Part I Overview Information


Department of Health and Human Services

Participating Organizations
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), at http://www.cdc.gov

Components of Participating Organizations
National Center for Infectious Disease (NCID/CDC), at http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod

Title: Avian Influenza Cooperative Research Centers Studies at the Human-Animal Interface

The CDC policies, guidelines, terms, and conditions stated in this announcement may differ from those used by the NIH.

Authority:
42 U.S.C. 241(a) and 42 U.S.C. 242l

Announcement Type: New

Request For Applications (RFA) Number: RFA-CI-06-009

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number(s): 93.283

Key Dates
Release Date: May 2, 2006
Letter of Intent Receipt Date: May 25, 2006
Application Receipt Date: June 26, 2006
Peer Review Date: July-August 2006
Council Review Date: August 2006
Earliest Anticipated Start Date: August 31, 2006
Additional Information To Be Available Date (URL Activation Date): May 8, 2006 phone call for all potential applicants at 12:00 pm, ET, phone number 877-951-9728 passcode: 362242
Expiration Date: June 26, 2006

Due Date for E.O. 12372
Due no later than 60 days after the application receipt date.

Additional Overview Content

Table of Contents

Part I Overview Information

Part II Full Text of Announcement

Section I. Funding Opportunity Description
   1. Research Objectives

Section II. Award Information
   1. Mechanism(s) of Support
   2. Funds Available

Section III. Eligibility Information
   1. Eligible Applicants
       A. Eligible Institutions
       B. Eligible Individuals
   2.Cost Sharing or Matching
   3.Other - Special Eligibility Criteria

Section IV. Application and Submission Information
   1. Address to Request Application Information
   2. Content and Form of Application Submission
   3. Submission Dates and Times
       A. Receipt and Review and Anticipated Start Dates
           1. Letter of Intent
       B. Sending an Application
       C. Application Processing
   4. Intergovernmental Review
   5. Funding Restrictions
   6. Other Submission Requirements

Section V. Application Review Information
   1. Criteria
   2. Review and Selection Process
       A. Additional Review Criteria
       B. Additional Review Considerations
       C. Sharing Research Data
       D. Sharing Research Resources
   3. Anticipated Announcement and Award Dates

Section VI. Award Administration Information
   1. Award Notices
   2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements
       A. Cooperative Agreement Terms and Conditions of Award
           1. Principal Investigator Rights and Responsibilities
           2. CDC Responsibilities
           3. Collaborative Responsibilities
    3. Reporting

Section VII. Agency Contact(s)
   1. Scientific/Research Contact(s)
   2. Peer Review Contact(s)
   3. Financial/ Grants Management Contact(s)
   
 4. General Questions Contact(s)

Section VIII. Other Information - Required Federal Citations

Part II - Full Text of Announcement


Section I. Funding Opportunity Description


1. Research Objectives

The CDC and NCID are committed to achieving the health promotion and disease prevention objectives of "Healthy People 2010" and to measuring program performance as stipulated by the Government Performance and Review Act (GPRA).  This RFA addresses Healthy People 2010 priority area(s) of Immunization and Infectious Disease and is in alignment with NCID performance goal(s) to protect Americans from infectious diseases. For more information, see www.health.gov/healthypeople and www.whitehouse.gov/omb/mgmt-gpra/.

The need for an integrated human health animal health approach to research on zoonotic diseases is highlighted by the emergence of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in Southeast Asia in early 2004 with subsequent and rapid spread to other parts of Asia, Eastern Europe and Africa. This solicitation is for cooperative research centers to perform research on avian influenza at the human-animal interface to improve and inform public health detection, prevention and control strategies.

Background

AI viruses are maintained in their natural reservoir species, wild aquatic waterfowl. Common poultry species such as chickens and turkeys are not natural hosts. However, through domestication and captivation, man has created new ecosystems where AI viruses may exist and cause disease 1) backyard village and recreational poultry (fighting cocks), 2) live bird marketing systems, 3) outdoor reared semi-commercial poultry (ducks and geese, meat poultry and organic chickens, and 4) indoor reared industrial broilers and egg layers. Perhaps the most intensive contact between poultry and people occurs among those individuals who own poultry for hobby purposes or keep them as a continuing source of eggs or fresh meat. The intermixing of species of agricultural animals such as swine and poultry and their close proximity to people represents major risk factors for transmission for pathogenic AI viruses to humans. Swine are considered to be mixing vessels for human and AI viruses; however, the role that swine may play in the transmission of influenza viruses to people is not well understood. Although only three types of hemagglutinin (HA) and two types of neuraminidase (NA) have been found so far in epidemics of human influenza, the natural reservoir of influenza viruses in aquatic waterfowl includes 16 types of HA and 9 types of NA.

Since 1997, well documented cases of human infection with influenza virus subtype H5N1 have been reported associated with direct transmission from birds to humans. In the 1997 outbreak in Hong Kong, 18 people became infected and were hospitalized, 6 of whom died. During that time, cohort studies of health care workers showed evidence of only limited transmission from person to person. Human to human transmission was considered rare... More recently more than 80 cases of influenza subtype H7N7 infection were reported among poultry workers and their families in the Netherlands. Symptoms were mild and mostly confined to conjunctivitis with some respiratory infection although one person died. In all cases, the novel viruses isolated from humans were wholly avian in origin and lacked the ability to transmit efficiently from person-to-person. However, these events demonstrate the need for a greater understanding of the epidemiology, ecology, and host factors involved in transmission of influenza viruses from animals to humans that could lead to interventions that would decrease the likelihood of the generation of an avian-human reassortment virus with pandemic potential.

