RFA - HHS/CDC Umbrella Co-Ag AA058.

[Guest guest]

Department of Health and Human Services/Centers for Disease Control and

Prevention, USA, has posted a RFA (Request For Applications) for India from

suitable NGOs and Private partners working in India for " Strengthening

Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and Private-Sector Care Networks in the

Republic of India " .(Funding Opportunity Number: CDC-RFA-AA058). The RFA can be

accessed through http://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/funding/AA058.htm. Application

deadline is 9th September 2005

Suitable NGOs and prospective applicants are encouraged to apply. For any other

clarifications mail to royd@.... or nayn@.... or

friedmanm@....

Local CDC Global AIDS Program offices are located in New Delhi and Chennai and

can be contacted as below:

CDC Global AIDS Program, New Delhi,India

Tele: 91-11-2419 8649.

CDC Global AIDS Program, Chennai, India

Tele: 91-44-2811 2000.

Billing Code: 4163-18-P

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Strengthening Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and Private-Sector Care

Networks in the Republic of India as Part of the President's Emergency Plan for

AIDS Relief

Announcement Type: New

Funding Opportunity Number: CDC-RFA-AA058

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 93.067

Key Dates: Application Deadline: September 9, 2005

I. Funding Opportunity Description

Authority: This program is authorized under Section 301(a) (42 U.S.C. Sections

241 and 2421), as amended, and under Public Law 108-25 (United States Leadership

against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria Act of 2004) [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, and supports programs in more than 100 countries. 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

In India, the Emergency Plan seeks to engage both governmental and

non-governmental institutions at all levels to bolster the provision of care and

treatment to HIV-positive people, and to expand prevention activities to avoid

new cases of HIV.

HHS’ mission in India is to work with Indian and international partners to

develop, evaluate and support effective implementation of interventions to

prevent HIV and related illnesses, and to improve care and support of persons

with HIV/AIDS. The program aims to build local capacity and promote in-country

leadership and ownership of activities by focusing on national and local

priorities, sharing experiences and technical information, coordinating

activities with other programs, and using local expertise whenever possible.

Specifically, HHS’ mission in India is to accomplish the following:

1. Provide support and training for HIV/AIDS prevention and care in health care

facilities and in the community.

2. Establish training expertise for HIV/AIDS prevention and care and

infrastructure development in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and other states in

India.

3. Strengthen the local and national response to HIV/AIDS in India through

support and collaboration with the National AIDS Control Organization (NACO),

State AIDS Control Societies, Networks of Positive People, the private,

non-governmental and faith-based health sectors, and others.

Purpose:

The purpose of this program is to address the HIV-related health care needs in

the south Indian state of Andhra Pradesh (the state most heavily affected by HIV

in India, according to Government of India reports), and, to a lesser extent, in

other states in India affected by the epidemic, by strengthening the existing

health care infrastructure in the private/non-government/faith-based sectors and

mobilizing local institutions to commit to quality HIV-related health care.

Through this cooperative agreement, funds are available to encourage independent

non-government and for-profit care institutions to join together to form new or

improve existing care and training networks. The activities will initially be

concentrated on the south Indian state of Andhra Pradesh during the first

one-two years and could expand into other Indian states in subsequent years, at

the discretion of HHS in India and the grantee with the approval of the Office

of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator.

This competition will select one or more awardees that focus on Andhra Pradesh,

and possibly one or more additional awardees to focus on other parts of the

country, including one or more northern Indian states in areas in which the HIV

epidemic is emerging. Applicants should clearly define in which State they will

initially focus the activities of this cooperative agreement, and should keep in

mind that scaling up care activities in Andhra Pradesh is our first priority.

Each awardee will seek to improve and expand the clinical care of persons living

with HIV/AIDS (PLWHAs) within the recipient’s institutions/network of

institutions, with a focus on outpatient care. " Care: includes confidential,

voluntary counseling and testing (VCT); treatment of opportunistic infections

(OIs); staging of HIV; nutritional support; family counseling and support;

treatment of sexually transmitted infections (STIs); treatment with

anti-retroviral therapy (ART), when appropriate and economically feasible; and

prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT).

