[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 140 (Friday, July 21, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 37646-37648]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-18024]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
[Announcement Number 539]
Cooperative Agreement for Provider-Based Emerging Infections
Sentinel Networks
Introduction
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announces the
availability of fiscal year (FY) 1995 funds to provide assistance for
the establishment of one to three provider-based Emerging Infections
Sentinel Networks (EISN). These networks will assess emerging
infectious diseases, including drug-resistant, food borne and
waterborne, and vaccine-preventable or potentially vaccine-preventable
diseases.
The Public Health Service (PHS) is committed to achieving the
health promotion and disease prevention objectives of Healthy People
2000, a PHS-led national activity to reduce morbidity and mortality and
improve the quality of life. This announcement is related to the
priority area of Immunization and Infectious Diseases. (For ordering a
copy of Healthy People 2000, see the section Where to Obtain Additional
Information.)
Authority
This program is authorized under Sections 301 and 317 of the Public
Health Service Act, 42 U.S.C. 241 and 247b, as amended.
Smoke-Free Workplace
PHS strongly encourages all grant recipients to provide a smoke-
free workplace and to promote the non-use of all tobacco products, and
Public Law 103-227, the Pro-Children Act of 1994, prohibits smoking in
certain facilities that receive Federal funds in which education,
library, day care, health care, and early childhood development
services are provided to children.
Eligible Applicants
Applications may be submitted by public and private, nonprofit and
for-profit organizations and governments and their agencies. Thus,
universities, colleges, research institutions, hospitals, other public
and private organizations, State and local governments or their bona
fide agents, federally recognized Indian tribal governments, Indian
tribes or Indian tribal organizations, and small, minority-and/or
women-owned businesses are eligible to apply.
Availability of Funds
Approximately $250,000 is available in FY 1995 to fund one to three
awards. It is expected that the average award will be $125,000, ranging
from $75,000 to $250,000. It is expected that awards will begin on or
about September 30, 1995, and will be made for a 12-month budget period
within a project period of up to five years. Funding estimates may vary
and are subject to change. Continuation awards within an approved
project period will be made on the basis of satisfactory progress and
availability of funds.
Purpose
The purpose of this cooperative agreement is to assist recipients
in establishing EISNs for assessing emerging infections. These networks
will be valuable in learning about specific problems in emerging
infectious diseases and also in serving as readily accessible
surveillance mechanisms to address emergent public health infectious
disease problems rapidly.
A list of potential provider-based EISNs and possible subject areas
for surveillance follows. This list is provided for illustration, not
to limit the proposed range of provider-based EISNs or specific
projects.
--Adult Infectious Diseases Practitioners (e.g., encephalitis, febrile
deaths of unknown etiology). These could be combined with a network of
pediatric infectious disease practitioners.
--Pediatric Infectious Disease Practitioners (e.g., encephalitis,
otitis media refractory to antibiotics, group A streptococcal
complications of varicella). These could be combined with a network of
adult infectious disease practitioners.
--Emergency Departments (e.g., bloody diarrhea, first- time seizures
possibly caused by cysticercosis, patterns of use of post-exposure
rabies prophylaxis).
--Travel Medicine Clinics (e.g., malaria, dengue fever, other parasitic
diseases in travelers).
--Clinical Microbiology Laboratories (e.g., drug- resistant infections,
infections by new or unusual organisms).
--Family Practitioners (e.g., community-acquired pneumonia).
--Internists
--Pediatricians (e.g., otitis media treatment failures, rash and fever
where no vaccine-preventable disease is identified).
[[Page 37647]]
Program Requirements
In conducting activities to achieve the purpose of this program,
the recipient shall be responsible for the activities under A., below,
and CDC shall be responsible for conducting activities under B., below:
A. Recipient Activities
1. Establish an EISN by developing a new sentinel network for
assessing emerging infectious diseases or modifying or expanding an
existing network. Organize the EISN around a specific group of
providers, i.e., blood banks, clinical microbiology laboratories,
emergency rooms, family practitioners, gynecologists, internists,
infectious disease specialists, pediatricians, medical examiners,
travel and tropical medicine clinics, etc. EISNs must be sufficiently
flexible to be engaged swiftly to address emergent problems in
infectious diseases.
2. In collaboration with CDC, conduct one or more specific emerging
infectious disease surveillance projects focused on particular
syndromes, diseases, conditions, events, etc.
