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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Division of Global Public Health Capacity
Development Pakistan FELTP-Infectious Disease
Surveillance, Investigation, and Technical Assistance
Announcement Type: New
Funding Opportunity Number: CDC-RFA-GH09-901
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 93.283
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Investigations and Technical Assistance
Key Dates:
Letter of Intent Deadline: N/A
Application Deadline: February 2, 2009
Authority: This project is authorized under Section 307 of the Public Health
Service Act (42 U.S.C. 2421) and Section 301(a) of the Public Health Service Act
(42 U.S.C.241(a))
Background: The preventable portion of the disease burden in Pakistan is large, and it is disproportionately borne by the poor. Improved health outcomes require effective prevention and disease control measures which in turn require investments in public health surveillance, a recognized public good and responsibility of governments. In light of the importance of surveillance in improving health outcomes, a joint assessment of Pakistan’s public health surveillance system was undertaken by the NIH/MOH, Government of Pakistan (GOP), World Health Organization (WHO), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the World Bank (WB) during 2004-2005.
One critical finding of the national assessment activity was a need to build disease surveillance capacity within the overall public health system of Pakistan. In April 2005, the USAID Mission in Pakistan agreed to fund a three year proposal to establish a FELTP, under the guidance of the Division of Global Public Health Capacity Development (DGPHCD), CDC. The overarching goal of the program is to provide assistance to the GOP, the MOH, and the NIH: to enhance health system capacity, to produce appropriate health information, and to provide data for the GOP to make policy determinations, resource allocation and programmatic improvements to increase the overall effectiveness and efficiency of public health practice throughout Pakistan.
Executive Summary:
The population of Pakistan is estimated at approximately 164-million persons, with the majority of the population falling between the ages of 15-64. The life expectancy at birth is 63.75 years and the infant mortality rate is approximately 69/1000. The government structure is a federal system, with 4 provinces (Balochistan, North-West Frontier Province, Punjab, Sindh), Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), Federally administered Northern Areas (FANA), Azad, Jammu, & Kashmir (AJK) and 1 capital territory (Islamabad).
Communicable diseases account for 40% of the burden of disease and 45% of mortality in Pakistan. There is a high incidence of other vaccine-preventable diseases, including Hepatitis B and neonatal tetanus. Other communicable diseases, such as Tuberculosis, Malaria, Typhoid, Hepatitis C, acute respiratory infections and diarrhea, are also of significant public health importance.
Devolution (decentralization) of political, administrative and financial powers to the provincial governments has begun in Pakistan. The health sector is undergoing reorganization in line with the Devolution Initiative and the roles and responsibilities of the district and provincial levels of the health system have been re-defined. At present surveillance is a federal responsibility although there is no clearly designated unit that is responsible for surveillance and response. Public health surveillance responsibilities at the provincial and district levels have not been clarified. This is therefore an opportune moment to influence the way the public health surveillance system develops. A successful system requires capacity at all three levels but particularly at the local/provincial level because that is where diseases are first identified and reported, and where response must take place.
The Pakistan- Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program (FELTP) was designed as a comprehensive approach to strengthen capacity in epidemiology, public health surveillance and response, public health laboratories, and information systems for surveillance. The program was implemented by the CDC, in conjunction with the Government of Pakistan (GOP), the Ministry of Health (MOH), and the Pakistan-National Institute of Health (NIH). The CDC provides technical assistance, training and program support to the MOH/NIH within the overall context of the National Plan of Action for surveillance, focusing on priority diseases and using developed case definitions and surveillance and reporting methods that will support the MOH's National Strategic Framework on Disease Surveillance, 2005-2015.
I. Funding Opportunity Description
Purpose:
The purpose of this Cooperative Agreement is to:
To strengthen the expertise of the Pakistan Ministry of Health by supporting multiple Collaborative Programs with the United States Centers for Disease Control;
To implement public health programs and strengthen the practice of public health including epidemiological surveillance systems, laboratory diagnosis and response capacity for priority public health diseases and health conditions throughout Pakistan;
To provide training for students and Pakistani public health professionals in basic and applied epidemiology, disease surveillance, outbreak response, public health and program planning;
To strengthen the Pakistan Ministry of Health’s institutional capacity to conduct public health science to plan, implement and evaluate public health programs, conduct surveillance, respond to disease outbreaks, and develop interventions as well as to support national and regional disease prevention, detection and control efforts.
