[Federal Register: April 23, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 79)]
[Notices]
[Page 22055-22060]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr23ap04-88]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Steps to a HealthierUS: National Organization Partnerships;
Notice of Availability of Funds
Announcement Type: New.
Funding Opportunity Number: 04134.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 93.283.
Key Dates:
Letter of Intent Deadline: May 14, 2004.
Application Deadline: June 8, 2004.
Executive Summary: In June 2002, the President of the United States
launched his HealthierUS initiative, which highlights the influence
that healthy lifestyles and behaviors--such as making healthful
nutritional choices, being physically active, and avoiding tobacco use
and exposure--have in achieving and maintaining good health for persons
of all ages. In response, the Secretary of the Department of Health and
Human Services created the Steps to a HealthierUS Initiative (hereafter
referred to as the Steps Initiative). Steps Initiative activities
include national roundtables, conferences, publications, and public-
private partnership opportunities.
The centerpiece of the Steps Initiative is a five-year cooperative
agreement program (hereafter referred to as the Steps Community Program
or Steps Communities). This program funds communities to improve the
lives of Americans through innovative and effective community-based
health
[[Page 22056]]
promotion and chronic disease prevention and control programs. Steps
Communities work through public-private partnerships to support
community-driven programs enabling persons to adopt healthy lifestyles
that contribute directly to the prevention, delay, and mitigation of
the consequences of diabetes, asthma, and obesity. Steps Communities
are implementing community action plans that target diverse populations
including: Border populations, Hispanics and Latinos, Native Americans,
African-Americans, Asians, immigrants, low-income populations, people
with disabilities, children and youth, senior citizens, people who are
uninsured/underinsured and people at high risk or diagnosed with
obesity, diabetes, and asthma. Funded communities under the Steps
initiative are incorporating multiple activities within their
communities. Examples of community activities include, but are not
limited to: The development of a multifaceted promotional campaign on
the ``5 A Day for Better Health Program''; conducting diabetes
education and self-management classes at community sites;
implementation of school policies on tobacco use and tribal school
nutrition programs.
The Centers for Disease Control, National Center for Chronic
Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (NCCDPHP) is charged by the
Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to implement the Steps
Community Program in collaboration with all relevant HHS agencies and
staff divisions. The relevant HHS agencies and offices include, but are
not limited to, the Administration for Children and Families,
Administration on Aging, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality,
CDC, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Food and Drug
Administration, Health Resources and Services Administration, Indian
Health Service, National Institutes of Health, Office of Disease
Prevention and Health Promotion, and the Substance Abuse and Mental
Health Services Administration hereafter referred to as ``HHS
agencies''.
I. Funding Opportunity Description
Authority: This program is authorized under section 301(a) and
317(k)(2) of the Public Health Service Act, (42 U.S.C. sections
241(a) and 247b(k)(2)), as amended.
Purpose: The purpose of the program is to fund one or more national
organizations to develop and implement strategies for effective
collaborative action, program development and policy education to
supplement the President of the United States' Initiative for Americans
entitled HealthierUS and the Secretary of Health and Human Services'
initiative for Americans entitled Steps to a HealthierUS. The national
organization(s) will assist Steps Communities in support of their
efforts to aid Americans in living longer, better, and healthier lives
by reducing the burden of diabetes, obesity, and asthma and addressing
three related risk factors--physical inactivity, poor nutrition, and
tobacco use.
Measurable outcomes of the program will be in alignment with one or
more of the performance goal(s) for the Steps initiative's goals:
Prevent 75,000 to 100,000 Americans from
developing diabetes;
Prevent 100,000 to 150,000 Americans from
developing obesity;
Prevent 50,000 Americans from being hospitalized
for asthma.
The performance goal for this cooperative agreement is to enhance
the capacity of Steps Communities to successfully implement their
Community Action Plan within these larger initiative goals.
Grantee Activities
Awardee activities for this program are as follows: Awardee(s)
shall undertake one of the following priority areas each year of a
four-year program period:
Priority 1: Policy Academies.
Conduct four regional policy academies for Steps
Communities. The national organization(s) will develop and conduct one
regional policy academy each year of the project period (total of 4
academies). The academies will focus on the development and
implementation of community-level strategies to support public actions
that encourage and support healthier living. Awardee(s) must coordinate
with state, local and other groups conducting similar activities for
which funds are awarded.
