Cooperative Agreement for the Development of a National Public Health Information Infrastructure Notice of Availability of Funds

[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 72 (Thursday, April 15, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18622-18623]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-9379]


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

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
[Program Announcement 99040]


Cooperative Agreement for the Development of a National Public 
Health Information Infrastructure Notice of Availability of Funds

A. Purpose

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announces the 
availability of fiscal year FY 1999 funds for a cooperative agreement 
program for the development of a national public health information 
infrastructure. This program addresses the ``Healthy People 2000'' 
priority area of Educational and Community-Based Programs.
    The purpose of this program is to provide State health departments 
with local and national access to news media for coverage of health 
emergencies and opportunities to tell the stories of prevention; 
identify methods to provide health communication to State health 
departments; and to elicit the coordination and cooperation of other 
national, public, private, and voluntary agencies in promoting public 
health information.

B. Eligible Applicant

    Assistance may be submitted by public and private nonprofit 
organizations and by governments and their agencies; that is, 
universities, colleges, research institutions, hospitals, other public 
and private nonprofit organizations, State and local governments and 
their bona fide agents, and federally recognized Indian tribal 
governments, Indian tribes, or Indian tribal organizations.

    Note: Pub. L. 104-65 states that an organization described in 
section 501 (c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 that engages 
in lobbying activities is not eligible to receive Federal funds 
constituting an award, grant, cooperative agreement, contract, loan 
or any other form.

C. Availability of Funds

    Approximately $200,000 is available in FY 1999 to fund this 
cooperative agreement. It is expected that the award will begin on or 
about September 30, 1999, and will be made for a 12-month budget period 
within a project period of up to 5 years. Funding estimates may vary 
and are subject to change.
    Continuation awards within the project period will be made on the 
basis of satisfactory progress as evidenced by required reports and the 
availability of funds.

D. Cooperative Activities

    In conducting activities to achieve the purpose of this program, 
the recipient will be responsible for the activities under 1., below, 
and CDC will be responsible for conducting activities under 2., below:
    1. Recipient Activities:
    a. Plan, conduct, and evaluate an annual national conference and, 
as required, regional conferences. The purpose of these conferences is 
to provide a forum for continuing education opportunities in public 
health communications.
    b. Publish periodic newsletters to keep State Health Departments 
informed of the programs, initiatives, and activities of interest to 
the States related to communication intervention programs that enrich 
and improve public health.
    c. Assess electronic communication networking among State health 
departments and provide recommendations to States on equipment and 
financial needs to strengthen communication efforts.
    d. Evaluate the media training available for public health 
professionals and provide recommendations for workshops to all State 
health departments. Provide assistance to those State health 
departments wishing to implement media training.
    e. Network with key national public health groups and schools to 
evaluate existing public information material relating to public health 
programs such as, but not limited to, immunization, tobacco control, 
tuberculosis, violence and bioterrorism. As needs are identified, 
regional awareness campaigns will be designed through State health 
departments.
    f. Develop National health communication campaigns and disseminate 
campaign updates and material to State health departments.
    2. CDC Activities:
    a. Provide technical assistance and consultation in the area of 
program development, implementation, and health communication 
campaigns.
    b. Provide technical assistance in the development of an annual 
conference for State, regional and national exchange of public health 
information.
    c. Provide technical assistance in defining the scope of training 
needs and proposed training materials to address those needs.

E. Application Content

    Use the information in the Cooperative Activities, Other 
Requirements, and Evaluation Criteria sections to develop the 
application

[[Page 18623]]

content. Your application will be evaluated on the criteria listed, so 
it is important to follow them in laying out your program plan. The 
narrative should be no more than 25 double-spaced pages, printed on one 
side, with one inch margins, and unreduced font.