3. Analyze, present, and publish the results of surveillance
projects collaboratively with CDC.
4. In collaboration with CDC:
a. Focus and/or redirect surveillance projects as indicated through
critical review of data and evaluation of various surveillance
projects; and
b. Consider and initiate novel methods of surveillance for emerging
infectious diseases; develop and modify as necessary methods for
management and communication of information commensurate with
requirements of the network.
5. Monitor and evaluate scientific and operational accomplishments
of the EISN and progress in achieving the purpose and overall goals of
this program.
B. CDC Activities
1. Provide consultation and scientific and technical assistance in
establishing the EISN and in designing and conducting specific
surveillance projects. Participate in the selection of EISN projects
and collaborate as necessary to address new emerging infectious disease
issues.
2. Participate in analysis, publication, and dissemination of
information and data gathered from EISN projects.
3. Assist in monitoring and evaluating scientific and operational
accomplishments of the EISN and progress in achieving the purpose and
overall goals of this program.
Evaluation Criteria
The applications will be reviewed and evaluated according to the
following criteria:
1. Understanding the Objectives of the EISN (10 points)
The extent to which the applicant demonstrates a clear
understanding of the objectives of this cooperative agreement program.
2. Capacity (30 points)
a. For new networks, the extent to which the applicant demonstrates
the capacity to establish a provider-based EISN, including description
of the applicant's qualifications and standing to represent a group of
providers in a national network and a description of the professional
relationships that qualify applicant to propose an EISN representative
of a group of providers.
For existing networks, the extent to which the applicant describes
how it fills the need for an EISN; the extent to which the applicant
describes the niche that the proposed EISN will fill that is not
currently filled by other surveillance systems. The extent to which the
applicant comments on the long-term potential of the network to provide
important information for public health.
b. The extent to which the applicant describes past experience in
conducting infectious disease surveillance and/or applied research in
infectious diseases, particularly public health-related work. The
extent to which the applicant describes past experience in conducting
surveillance specifically for emerging infectious diseases, including
drug-resistant, food borne and waterborne, and vaccine-preventable or
potentially vaccine-preventable diseases.
c. The extent to which the applicant provides letters of support
from non-applicant participating agencies, institutions, organizations,
individuals, consultants, etc., identified in applicant's operational
plan. The extent to which the letters of support clearly indicate the
signatory's willingness to participate in the EISN (e.g., as sources of
surveillance information or members of the network).
3. Operational Plan (40 points)
a. The extent to which the applicant distinguishes whether the EISN
is an extension of an existing surveillance network or a new network.
If it is an extension of an existing network, the extent to which the
applicant provides a complete and detailed description of the existing
network.
b. The extent to which applicant provides a detailed and time-
phased plan for establishing and operating the EISN, which clearly
describes the proposed organizational and operating structure/
procedures for accomplishing all Recipient Activities. The extent to
which the applicant describes agreements currently in place with
potential participants in the network, describes what new agreements
with potential participants will be necessary, and the likelihood that
these agreements can be implemented promptly. The extent to which the
applicant intends and describes plans to collaborate with CDC in the
establishment and operation of the EISN and in the planning of
individual surveillance projects, including planning and development of
projects, management and analysis of data, and synthesis and
dissemination of findings. The extent to which applicant's plan is
consistent with and adequate to accomplish the purpose and objectives
of this program.
c. The extent to which the applicant clearly identifies and
describes the EISN participants/sources of surveillance information.
The extent to which the applicant describes the structure of the EISN
``network'', such as number, location, etc., of sites or surveillance
information sources. The extent to which the applicant describes
procedures and mechanisms to transfer information between EISN
participants and the central data collection point.
d. The extent to which the applicant's proposed specific
surveillance projects are appropriate for the participants/sources in
the network and address significant emerging syndromes, diseases,
conditions, events, etc. The extent to which applicant clearly
identifies specific diseases or conditions (e.g., notifiable diseases,
food borne and waterborne diseases, and drug-resistant infections)
which will be addressed. The extent to which the applicant describes
how cases will be defined, what information will be collected for each
case, and the likelihood that such cases will occur with sufficient
frequency to provide useful public health information. The extent to
which these projects appear feasible and the likelihood they can be
successfully conducted.
e. The extent to which the applicant clearly describes how its
design for the EISN is flexible and able to swiftly address new public
health challenges in infectious diseases.
f. The extent to which the applicant describes an appropriate and
effective process for providing necessary information to State and
local health departments and appropriate others about findings related
to notifiable conditions.
