[Federal Register: August 12, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 155)] [Notices] [Page 47209-47214] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr12au05-82] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Centers for Disease Control and Prevention HIV Prevention, Treatment, and Care Capacity Building for Local Organizations in the Republic of South Africa and the Kingdoms of Lesotho and Swaziland Announcement Type: New. Funding Opportunity Number: AA169. Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 93.067. Key Dates: Application Deadline: September 8, 2005. I. Funding Opportunity Description Authority: This program is authorized under Sections 301(a) and 307 of the Public Health Service Act, [42 U.S.C. Section 241 and 2421], as amended and under Public Law 108-25 (United States Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria Act of 2003) [22 U.S.C. 7601]. Background: President Bush's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief has called for immediate, comprehensive and evidence-based action to turn the tide of global HIV/AIDS. The initiative aims to treat more than two million HIV-infected people with effective combination anti-retroviral therapy by 2008; care for ten million HIV-infected and affected persons, including those orphaned by HIV/AIDS, by 2008; and prevent seven million infections by 2010, with a focus on 15 priority countries, including 12 in sub-Saharan Africa. The five-year strategy for the Emergency Plan is available at the following Internet address: http://www.state.gov/s/gac/rl/or/c11652.htm. Purpose: The purpose of this funding announcement is to progressively build an indigenous, sustainable response to the national HIV epidemic through the rapid expansion of innovative, culturally appropriate, high-quality HIV/AIDS prevention \1\ and care interventions, and improved linkages to HIV counseling and testing and HIV treatment services targeting rural and other underserved populations. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \1\ Prevention interventions directed toward behavior change should promote the ABC model. Methods and strategies should emphasize abstinence for youth and other unmarried persons, mutual faithfulness and partner reduction for sexually active adults, and correct and consistent use of condoms by populations engaged in high-risk behaviors. Behaviors that increase risk for HIV transmission include engaging in casual sexual encounters, engaging in sex in exchange for money or favors, having sex with an HIV- positive partner or one whose status is unknown, using drugs or abusing alcohol in the context of sexual interactions, and using intravenous drugs. Women, even if faithful themselves, can still be at risk of becoming infected by their spouse, regular male partner, or someone using force against them. Other high-risk persons or groups include men who have sex with men and workers who are employed away from home. Awardees may not implement condom social marketing without also implementing the abstinence and faithfulness behavior-change interventions outlined above. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Under the leadership of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator, as part of the President's Emergency Plan, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) works with host countries and other key partners to assess the needs of each country and design a customized program of assistance that fits within the host nation's strategic plan. The purpose of this announcement is to provide funding and technical and capacity-building support for the expansion of HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and care in the Republic of South Africa and the Kingdoms of Lesotho, and Swaziland. The awardee will provide funding and technical and organizational capacity-building support to develop, implement, and maintain a sustained, culturally appropriate response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic among regional, national, and local organizations in South Africa, Lesotho, and Swaziland. HHS focuses on two or three major program areas in each country. Goals and priorities include the following:Achieving primary prevention of HIV infection through activities such as expanding confidential counseling and testing programs, building programs to reduce mother-to-child transmission, and strengthening programs to reduce transmission via blood transfusion and medical injections. Improving the care and treatment of HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and related opportunistic infections by improving STD management; enhancing care and treatment of opportunistic infections, including tuberculosis (TB); and initiating programs to provide anti-retroviral therapy (ART). Strengthening the capacity of countries to collect and use surveillance data and manage national HIV/AIDS programs by expanding HIV/STD/TB surveillance programs and strengthening laboratory support for surveillance, diagnosis, treatment, disease-monitoring and HIV screening for blood safety. South Africa has one of the largest HIV/AIDS epidemics in the world, with an estimated 5.3 million persons living with HIV/AIDS, approximately 600,000 new infections each year, and a prevalence rate of 21.5 percent among adults. Lesotho is experiencing the third-highest HIV prevalence rate in Sub-Saharan Africa. The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) estimates that 28.9 percent of adults 15-49 years of age in Lesotho are infected with HIV. Swaziland, with a population of 1.08 million people, has an estimated HIV prevalence