Measurable outcomes of the program will be in alignment with one (or more) of the following performance goal(s) for the Coordinating Office for Global Health:
Health Promotion – recognizes the critical role CDC plays in sharing knowledge, tools, and other resources with people and partners to promote health and prevent disease around the world. CDC addresses critical global public health challenges through working with a diverse set of partners to support the development and implementation of culturally-appropriate public health interventions. Through our health promotion activities, CDC will contribute to reductions in global morbidity and mortality.
Health Protection – seeks to ensure that Americans at home and abroad will be protected from health threats through a transnational prevention detection and response network. To this end, CDC works with international partners to achieve rapid and accurate detection, diagnosis, and verification of emerging global public health threats and works to contain threats at their source to prevent international spread. In addition to making the world a safer and healthier place for all, CDC’s health protection activities play a critical role in ensuring the health of Americans living and traveling abroad, and protecting U.S. economic interests.
Health Diplomacy – recognizes the important benefits that accrue to both the United States and the world through investments in public health capacity development and the creation of partnerships with the developing world. Through our health diplomacy activities, CDC and the Unites States Government will be a trusted and effective resource for health development and health protection around the globe.
This announcement is only for non-research activities supported by CDC. If an
application proposes research activities, HHS/CDC will not review the
application. For the definition of "research", please use the HHS/CDC Web site
at the following internet address:http://www.cdc.gov/od/science/regs/hrpp/researchDefinition.htm
Activities:
The recipient of these funds is responsible for activities in multiple program areas designed to improve and strengthen surveillance and laboratory quality systems for infectious diseases, non-communicable diseases, mortality surveillance, and surveillance of other health conditions that affect the population in Pakistan. Either the recipient will implement activities directly or will implement them through sub-recipients and/or sub-contractors; the recipient will retain overall financial and programmatic management under the oversight of HHS/CDC.
The recipient will produce a joint annual operational plan, in collaboration with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Coordinating Office of Global Health (COGH), Division of Global Public Health Capacity Development (DGPHCD) and its assignees in Pakistan and the U.S. The recipient may work on some of the activities listed below in the first year and in subsequent years, and then progressively add others from the list to achieve all of the performance goals, as cited in the application. HHS/CDC will approve funds for activities on an annual basis, based on documented performance toward achieving the stated program goals.
Activities for the grantee will include, but are not limited to the following:
Improve capacity to detect newly emerging diseases through implementation of surveillance, development, and evaluation of sensitive and specific diagnostic tests.
Assist in the investigation outbreaks of diseases which occur in Pakistan and elsewhere in the region.
Reinforce guidelines and protocols for surveillance and field investigations to improve impact of infectious disease response.
Define the epidemiology and etiology of priority infectious diseases and identify modifiable risk factors.
Work closely with the public health and medical community in Pakistan to provide technical assistance that may encompass system building, conducting trainings, and other human capacity building activities
Implement infectious diseases, non-communicable diseases, and sentinel surveillance of other health conditions in select pilot sites, with the possibility of expanding surveillance activities to further sites after the pilot period.
Strengthen existing surveillance and monitoring systems or develop new ones to control emerging or reemerging human infectious diseases, and other reportable diseases and other public health problems in Pakistan, to help guide public health science priorities that will assure the implementation and evaluation of public health interventions. In addition, to strengthen the practice of public health, provide data for use by appropriate entities concerned with public health issues in Pakistan.
Develop and implement a plan to transfer knowledge, skills, and develop a competency based training plan in areas essential to the activities listed in this cooperative agreement, as well as in laboratory system sciences, public health program planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation and other related management issues such as data collection, financial planning, and management.
Participate in the planning, implementation and evaluation of public health interventions and programs which aim to improve health outcomes for targeted populations.
Identify and/or establish mechanisms to support the implementation of activities supported by this Cooperative Agreement.
Pakistan National Institute of Health (NIH) Laboratory Quality Systems:
Establish a Laboratory Quality Services Unit (LQSU) within the NIH to develop
and implement a laboratory quality systems plan and guidelines for a laboratory
network that will be comprised of institutions responsible for infectious
disease activities. Activities will include but are not limited to the
following:
Develop a laboratory quality systems plan (LQS plan that incorporates
elements of quality systems including standard operating procedures,
terms of reference, equipment operating procedures, external quality
assurance and control practices, etc.)