The activities also follow the five-year strategy of the President’s Emergency

Plan for AIDS Relief and the three strategies of the National Center for HIV,

STD and TB Prevention (NCHSTP) of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

(CDC) within HHS: prevention, HIV/AIDS treatment and care, and surveillance and

infrastructure development. The measurable outcomes of the program will be in

alignment with the goals of HHS/CDC Strategy of the Emergency Plan and NCHSTP,

to reduce HIV transmission and improve care of PLWHAs. They will also contribute

to the goals of the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (Emergency

Plan), which include the following:

a. Within five years treat more than two million HIV-infected persons with

effective combination anti-retroviral therapy.

b. Provide care for ten million HIV-infected and affected persons, including

those orphaned and left vulnerable by HIV/AIDS.

c. Prevent seven million new infections.

Specific measurable outcomes of this program include, but are not limited to,

routine reporting, which verifies responsible maintenance of program

expenditures and program technical activities and confirms accountability of

U.S. Government funds spent in India.

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:

Awardee activities for this program are as follows:

1. Identify project staffing needs (including administrative, management and

technical staff); hire and train staff.

2. Identify furnishings, fittings, equipment and other fixed-asset procurement

needs of the project and implementing partners, and acquire through transparent

and competitive processes.

3. Within the first three months from the date of the award, develop a revised

and updated strategic plan, to include goals, objectives, a monitoring plan, an

implementation strategy, and a reporting system.

4. Improve and expand the clinical care of PLWHAs within the recipient’s

institutions/network of institutions with a focus on outpatient care. Care

includes: confidential VCT; treatment of OIs; staging of HIV; nutritional

support; family counseling and support; treatment of STIs; treatment with ART,

when appropriate and economically feasible; and PMTCT.

5. Improve the HIV-related laboratory capacity of the recipient’s

institutions/network of institutions. The awardee should develop and implement a

system of sharing expertise or technically difficult laboratory equipment within

the network (and possibly with the medical community outside of the existing

network). An acceptable alternative could be to organize a cost-efficient system

of outsourcing some laboratory testing to independent quality labs.

6. Improve and expand HIV-related community outreach activities directly run or

sponsored by the recipient’s institutions/network of institutions as a whole.

Outreach activities should be cost-efficient, effective, feasible, have a wide

reach, be culturally and age-appropriate and be performed in local languages.

Community outreach activities can include primary prevention of HIV; family

counseling of PLWHAs; confidential VCT; STI care and linkages; voluntary,

age-appropriate family planning; nutritional support; ART support, etc.

7. Develop a functional relationship and linkages to national level, district

level and/or state-level networks of HIV-positive people, where these positive

networks already exist; and help develop such positive networks where they do

not currently exist.

8. Develop and initiate a system for creating the human capacity to meet the

above HIV care and support needs. This includes developing and implementing

plans to increase interest in HIV care; remove any stigma and discrimination

from applicant institutions; and provide ongoing, innovative hands-on training

in local languages to medical personnel (physicians, nurses, pharmacists, lab

technicians, community health workers, counselors, etc.) and management

(institutional leaders, etc.).

9. Systematically document programmatic activities and institutional capacities

over time. Awardees should use formal monitoring and evaluation tools, such as

asset mapping, community assessments, and pre/post-evaluation of specific

trainings or interventions, initially and then periodically, as appropriate.

10. Participate in HHS-sponsored meetings and other HIV-related meetings,

conferences and/or workshops, as appropriate.

11. Make use of existing guidelines, curricula and clinical algorithms developed

by the Indian National AIDS Control Organization (NACO), the World Health

Organization (WHO), HHS, the Office of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator, the

University of Washington International Training and Education Center for

HIV/AIDS (I-TECH), and others, as appropriate.

12. Create and/or strengthen linkages with Indian federal and state Government

health-care institutions, as appropriate (i.e., State AIDS Control Societies,

primary health care clinics, Departments of Medical Education, the

national/state Tuberculosis (TB) programs, nutrition support programs, etc.).

13. Formalize the structures and rules of the applicant’s networks of medical

care institutions, if required. This includes creating by-laws, a

management/leadership team, developing and/or strengthening decision-making

processes, funding and accounting mechanisms, etc.

14. Provide in-kind support equal to or greater than 15 percent of the funding

granted by HHS in year one, and 25 percent in years two-five.

15. Provide HHS in India with semi-annual reports, according to guidelines

developed by the Office of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator.

Administration

Comply with all HHS management requirements for meeting participation and

progress and financial reporting for this cooperative agreement. (See HHS

Activities and Reporting sections below for details.) Comply with all policy

directives established by the Office of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator.

In a cooperative agreement, HHS staff is substantially involved in the program

activities, above and beyond routine grant monitoring.