rate of 38.8 percent in the adult population, perhaps the highest in the world. Measurable outcomes of the program will be in alignment with the numerical performance goals of the President's Emergency Plan and with one (or more) of the following performance goal(s) for the National Center for HIV, Sexually Transmitted Disease and Tuberculosis Prevention of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) within HHS: By 2010, work with other countries, international organizations, the U.S. Department of State, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), and other partners to achieve the United Nations General Assembly Special Session on HIV/AIDS goal of reducing prevalence among people 15 to 24 years of age. Measurable outcomes of the program will also be in alignment with the two-seven-ten goals of the President's Emergency Plan: 1. Treat two million HIV-infected people: Capitalizing on recent advances in ARV treatment, the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief will be the first global effort to provide advanced anti- retroviral treatment on a large scale in the poorest, most afflicted countries. 2. Prevent seven million new infections (60 percent of the projected new infections in the target countries): The initiative will involve large-scale prevention efforts, including confidential voluntary testing and counseling. The availability of treatment [[Page 47210]] will enhance prevention efforts by providing an incentive for individuals to be tested. 3. Care for ten million HIV-infected individuals, AIDS orphans, and vulnerable children: The initiative will provide a range of care, including support for children left vulnerable or orphaned by the disease. This announcement is only for non-research activities supported by HHS/CDC. If applicants propose research, HHS/CDC will not review the application. For the definition of research, please see the HHS/CDC Web site at the following Internet address: http://www.cdc.gov/od/ads/opspoll1.htm . Activities: The awardee will provide funding, technical assistance, and organizational capacity-building support to selected civil society organizations as follows. The winning applicant must be able to undertake activities along the border between the Republic of South Africa and at least one of the following countries: the Kingdoms of Lesotho and Swaziland. Applicants may propose to undertake activities along the borders of South Africa and both Lesotho and Swaziland. 1. Assist HHS and other Emergency Plan partner agencies in funding, management, oversight, and capacity-building for a wide range of local organizations, including faith-based organizations. 2. Strengthen capacity and expand activities around HIV prevention, care, and treatment. 3. Award and manage grants and provide technical assistance and organizational capacity development to these organizations in general management and administration, personnel management, financial management, supervision, program implementation, policy development, monitoring and evaluation, and other identified areas. The awardee will coordinate all organizational capacity and support with other organizations that are working in this area in the three countries. 4. Share lessons learned and best practices that emerge from scale- up and replication of effective programs. 5. Identify and explore emerging themes and technical issues, and promote exchange between effective HIV/AIDS organizations in South Africa, Swaziland, and Lesotho. 6. Strengthen the HIV/AIDS response through fostering the leadership of regional, national, and local institutions, alliances, and partnerships, especially networks of faith-based organizations. 7. Provide technical assistance for proposal development and financial support of these regional entities. 8. Quantify results according to the Emergency Plan two-seven-ten goals. 9. Provide technical expertise and guidance to the selected organizations in local languages in support of HIV prevention, care and treatment activities. 10. Provide relevant staff with training in local languages to meet the needs of the project. In a cooperative agreement, HHS/CDC staff is substantially involved in the program activities, above and beyond routine grant monitoring. HHS/CDC Activities for this program are as follows: 1. Collaborate in designing and implementing the activities listed above, including, but not limited to, the provision of technical assistance to develop and implement program activities; quality assurance; data management; and presentation of program methods and findings. 2. Collaborate with all relevant partners (sub-grantees and other civil society organizations) in the development of program activities. 3. Provide direct technical assistance to sub-grantees to increase the organizational capacity for preparing successful proposals. 4. Provide direct technical assistance to sub-grantees in developing and implementing the prevention education components of their respective programs. 5. Monitor project and budget performance. 