Develop Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), Terms of Reference
(TOR), and Equipment Operating Procedures (EOP) for laboratory testing
of infectious diseases, non-communicable diseases,
and surveillance of other health conditions that affect the population
in Pakistan
Translate epidemiology; laboratory and other public health
operational findings into public health practice in Pakistan and to
ensure the advancement of public health science internationally,
regionally, and nationally by sharing of expertise and program findings
with other institutions. This would include the dissemination of results
of surveillance, prevention, programs, and other interventions, and
activities through bulletins, written publications, including
peer-reviewed journals, oral presentations, or other means
Collect and transport surveillance case samples to the designated
referral sentinel site for laboratory testing
Develop and continually modify, as appropriate, the electronic public
health information networks system to gather information and data of
infectious diseases, non-communicable diseases, and
surveillance of other health conditions at designated-sentinel
surveillance sites.
Staff the LQSU to support the activities mentioned above and any new
activities that may arise
Exchange weekly surveillance information between the Ministries of Health and other Ministries, deemed appropriate by officials.
Convene monthly meetings (district level) between the Ministries to exchange information on surveillance and outbreak response.
Administration
The awardee of this funding competition must comply with all HHS management
requirements for meeting participation and progress and financial reporting for
this cooperative agreement (See HHS Activities and Reporting section below for
details).
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:
Organize an orientation meeting with the grantee to discuss
applicable U.S. Government, HHS, and other key management requirements,
as well as financial and program reporting formats and contents.
Monitor overall collaboration, implementation of all supported
activities, and the use of funding for all activities during the
collaboration period.
Review and approve the process used by the grantee 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 the grantee’s annual work plan and detailed budget as well as review and approve the grantee’s program monitoring-and-evaluation plan.
Meet on a quarterly basis with the grantee to assess expenditures and
program progress in relation to approved work plan and modify plans, as
necessary.
Meet on an annual basis with grantee to review annual progress report for each U.S. Governmental Fiscal year, and to review annual work plans and budgets for subsequent years.
Provide assistance and technical consultation on all aspects of
design, program planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation
methods, and coordination between components and activities as needed.
This may include participating in evaluation of existing surveillance
systems, providing surveillance guidelines for specific diseases or
syndromes, providing training for surveillance and laboratory staff, and
participating in study protocol development, data management/analysis,
and dissemination of information by relevant means such as presentation
at meetings, drafting scientific articles, etc.
Provide consultation and scientific assistance based on appropriate
HHS/CDC documents to promote the use of best practices known at the
time.
Assist the grantee in developing and implementing quality-assurance
criteria and procedures.
Review and approve the grantee’s workplan for elaboration of the
activities in this agreement.
Provide technical assistance in the design, implementation,
monitoring, and evaluation of the activities listed in this
announcement, including, but not limited to providing training to help
develop and successfully implement program activities.
Link the Pakistan Ministry of Health to other agencies, universities,
and organizations collaborating with the US CDC so that they may provide
technical exchanges and support, competency based training services, and
other exchanges and support needed to perform activities supported by
this agreement.
Provide in-country administrative support to assist the grantee meet
U.S. Government financial and reporting requirements approved by the
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under 0920-0428 (Public Health
Service Form 5161).
Please note that only HHS/CDC staff or staff from organizations that have successfully competed for funding under a separate HHS/CDC contract, cooperative agreement, or grant will provide technical assistance and training.
II. Award Information
Type of Award: Cooperative Agreement. HHS/CDC’s involvement in this program
is listed in the Activities Section above.
Award Mechanism: U2R International Training Cooperative Agreement. In
cooperation with public and private nonprofit organizations, to improve and
strengthen epidemiology, clinical, operational, and health services research
capacity in foreign countries through support of training programs.
Fiscal Year Funds: 2009
Approximate Current Fiscal Year Funding: $ 1,000,000 (This amount is an
estimate, and is subject to availability of funds.) This includes direct and
indirect costs.
Approximate Total Project Period Funding: $ 4,000,000. (This amount is an
estimate, and is subject to availability of funds.) This includes direct and
indirect costs.