The Policy Academy will offer funded communities
a role in a shared learning system that will provide the foundation for
public policy innovation that fosters improved performance. The Policy
Academy will provide technical assistance and workshops to aid
communities with their Community Action Plans. Examples of what
participants in the Policy Academy will accomplish are: narrowing their
priorities, defining outcomes that will move their priorities forward,
formulating sustainable plans to achieve outcomes, and aiding in the
implementation and measurement of their plans. The primary audiences
for participation in the academies are the funded Steps Communities.
Additional communities in the region can be invited as space and
resources allow.
Priority 2: Support Local Chapters in Steps Communities.
Support the national organizations' local
chapters/affiliates in Steps Communities to participate fully in the
local Steps Action Plan. The funded organization(s) should collaborate
with other organizations and partners in the Steps Communities to
support the established Steps Action Plan. The organization should
solicit letters of support from currently funded Steps Communities
(Appendix A).
The national organization will provide capacity
building assistance to the local chapters/affiliates to improve the
Steps Program's ability to encourage community members to become more
active, and eat better.
The organization will be responsible for
collaborating with partners that include but are not limited to:
Community-based organizations, faith-based organizations, and
educational institutions to promote active lifestyles and create
awareness to address factors contributing to obesity, asthma, and
diabetes. These activities should include but not be limited to
community programs that focus on improved fitness and health promotion
and/or after-school programs.
Applicants must provide plans for program
coordination with the existing Steps Community Programs. Such
coordination must include definition of roles at the community level,
actions to integrate the program into the existing activities of the
Steps Community Program and avoid duplication with state health
agencies. Additionally, the applicant must provide a management plan,
which describes the local organizational structure, the range of
programs available, targeting strategies, and efforts to sustain the
programs. All recipient activities in this section must be done in full
coordination and collaboration with the local Steps Community Coalition
and Leadership Team. Examples of the types of activities that the
funded organization might choose to develop within the Steps
communities include:
Develop, implement, and evaluate an innovative
program that addresses identified need(s) within the communities funded
under the Steps initiative.
Develop and implement an effective strategy for
marketing services to increase public awareness of the Steps Community
Program.
Implement a quality assurance strategy that
ensures the delivery of high quality prevention services for one or
[[Page 22057]]
more elements of the Steps Community Action Plan.
Develop and implement effective community
polices, or facilitate their development and implementation.
Convene forums or town hall meetings or events
for public education and outreach.
Develop educational materials for local Steps
Community activities.
Provide after school physical activity and
health education programs.
In addition to one of the above priorities, the funded organization
must conduct all of the following activities:
Collaborate with CDC, key partners and other
entities to plan and deliver appropriate activities consistent with
science-based evidence.
Conduct both process and outcome evaluation to
determine if annual action plan objectives were met to measure
effectiveness of major activities.
Provide at least one full-time employee(s) to
direct and coordinate proposed activities and additional staff as
needed.
In a cooperative agreement, HHS staff is substantially involved in
the program activities, above and beyond routine grant monitoring.
Thus, HHS Activities for this program are as follows:
Advise the funded organization of priorities to
be considered at the annual regional policy academies.
Provide consultation and technical assistance in
the planning, implementation and evaluation of program activities.
Provide up-to-date information that includes
diffusion of best practices and current research and data related to
the Steps initiative.
Facilitate communication and activities among
organizations including holding meetings, conferences and conference
calls.
Assist in planning workshops, trainings and
skill building to increase capacity to understand and address issues
and implement program activities.
Support the development and maintenance of
communications and foster the transfer of information and successful
program models between the funded Steps Communities and the funded
National Partner Organizations.
II. Award Information
Type of Award: Cooperative Agreement. CDC involvement in this
program is listed in the Activities Section.
Fiscal Year Funds: 2004.
Approximate Total Funding: $500,000.
Approximate Number of Awards: 1-2.
Approximate Average Award: $500,000 (This amount is for the first
12-month budget period, and includes both direct and indirect costs).
Floor of Award Range: None.
Ceiling of Award Range: $500,000 (This ceiling is for the first 12-
month budget period. If additional funding becomes available in future
years, this ceiling may increase for years two, three, and four.)
Anticipated Award Date: September 1, 2004.
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
Applications may be submitted by public and private nonprofit
organizations with a national reach such as:
Public nonprofit organizations;
Private nonprofit organizations;
Community-based organizations;
Faith-based organizations.
III.2. Cost Sharing or Matching
Matching funds are not required for this program.
III.3. Other Eligibility Requirements
If you request a funding amount greater than the ceiling of the
award range, your application will be considered non-responsive and
will not be entered into the review process. You will be notified that
your application did not meet the submission requirements.