In summary, research and surveillance for AI viruses of potential public health significance at the interface between animals and humans is critical. Our understanding of the epidemiology and ecology of AI transmission from animals to humans is limited. The cooperative research center approach to the study of AI will not only provide answers to the challenges we are facing for pandemic influenza preparedness today, but will establish the platform for multi-disciplinary and multi-sectoral collaboration that is needed to address the complex infectious disease challenges of the future.

Research Partnership and Objectives:

The goal of this solicitation is to establish one or more cooperative research centers to perform applied research aimed at detection, prevention and control of avian influenza in human populations. Each center will reflect a partnership between at least one entity from the human health sector and at least one entity from the animal health sector. The lead institution from each partnership should partner with an entity from the other sector. Potential lead or partner institutions may include but are not limited to eligible federal agencies, veterinary schools, schools of public health, medical schools, zoos, wildlife centers, industry, state health departments and state animal agriculture departments. The research centers will form a network that will allow research to be coordinated and maximized and to ensure avoidance of unnecessary overlap or duplication of efforts.

The cooperative research center will utilize its partners to develop and implement proposals for research in animal influenza, primarily AI focusing on the interface between human and animal health. Applications considered to be responsive to this RFA must be structured around a central theme that includes all of the following: epidemiology, detection and control, risk research and contains a strong laboratory component that provides virologic and serologic surveillance methodologies, and host-microbe interaction, where applicable.

Applications must address one or two of the research topics below:

1. Assessment of likelihood of AI transmission (both low pathogenic (LP) and high pathogenic (HP) to cullers, live bird market operators, poultry farmers, and other high-risk occupational or recreational settings.

2. Similar studies to assess rates of infection with swine viruses among occupationally exposed workers.

3. Data on the actual use and benefit of personal protective equipment (PPE) and antiviral medications by poultry depopulation workers.

4. Research to stratify use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and document whether current guidelines are effective in preventing disease. For both LP and HP AI strains, studies are needed on the effectiveness of PPE among farm workers caring for or depopulating birds. This could be coupled with work practice efficacy evaluations.

5. Health impact/severity of LP AI in farm workers or other populations exposed to wild or domestic birds.

6. Identification of host risk factors that may contribute to severe infection particularly with HP H5N1 influenza where a high proportion of the diagnosed and reported human cases have occurred in younger individuals outside of groups with occupational exposure such as cullers.

7. Research to better understand the true extent and risk for human infection with avian (animal) influenza viruses, particularly in populations in AI or swine influenza outbreak areas.

8. Relative contributions of the postulated sources of transmission from birds to humans (i.e., sick birds, carcasses, droppings, general contamination of the farm/household environment) and the mechanisms of transmission in cases documented so far (direct contact with subsequent hand to face, inhalation, direct splatter, etc)?

9. Environmental sampling studies (air and surface) to provide information on potential transmission routes and viability of the virus under different conditions. Exposure assessment during various activities should be conducted to evaluate risk, viral load, and particle size.

10.  The H5N1 genotypes responsible for human cases (H5N1/97, Z+, and Z) share a gene for HA. This gene evolved into two distinct clades with clade 1 primarily responsible for 2003 and 2004 outbreaks in Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand. Research to understand whether there are differences among viruses in the two separate clades vs. regular human influenza. Components should include 1) a structured environmental laboratory study based on current knowledge of the various subgroups of viruses tested under controlled conditions, altering one variable at a time and 2) a field component where swabs would be taken in an outbreak setting where the maximum epidemiologic information was available.

Each Institution that is applying may submit only one application for this RFA

See Section VIII, Other Information - Required Federal Citations, for policies related to this announcement.

Section II. Award Information


1. Mechanism(s) of Support

This funding opportunity will use the U19 award mechanism(s).

This funding opportunity uses the just-in-time budget concepts. It also uses the non-modular budget format described in the PHS 398 application instructions (see http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/phs398/phs398.html). A detailed categorical budget for the "Initial Budget Period" and the "Entire Proposed Period of Support" is to be submitted with the application.

The CDC U19 is a cooperative agreement award mechanism. In the cooperative agreement mechanism, the Principal Investigator retains the primary responsibility and dominant role for planning, directing, and executing the proposed project, with CDC staff being substantially involved as a partner with the Principal Investigator, as described under the Section VI. 2. Administrative Requirements, "Cooperative Agreement Terms and Conditions of Award".

2. Funds Available

NCID intends to commit approximately $3,500,000 dollars including both direct and indirect costs in FY 2006 to fund approximately 4 awards. The average award amount will be approximately $875,000 including both direct and indirect costs for the first 12-month budget period. An applicant may request a project period of up to three years. An applicant may request up to $875,000 including both direct and indirect costs for all budget years. The approximate total project period funded amount is $2,625,000 including direct and indirect costs for a 3 year project period. The anticipated start date for new awards is August 2006.