HHS Activities for this program are as follows:

1. Organize an orientation meeting with the grantee 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.

2. Review and approve the process used by the grantee 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.

3. Review and approve grantee’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.

4. Review and approve grantee’s monitoring and evaluation plan, including for

compliance with the strategic information guidance established by the Office of

the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator.

5. Meet on a monthly basis with grantee to assess monthly expenditures in

relation to approved work plan and modify plans as necessary.

6. Meet on a quarterly basis with grantee to assess quarterly technical and

financial progress reports and modify plans as necessary.

7. Meet on an annual basis with grantee 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.

8. Provide technical assistance, as mutually agreed upon, and revise annually

during validation of the first and subsequent annual work plans. This could

include expert technical assistance and targeted training activities in

specialized areas, such as strategic information, project management,

confidential counseling and testing, palliative care, treatment literacy, and

adult learning techniques.

9. Provide in-country administrative support to help grantee meet U.S.

Government financial and reporting requirements.

Please note: Either HHS staff or staff from organizations that have successfully

competed for funding under a separate HHS contract, cooperative agreement or

grant will provide technical assistance and training.

Additional HHS activities for this program are as follows:

1. Provide input into the development of the overall program strategy, including

collaboration in the selection of key personnel to be involved in the activities

to be performed under this agreement.

2. Define, in collaboration with the grantee(s) and other HHS partners, the

specific geographic reach of the grantee(s) activities, in consultation with the

Office of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator.

3. Provide clearly defined goals and desired outcomes for activities; and

provide ongoing technical assistance to the recipient, and its member

institutions and external partners in local languages, if possible. This

technical assistance could come directly from HHS staff or through in-country

partners/contractors of the U.S. Government.

4. Help encourage and strengthen linkages to, and cooperation with, Indian

federal and state Government institutions and programs.

5. Convene meetings, workshops and consultations between recipients, with

recipients and others (U.S. Government partners, HIV experts, etc.), as

appropriate.

6. Collaborate in the development of a system for record-keeping and information

access.

7. Collaborate in the development of a monitoring and evaluation system; and

provide technical assistance, as needed, in the monitoring and evaluation of

program activities.

8. Assist, as needed, in appropriate analysis and interpretation of program

evaluation data collected.

9. Provide support in all aspects of the implementation of the cooperative

agreement. This will include, but will not be limited to, working with the

network of institutions to review existing materials available in local

languages for PLWHAs; develop information and education resources for PLWHAs;

etc.

10. Provide and promote liaison and assist in coordinating activities, as

required, between the awardee(s) and the activities to be performed under this

agreement and other HHS and U.S. Government programs in India in training, care,

support, and other activities.

HHS India staff, HHS/CDC Atlanta Staff or U.S. Government partners may provide

technical and administrative/management assistance.

II. Award Information

Type of Award: ative Agreement. HHS involvement in this program is listed

in the Activities Section above.

Fiscal Year Funds: 2005

Approximate Total Funding: $300,000 - $750,000 (year one). $300,000 –

1,000,000 (each of years two-five). (This amount is an estimate, and is subject

to availability of funds.)

Approximate Number of Awards: One-four

Approximate Average Award: $150,000 – $300,000 per award (This amount is for

the first 12-month budget period, and includes direct costs.)

Floor of Award Range: $150,000

Ceiling of Award Range: $500,000 (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, as

determined by the annual review and approval of Country Operational Plans for

the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, managed by the Office of the

U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator.

III. Eligibility Information

III.1. Eligible Applicants

Applications may be submitted by for-profit organizations, as well as public and

private non-profit organizations, such as:

a.. Universities

b.. Colleges

c.. Research institutions

d.. Hospitals

e.. Community-based organizations

f.. Faith-based organizations

in addition, eligible applicants will:

a. Be Indian owned/operated non-governmental organizations; network, trust or

private enterprise.

b. Have major ongoing organizational activity in the delivery of quality medical

care (and/or the training of medical personnel in local language).

c. Have established (or soon to be established) medical care activities in a

minimum of four districts in Andhra Pradesh. If applying for one of the

additional awards outside of Andhra Pradesh, have established medical care

activities in a minimum of four districts in the Indian state of focus

(applicant’s choice).

d. Be committed to ensuring expanded quality HIV medical and community care

services within their network/organization, and to providing local/state-level

leadership in HIV related issues.

e. Be recognized and respected by the Government of India at both the national

and state levels.

