[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 106 (Wednesday, June 3, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 30231-30233]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-14658]


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

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
[Program Announcement 98063]


 Notice of Availability of Funds; Cooperative Agreement for 
National Hepatitis B Immunization Program with Focus on Asians and 
Pacific Islanders

A. Purpose

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announces the 
availability of fiscal year FY 1998 funds for a cooperative agreement 
to support a Hepatitis B Immunization Project with a focus on Asians 
and Pacific Islanders. The purpose of this cooperative agreement 
program is to increase hepatitis B vaccination levels among Asian and 
Pacific Islander (API) children in the United States born between 1983 
and 1993 from a baseline of 10 percent in 1996 to 90 percent by the 
close of year 2000, to enhance local demand for hepatitis B vaccination 
of API children, and to inform and educate vaccination service 
providers who serve API children. This program addresses the ``Healthy 
People 2000'' priority area of Immunization, and Infectious Diseases.

B. Eligible Applicants

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

    Note: Public Law 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 $49,900 is available in FY 1998 to fund one award. It 
is expected that the award will begin on or about July 31, 1998, and 
will be made for a 12-month budget period within a project period of up 
to three years. Funding estimates may change.

[[Page 30232]]

    Continuation awards within an approved project period will be made 
on the basis of satisfactory progress as evidenced by required reports 
and the availability of funds.

D. Program Requirements

    In achieving the purpose of this effort, the recipient will be 
responsible for the activities listed under Item 1, (Recipient 
Activities) and CDC will be responsible for the activities listed under 
Item 2, (CDC Activities).

1. Recipient Activities

    The recipient will promote hepatitis B immunization of all API 
children in the United States through collaborative education and 
vaccination activities and sharing of information and resources through 
the member groups, working groups, volunteers, and national, State, and 
local public and private health care providers. The grantee will:
    a. Recipient should conduct meetings, form working groups, and 
maintain reports and other records as necessary related to Hepatitis B 
Immunization activities.
    b. Work with targeted national organizations and State and local 
coalitions to facilitate API hepatitis B vaccination coverage surveys 
and implementation of efforts to educate providers and parents about 
hepatitis B vaccine (HBV), Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program, and the 
national recommendations to vaccinate all API children with hepatitis B 
vaccine.
    c. Work with State and local coalitions to identify barriers and 
solutions to these barriers in the implementation of hepatitis B 
vaccination of all API children.
    d. Regularly inform all work groups and volunteers and relevant 
national, State and local groups of recipient related activities around 
the country with a published vehicle such as a newsletter.
    e. Develop strategies, action plans, and mechanisms to increase 
public and private collaboration on activities to ensure hepatitis B 
vaccination of all API children in the U.S., for example, such as 
establishing a Web page; organizing volunteer groups; organizing fund-
raising efforts; developing and utilizing mailing lists; working with 
Asian language school principals; meeting with Asian language media 
spokespersons; and working through the federal Vaccines for Children 
(VFC) network to enroll and educate providers of vaccination services 
to API children in each of the 12 top API states--California, New York, 
Hawaii, Texas, Illinois, New Jersey, Washington, Florida, Virginia, 
Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts.
    f. Establish working relationships with API health care providers 
to enhance their interest and participation in the project.
    g. Devise and implement a linkage of a majority of the existing 
hepatitis B virus transmission prevention resources with a majority of 
the nation's API community leaders.

2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Activities

    a. As requested, provide assistance to the recipient, with plans or 
agendas for proposed activities.
    b. Provide technical assistance through telephone calls, 
correspondence, and site visits in the area of program and agenda 
development, implementation, and priority setting related to the 
cooperative agreement.
    c. Provide scientific collaboration for appropriate aspects of the 
activities, including information on disease impact and vaccination 
coverage levels.
    d. Provide speakers, when possible, on such topics and impact of 
HBV infection in API's, national policy and recommendations related to 
hepatitis B vaccination of API children.
    e. Assist as requested in reporting and validating relevant 
hepatitis B vaccination information made available through publication 
in a newsletter and journal articles and otherwise provided to project 
members, volunteers, Federal, State, and local health agencies, and 
health care providers.
    f. Provide representatives to attend executive, steering group and 
work group conference calls and meetings.

E. Application Content

    The application must contain the following:
    1. Objectives consistent with the existing purpose of the applicant 
organization.
    2. Background information on the applicant; evidence of relevant 
experience in coordinating groups of diverse organizations; evidence of 
the applicant's organizational capacity and experience in building and 
maintaining relationships with national organizations, private and 
public sector non-profit health care organization, professional health 
associations, volunteer groups, advocacy groups, API organizations, and 
government entities.
    4. A clear description of the purpose of the applicant organization 
along with detailed methods and activities which will be undertaken to 
ensure vaccination of at least 90 percent of all API children in the 
U.S. with hepatitis B vaccine by the close of year 2000.
    5. A plan to monitor and evaluate activities.
    6. Biographical information on qualified and experienced 
administrative and professional personnel who will be working in an 
existing organizational structure to fulfill the terms of the project.
    7. Letters from current API organizations, API community leaders, 
and State and local public health agencies which indicate the applicant 
has their support and involvement in conducting the activities of this 
project and has an established reputation to motivate other 
organizations.
    8. A detailed budget and narrative budget justification.