6. Organize an orientation meeting with the awardee to brief them on applicable U.S. Government, HHS, and Emergency Plan expectations, regulations and key management requirements, as well as report formats and contents. The orientation could include meetings with staff from HHS agencies and the Office of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator. 7. Review and approve the process used by the awardee to select key personnel and/or post-award subcontractors and/or subgrantees to be involved in the activities performed under this agreement, as part of the Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief Country Operational Plan review and approval process, managed by the Office of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator. 8. Review and approve awardee's annual work plan and detailed budget, as part of the Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief Country Operational Plan review and approval process, managed by the Office of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator. 9. Review and approve awardee's monitoring and evaluation plan, including for compliance with the strategic information guidance established by the Office of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator. 10. Meet on a monthly basis with awardee to assess monthly expenditures in relation to approved work plan and modify plans as necessary. 11. Meet on a quarterly basis with awardee to assess quarterly technical and financial progress reports and modify plans as necessary. 12. Meet on an annual basis with awardee to review annual progress report for each U.S. Government Fiscal Year, and to review annual work plans and budgets for subsequent year, as part of the Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief review and approval process for Country Operational Plans, managed by the Office of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator. II. Award Information Type of Award: Cooperative Agreement. HHS involvement in this program is listed in the Activities Section above. Fiscal Year Funds: 2005. Approximate Total Funding: $500,000 (This amount is an estimate, and is subject to availability of funds.) Approximate Number of Awards: One. Approximate Average Award: $100,000 (This amount is for the first 12-month budget period, and includes direct costs). Floor of Award Range: None. Ceiling of Award Range: $100,000. (This ceiling is for the first 12-month budget period.) Anticipated Award Date: September 15, 2005. Budget Period Length: 12 months. Project Period Length: Five years. Throughout the project period, HHS' commitment to continuation of awards will be conditioned on the availability of funds, evidence of satisfactory progress by the recipient (as documented in required reports), and the determination that continued funding is in the best interest of the Federal Government, through the Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief review and approval process for Country Operational Plans, managed by the Office of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator. III. Eligibility Information III.1. Eligible Applicants Any public or private non-profit organization, currently registered in South Africa, Lesotho, or Swaziland, [[Page 47211]] with demonstrated experience in providing financial and technical assistance in the area of HIV/AIDS to community based organizations (CBOs), non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and/or other institutions in South Africa, Swaziland, or Lesotho, may apply. Applicants must agree to undertake activities along the border between South Africa and at least one of the two other countries mentioned above, but may propose to undertake activities along South Africa's frontiers with both nations. Eligible organizations include the following: Public, non-profit organizations. Private, non-profit organizations. Community-based organizations. Faith-based organizations. Small, minority, women-owned businesses. Universities. Colleges. Research institutions. Hospitals. III.2. Cost-Sharing or Matching Funds Matching funds are not required for this program. Although matching funds are not required, preference will go to organizations that can leverage additional funds to contribute to program goals. III.3. Other If applicants request a funding amount greater than the ceiling of the award range, HHS/CDC will consider the application non-responsive, and it will not enter into the review process. We will notify you that your application did not meet the submission requirements. Special Requirements: If your application is incomplete or non-responsive to the special requirements listed in this section, it will not enter into the review process. We will notify you that your application did not meet submission requirements. HHS/CDC will consider late applications non-responsive. See section ``IV.3. Submission Dates and Times'' for more information on deadlines. Note: Title 2 of the United States Code Section 1611 states that an organization described in Section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code that engages in lobbying activities is not eligible to receive Federal funds constituting an award, grant, or loan. Eligible applicants should have the following qualifications: Demonstrated experience in providing financial, technical, and capacity-building assistance to NGOs in the development and implementation of HIV prevention, care, and treatment programs. Demonstrated experience with USG financial and technical reporting requirements. Demonstrated capacity to develop and implement projects of similar complexity, and to deliver results. Demonstrated understanding of HIV/AIDS issues affecting NGOs operating within South Africa, Lesotho, and Swaziland. Program staff should have expertise in HIV AIDS prevention, care and treatment, management, monitoring and evaluation, supervision and training, and organizational capacity development. Experience working in South Africa, Lesotho, or Swaziland. IV. Application and Submission Information IV.1. Address To Request Application Package To apply for this funding opportunity use application form PHS 5161-1. Electronic Submission: HHS strongly encourages you to submit your application