Approximate Number of Awards: 1
Approximate Average Award: $1,000,000 per year (This amount is for the first
12-month budget period and is subject to availability of funds.)
Floor of Individual Award Range: None
Ceiling of Individual Award Range: $1,000,000 (This ceiling is for the first
12-month budget period)
Anticipated Award Date: March 2009
Budget Period Length: 12 Months
Project Period Length: 4 Years
Throughout the project period, CDC’s 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.
III. Eligibility Information
III.1. Eligible Applicants
Sole eligible applicant that can apply for this funding opportunity is listed below:
The Pakistan-National Institute of Health or its designee.
The Pakistan-National Institute of Health (NIH) is the most appropriate and qualified agency to conduct the activities specified under this cooperative agreement because:
The Pakistan Ministry of Health is the only public health service and research institution in Pakistan with the authority to conduct public health surveillance and respond to public health threats throughout Pakistan. Moreover, it possesses the requisite scientific and technical expertise, together with the service, research and administrative infrastructure. These combined attributes make them uniquely qualified as the only organization in Pakistan capable of effectively conducting epidemiology, laboratory surveillance, outbreak response and other public health program activities proposed for this cooperative agreement.
Activities to be supported under this program include both new
projects and follow-on of projects previously conducted at the MOH, the
NIH, and other institutions.
The Pakistan Ministry of Health has been collaborating with major health institutions including the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on priority infectious disease research and surveillance, developing an infrastructure of public health resources in the country, including well equipped laboratories, communications infrastructure and data processing capacity. The Pakistani Ministry of Health possesses well experienced epidemiologic and laboratory staff, together with the facilities to support them.
III.2. Cost Sharing or Matching
Matching funds are not required for this program. If applicants receive funding from other sources to underwrite the same or similar activities, or anticipate receiving such funding in the next 12 months, they must detail how the disparate streams of financing complement each other.
III.3. Other
If a funding amount greater than the ceiling of the award range is requested, the application will be considered non-responsive and will not be entered into the review process. The applicant will be notified that the application did not meet the submission requirements.
Special Requirements:
If the application is incomplete or non-responsive to the special requirements listed in this section, it will not be entered into the review process. The applicant will be notified if the application did not meet submission requirements.
Late applications will be considered non-responsive. See section "IV.3. Submission Dates and Times" for more information on deadlines.
Eligible applicants must have a history of experience and collaboration in the following areas:
Coordinates epidemiology and surveillance activities with an FELTP
Authorized agent to conduct surveillance activities throughout Pakistan
Conducts outbreak response activities
Knowledgeable of applied epidemiology and disease surveillance
Collaborative programs with national public health institutions, universities, HHS/CDC and/or USAID.
Management of grants and contracts.
IV. Application and Submission Information
IV.1. Address to Request Application Package
To apply for this funding opportunity use the application forms package posted in Grants.gov.
Electronic Submission:
CDC strongly encourages the applicant to submit the application electronically by utilizing the forms and instructions posted for this announcement on www.Grants.gov, the official Federal agency wide E-grant Web site. Only applicants who apply on-line are permitted to forego paper copy submission of all application forms.
Registering your organization through www.Grants.gov is the first step in submitting applications online. Registration information is located in the "Get Registered" screen of www.Grants.gov. While application submission through www.Grants.gov is optional, we strongly encourage you to use this online tool.
Please visit www.Grants.gov at least 30 days prior to filing your application to familiarize yourself with the registration and submission processes. Under "Get Registered," the one-time registration process will take three to five days to complete; however, as part of the Grants.gov registration process, registering your organization with the Central Contractor Registry (CCR) annually, could take an additional one to two days to complete. We suggest submitting electronic applications prior to the closing date so if difficulties are encountered, you can submit a hard copy of the application prior to the deadline.
Foreign organizations must include a NATO Commercial and Governmental Entity (NCAGE) Code to complete their Grants.gov registration. Instructions for obtaining an NCAGE Code may be found at: http://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/funding/NATO_Commercial_and_Governmental_Entity_12-18-06.doc.
Paper Submission:
Application forms and instructions are available on the CDC Web site, at the following Internet address: http://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/funding/grants/app_and_forms.shtm
If access to the Internet is not available, or if there is difficulty accessing the forms on-line, contact the CDC Procurement and Grants Office Technical Information Management Section (PGO-TIMS) staff at 770-488-2700 and the application forms can be mailed.