Competition for this cooperative agreement is limited to the types of

organizations listed above because of the uniqueness of the activities for this

project. Awardees must have specific knowledge and capability to work in urban

and rural locations and in multiple and diverse geographic locations throughout

India. The types of organizations listed above would have direct experience, and

on-the-ground capacity and knowledge, to perform these activities in India.

Competition is limited to agencies that possess the following:

a. A proven track record in developing and successfully managing effective and

sustainable medical and community care activities and/or the training of medical

personnel in local languages.

b. Established medical and/or community care activities in several areas and the

experience and ability to effectively link with other public and private health

care institutions/providers to deliver quality care.

c. The commitment to establish medical care activities in several areas and

willingness and ability to effectively link with other health care

institutions/providers to deliver quality care.

d. Extensive knowledge of the Indian public and private health structure –

from the national to the district levels.

e. Credentials that allow the organization to work legally in India, and an

existing office in one or more critical locations in India.

Furthermore, a guiding principle of the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS

Relief, which implements assistance for HIV/AIDS in countries throughout the

world, calls for the support and development of local expertise and capacity so

national programs can achieve results and monitor and evaluate their activities

for the long term. Through the President’s Emergency Plan, HHS in India seeks

to support and foster the development of indigenous leadership, which is

critical to developing a sustainable and successful response to the AIDS

epidemic in India. In adherence to these guiding principles, competition for the

cooperative agreement is therefore limited to the organizations listed above.

III.2. Cost-Sharing or Matching Funds

Applicant must provide direct funds or in-kind services (equipment, supplies,

salaries, etc.) of at least 15 percent of the annual HHS award for year one, and

25 percent for years two-five. [For example, if the applicant asked for $100,000

from HHS in the first year and $300,000 in year two, it must provide at least

$15,000 in additional funds or in-kind services directly to the project in year

one, and $75,000 in year two.]

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 be

entered into the review process. You will be notified 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 be entered into the review process. We will

notify you that your application did not meet submission requirements.

a. HHS/CDC will consider late applications non-responsive. See section " IV.3.

Submission Dates and Times " for more information on deadlines.

b. Applications that cannot provide supporting documentation (such as: letters,

legal documents, etc.) in the appendices will be considered unresponsive. At a

minimum, please provide:

1. Proof of legal status in India.

2. Proof of work in the health sector.

a. Note: Title 2 of the United States Code Section 1611 states that an

organization described in Section 501©(4) of the Internal Revenue Code that

engages in lobbying activities is not eligible to receive Federal funds

constituting an award, grant, or loan.

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/, 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.

Paper Submission:

Application forms and instructions are available on the HHS/CDC web site, at the

following Internet address: 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: 1-770-488-2700. 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:

a. Maximum number of pages: 20. If your narrative exceeds the page limit, we

will only review the first pages within the page limit.

b. Font size: 12 point unreduced.

c. Double-spaced.

d. Paper size: 8.5 by 11 inches.

e. Page margin size: One inch.

f. Printed only on one side of page.

g. Held together only by rubber bands or metal clips; not bound in any other

way.

h. Number all pages of the application sequentially from page one (Application

Face Page) to the end of the application, including charts, figures, tables, and

appendices.

i. Application must be submitted in English.

Your narrative should address activities to be conducted over the entire project

period, and must include the following items in the order listed:

1. Executive Summary (one page) to include a brief description of your

organization’s strengths and a summary of activities that you are proposing

under this RFA.

2. Narrative (to include four sections as follows):

Section A: Description of your organization, institutions, existing

infrastructure and current scope of activities. Include: details regarding the

specific areas you serve; the assets and deficiencies of the communities you

serve or hope to serve; your organizational strengths and weaknesses; an

overview of your organization’s (and/or member institutions’) five year

overall strategic plan; and any ongoing monitoring and evaluation (M & E) or

quality improvement efforts.

Also include the following as appendices:

a. One or more map illustrations outlining the areas you currently serve and

areas you hope to move into in the next two years. Clearly note on the map where

your member institutions are located, as well as a general category of these

institutions (i.e., hospitals, colleges, clinics, social service centers, etc.).

b. A single detailed chart listing member institutions. Next to each unique

institution or project site, list the activities being undertaken there, the

number of technical staff (physicians, nurses, outreach workers, etc.), and any

other relevant information concerning staff. Please provide an estimate of the

size of the population being served by the staff, and anything else you feel is

relevant to understanding your organization.