electronically by using the forms and instructions posted for this announcement at http://www.grants.gov. Application forms and instructions are available on the HHS/CDC Web site, at the following Internet address: http://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/forminfo.htm . If you do not have access to the Internet, or if you have difficulty accessing the forms on-line, you may contact the HHS/CDC Procurement and Grants Office Technical Information Management Section (PGO-TIM) staff at: 770-488-2700. We can mail application forms to you. IV.2. Content and Form of Submission Application: You must submit a project narrative with your application forms. You must submit the narrative in the following format: Maximum number of pages: 15. If your narrative exceeds the page limit, we will only review the first pages within the page limit. Font size: 12 point unreduced. Double-spaced. Paper size: 8.5 by 11 inches or national equivalent. Page margin size: One inch. Printed only on one side of page. Held together only by rubber bands or metal clips; not bound in any other way. Your narrative should address activities to be conducted over the entire project period, and must include the following items in the order listed: Goals and Objectives, including Project Contribution to the Goals and Objectives of the Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief. Work Plan and Description of Project Components and Activities. Timeline. Staffing Plan, with Level of Effort. Performance Measures and Methods of Evaluation. Summary Budget, by line item, along with a budget justification (this will not be counted against the stated page limit). You may include additional information in the application appendices. The appendices will not count toward the narrative page limit. This additional information includes the following: Curriculum Vitas/Resumes for Proposed Staff. Organizational Charts. Job descriptions of proposed key positions to be created for the activity. Letters of Support. You must have a Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering System (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. To obtain a DUNS number, access http://www.dunandbradstreet.com or call 1-866-705-5711. For more information, see the HHS/CDC Web site at: http:// http://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/funding/pubcommt.htm. If your application form does not have a DUNS number field, please write your DUNS number at the top of the first page of your application, and/or include your DUNS number in your application cover letter. Additional requirements that could require you to submit additional documentation with your application are listed in section ``VI.2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements.'' IV.3. Submission Dates and Times Application Deadline Date: September 8, 2005. Explanation of Deadlines: Applications must be received in the HHS/ CDC Procurement and Grants Office by 4 p.m. Eastern Time on the deadline date. You may submit your application electronically at http://www.grants.gov. We consider applications completed online through Grants.gov as formally submitted when the applicant organization's Authorizing Official electronically submits the application to http://www.grants.gov. We will consider electronic applications as having met [[Page 47212]] the deadline if the applicant organization's Authorizing Official has submitted the application electronically to Grants.gov on or before the deadline date and time. If you submit your application electronically with Grants.gov, your application will be electronically time/date stamped, which will serve as receipt of submission. You will receive an e-mail notice of receipt when CDC receives the application. If you submit your application by the United States Postal Service or commercial delivery service, you must ensure the carrier will be able to guarantee delivery by the closing date and time. If HHS/CDC receives your submission after closing because: (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, you will have the opportunity to submit documentation of the carrier's guarantee. If the documentation verifies a carrier problem, HHS/CDC will consider the submission as received by the deadline. If you submit a hard copy application, HHS/CDC will not notify you upon receipt of your submission. 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 submission deadline. This will allow time for us to process and log submissions. This announcement is the definitive guide on application content, submission address, and deadline. It supersedes information provided in the application instructions. If your submission does not meet the deadline above, it will not be eligible for review, and we will discard it. We will notify you that you did not meet the submission requirements. IV.4. Intergovernmental Review of Applications Executive Order 12372 does not apply to this program. IV.5. Funding Restrictions Restrictions, which you must take into account while writing your budget, are as follows: Funds may not be used for research. Reimbursement of pre-award costs is not allowed. Funds may be spent for reasonable program purposes, including personnel, travel, supplies, and services. Equipment may be purchased if deemed necessary to accomplish program objectives; however, prior approval by HHS/CDC officials must be requested in writing. All requests for funds contained in the budget shall be stated in U.S. dollars. Once an award is made, HHS/CDC will not compensate foreign grantees for currency exchange fluctuations through the issuance of supplemental awards. The costs that are generally allowable in grants to domestic organizations are allowable to foreign institutions and international organizations, with the following exception: With the exception of the American University, Beirut and the World Health Organization, Indirect Costs will not be paid (either directly or through sub-award) to organizations located outside the territorial limits of the United States or to international organizations regardless of their location. The applicant may contract with other organizations under this program; however, the applicant must perform a substantial portion of the activities (including program management and operations, and delivery of prevention services for which funds are required). You must obtain annual audit of these HHS/CDC funds (program-specific audit) by a U.S.