All estimated funding amounts are subject to availability of funds.

If you request a funding amount greater than the ceiling of the award range, your application may 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.

Because the nature and scope of the proposed research will vary from application to application, it is anticipated that the size and duration of each award will also vary. Although the financial plan of NCID is to provide support for this program, awards pursuant to this funding opportunity are contingent upon the availability of funds and the receipt of a sufficient number of meritorious applications.

Facilities and administrative costs requested by consortium participants are not included in the direct cost limitation; see NOT-OD-05-004.

Section III. Eligibility Information


1. Eligible Applicants

1.A. Eligible Institutions

You may submit (an) application(s) if your organization has any of the following characteristics:

A Bona Fide Agent is an agency/organization identified by the state as eligible to submit an application under the state eligibility in lieu of a state application. If you are applying as a bona fide agent of a state or local government, you must provide a letter from the state or local government as documentation of your status. Place this documentation behind the first page of your application form.

1.B. Eligible Individuals

Any individual with the skills, knowledge, and resources necessary to carry out the proposed research is invited to work with their institution to develop an application for support. Individuals from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups as well as individuals with disabilities are always encouraged to apply for CDC programs.

2. Cost Sharing or Matching

Cost sharing or matching is not required.

The most current Grants Policy Statement can be found at: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/gps/

3. Other-Special Eligibility Criteria

Application must provide descriptions of the principle investigator’s experience working with human and animal influenza viruses including current projects, previous collaborations of a similar nature, and list of publications.

Application must provide letters of support reflecting the investigatory team’s ties to the communities, populations and organizations being proposed for the study.

Application must describe the specialized laboratory or other facilities that will be used for the study.

Application must describe the equipment or the plan to obtain the equipment for conducting these studies.

Application must describe in detail the laboratory methods to be used and provide evidence of competency in the use of these methods, and a system to assure quality of the laboratory methods and results.

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.

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 that engages in lobbying activities is not eligible to receive Federal funds constituting an award, grant, or loan.

Section IV. Application and Submission Information


1. Address to Request Application Information

The PHS 398 application instructions are available at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/phs398/phs398.html in an interactive format. Applicants must use the currently approved version of the PHS 398. For further assistance contact GrantsInfo, Telephone (301) 710-0267, Email: GrantsInfo@nih.gov.

CDC Telecommunications for the hearing impaired: TTY 770-488-2783.

2. Content and Form of Application Submission

Applications must be prepared using the most current PHS 398 research grant application instructions and forms. Applications must have a Dun & Bradstreet (D&B) Data Universal Numbering System number as the universal identifier when applying for Federal grants or cooperative agreements. The D&B number can be obtained by calling (866) 705-5711 or through the web site at http://www.dnb.com/us/. The D&B number should be entered on line 11 of the face page of the PHS 398 form.

The title and number of this funding opportunity must be typed on line 2 of the face page of the application form and the YES box must be checked.

3. Submission Dates and Times

All requested information must be received in the CDC Procurement and Grants Office by 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time on the deadline date. If you submit your application by the United States Postal Service or commercial delivery service, you must ensure that the carrier will be able to guarantee delivery by the closing date and time. If CDC receives your submission 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 carrier’s guarantee. If the documentation verifies a carrier problem, CDC will consider the submission as having been received by the deadline.

This announcement is the definitive guide on LOI and application content, submission address, and deadline. It supersedes information provided in the application instructions. If your application does not meet the deadline described in Section IV.3.A, it will not be eligible for review, and will be discarded. You will be notified that you did not meet the submission requirements.

Otherwise, 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-TIMS staff at: 770-488-2700. Before calling, please wait two to three days after the submission deadline. This will allow time for submissions to be processed and logged.

3.A. Receipt, Review and Anticipated Start Dates

Letter of Intent Receipt Date: May 25, 2006

Application Receipt Date(s): June 26, 2006
Peer Review Date: July-August 2006
C ouncil Review Date: August 2006
Earliest Anticipated Start Date: August 31, 2006

3.A.1. Letter of Intent

Prospective applicants are asked to submit a letter of intent that includes the following information:

Although a letter of intent is not required, is not binding, and does not enter into the review of a subsequent application, the information that it contains allows CIO staff to estimate the potential review workload and plan the review.

The letter of intent is to be sent by the date listed in Section IV.3.A

The letter of intent should be sent to:

Dr. Felix Rogers
National Immunization Program
Coordinating Center for Infectious Diseases
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
1600 Clifton Road
Mailstop E-05
Atlanta, GA 30333
Telephone: (404) 639-6101
FAX: (404) 639-0801
Email:FRogers@cdc.gov

3.B. Sending an Application

Applications follow the PHS 398 application instructions for content and formatting of your applications. If the instructions in this announcement differ in any way from the PHS 398 instructions, follow the instructions in this announcement.