[[Page 37648]]
4. Project Management and Staffing (10 points)
The extent to which applicant identifies professional and support
staff who have the knowledge, experience, and authority to carry out
recipient activities as evidenced by job descriptions, curricula vitae,
organizational charts, etc.
5. Evaluation (10 points)
The quality of the proposed plan for monitoring progress in
achieving the purpose and overall goals of this program.
6. Budget (Not Scored)
The extent to which the proposed budget is reasonable, clearly
justifiable, and consistent with the intended use of cooperative
agreement funds.
Executive Order 12372 Review
Applications are subject to Intergovernmental Review of Federal
Programs as governed by Executive Order (E.O.) 12372. E.O. 12372 sets
up a system for State and local government review of proposed Federal
assistance applications. Applicants (other than federally recognized
Indian tribal governments) should contact their State Single Point of
Contact (SPOC) as early as possible to alert them to the prospective
applications and receive any necessary instructions on the State
process. For proposed projects serving more than one State, the
applicant is advised to contact the SPOC for each affected State. A
current list of SPOCs is included in the application kit. Indian tribes
are strongly encouraged to request tribal government review of the
proposed application. If SPOCs or tribal governments have any process
recommendations on applications submitted to CDC, they should forward
them to Clara M. Jenkins, Grants Management Officer, Grants Management
Branch, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC), 255 East Paces Ferry Road, NE., Mailstop E-18, Room
314, Atlanta, GA 30305. The due date for State process recommendations
is 30 days after the application deadline date for new and competing
continuation awards. (A waiver for the 60 day requirement has been
requested). The granting agency does not guarantee to ``accommodate or
explain'' for State process recommendations it receives after that
date.
Public Health System Reporting Requirements
This program is not subject to the Public Health System Reporting
Requirements.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number
The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number is 93.283.
Other Requirements
Paperwork Reduction Act
Projects that involve the collection of information from ten or
more individuals and funded by the cooperative agreement will be
subject to review by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under
the Paperwork Reduction Act.
Application Submission and Deadline
The original and two copies of the application Form PHS-5161-1
(Revised 7/92, OMB Control Number 0937-0189) must be submitted to Clara
M. Jenkins, Grants Management Officer, Grants Management Branch,
Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC), 255 East Paces Ferry Road, NE., Room 314, Mailstop E-
18, Atlanta, Georgia 30305, on or before August 21, 1995.
1. Deadline: Applications shall be considered as meeting the
deadline if they are either:
a. Received on or before the deadline date; or
b. Sent on or before the deadline date and received in time for
submission to the objective review group. (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.)
2. Late Applications: Applications which do not meet the criteria
in 1.a. or 1.b., above, are considered late applications. Late
applications will not be considered in the current competition and will
be returned to the applicant.
Where To Obtain Additional Information
A complete program description and information on application
procedures are contained in the application package. Business
management technical assistance may be obtained from Gordon R. Clapp,
Grants Management Specialist, Grants Management Branch, Procurement and
Grants Office, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 255
East Paces Ferry Road, NE., Room 314, Mailstop E-18, Atlanta, Georgia
30305, telephone (404) 842-6508.
Programmatic technical assistance may be obtained from Robert W.
Pinner, M.D., Special Assistant for Surveillance, Office of the
Director, National Center for Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC), Mailstop C-12, 1600 Clifton Road, NE.,
Atlanta, Georgia 30333, telephone (404) 639-2603.
Please refer to Announcement Number 539 when requesting information
regarding this program.
Potential applicants may obtain a copy of Healthy People 2000 (Full
Report, Stock No. 017-001-00474-0) or Healthy People 2000 (Summary
Report, Stock No. 017-001-00473-1) referenced in the INTRODUCTION
through the Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office,
Washington, DC 20402-9325, telephone (202) 512- 1800.
Potential applicants may obtain a copy of Addressing Emerging
Infectious Disease Threats: A Prevention Strategy for the United States
through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National
Center for Infectious Diseases, Office of Planning and Health
Communication--EP, Mailstop C-14, 1600 Clifton Road, NE., Atlanta,
Georgia 30333. Requests may also be sent by facsimile to (404) 639-
3039.
Dated: July 17, 1995.
Joseph R. Carter,
Acting Associate Director for Management and Operations, Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) .
[FR Doc. 95-18024 Filed 7-20-95; 8:45 am]
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