Section B: Describe your existing or proposed network that is or will be

responsible for overseeing and enacting the HIV-related activities of this

project. Specifically, please describe:

a. How this network was, or will be, created and maintained.

b. The scope of work that is conducted, or is proposed to be conducted, by the

network.

c. The mechanism in which this network makes decisions, gathers information, and

communicates with its member institutions. If the network is not yet

established, the mechanism in which it proposes to communicate.

d. The structure of the network (or the proposed network), including staff (or

proposed staff) and other active participants.

e. The relationship between the network (or proposed network) leaders/staff and

member institutions (i.e., How does the network influence individual

institutions? Has this been effective?).

f. Any plans on how the network or the proposed network will be strengthened.

Section C: Describe, in as much detail as possible, your proposed HIV-related

activities and provide a detailed plan that discusses how you will accomplish

and maintain/sustain these activities. Discuss your long-term vision (years

three to five); however, provide detailed activities of years one to two in the

state of Andhra Pradesh and in other states in India. For years one to two,

include information on the staffing needs associated with this project and your

ability to meet these needs; your training plan; your scale up strategies; and

your current M & E plan, or proposal for developing a focused and efficient M & E

system. Also include information on other HIV-related funding sources you

receive and how these new CDC funds will add to (and not duplicate) the

activities carried out under existing funding sources.

Section D: Describe the commitment of the applicant, member institutions and

other proposed partners to improve the quality and scope of HIV-related

services. Specifically, the applicant should provide evidence of support by key

institutional leaders and field level staff. Examples of ways to provide such

evidence may be included in the appendices and may include:

a. A summary of current HIV-related activities and care within the network or

individual institutions.

b. Letters of support by member institutions, network leaders and/or outside

community groups (attach as appendix number one; NOT to be included in the 20

page limit).

c. A detailed description of your proposed in-kind support for this project.

d. A summary of any efforts, to date, to collect and analyze HIV-related data in

the communities you serve (i.e., HIV prevalence data, community needs

assessment, asset mapping, VCT data, etc.). Details can be included as part of

appendix number two.

3. Budget and Justification

A budget and budget justification for the entire project period should be

included. While summary budgets may be provided for years two through five, a

full budget and budget justification for year one must be included. In the year

one budget, the specific overhead costs should be clear. The applicant should

clearly delineate what the CDC, via the cooperative agreement, will pay for and

what the applicant institution (as part of the in-kind requirement) will pay

for. The budget and justification will not be counted in the page limit stated

above.

The following information must be included in the application appendices:

Supporting documentation (i.e., letters, legal documents, etc.) to verify legal

status in India and provide proof of work in the health sector.

You may include additional information in the application appendices. The

appendices will not count toward the narrative page limit. This additional

information may include the following:

a. Curriculum Vitas and/or Resumes

b. Organizational Charts/Maps

c. Letters of Support

d. A summary of current HIV-related activities and care programs being carried

out within the network or individual institutions.

e. Letters of support by member institutions, network leaders and/or outside

community members/organizations.

f. A detailed description of your proposed in-kind support for this project.

g. A summary of any efforts, to date, to collect and analyze HIV-related data in

the communities you serve (i.e., HIV prevalence data, community needs

assessment, asset mapping, VCT data, etc.).

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 CDC web site at:

http://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/funding/grantmain.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 9, 2005

Explanation of Deadlines: Applications must be received in the HHS/CDC

Procurement and Grants Office by 4:00 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

the deadline if the application 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 HHS/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 having been 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: 1-770-488-2700. 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:

a. Funds may not be used for research.

b. Awards will allow recipients reimbursement of pre-award costs, such as

photocopying, fax, postage or delivery charges and translation.

c. Funds may be spent for reasonable program purposes,

d. 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.

e. 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.

f. 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 (WHO). 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.

g. 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).

h. You must obtain an 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.

i. 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.

j. 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 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.

k. No funds appropriated under this announcement shall be used to carry out any

program of distributing sterile needles or syringes for the hypodermic injection

of any illegal drug.

l. 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:

a. 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 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://http://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/funding/budgetguide.htm

IV.6. Other Submission Requirements

Application Submission Address:

Electronic Submission:

HHS/CDC strongly encourages you to submit electronically at:

http://www.grants.gov/. You will be able to download a copy of the application

package from 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@... or by phone at 1-800-518-4726

(1-800-518-GRANTS). The Customer Support Center is open from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00

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

submission. If we receive both electronic and back-up paper submissions by the

deadline, we will consider the electronic version the official submission.