Applications must be prepared using the research grant applications found in the PHS 398 instructions for preparing a research grant application. Submit a signed, typewritten original of the application and all appendices, including the checklist, and one signed photocopy in one package to:

Technical Information Management Section CI06-009
CDC, Procurements and Grants Office
2920 Brandywine Road
Atlanta, GA 30341

At the time of submission, four additional copies of the application, including the appendix material, must be sent to:

Dr. Felix Rogers
National Immunization Program
Coordinating Center for Infectious Diseases
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
1600 Clifton Road
Mailstop E-05
Atlanta, GA 30333
Telephone: (404) 639-6101
FAX: (404) 639-0801
Email:FRogers@cdc.gov

Using the RFA Label: The RFA label available in the PHS 398 application instructions must be affixed to the bottom of the face page of the application. Type the RFA number on the label. Failure to use this label could result in delayed processing of the application such that it may not reach the review committee in time for review. In addition, the RFA title and number must be typed on line 2 of the face page of the application form and the YES box must be marked. The RFA label is also available at: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/phs398/labels.pdf.

Personal deliveries to CSR of applications are no longer permitted (see http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-03-040.html).

3.C. Application Processing

Applications must be received on or before the application receipt date(s) described above (Section IV.3.A.). If an application is received after that date, it will be returned to the applicant without review. Upon receipt, applications will be evaluated for completeness and responsiveness by NCID and PGO. Incomplete and non-responsive applications will not be reviewed.

4. Intergovernmental Review

Your application is subject to Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs, as governed by Executive Order (EO) 12372. This order sets up a system for state and local governmental review of proposed federal assistance applications. You should contact your state single point of contact (SPOC) as early as possible to alert the SPOC to prospective applications, and to receive instructions on your state’s process. Click on the following link to get the current SPOC list: http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/spoc.html

5. Funding Restrictions

All CDC awards are subject to the terms and conditions, cost principles, and other considerations described in the PHS Grants Policy Statement.

Restrictions, which must be taken into account while writing your budget, are as follows:

6. Other Submission Requirements

Awardees must agree to the "Cooperative Agreement Terms and Conditions of Award" in Section VI. "Award Administration Information".

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.

Your research plan should address activities to be conducted over the entire project period.

Several special provisions apply to applications submitted by foreign organizations:

Section V. Application Review Information


1. Criteria

Only the review criteria described below will be considered in the review process.

The following will be considered in making funding decisions:

2. Review and Selection Process

Applications that are complete and responsive to the RFA will be evaluated for scientific and technical merit by an appropriate peer review group convened by NCID in accordance with the review criteria stated below.

As part of the initial merit review, all applications will:

The goals of CDC-supported research are to advance the understanding of health promotion and prevention of disease, injury, and disability, and enhance preparedness. In the written comments, reviewers will be asked to evaluate the application in order to judge the likelihood that the proposed research will have a substantial impact on the pursuit of these goals.

Significance: Does this study address an important problem? If the aims of the application are achieved, how will scientific knowledge or clinical practice be advanced? What will be the effect of these studies on the concepts, methods, technologies, treatments, services, or preventative interventions that drive this field?

Approach: Are the conceptual or clinical framework, design, methods, and analyses adequately developed, well integrated, well reasoned, and appropriate to the aims of the project? Does the applicant acknowledge potential problem areas and consider alternative tactics?

Innovation: Is the project original and innovative? For example: Does the project challenge existing paradigms or clinical practice; address an innovative hypothesis or critical barrier to progress in the field? Does the project develop or employ novel concepts, approaches, methodologies, tools, or technologies for this area?

Investigators: Are the investigators appropriately trained and well suited to carry out this work? Is the work proposed appropriate to the experience level of the principal investigator and other researchers? Does the investigative team bring complementary and integrated expertise to the project (if applicable)? Does the application describe the principal investigator’s experience working with select agents (e.g., highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses)?

Environment: Does the scientific environment in which the work will be done contribute to the probability of success? Do the proposed studies benefit from unique features of the scientific environment, or subject populations, or employ useful collaborative arrangements? Is there evidence of institutional support? Are the laboratory facilities compatible with national biosafety standards and regulatory authority approval?

2.A. Additional Review Criteria:

In addition to the above criteria, the following items will continue to be considered in the determination of scientific merit and the priority score:

Grantees must comply with the following applicable biosafety standards, including those associated with the use of animals in research.

Protection of Human Subjects from Research Risk: The involvement of human subjects and protections from research risk relating to their participation in the proposed research will be assessed (see the Research Plan, Section E on Human Subjects in the PHS Form 398). http://www.hhs.gov/ohrp/humansubjects/guidance/45cfr46.htm. Additional CDC Requirements under AR-1 Human Subjects Requirements can be found on http://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/funding/ARs.htm.

Inclusion of Women and Minorities in Research: Does the application adequately address the CDC Policy requirements regarding the inclusion of women, ethnic, and racial groups in the proposed research? This includes: (1) The proposed plan for the inclusion of both sexes and racial and ethnic minority populations for appropriate representation; (2) The proposed justification when representation is limited or absent; (3) A statement as to whether the design of the study is adequate to measure differences when warranted; and (4) A statement as to whether the plans for recruitment and outreach for study participants include the process of establishing partnerships with community(ies) and recognition of mutual benefits.