IV.2. Content and Form of Submission
Letter of Intent (LOI):
A letter of intent is not applicable to this funding opportunity announcement.
Application:
A Project Abstract must be submitted with the application forms. All electronic project abstracts must be uploaded in a PDF file format when submitting via Grants.gov. The abstract must be submitted in the following format, if submitting a paper application:
Maximum of 2-3 paragraphs.
Font size: 12 point unreduced, Times New Roman
Single spaced
Paper size: 8.5 by 11 inches
Page margin size: One inch
The Project Abstract must contain a summary of the proposed activity suitable for dissemination to the public. It should be a self-contained description of the project and should contain a statement of objectives and methods to be employed. It should be informative to other persons working in the same or related fields and insofar as possible understandable to a technically literate lay reader. This Abstract must not include any proprietary/confidential information.
A project narrative must be submitted with the application forms. All electronic narratives must be uploaded in a PDF file format when submitting via Grants.gov. The narrative must be submitted in the following format, if submitting a paper application:
Maximum number of pages: 25. If your narrative exceeds the page limit, only the first pages which are within the page limit will be reviewed.
Font size: 12 point unreduced, Times New Roman
Double spaced
Paper size: 8.5 by 11 inches
Page margin size: One inch
Printed only on one side of page.
Number all narrative pages sequentially from page one (Application face page); not to exceed the maximum number of pages.
Paper application should be held together only by rubber bands or
metal clips; not bound in any other way.
The narrative should address activities that the applicant will conduct over
the entire project period, and must address the following items, in the order
listed:
Project Context and Background (Understanding and Need): Describe the background and justify the need for the proposed project. Describe the current infrastructure system; targeted geographical area(s), if applicable; and identified gaps or shortcomings of the current health systems and disease control projects.
Project Strategy - Description and Methodologies: Present a detailed
operational plan for initiating and conducting the project. Clearly
describe the applicant’s technical approach/methods for implementing the
proposed project. Describe the existence of or plans to establish
partnerships necessary to implement the project. Describe linkages, if
appropriate, with other programs funded by HHS, such as grants of
cooperative agreements made to the US National Institutes of Health
(NIH), or other collaborative programs or national propriety programs.
Project Goals and Objectives: Describe the overall goals of the project, and specific objectives that are measurable and time-phased for this Cooperative Agreement program as provided in the Purpose section at the beginning of this Announcement.
Project Outputs: Be sure to address at least one (1) of the program objectives listed in the Purpose section of this Announcement. Measures must be specific, objective and quantitative so as to provide meaningful outcome evaluation.
Work Plan and Description of Project Components and Activities: Be sure to address each of the relevant tasks listed in the Activities section of this Announcement. Clearly identify specific assigned responsibilities for all key professional personnel.
Timeline (e.g., create a GANNT Chart listing who does what, when, like that produced by MS Project or other planning software).
Management: Describe the proposed management plan for monitoring and reporting the progress of the proposed collaborative project activities, as well as monitoring the use of program funds.
Personnel: This section should address the qualification (including skills in relevant foreign languages), experience, and responsibilities of each individual who might be working on the project. The application must demonstrate that the project lead will devote adequate time and effort necessary to provide effective leadership, and should address any new staffing requirements by including a recruitment plan and position descriptions. The applicant should provide curricula vitae or resumes for all existing staff who will work on the proposed project.
Project Assessment: The project assessment plan should address the strategies and methods necessary to measure the impact and outcomes of the assistance activities. It should include proposed measures, which must be specific, objective and quantitative. It should present measures for the overall project and its impact and outcomes, such as achievement of stated, measurable public health objectives and the quantifiable effect of the project on the stated population. The assessment can take a variety of forms, such as measures of products, or other appropriate indicators. However the assessment must not include human-subject research activities as described in 45 CFR 46. Other project measures may be community-wide changes intended to occur in programs, policies, or the physical environment that influence the health of the population. The measures must be objective and quantitative, and relate to the performance goals stated in section "Purpose" of this announcement.