-based audit firm with international branches and current licensure/authority in-country, and in accordance with International Accounting Standards or equivalent standard(s) approved in writing by HHS/CDC. A fiscal Recipient Capability Assessment may be required, prior to or post award, in order to review the applicant's business management and fiscal capabilities regarding the handling of U.S. Federal funds. Funds received from this announcement will not be used for the purchase of antiretroviral drugs for treatment of established HIV infection (with the exception of nevirapine in Prevention of Mother-to- Child Transmission (PMTCT) cases and with prior written approval), occupational exposures, and non-occupational exposures and will not be used for the purchase of machines and reagents to conduct the necessary laboratory monitoring for patient care. No funds appropriated under this act shall be used to carry out any program of distributing sterile needles or syringes for the hypodermic injection of any illegal drug. Prostitution and Related Activities The U.S. Government is opposed to prostitution and related activities, which are inherently harmful and dehumanizing, and contribute to the phenomenon of trafficking in persons. Any entity that receives, directly or indirectly, U.S. Government funds in connection with this document (``recipient'') cannot use such U.S. Government funds to promote or advocate the legalization or practice of prostitution or sex trafficking. Nothing in the preceding sentence shall be construed to preclude the provision to individuals of palliative care, treatment, or post-exposure pharmaceutical prophylaxis, and necessary pharmaceuticals and commodities, including test kits, condoms, and, when proven effective, microbicides. A recipient that is otherwise eligible to receive funds in connection with this document to prevent, treat, or monitor HIV/AIDS shall not be required to endorse or utilize a multisectoral approach to combating HIV/AIDS, or to endorse, utilize, or participate in a prevention method or treatment program to which the recipient has a religious or moral objection. Any information provided by recipients about the use of condoms as part of projects or activities that are funded in connection with this document shall be medically accurate and shall include the public health benefits and failure rates of such use. In addition, any recipient must have a policy explicitly opposing prostitution and sex trafficking. The preceding sentence shall not apply to any ``exempt organizations'' (defined as the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, the World Health Organization and its six Regional Offices, the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative or to any United Nations agency). The following definition applies for purposes of this clause: Sex trafficking means the recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, or obtaining of a person for the purpose of a commercial sex act. 22 U.S.C. 7102(9). All recipients must insert provisions implementing the applicable parts of this section, ``Prostitution and Related Activities,'' in all subagreements under this award. These provisions must be express terms and conditions of the subagreement, must acknowledge that compliance with this section, ``Prostitution and Related Activities,'' is a prerequisite to receipt and expenditure of U.S. Government funds in connection with this document, and must acknowledge that any violation of the provisions shall be grounds for unilateral termination of the agreement prior to the end of its term. Recipients must agree that HHS may, at any reasonable time, inspect the documents [[Page 47213]] and materials maintained or prepared by the recipient in the usual course of its operations that relate to the organization's compliance with this section, ``Prostitution and Related Activities.'' All prime recipients that receive U.S. Government funds (``prime recipients'') in connection with this document must certify compliance prior to actual receipt of such funds in a written statement that makes reference to this document (e.g., ``[Prime recipient's name] certifies compliance with the section, `Prostitution and Related Activities.' '') addressed to the agency's grants officer. Such certifications by prime recipients are prerequisites to the payment of any U.S. Government funds in connection with this document. Recipients' compliance with this section, ``Prostitution and Related Activities,'' is an express term and condition of receiving U.S. Government funds in connection with this document, and any violation of it shall be grounds for unilateral termination by HHS of the agreement with HHS in connection with this document prior to the end of its term. The recipient shall refund to HHS the entire