Care and Use of Vertebrate Animals in Research: If vertebrate animals are to be used in the project, the five items described under Section F of the PHS Form 398 research grant application instructions will be assessed. Additional CDC Requirements under AR-3 Animal Subjects Requirements can be found on http://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/funding/ARs.htm.

Grantees (including subcontractors or cooperating institutions) receiving CDC funding for activities involving live, vertebrate animals must comply with HHS and USDA Policies on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (see: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/olaw). In addition, applicant must file (or have on file) the Animal Welfare Assurance with the Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW) at the National Institutes of Health. Prior to release of funds, the grantee must provide Institutional Care and Use Committee (IACUC) assurance of compliance number and evidence of review and approval (including the date of the most recent approval) and meet additional requirements of the USDA-AWA as applicable (see http://www.nal.usda.gov/awic/legislat/usdaleg1.htm).

Biohazards: If materials or procedures are proposed that are potentially hazardous to research personnel and/or the environment, determine if the proposed protection is adequate.

2.B. Additional Review Considerations

Budget: The reasonableness of the proposed budget and the requested period of support in relation to the proposed research. The priority score should not be affected by the evaluation of the budget.

2.C. Sharing Research Data

Not applicable.

3. Anticipated Announcement and Award Dates

Anticipated award date is August 31, 2006

Section VI. Award Administration Information


1. Award Notices

After the peer review of the application is completed, the Principal Investigator will also receive a written critique called a Summary Statement.

Those applicants under consideration for funding will be contacted by CDC for additional information.

A formal notification in the form of a Notice of Award (NoA) will be provided to the applicant organization. The NoA signed by the Grants Management Officer (GMO) is the authorizing document. This document will be mailed and/or emailed to the recipient fiscal officer identified in the application.

Selection of the application for award is not an authorization to begin performance. Any cost incurred before receipt of the NoA is at the recipient’s risk. These costs may be reimbursed only to the extent considered allowable pre-award costs. See also Section IV.5. Funding Restrictions.

2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

The Code of Federal Regulations 45 CFR Part 74 and Part 92 have details about policy requirements. 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. Additional requirements can be found in Section VIII. Other Information of this document or on the CDC website at the following Internet address: http://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/funding/ARs.htm. These will be incorporated into the NoA by reference.

2.A. Cooperative Agreement Terms and Conditions of Award

The following special terms of award are in addition to, and not in lieu of, otherwise applicable OMB administrative guidelines, HHS grant administration regulations at 45 CFR Parts 74 and 92 (Part 92 is applicable when State and local Governments are eligible to apply), and other HHS, PHS, and CDC grant administration policies.

The administrative and funding instrument used for this program will be the cooperative agreement U19 an "assistance" mechanism (rather than an "acquisition" mechanism), in which substantial CDC programmatic involvement with the awardees is anticipated during the performance of the activities. Under the cooperative agreement, the CDC purpose is to support and stimulate the recipients' activities by involvement in and otherwise working jointly with the award recipients in a partnership role; it is not to assume direction, prime responsibility, or a dominant role in the activities. Consistent with this concept, the dominant role and prime responsibility resides with the awardees for the project as a whole, although specific tasks and activities may be shared among the awardees and the CDC as defined above.

2.A.1. Principal Investigator Rights and Responsibilities

The Principal Investigator will have the primary responsibility for:

Awardees will retain primary custody of and have primary rights to the data developed under these awards, subject to current rights of access consistent with current HHS and PHS and CDC policies.

2.A.2. CDC Responsibilities

A CDC Project Scientist with assistance from other CDC scientific staff will have substantial programmatic involvement that is above and beyond the normal stewardship role in awards. However, the CDC role is not to assume direction prime responsibility or a dominant role in the activities. Consistent with this concept the dominant role and prime responsibility resides with the awardees for the project as a whole although specific tasks and activities may be shared among the awardees.

CDC involvement will be as follows:

Additionally, an agency program official or CIO program director will be responsible for the normal scientific and programmatic stewardship of the award and will be named in the award notice.

2.A.3. Collaborative Responsibilities

CDC in conjunction with the PIs will establish a steering committee within 60 days of award to serve as the governing body for all ZDRC avian influenza related activities. Each PI will be a voting member of the Steering Committee, will participate in Steering Committee activities, and will follow the policies and procedures developed by the Steering Committee. The CDC Project Scientist will serve as a voting member of the Steering Committee, schedule the first meeting of the Steering Committee, actively assist the Chair in developing the meeting agendas, and ensure coordination of Steering Committee activities and implementation of its recommendations, decisions and policies. The steering committee will function to:

Each full member will have one vote. Awardee members of the Steering Committee will be required to accept and implement policies approved by the Steering Committee.

3. Reporting

You must provide CDC with an original, plus two hard copies of the following reports:

1. Interim/Grant Progress Report, (use form PHS 2590, OMB Number 0925-0001, rev. 9/04 as posted on the CDC website) no less than 90 days prior to the end of the current budget period. The progress report will serve as your non-competing continuation application.

2. Financial status 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.

These reports must be forward by U.S. Postal Service or Express Delivery to the Grants Management Specialist listed in the Agency Contacts section of this announcement.

Although the financial plans of the CIO(s) provide support for this program, awards pursuant to this funding opportunity are contingent upon 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.