Budget Justification: The application must contain a clear budget
narrative that is consistent with the purpose of this Announcement,
relates directly to the proposed project activities, is clearly
justified, and is consistent with intended use of funds. With staffing
breakdown and justification, provide a line-item budget and a narrative
with justification for all requested costs. Be sure to include, if any,
in-kind support or other contributions provided by the national
Government and its donors as part of the total project, but for which
you are not requesting funding. (The budget justification will not count
in the 25-page limit set for the project narrative.)
For each contract: (1) name of proposed contractor; (2) breakdown and justification for estimated costs; (3) description and scope of activities contractor will perform; (4) period of performance; (5) method of contractor selection (e.g., sole-source or competitive solicitation); and (6) methods of accountability. Applicants should, to the greatest extent possible, employ transparent and open competitive processes to choose contractors;
Additional information may be included in the application appendices. The appendices will not be counted toward the narrative page limit. This additional information includes:
Organizational chart
Curricula vitae or resumes of current staff from the Pakistan NIH, who will work on the activity and staff of sub-contractors that will work on the activity.
Quality-Assurance, Monitoring-and-Evaluation, and Strategic-Information Forms;
Applicant’s Corporate Capability Statement;
Letters of Support; and
Evidence of Legal Organizational Structure.
No more than 15 electronic attachments should be uploaded per application.
Additional requirements that may request submission of additional documentation with the application are listed in section "VI.2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements."
IV.3. Submission Dates and Times
Application Deadline Date: February 2, 2009
Explanation of Deadlines: Applications must be received in the CDC Procurement and Grants Office by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on the deadline date.
Applications may be submitted electronically at www.Grants.gov. Applications completed on-line through Grants.gov are considered formally submitted when the applicant organization’s Authorizing Organization Representative (AOR) electronically submits the application to www.Grants.gov. Electronic applications will be considered as having met the deadline if the application has been successfully submitted electronically by the applicant organization’s AOR to Grants.gov on or before the deadline date and time.
When submission of the application is done electronically through Grants.gov (http://www.grants.gov), the application will be electronically time/date stamped and a tracking number will be assigned, which will serve as receipt of submission. The AOR will receive an e-mail notice of receipt when HHS/CDC receives the application.
If submittal of the application is by the United States Postal Service or commercial delivery service, the applicant must ensure that the carrier will be able to guarantee delivery by the closing date and time. The applicant will be given the opportunity to submit documentation of the carrier’s guarantee, if HHS/CDC receives the submission after the closing date 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. If the documentation verifies a carrier problem, HHS/CDC will consider the submission as having been received by the deadline.
If a hard copy application is submitted, HHS/CDC will not notify the applicant upon receipt of the submission. If questions arise on the receipt of the application, the applicant should first contact the carrier. If the applicant still has questions, contact the PGOTIMS staff at (770) 488-2700. The applicant should wait two to three days after the submission deadline before calling. This will allow time for submissions to be processed and logged.
This announcement is the definitive guide on application content, submission address, and deadline. It supersedes information provided in the application instructions. If the application submission does not meet the deadline above, it will not be eligible for review. The application face page will be returned by HHS/CDC with a written explanation of the reason for non-acceptance. The applicant will be notified the application 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 must be taken into account while writing the budget, are as follows:
Recipients may not use funds for research.
Recipients may not use funds for clinical care.
Recipients may only expend funds for reasonable program purposes, including personnel, travel, supplies, and services, such as contractual.
Grantees may not generally use HHS/CDC/ATSDR funding for the purchase of furniture or equipment. Any such proposed spending must be identified in the budget.
The direct and primary recipient in a cooperative agreement program must perform a substantial role in carrying out project objectives and not merely serve as a conduit for an award to another party or provider who is ineligible.
Reimbursement of pre-award costs is not allowed.
The guidance for completing a detailed justified budget can be found on the CDC Web site, at the following Internet address:
http://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/funding/budgetguide.htm.
IV.6. Other Submission Requirements
A letter of intent is not applicable to this funding opportunity announcement.
Application Submission Address:
Electronic Submission:
HHS/CDC strongly encourages applicants to submit applications electronically at www.Grants.gov. The application package can be downloaded from www.Grants.gov. Applicants are able to complete it off-line, and then upload and submit the application via the Grants.gov Web site. E-mail submissions will not be accepted. If the applicant has technical difficulties in Grants.gov, customer service can be reached 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 7:00a.m. to 9:00p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday.