We strongly recommended 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

file formats other than Microsoft Office or PDF may result in your file being

unreadable for our staff.

OR

Paper Submission:

Submit the original and two hard copies of your application by mail or express

delivery service to the following:

Technical Information Management-CDC-RFA-AA058

CDC Procurement and Grants Office

2920 wine 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. The current ability of the applicant and its member institutions to provide

high-quality health care and community outreach in local languages to a

significant portion of that state’s population and any ongoing monitoring and

evaluation or quality-assurance activities within these institutions. (25

points)

Does the applicant show, through its’ experience and the written proposal,

that it has a firm understanding of health care and community outreach, along

with expertise in the existing systems of health care delivery and medical

training in India? Does the applicant’s current network reach a large segment

of the at-risk populations of the state?

2. Strength of applicant’s existing or proposed network. (25 points)

Is the network firmly established and credible? Is there evidence of

institutional support for establishing or strengthening their network? Is the

existing or proposed network likely to be maintained during or beyond the

project period? Does the network exhibit value beyond this project? Does the

network have the commitment and interest to work collaboratively with outside

groups and agencies?

3. Quality and feasibility of proposed activities. (25 points).

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

in India and meet the goals of the Emergency Plan? Are the details of the

proposed activities (for the entire project period) clearly presented in the

application? While summary details for years three through five are acceptable,

specific and clearly presented details for years one and two are required. Is

staffing, professional personnel, and leadership in place; if not, is there a

proposed plan to meet staffing needs to carry out the proposed program? Are

program strategies well thought out and clearly defined, including evidence of

innovation and creativity? Is scale up and sustainability addressed? Is there an

effective monitoring and evaluation plan proposed, or currently in place, and

can initial assessment activities be immediately started?

4. Commitment of the applicant and its member institutions to improving the

quality and scope of HIV-related care. (25 points)

Is there evidence of leadership support and of evidence of current or past

efforts to improve HIV care? Are there letters of support by outside groups and

member organizations? Does the level and quality of in-kind support reflect a

commitment to HIV care by the applicant? 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?

5. Budget. (Reviewed, but not scored)

Is the budget for conducting the activity itemized, well-justified, and

consistent with stated activities and planned program activities?

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 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:

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-4 HIV/AIDS Confidentiality Provisions

AR-8 Public Health System Reporting Requirements

AR-12 Lobbying Restrictions

AR-14 Accounting System Requirements

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 PHS 5161-1

application ed in your Grants.gov electronic submission only. Refer to:

http://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/funding/PHS5161-1-Certificates.pdf. Once you have

filled out the form, attach it to your Grants.gov submission as Other Attachment

Forms.

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.

f. Additional requested information.

2. Financial status report and annual progress report, no more than 90 days

after the end of the budget period.

3. Final financial and performance reports, no more than 90 days after the end

of the project period.

4. Annual progress report, due no less than 30 days after the end of the budget

period. This report will include progress to date, plans for upcoming

activities, and will report on a specific set of indicators developed in

collaboration with CDC GAP India. This report must be provided to the CDC GAP

office in New Delhi.

These reports must be mailed to the Grants Management 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 wine Road

Atlanta, GA 30341

Telephone: 1-770-488-2700

For program technical assistance, contact:

Friedman, MD

HHS/CDC, Global AIDS Program (India), Country Team

c/o US Consulate General

220 Mount Road

Chennai, India 600 006

Telephone: 91-44-2811-2000

E-mail: FriedmanM@....

OR

Hedemark Nay, MPH (Project Officer)

HHS/CDC, Global AIDS Program (India), Country Team

c/o US Embassy

Shantipath, Chanakyapuri

New Delhi, India 110 021

Telephone: 91-11-2419-8000

E-mail: NHN1@...

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 wine Road

Atlanta, GA 30341

Telephone: 770-488-1515

E-mail: zbx6@...

VIII. Other Information

Applicants can find this and other HHS/CDC funding opportunity announcements on

the HHS/CDC web site, Internet address: http://www.cdc.gov/ (Click on " Funding, "

then " Grants and ative Agreements " ), and on the web site of the HHS Office

of Global Health Affairs, Internet address: http://www.globalhealth.gov/.

Dated: ___________________________

P. Nichols, MPA

Director

Procurement and Grants Office

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

-------------------

CDC Home Page: http://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo "

CDC Funding Web Page: http://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/funding/funding.htm

CDC Forms Web Page: http://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/forminfo.htm