Section VII. Agency Contacts


We encourage your inquiries concerning this funding opportunity and welcome the opportunity to answer questions from potential applicants. Inquiries may fall into three areas: scientific/research, peer review, and financial or grants management issues:

1. Scientific/Research Contacts:

Dr. Trudy Messmer
Office of Extramural Research
National Center for Infectious Diseases
Coordinating Center for Infectious Diseases
1600 Clifton Road, MS C-19
Atlanta, GA 30333
Telephone: (404) 639-2176
FAX: (404) 639-2469
Email: TMessmer@cdc.gov

2. Peer Review Contacts:

Dr. Felix Rogers
National Immunization Program
Coordinating Center for Infectious Diseases
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
1600 Clifton Road
Mailstop E-05
Atlanta, GA 30333
Telephone: (404) 639-6101
FAX: (404) 639-0801
Email: FRogers@cdc.gov

3. Financial or Grants Management Contacts:

Ms. Mattie Jackson, Grants Management Specialist/Officer
Acquisition and Assistance Branch II
Procurement and Grants Office
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
2920 Brandywine Road
Atlanta, GA 30341
Telephone: (770) 488-2696
FAX: (770) 488-2778
Email: mij3@cdc.gov

4. General Questions Contacts:

Technical Information Management Section
CDC Procurement and Grants Office
2920 Brandywine Road
Atlanta, GA 30341
Telephone: 770-488-2700
Email: PGOTIM@cdc.gov

Section VIII. Other Information


Required Federal Citations

Human Subjects Protection:
Federal regulations (45CFR46) require that applications and proposals involving human subjects must be evaluated with reference to the risks to the subjects, the adequacy of protection against these risks, the potential benefits of the research to the subjects and others, and the importance of the knowledge gained or to be gained (http://www.hhs.gov/ohrp/humansubjects/guidance/45cfr46.htm). Additional CDC Requirements under AR-1 Human Subjects Requirements can be found on http://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/funding/ARs.htm.

Use of Animals in Research:
Recipients of PHS support for activated involving live, vertebrate animals must comply with PHS Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (http://grants.nih.gov/grants/olaw/references/PHSPolicyLabAnimals.pdf) as mandated by the Health Research Extension Act of 1985 (http://grants.nih.gov/grants/olaw/references/hrea1985.htm), and the USDA Animal Welfare Regulations (http://www.nal.usda.gov/awic/legislat/usdaleg1.htm) as applicable. Additional CDC Requirements under AR-3 Animal Subjects Requirements can be found on http://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/funding/ARs.htm.

Requirements for Inclusion of Women and Racial and Ethnic Minorities in Research

It is the policy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) to ensure that individuals of both sexes and the various racial and ethnic groups will be included in CDC/ATSDR-supported research projects involving human subjects, whenever feasible and appropriate. Racial and ethnic groups are those defined in OMB Directive No. 15 and include American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander. Applicants shall ensure that women, racial and ethnic minority populations are appropriately represented in applications for research involving human subjects. Where clear and compelling rationale exist that inclusion is inappropriate or not feasible, this situation must be explained as part of the application. This policy does not apply to research studies when the investigator cannot control the race, ethnicity, and/or sex of subjects. Further guidance to this policy is contained in the Federal Register, Vol. 60, No. 179, pages 47947-47951, and dated Friday, September 15, 1995.

Executive Order 12372 Review

Applications are subject to Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs, as governed by Executive Order (E.O.) 12372. The order sets up a system for State and local governmental review of proposed Federal assistance applications. Applicants should contact their State single point of contact (SPOC) as early as possible to alert the SPOC to prospective applications and to receive instructions on the State process. For proposed projects serving more than one State, the applicant is advised to contact the SPOC for each State affected.

Click on the following link to get the current SPOC list

http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/spoc.html

Indian tribes must request tribal government review of their applications.

SPOCs or tribal governments that have recommendations about an application submitted to CDC should send them, in a document bearing the program announcement number, no more than 60 days after the application deadline date, to:

Ms. Mattie Jackson, Grants Management Specialist
Procurement and Grants Office
Announcement Number CI06-009
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
2920 Brandywine Road
Atlanta, Georgia 30341-4146

CDC does not guarantee to accept or justify its non-acceptance of recommendations that are received more than 60 days after the application deadline.

Public Health System Reporting Requirements

This program is subject to the Public Health System Reporting Requirements. Under these requirements, all community-based non-governmental organizations submitting health services applications must prepare and submit the items identified below to the head of the appropriate State and/or local health agency(s) in the program area(s) that may be impacted by the proposed project no later than the application deadline date of the Federal application. The appropriate State and/or local health agency is determined by the applicant. The following information must be provided:

A. A copy of the face page of the application (SF 424).

B. A summary of the project that should be titled "Public Health System Impact Statement" (PHSIS), not exceed one page, and include the following:

1. A description of the population to be served.

2. A summary of the services to be provided.

3. A description of the coordination plans with the appropriate state and/or local health agencies.

If the State and/or local health official should desire a copy of the entire application, it may be obtained from the State Single Point of Contact (SPOC) or directly from the applicant.