HHS/CDC recommends that submittal of the application to Grants.gov should be prior to the closing date to resolve any unanticipated difficulties prior to the deadline. Applicants may also submit a back-up paper submission of the application. Any such paper submission must be received in accordance with the requirements for timely submission detailed in Section IV.3. of the grant announcement. The paper submission must be clearly marked: "BACK-UP FOR ELECTRONIC SUBMISSION." The paper submission must conform to all requirements for non-electronic submissions. If both electronic and back-up paper submissions are received by the deadline, the electronic version will be considered the official submission.
The applicant must submit all application attachments using a Microsoft Office Products (e.g. Microsoft Word, Excel, etc.) and/or in .pdf file format when submitting via Grants.gov. Directions for creating PDF files can be found on the Grants.gov Web site. Use of file formats other than PDF may result in the file being unreadable by staff.
OR
Paper Submission:
Applicants should submit the original and two hard copies of the application by mail or express delivery service to:
Technical Information Management - CDC-RFA-GH09-901
Procurement and Grants Office
Centers of Disease Control and Prevention
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
2920 Brandywine Road, MS E-14
Atlanta, GA 30341
V. Application Review Information
V.1. Criteria
Applicants are required to 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. The measures of effectiveness must be submitted with the application and will be an element of evaluation.
The application will be evaluated against the following criteria:
THE ABILITY TO CARRY OUT THE PROPOSAL (30 Points)
Does the applicant demonstrate the local experience in Pakistan and institutional capacity (both management and technical) to achieve the goals of the project with documented good-governance practices? Does the applicant have the capacity to reach rural and other underserved populations in Pakistan? 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 its ability to carry out the proposed activity or project, including effective working relations with public and private institutions in Pakistan? To what extent does the applicant document and demonstrate capability and experience to achieve the purpose of this project in the following areas:
·
FETP or similar training;·
Collaborative programs with the Ministry of Health, universities, and non-government organizations;·
Career development of public-health professionals;·
Management of grants and contracts; andTechnical and Programmatic Approach (30 points)
Does the application include an overall design strategy, including measurable
timelines, clear monitoring and evaluation procedures, the relationship between
activties and objectives, and a description of the management and analysis of
data collected for meeting objectives? To what extent does the application
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.
Understanding the Problem (20 points)
The extent to which the applicant demonstrates a clear, concise understanding of the nature of the need or problem to address and the public-health importance of the planned activities.
Personnel (10 points)
The extent to which professional personnel involved in this activity or project are qualified, including evidence of local-language skills appropriate to the target countries and prior experience similar to this activity or project. Applicants should provide a C.V. for all professional and senior administrative staff that should highlight relevant training and experience. If a position is vacant, the applicant should include a position description and complete description of required qualifications for that position in the application, along with a specific plan (including time line) for hiring/analysis of data collected for meeting objectives.
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? The recipient must demonstrate and ability to submit quarterly reports in a timely manner to the HHS/CDC office.
BUDGET (reviewed but not scored)
Extent to which the budget is reasonable, clearly justified, and consistent with the intended use of cooperative agreement funds.
V.2. Review and Selection Process
Applications will be reviewed for completeness by the procurement and Grants Office (PGO) staff, and for responsiveness jointly by COGH and PGO. Incomplete applications and applications that are non-responsive to the eligibility criteria will not advance through the review process. Applicants will be notified the 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 above. The objective review process will follow the policy requirements as stated in the GPD 2.04 at http://198.102.218.46/doc/gpd204.doc. A panel of CDC/COGH employees will review the application(s).
Applications will be funded in order by score and rank determined by the review panel.
CDC will provide justification for any decision to fund out of rank order.
V.3. Anticipated Announcement Award Dates
The estimated award date is March 2009
VI. Award Administration Information
VI.1.
Award NoticesSuccessful applicants will receive a Notice of Award (NoA) from the CDC Procurement and Grants Office. The NoA shall be the only binding, authorizing document between the recipient and CDC. The NoA will be signed by an authorized Grants Management Officer and emailed to the program director and a hard copy mailed 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
Successful applicants must comply with the administrative requirements outlined in 45 CFR Part 74 and Part 92, as appropriate. The following additional requirements apply to this project:
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-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.