If your application is incomplete or non-responsive to the
requirements listed in this section, it will not be entered into the
review process. You will be notified that your application did not meet
submission requirements.
Applicant organization(s) must submit evidence that they can
operate a nationally recognized program focusing on one or more of the
six focus areas of Steps (diabetes, obesity, asthma, physical activity,
nutrition, or tobacco). Eligible applicant organizations must be able
to operate at local levels, as evidenced by having chapters or
affiliates in at least 85% of states and at least 1500 communities
nationwide.
Note: Title 2 of the United States Code section 1611 states that
an organization described in section 501(c)(4) of the Internal
Revenue Code (Title 26) 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 CDC 1246
or PHS 5161. Application forms and instructions are available on the
CDC Web site, at the following Internet address: http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/leaving.cgi?from=leavingFR.html&log=linklog&to=http://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/forminfo.htm.
If you do not have access to the Internet, or if you
have difficulty accessing the forms on-line, you may contact the CDC
Procurement and Grants Office Technical Information Management Section
(PGO-TIM) staff at: 700-488-2700. Application forms can be mailed to
you.
IV.2. Content and Form of Submission
Letter of Intent (LOI): Your LOI must be written in the following
format:
Maximum number of pages: 1.
Font size: 12-point unreduced.
Single spaced.
Paper size: 8.5 by 11 inches.
Page margin size: One inch.
Printed only on one side of page.
Written in English, avoid jargon.
Your LOI must contain the following information:
Name of national organization.
Number of local chapters/affiliates.
Number of currently funded Steps Communities
with a local chapter of your organization.
Contact person and information for organization.
Application: You must submit a project narrative with your
application forms. The narrative must be submitted in the following
format:
Maximum number of pages: 35.
Font size: 12 point unreduced.
Paper size: 8.5 by 11 inches.
Page margin size: One inch.
Printed only on one side of page.
Double spaced.
Held together only by rubber bands or metal
clips; not bound in any other way.
Your narrative should address activities to be conducted over the
entire project period (4 years), and must include the following items
in order listed:
1. Executive Summary. The Executive Summary should briefly describe
the project, include relevant information from other sections, and the
total budget amount requested. The Executive Summary should be no more
than 2 pages.
2. Background information. This should include a description of the
[[Page 22058]]
national and local organizational structure, the relationship between
the national and local organizations, the types of activities conducted
by the national and local organizations, and any other information that
will assist reviewers in understanding the mission, reach and
activities of the organization.
3. Understanding. Applicant should include information indicating
an understanding of the Steps Initiative, the Steps Community Program,
and the potential relationship of the national organization and its
local chapters/affiliates to the Steps Community Program.
4. Objectives. Include budget period and project period objectives
for your proposed plan.
5. Detailed plan for required activities. Include details of how
your organization will accomplish the requirements described in this
announcement. Include specific details about when and where national or
regional meetings will occur, proposed curricula/agenda, proposed
technical assistance activities, etc. Applicant should address Priority
1 or Priority 2 in addition to all required activities.
6. Timeline. Include a detailed timeline of activities
corresponding to the proposed action plan.
7. Program Evaluation Plan. Identify methods for documenting
progress toward achieving program goals and objectives, and monitoring
activities consistent with budget, project period and workplan. The
evaluation plan should include key evaluation questions, measurable
objectives linked to program activities, quantitative and/or
qualitative assessment mechanisms; the specific outcomes expected; the
minimum information to be collected and the system(s) for reporting the
information. The plan should follow the CDC's Framework for Program
Evaluation in Public Health (http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/leaving.cgi?from=leavingFR.html&log=linklog&to=http://www.cdc.gov/epo/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr4811a1.htm
) and highlight strategies for including program
stakeholders in the evaluation process. Moreover, evaluation activities
should be coordinated with performance measurement activities to be
specified by funded Steps communities.
8. Budget Justification. Budget Narrative and Justification will be
counted in the stated page limit. If you are requesting indirect costs
in your budget, you must include a copy of your indirect cost rate
agreement. If your indirect cost rate is a provisional rate, the
agreement should be less than 12 months of age.
The following types of additional information may be included in
the application appendices. The appendices will not be counted toward
the narrative page limit. Information included in appendices is limited
to:
Curriculum Vitae;
Resumes;
Organizational Charts;
Letters of Support.
You are required to 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://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/leaving.cgi?from=leavingFR.html&log=linklog&to=http://www.dunaandbradstreet.com or call 1-866-705-
5711.