Paperwork Reduction Act Requirements

Under the Paperwork Reduction Act, projects that involve the collection of information from 10 or more individuals and funded by a grant or a cooperative agreement will be subject to review and approval by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

Smoke-Free Workplace Requirements

CDC strongly encourages all recipients to provide a smoke-free workplace and to promote abstinence from all tobacco products. 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, or early childhood development services are provided to children.

Healthy People 2010

The Public Health Service (PHS) is committed to achieving the health promotion and disease prevention objectives of "Healthy People 2010," a PHS-led national activity for setting priority areas. This PA is related to one or more of the priority areas. Potential applicants may obtain a copy of "Healthy People 2010" at http://www.health.gov/healthypeople.

Lobbying Restrictions

Applicants should be aware of restrictions on the use of HHS funds for lobbying of Federal or State legislative bodies. Under the provisions of 31 U.S.C. Section 1352, recipients (and their sub-tier contractors) are prohibited from using appropriated Federal funds (other than profits from a Federal contract) for lobbying congress or any Federal agency in connection with the award of a particular contract, grant, cooperative agreement, or loan. This includes grants/cooperative agreements that, in whole or in part, involve conferences for which Federal funds cannot be used directly or indirectly to encourage participants to lobby or to instruct participants on how to lobby.

In addition no part of CDC appropriated funds, shall be used, other than for normal and recognized executive-legislative relationships, for publicity or propaganda purposes, for the preparation, distribution, or use of any kit, pamphlet, booklet, publication, radio, television, or video presentation designed to support or defeat legislation pending before the Congress or any State or local legislature, except in presentation to the Congress or any State or local legislature itself. No part of the appropriated funds shall be used to pay the salary or expenses of any grant or contract recipient, or agent acting for such recipient, related to any activity designed to influence legislation or appropriations pending before the Congress or any State or local legislature.

Any activity designed to influence action in regard to a particular piece of pending legislation would be considered "lobbying." That is lobbying for or against pending legislation, as well as indirect or "grass roots" lobbying efforts by award recipients that are directed at inducing members of the public to contact their elected representatives at the Federal or State levels to urge support of, or opposition to, pending legislative proposals is prohibited. As a matter of policy, CDC extends the prohibitions to lobbying with respect to local legislation and local legislative bodies.

The provisions are not intended to prohibit all interaction with the legislative branch, or to prohibit educational efforts pertaining to public health. Clearly there are circumstances when it is advisable and permissible to provide information to the legislative branch in order to foster implementation of prevention strategies to promote public health. However, it would not be permissible to influence, directly or indirectly, a specific piece of pending legislation

It remains permissible to use CDC funds to engage in activity to enhance prevention; collect and analyze data; publish and disseminate results of research and surveillance data; implement prevention strategies; conduct community outreach services; provide leadership and training, and foster safe and healthful environments.

Recipients of CDC grants and cooperative agreements need to be careful to prevent CDC funds from being used to influence or promote pending legislation. With respect to conferences, public events, publications, and "grassroots" activities that relate to specific legislation, recipients of CDC funds should give close attention to isolating and separating the appropriate use of CDC funds from non-CDC funds. CDC also cautions recipients of CDC funds to be careful not to give the appearance that CDC funds are being used to carry out activities in a manner that is prohibited under Federal law.

Prohibition on Use of CDC Funds for Certain Gun Control Activities

The Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act specify that: "None of the funds made available for injury prevention and control at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention may be used to advocate or promote gun control."

Anti-Lobbying Act requirements prohibit lobbying Congress with appropriated Federal monies. Specifically, this Act prohibits the use of Federal funds for direct or indirect communications intended or designed to influence a member of Congress with regard to specific Federal legislation. This prohibition includes the funding and assistance of public grassroots campaigns intended or designed to influence members of Congress with regard to specific legislation or appropriation by Congress.

In addition to the restrictions in the Anti-Lobbying Act, CDC interprets the language in the CDC's Appropriations Act to mean that CDC's funds may not be spent on political action or other activities designed to affect the passage of specific Federal, State, or local legislation intended to restrict or control the purchase or use of firearms.

Accounting System Requirements

The services of a certified public accountant licensed by the State Board of Accountancy or the equivalent must be retained throughout the project as a part of the recipient's staff or as a consultant to the recipient's accounting personnel. These services may include the design, implementation, and maintenance of an accounting system that will record receipts and expenditures of Federal funds in accordance with accounting principles, Federal regulations, and terms of the cooperative agreement or grant.

Capability Assessment

It may be necessary to conduct an on-site evaluation of some applicant organization's financial management capabilities prior to or immediately following the award of the grant or cooperative agreement. Independent audit statements from a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) for the preceding two fiscal years may also be required.

Proof of Non-profit Status

Proof of nonprofit status must be submitted by private nonprofit organizations with the application. Any of the following is acceptable evidence of nonprofit status: (a) a reference to the applicant organization's listing in the Internal Revenue Service's (IRS) most recent list of tax-exempt organizations described in section 501(c)(3) of the IRS Code; (b) a copy of a currently valid IRS tax exemption certificate; (c) a statement from a State taxing body, State Attorney General, or other appropriate State Official certifying that the applicant organization has a nonprofit status and that none of the net earnings accrue to any private shareholders or individuals; (d) a certified copy of the organization's certificate of incorporation or similar document that clearly establishes nonprofit status; (e) any of the above proof for a State or national parent organization and a statement signed by the parent organization that the applicant organization is a local nonprofit affiliate.