CDC Assurances and Certifications can be found on the CDC Web site at the following Internet address: http://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/funding/grants/foamain.shtm
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
VI.3. Reporting Requirements
The applicant must provide CDC with an annual interim progress report via www.grants.gov:
The interim progress report is due no less than 90 days before the end of the budget period. The progress report will serve as the non-competing continuation application, and must contain the following elements:
a. Standard Form ("SF") 424S Form.
b. SF-424A Budget Information-Non-Construction Programs.
c. Budget Narrative.
d. Indirect Cost Rate Agreement.
e. Project Narrative.
Additionally, the applicant must provide CDC with an original, plus two hard copies of the following reports:
Annual progress reports, due 90 days after the end of the budget period.
Financial status report, no more than 90 days after the end of the budget period.
Final performance and Financial Status reports, no more than 90 days after the end of the project period.
These reports must be submitted to the attention of the Grants Management Specialist listed in the "VII. Agency Contacts" section of this announcement.
f. Standard Form ("SF") 424S Form.
g. SF-424A Budget Information-Non-Construction Programs.
h. Budget Narrative.
i. Project Narrative.
VII. Agency Contacts
CDC encourages inquiries concerning this announcement.
For general questions, contact:
Technical Information Management Section
Department of Health and Human Services
CDC Procurement and Grants Office
2920 Brandywine Road, MS E-14
Atlanta, GA 30341
Telephone: 770-488-2700
For program technical assistance, contact:
Bassam Jarrar, Project Officer
Department of Health and Human Services
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
1600 Clifton Road
Telephone: 404-639-3712
E-mail: bmj0@cdc.gov
For financial, grants management, or budget assistance, contact:
Randolph B. Williams, Grants Management Specialist
Department of Health and Human Services
CDC Procurement and Grants Office
2920 Brandywine Road, MS K-75
Atlanta, GA 30341
Telephone: +1 770-488-8382
E-mail: gur2@cdc.gov
CDC Telecommunications for the hearing impaired or disabled is available at: TTY 770-488-2783.
VIII. Other Information
Other CDC funding opportunity announcements can be found on the CDC Web site, http://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/funding/FOAs.htm
Applicants may access the application process and other awarding documents using the Electronic Research Administration System (eRA Commons). A one-time registration is required for interested institutions/organizations at http://era.nih.gov/ElectronicReceipt/preparing.htm
Program Directors/Principal Investigators (PD/PIs) should work with their institutions/organizations to make sure they are registered in the eRA Commons.
Organizational/Institutional Registration in the eRA Commons
·
To find out if an organization is already eRA Commons-registered, see the "List of Grantee Organizations Registered in eRA Commons."·
Direct questions regarding the eRA Commons registration to:2. Project Director/Principal Investigator (PD/PI) Registration in the eRA Commons: Refer to the NIH eRA Commons System (COM) Users Guide.
·
The individual designated as the PD/PI on the application must also be registered in the eRA Commons. It is not necessary for PDs/PIs to register with Grants.gov.·
The PD/PI must hold a PD/PI account in the eRA Commons and must be affiliated with the applicant organization. This account cannot have any other role attached to it other than the PD/PI.·
This registration/affiliation must be done by the Authorized Organization Representative/Signing Official (AOR/SO) or their designee who is already registered in the eRA Commons.·
Both the PD/PI and AOR/SO need separate accounts in the eRA Commons since both hold different roles for authorization and to view the application process.Note that if a PD/PI is also an HHS peer-reviewer with an Individual DUNS and CCR registration, that particular DUNS number and CCR registration are for the individual reviewer only. These are different than any DUNS number and CCR registration used by an applicant organization. Individual DUNS and CCR registration should be used only for the purposes of personal reimbursement and should not be used on any grant applications submitted to the Federal Government.
Several of the steps of the registration process could take four weeks or more. Therefore, applicants should check with their business official to determine whether their organization/institution is already registered in the eRA Commons. HHS/CDC strongly encourages applicants to register to utilize these helpful on-line tools when applying for funding opportunities.
CDC Home Page: http://www.cdc.gov
CDC Funding Web Page: http://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/funding/FOAs.htm
CDC Forms Web Page: http://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/funding/grants/app_and_forms.shtm