For more information, see the CDC Web site at: http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/leaving.cgi?from=leavingFR.html&log=linklog&to=http://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/funding/pubcommt.htm.
If your application form does not have a
DUNS number field please write your DUNS number at the top of the first
page of your application, and/or included your DUNS number in your
application cover letter.
Additional requirements that may require you to submit additional
documentation with your application are listed in section ``V1.2.
Administrative and National Policy Requirements''.
IV.3. Submission Dates and Times
LOI Deadline Date: May 14, 2004.
CDC requests that you send a LOI if you intend to apply for this
program. Although the LOI is not required, not binding, and does not
enter into the review of your subsequent application, the LOI will be
used to gauge the level of interest in this program, and allow CDC to
plan the application review.
Application Deadline Date: June 8, 2004.
Explanation of Deadlines: Applications must be received in the CDC
Procurement and Grants Office by 4 p.m. eastern time on the deadline
date. If you send your application by the United States Postal Service
or commercial delivery service, you must ensure that the carrier will
be able to guarantee delivery of the application by the closing date
and time. If CDC receives your application after closing 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, you will be given the opportunity to
submit documentation of the carriers guarantee. If the documentation
verifies a carrier problem, CDC will consider the application as having
been received by the deadline.
This announcement is the definitive guide on application submission
address and deadline. It supercedes information provided in the
application instructions. If the application does not meet the
deadline, above, it will not be eligible for review, and will be
discarded. You will be notified that your application did not meet the
submission requirements.
CDC will not notify you upon receipt of your application. If you
have a question about the receipt of your application, first contact
your courier. If you still have a question, contact the PGO-TIM staff
at: 770-488-2700. Before calling, please wait two to three days after
the application deadline. This will allow time for applications to be
processed and logged.
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 your
budget, are as follows:
Funds may not supplant existing funds from any
other public or private source.
Awards will not allow reimbursement of pre-award costs.
Guidance for completing your budget can be found on the CDC Web
site, at the following Internet address: http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/leaving.cgi?from=leavingFR.html&log=linklog&to=http://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/funding/budgetguide.htm
.
IV.6. Other Submission Requirements
LOI Submission Address: Submit your LOI by express mail, delivery
service, fax, or e-mail to: Juanika Mainor-Harper, MPH, CDC/NCCDPHP/
Steps, 4770 Buford Highway, Mailstop-K41, Atlanta, GA 30341, telephone:
770-488-6452, fax: 770-488-6391, e-mail address: StepsInfo@cdc.gov.
Application Submission Address: Submit the original and two copies
of your application by mail or express delivery service to: Technical
Information Management--PA04134, CDC Procurement and Grants Office,
2920 Brandywine Road, Atlanta, GA 30341.
Applications may not be submitted electronically at this time.
V. Application Review Information
V.1 Criteria
You 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
[[Page 22059]]
stated in the ``Purpose'' section of this announcement. Measures must
be objective and quantitative, and must measure the intended outcome.
These measures of effectiveness must be submitted with the application
and will be an element of evaluation.
Your application will be evaluated against the following criteria:
1. Plan (30 Points)
Applicant should effectively address either
Priority Area 1 or Priority Area 2 and all required activities as
listed in the Activity section.
Will the proposed plan accomplish the objectives
set forth by the applicant?
Will the plan support the Steps Community
Program goals?
Does the plan include collaboration with other
local organizations in each of the Steps Communities?
Does the plan account for activities in Steps
Communities where no local chapters/affiliates of the national
applicant organization exist?
Is the timeline feasible?
Do the activities coincide with the goals and
objectives?
2. Organization (25 Points)
Are the national and local organizational
structures conducive to the support of the Steps Community Program?
Does the organization have sufficient
infrastructure and capacity to support and enhance the proposed
activities?
Does the organization have a history of success
in conducting similar activities?
Does the organization understand the Steps
Community Program mission and the relationship between the Steps
Communities and the national and local organizational structures?
Does the applicant organization have the ability
to host a national or regional meeting with key partners related to the
Steps Initiative?
Does the applicant organization have the ability
to work within the community to develop viable evidence-based programs,
interventions and/or programs related to the mission of the Steps
Initiative that can be evaluated over the project period?
3. Program Evaluation Plan (20 Points)
Does the program evaluation plan include core
evaluation questions (both process and outcome), specific, time-phased,
measurable objectives and indicators of progress?
Does the program evaluation plan include
detailed information about data collection, analysis, and reporting?