amount furnished in connection with this document in the event HHS determines the recipient has not complied with this section, ``Prostitution and Related Activities.'' You may find guidance for completing your budget on the HHS/CDC Web site, at the following Internet address: http://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/funding/budgetguide.htm . IV.6. Other Submission Requirements Application Submission Address: HHS/CDC strongly encourages applicants to submit electronically at: http://www.grants.gov You will be able to download a copy of the application package from http://. http://www.grants.gov, complete it offline, and then upload and submit the application via the Grants.gov site. We will not accept e-mail submissions. If you are having technical difficulties in Grants.gov, you may reach them by e-mail at support@grants.gov or by phone at 1- 800-518-4726 (1-800-518-GRANTS). The Customer Support Center is open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday. HHS/CDC recommends that you submit your application to Grants.gov early enough to resolve any unanticipated difficulties prior to the deadline. You may also submit a back-up paper submission of your application. We must receive any such paper submission in accordance with the requirements for timely submission detailed in Section IV.3. of the grant announcement. You must clearly mark the paper submission: ``BACK-UP FOR ELECTRONIC SUBMISSION.'' The paper submission must conform to all requirements for non- electronic submissions. If we receive both electronic and back-up paper submissions by the deadline, we will consider the electronic version the official submission. We strongly recommend that you submit your grant application by using Microsoft Office products (e.g., Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, etc.). If you do not have access to Microsoft Office products, you may submit a PDF file. You may find directions for creating PDF files on the Grants.gov Web site. Use of files other than Microsoft Office or PDF could make your file unreadable for our staff; or submit the original and two hard copies of your application by mail or express delivery service to the following address: Technical Information Management-AA169, CDC Procurement and Grants Office, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2920 Brandywine Road, Atlanta, GA 30341. V. Application Review Information V.1. Criteria Applicants must provide measures of effectiveness that will demonstrate the accomplishment of the various identified objectives of the cooperative agreement. Measures of effectiveness must relate to the performance goals stated in the ``Purpose'' section of this announcement. Measures must be objective and quantitative, and must measure the intended outcome. Applicants must submit these measures of effectiveness with the application, and they will be an element of evaluation. We will evaluate your application against the following criteria: 1. Understanding the Problem and Statement of Work (25 points). Provide a detailed and comprehensive statement of the problem, scope and purpose of the project and how it fits into the five-year strategy and goals of the President's Emergency Plan. Demonstrate an understanding of the intent and requirements of the agreement and potential problems which may be encountered. Does the applicant demonstrate an understanding of the national cultural and political context and the technical and programmatic areas covered by the project? Does the applicant display knowledge of the five-year strategy and goals of the President's Emergency Plan, such that it can build on these to develop a comprehensive, collaborative project to reach underserved populations? 2. Personnel and Management Plan (30 points). Provide a description and history of the organization, including personnel. Include their experience, education, skills, and qualifications. If sub-contractors are proposed, provide information to support their qualifications and experience as well. Document recent successful experience in managing similar or related work that is comparable, especially work performed in South Africa, Lesotho, or Swaziland that demonstrates capacity for achieving the above objectives. Do the staff members have appropriate experience? Are the staff roles clearly defined? Does the applicant describe a plan to progressively build the capacity of local organizations and of target beneficiaries and communities to respond to the epidemic? 3. Technical Approach and Methodology (30 points). Provide a detailed description of the proposed methodology for development and implementation of the activities as outlined above, along with a 12-month timeline. Does the applicant describe strategies that are pertinent and match those identified in the five-year strategy of the President's Emergency Plan and activities that are evidence- based, realistic, achievable, measurable and culturally appropriate in South Africa and Lesotho or Swaziland to achieve the goals of the Emergency Plan? 4. Management Plan (15 points). Is there a plan to manage the resources of the program, prepare reports, monitor and evaluate activities and audit expenditures? 