Competing Applications

    Use the information in the Program Requirements, Other 
Requirements, and Evaluation Criteria sections to develop the 
application 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 30 double-spaced pages, 
printed on one side, with one inch margins, and unreduced font.

F. Submission and Deadline

Application

    Submit the original and two copies of PHS 5161-1 (OMB Number 0937-
0189) on or before July 6, 1998. Submit the application to: David 
Elswick, Grants Management Specialist, Grants Management Branch, 
Procurement and Grants Office, Announcement 98063, Centers for Disease 
Control and Prevention (CDC), Room 300, 255 East Paces Ferry Road, NE., 
Mailstop E-13, Atlanta, Georgia 30305-2209.
    If your application does not arrive in time for submission to the 
independent review group, it will not be considered in the current 
competition unless you can provide proof that you mailed it on or 
before the deadline (i.e., receipt from U.S. Postal Service or a 
commercial carrier; private metered postmarks are not acceptable).

G. Evaluation Criteria

    Each application will be evaluated by an independent review group 
appointed by CDC to the extent it documents the applicant's:
    1. understanding of the existing disease control problem and the 
importance and feasibility of hepatitis B vaccination of at least 90 
percent of all API children in the U.S. by the close of year 2000. (10 
percent)

[[Page 30233]]

    2. specific, realistic, measurable, and time-phased objectives 
which are related to effective activities. (15 percent)
    3. high quality and effective plan for ensuring implementation of 
State and local successful hepatitis B vaccination efforts in at least 
the top 12 API states. (20 percent)
    4. established network of national, State or local collaborators 
and accessibility to an adequate number of member organization 
representatives. (20 percent)
    5. administrative and support staff to operate the project. (10 
percent)
    6. qualified and experienced professional personnel who are 
committed to the project and will implement the proposed program 
activities. (10 percent)
    7. appropriate and effective plan to measure activities and 
evaluate its progress toward the year 2000 goal. (15 percent)
    In addition, consideration will be given to the extent to which the 
budget request is clearly justified and consistent with the intended 
use of cooperative agreement funds.

H. Other Requirements

Technical Reporting Requirements

    A. Provide CDC with original plus two copies of:
    1. quarterly progress reports describing the progress toward 
achieving objectives, implementing vaccination programs, and providing 
services;
    2. financial status report, no more than 90 days after the end of 
the budget period; and
    3. final financial and performance reports, no more than 90 days 
after the end of the project period.
    B. Provide an annual report to the project members, summarizing 
activities and accomplishments of the project.
    Send all reports to: David Elswick, Grants Management Specialist, 
Grants Management Branch, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for 
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Room 300, 255 East Paces Ferry 
Road, NE., Mailstop E-13, Atlanta, GA 30305-2209.
    The grantee will visit CDC, NIP at least twice a year for a verbal 
progress report on all project activities.
    The following additional requirements are applicable to this 
program.

AR98-11  Healthy People 2000
AR98-12  Lobbying Restrictions
AR98-7  Executive Order 12372 Review
AR98-8  Public Health System Reporting Requirements

I. Authority and Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number

    This program is authorized under the Public Health Service Act, 
Section 317(k)(1)[42 U.S.C. 247b(k)(1)], as amended. The Catalog of 
Federal Domestic Assistance number is 93.185.

J. Where to Obtain Additional Information

    Please refer to Program Announcement 98063 when you request 
information. For a complete program description, information on 
application procedures, an application package, and business management 
assistance, contact: David Elswick, Grants Management Specialist, 
Grants Management Branch, Procurement and Grants Office, Announcement 
98063, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Room 300, 255 
East Paces Ferry Road, NE., Mailstop E-13, Atlanta, GA 30305-2209, 
telephone (404) 842-6521, Email address DCE[email protected].
    See also the CDC home page on the Internet: http://www.cdc.gov
    For program technical assistance, contact Gary L. Euler, DrPH, 
Chief, Hepatitis Activity, Adult Vaccine Preventable Diseases Branch, 
Epidemiology and Surveillance Division, National Immunization Program, 
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1600 Clifton Road, 
NE., Mailstop E-61, Atlanta, GA 30333, telephone (404) 639-8742, 
Internet address: [email protected].
    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 your name and address and will be instructed to identify the 
Announcement number of interest.

    Dated: May 28, 1998.
Joseph R. Carter,
Acting Associate Director for Management and Operations, Centers for 
Disease Control and Prevention.
[FR Doc. 98-14658 Filed 6-2-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P