Does the evaluation plan adequately speak to
relevant standards for program evaluation planning, implementation, and
the use of findings for program accountability and improvement?
4. Leadership or Governing Structure (15 Points)
Applicant should demonstrate an effective
governing structure within the organization that provides for effective
leadership by members and effective day-to-day fiscal and operational
management by competent full-time management staff, ensuring that
members constitute the majority of committees and/or workshops
assembled for the purpose of completing activities under this
agreement.
5. Objectives (10 Points)
Do the proposed objectives support the goals of
the Steps Community Program?
Are the proposed objectives reasonable and
appropriate for the organization?
Are the proposed objectives specific, measurable
and time phased?
6. Budget (Not Scored)
Note: CDC may not approve or fund all proposed activities. Be
precise about the program purpose of each budget item and itemize
calculations wherever appropriate.
Is the budget reasonable for accomplishing the
proposed plan?
Is there a detailed budget for each proposed
activity with a justification of all operating expenses in relation to
the planned activities and stated objectives?
Is there a detailed explanation and
justification for the use of contractor and consultants within the
application budget? Is the organization or parties to be selected,
method of selection and duties they will perform stated? Is a breakdown
of and justification for the estimated costs of the contracts and
consultants and a description of methods to be used for contract
monitoring.
Is the job description for each position,
specifying job title, function, general duties, and activities
included? Are salary ranges or rates of pay and the levels of effort
and/or percentages of time to be spent on activities that would be
funded through this cooperative agreement provided?
V.2. Review and Selection Process
Applications will be reviewed for completeness by the Procurement
and Grants Office (PGO) staff and for responsiveness by NCCDPHP.
Incomplete applications that are non-responsive to the eligibility
criteria will not advance through the review process. Applicants will
be notified 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. Review
Criteria'' section above.
V.3. Anticipated Announcement and Award Dates
May 1, 2004.
VI. Award Administration Information
VI.1. Award Notices
Successful applications will receive a Notice of Grant Award (NGA)
from the CDC Procurement and Grants Office. The NGA shall be the only
binding, authorizing document between the recipient and CDC. The NGA
will be signed by an authorized Grants Management Officer, and mailed
to the recipient fiscal officer identified in the application.
Unsuccessful applicant will receive notification of the results of
the application review by mail.
VI.2. Administration and National Policy Requirements
45 CFR parts 74 and 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-8--Public Health Systems Reporting
Requirements
AR-9--Paperwork Reduction Act Requirements
AR-10--Smoke-Free Workplace Requirements
AR-11--Healthy People 2010
AR-12--Lobbying Restrictions
AR-15--Proof of Non-Profit Status
Additional information on these requirements can be found on the
CDC Web site at the following Internet address: http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/leaving.cgi?from=leavingFR.html&log=linklog&to=http://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/funding/ARs.htm
.
Reporting Requirements: You must provide CDC with an original, plus
two copies of the following reports:
1. Interim progress report, 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.
[[Page 22060]]
d. Budget.
e. Additional Requested Information.
f. Measures of Effectiveness.
2. Financial status report and annual progress report will be due
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.
These reports must be mailed to the Grants Management or Contract
Specialist listed in the ``Agency Contacts'' section of this
announcement.
VII. Agency Contacts
For general questions about this announcement, contact: Technical
Information Management Section, CDC Procurement and Grants Office, 2920
Brandywine Road, Atlanta, GA 30341, telephone: 770-488-2700.
For program technical assistance, contact: Juanika Mainor-Harper,
MPH, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Highway,
NE., Mailstop K-41, Atlanta, GA 30341, telephone: 770-488-6452, e-mail:
StepsInfo@cdc.gov.
For financial, grants management, or budget assistance, contact:
Ms. Sylvia Dawson, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention, 2920 Brandywine Road, Atlanta, GA 30341-4146,
telephone: 770-488-2771, e-mail address: snd8@cdc.gov.
VIII. Other Information
Common questions and answers about the Steps to a HealthierUS
National Partnerships announcement can be found at: http://www.HealthierUS.gov/steps/
.
This announcement, other CDC announcements, and the necessary forms
for application can be found on the CDC Web site, Internet address:
http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/leaving.cgi?from=leavingFR.html&log=linklog&to=http://www.cdc.gov. Click on ``Funding'' then ``Grants and Cooperative
Agreements''.
Dated: April 19, 2004.
William P. Nichols,
Acting Director, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention.
[FR Doc. 04-9238 Filed 4-22-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P