5. Budget and Justification (Reviewed, but not scored). Is the budget itemized, well-justified and consistent with the five-year strategy and goals of the President's Emergency Plan, including Emergency Plan activities in South Africa? V.2. Review and Selection Process The HHS/CDC Procurement and Grants Office (PGO) staff will review applications for completeness, and HHS Global AIDS program will review them for responsiveness. Incomplete applications and applications that are non-responsive to the eligibility criteria will not advance through the review process. Applicants will receive notification that their application did not meet submission requirements. An objective review panel will evaluate complete and responsive applications according to the criteria listed in the ``V.1. Criteria'' section [[Page 47214]] above. All persons who serve on the panel will be external to the U.S. Government Country Program Office. The panel may include both Federal and non-Federal participants. In addition, the following factors could affect the funding decision: While U.S.-based organizations are eligible to apply, we will give preference to existing national/South African organizations. It is possible for one organization to apply as lead grantee with a plan that includes partnering with other organizations, preferably local. Although matching funds are not required, preference will be go to organizations that can leverage additional funds to contribute to program goals. Applications will be funded in order by score and rank determined by the review panel. HHS/CDC will provide justification for any decision to fund out of rank order. V.3. Anticipated Announcement and Award Dates September 15, 2005. VI. Award Administration Information VI.1. Award Notices Successful applicants will receive a Notice of Award (NoA) from the HHS/CDC Procurement and Grants Office. The NoA shall be the only binding, authorizing document between the recipient and HHS/CDC. An authorized Grants Management Officer will sign the NoA, and mail it to the recipient fiscal officer identified in the application. Unsuccessful applicants will receive notification of the results of the application review by mail. VI.2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements 45 CFR Part 74 and Part 92. For more information on the Code of Federal Regulations, see the National Archives and Records Administration at the following Internet address: http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/cfr-table-search.html. The following additional requirements apply to this project: AR-10 Smoke-Free Workplace Requirements. AR-12 Lobbying Restrictions. AR-15 Proof of Non-Profit Status. AR-21 Small, Minority, and Women-Owned Business. AR-23 States and Faith-Based Organizations. AR-25 Release and Sharing of Data. Applicants can find additional information on these requirements on the HHS/CDC Web site at the following Internet address: http://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/funding/ARs.htm . You need to include an additional Certifications form from the PHS5161-1 application in your Grants.gov electronic submission only. Please refer to http://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/funding/PHS5161-1-Certificates.pdf. Once you have filled out the form, please attach it to the Grants.gov submission as Other Attachments Form. VI.3. Reporting Requirements You must provide HHS/CDC with an original, plus two hard copies, of the following reports: 1. Interim progress report, due no less than 90 days before the end of the budget period. The progress report will serve as your non- competing continuation application, and must contain the following elements: a. Current Budget Period Activities Objectives. b. Current Budget Period Financial Progress. c. New Budget Period Program Proposed Activity Objectives. d. Budget. e. Measures of Effectiveness, including progress against the numerical goals of the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief for South Africa, Lesotho, and Swaziland. f. Additional Requested Information. 2. Annual progress report, due no more than 60 days after the end of the budget period. Reports should include progress against the numerical goals of the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief for South Africa, Lesotho, and Swaziland. 3. Financial status report no more than 90 days after the end of the budget period. 4. Final financial and performance reports, no more than 90 days after the end of the project period. Recipients must mail these reports to the Grants Management or Contract Specialist listed in the ``Agency Contacts'' section of this announcement. VII. Agency Contacts We encourage inquiries concerning this announcement. For general questions, contact: Technical Information Management Section, CDC Procurement and Grants Office, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2920 Brandywine Road, Atlanta, GA 30341, Telephone: 770-488-2700. For program technical assistance, contact: Mary W. Wettrich, Project Officer, Deputy Director, HHS/CDC/South Africa, Afgri Building, Corner of Queen Wilhelmina and Middle Street, Brooklyn, Pretoria, Republic of South Africa, Telephone: 011-27-12-346-0170, ext. 23, E- mail: wettrichm@sacdc.co.za. For financial, grants management, or budget assistance, contact: Shirley Wynn, Grants Management Specialist, CDC Procurement and Grants Office, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2920 Brandywine Road, Atlanta, GA 30341, Telephone: 770-488-1515, E-mail: Swynn@cdc.gov. VIII. Other Information Applicants can find this and other HHS funding opportunity announcements on the HHS/CDC Web site, Internet address: http://www.cdc.gov (Click on ``Funding'' then ``Grants and Cooperative Agreements''), and on the Web site of the HHS Office of Global Health Affairs, Internet address: http://www.globalhealth.gov. Dated: August 8, 2005. William P. Nichols, Director, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. [FR Doc. 05-16007 Filed 8-11-05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4163-18-P