F. Application Submission and Deadline

    Submit the original and two copies of PHS 5161 (OMB Number 0937-
0189). Forms are in the application kit. On or before June 21, 1999, 
submit the application to: Joanne Wojcik, Grants Management Specialist, 
Grants Management Branch, Procurement and Grants Office, Announcement 
Number 99040, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2920 
Brandywine Road, Suite 3000, Atlanta, Georgia 30341-4146.
    Deadline: Application shall be considered as meeting the deadline 
if it is:
    1. Received on or before the deadline date; or
    2. Sent on or before the deadline date and received in time for 
orderly processing. (Applicants must request a legibly dated U.S. 
Postal Service postmark or obtain a legibly dated receipt from a 
commercial carrier or U.S. Postal Service. Private metered postmarks 
shall not be acceptable as proof of timely mailing.)
    G. Evaluation Criteria
    The application will be evaluated against the following criteria 
(maximum 100 total points):
    1. Background, Need, and Capacity (25 percent): The extent to which 
the applicant presents data and information documenting the capacity to 
accomplish the program, positive progress in related past or current 
activities or programs, and, as appropriate, need for the program. The 
extent to which current resources demonstrate capability to conduct the 
program.
    2. Goals and Objectives (15 percent): The extent to which the 
applicant includes goals which are relevant to the purpose of the 
proposal and feasible to accomplish during the project period, and the 
extent to which these are specific and measurable. The extent to which 
the applicant has included objectives which are feasible to accomplish 
during the budget period and project period, and which address all 
activities necessary to accomplish the purpose of the proposal.
    3. Methods and Staffing (25 percent): The extent to which the 
applicant provides: (1) A detailed description of proposed activities 
which are likely to achieve each objective and overall program goals, 
and which includes designation of responsibility for each action 
undertaken; (2) a reasonable and complete schedule for implementing all 
activities; and (3) a description of the roles of each unit, 
organization, or agency, and evidence of coordination, supervision, and 
degree of commitment of staff, organizations, and agencies involved in 
activities.
    4. Evaluation (25 percent): The extent to which the proposed 
evaluation system is detailed, addresses goals and objectives of the 
program, and will document program process, effectiveness, and impact. 
The extent to which the applicant demonstrates potential data sources 
for evaluation purposes and methods to evaluate the data sources, and 
documents staff availability, expertise, experience, and capacity to 
perform the evaluation. The extent to which a feasible plan for 
reporting evaluation results and using evaluation information for 
programmatic decisions is included.
    5. Collaboration (10 percent): The extent to which relationships 
between the program and other organizations, agencies, and health 
department units that will relate to the program or conduct related 
activities are clear, complete and provide for complementary or 
supplementary interactions. The extent to which coalition membership 
and roles are clear and appropriate.
    6. Budget and Justification (not scored): The extent to which the 
applicant provides a detailed budget and narrative justification 
consistent with stated objectives and planned program activities.

H. Other Requirements

    Technical Reporting Requirements Provide CDC with the original plus 
two copies of:
    1. Semiannual Progress reports;
    2. Financial status report, no more than 90 days after the end of 
the budget period;
    3. Final financial report and performance report, no more than 90 
days after the end of the project period.
    Send all reports to: Joanne Wojcik, Grants Management Specialist, 
Grants Management Branch, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for 
Disease Control and Prevention 2920 Brandywine Road, Suite 3000, 
Atlanta, Georgia 30341-4146.
    For descriptions of the following Other Requirements, see 
Attachment I:

AR-5  HIV Program Review Panel Requirements
AR-10  Smoke-Free Workplace Requirements
AR-11  Healthy People 2000
AR-12  Lobbying Restrictions
AR-20  Conference Support

I. Authority and Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number

    This program is authorized under Section 1704 [42 U.S.C. 300u-3] of 
the Public Health Service Act, as amended. The Catalog of Federal 
Domestic Assistance Number is 93.283.

J. Where to Obtain Additional Information

    This announcement and other announcements may be downloaded from 
www.cdc.gov (click on funding)
    To receive additional written information and to request an 
application kit, call 1-888-GRANTS4 (1-888 472-6874). You will be asked 
to leave you name and address and will be instructed to identify the 
Announcement number of interest. Please refer to Program Announcement 
99040 when you request information. For a complete program description, 
information on application procedures, an application package and 
business management technical assistance, contact: Joanne Wojcik, 
Grants Management Specialist, Grants Management Branch, Procurement and 
Grants Office, Announcement 99040, Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention (CDC), 2920 Brandywine Road, Suite 3000, Atlanta, GA., 
30341-4146, Telephone (404) 488-2717, Email address jcw6@cdc.gov.
    For program technical assistance, contact: Linda Leake, 
Administrative Officer, Office of Communication, Centers for Disease 
Control and Prevention 1600 Clifton Road, NE, MS D25, Atlanta, Georgia 
30333, Telephone: (404) 639-7994, E Mail: ldll@cdc.gov.

    Dated: April 9, 1999.
John L. Williams,
Director, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease Control 
and Prevention (CDC).
[FR Doc. 99-9379 Filed 4-14-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P