Security Clearance Requirement

All individuals who will be performing work under a grant or cooperative agreement in a CDC-owned or leased facility (on-site facility) must receive a favorable security clearance, and meet all security requirements. This means that all awardee employees, fellows, visiting researchers, interns, etc., no matter the duration of their stay at CDC must undergo a security clearance process.

Small, Minority, And Women-owned Business

It is a national policy to place a fair share of purchases with small, minority and women-owned business firms. The Department of Health and Human Services is strongly committed to the objective of this policy and encourages all recipients of its grants and cooperative agreements to take affirmative steps to ensure such fairness. In particular, recipients should:

1.      Place small, minority, women-owned business firms on bidders mailing lists.

2.      Solicit these firms whenever they are potential sources of supplies, equipment, construction, or services.

3.      Where feasible, divide total requirements into smaller needs, and set delivery schedules that will encourage participation by these firms.

4.      Use the assistance of the Minority Business Development Agency of the Department of Commerce, the Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization, DHHS, and similar state and local offices.

Research Integrity

The signature of the institution official on the face page of the application submitted under this Funding Opportunity Announcement is certifying compliance with the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) regulations in Title 42 Part 93, Subparts A-E, entitled PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE POLICIES ON RESEARCH MISCONDUCT.

The regulation places requirements on institutions receiving or applying for funds under the PHS Act that are monitored by the DHHS Office of Research Integrity (http://ori.hhs.gov./policies/statutes.shtml).

For example:

Section 93.301 Institutional assurances.(a) General policy. An institution with PHS supported biomedical or behavioral research, research training or activities related to that research or research training must provide PHS with an assurance of compliance with this part, satisfactory to the Secretary. PHS funding components may authorize [[Page 28389]] funds for biomedical and behavioral research, research training, or activities related to that research or research training only to institutions that have approved assurances and required renewals on file with ORI. (b) Institutional Assurance. The responsible institutional official must assure on behalf of the institution that the institution-- (1) Has written policies and procedures in compliance with this part for inquiring into and investigating allegations of research misconduct; and (2) Complies with its own policies and procedures and the requirements of this part.

Compliance with Executive Order 13279

Faith-based organization are eligible to receive federal financial assistance, and their applications are evaluated in the same manner and using the same criteria as those for non-faith-based organizations in accordance with Executive Order 13279, Equal Protection of the Laws for Faith-Based and Community Organizations. All applicants should, however, be aware of restrictions on the use of direct financial assistance from the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) for inherently religious activities. Under the provisions of Title 45, Parts 74, 87, 92 and 96, organizations that receive direct financial assistance from DHHS under any DHHS program may not engage in inherently religious activities, such as worship, religious instruction, or proselytization as a part of the programs or services funded with direct financial assistance from DHHS. If an organization engages in such activities, it must offer them separately, in time or location, from the programs or services funded with direct DHHS assistance, and participation must be voluntary for the beneficiaries of the programs or services funded with such assistance. A religious organization that participates in the DHHS funded programs or services will retain its independence from Federal, State, and local governments, and may continue to carry out its mission, including the definition, practice, and expression of its religious beliefs, provided that it does not use direct financial assistance from DHHS to support inherently religious activities such as those activities described above. A faith-based organization may, however, use space in its facilities to provide programs or services funded with financial assistance from DHHS without removing religious art, icons, scriptures, or other religious symbols. In addition, a religious organization that receives financial assistance from DHHS retains its authority over its internal governance, and it may retain religious terms in its organization=s name, select its board members on a religious basis, and include religious references in its organization=s mission statements and other governing documents in accordance with all program requirements, statutes, and other applicable requirements governing the conduct of DHHS funded activities. For further guidance on the use of DHHS direct financial assistance see Title 45, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 87, Equal Treatment for Faith-Based Organizations, and visit the internet site:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/government/fbci/

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act Requirements

Recipients of this grant award should note that pursuant to the Standards for Privacy of Individually Identifiable Health Information promulgated under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) (45 CFR Parts 160 and 164) covered entities may disclose protected health information to public health authorities authorized by law to collect or receive such information for the purpose of preventing or controlling disease, injury, or disability, including, but not limited to, the reporting of disease, injury, vital events such as birth or death, and the conduct of public health surveillance, public health investigations, and public health interventions. The definition of a public health authority includes a person or entity acting under a grant of authority from or contract with such public agency. CDC considers this project a public health activity consistent with the Standards for Privacy of Individually Identifiable Health Information and CDC will provide successful recipients a specific grant of public health authority for the purposes of this project.


Weekly TOC for this Announcement
NIH Funding Opportunities and Notices



NIH Office of Extramural Research Logo
  Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) - Home Page Department of Health
and Human Services (HHS)
  USA.gov - Government Made Easy
NIH... Turning Discovery Into Health®



Note: For help accessing PDF, RTF, MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Audio or Video files, see Help Downloading Files.