
Prevention.
[FR Doc. 02-21731 Filed 8-26-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P