cdc-rfa-dp15-1502q&aamendpublication.docx

Q&A Technical Calls for DP15-1502 – March 3, 2015 Amendment in red text made on March 18, 2015 Q14. Can a county government or branch of a university system respond to this FOA?

A14 – County governments are not eligible applicants for this FOA. For universities, either a single university or the entire system can apply. If more than one university or college from the same college or university system apply, it is highly unlikely that more than one applicant would be awarded DP15-1502 funding.

Q1. If applying for both components, are separate budgets required for each component?

A1. Yes, separate line item budgets and budget justifications for each component are required. The two separate budgets should be uploaded as a single document in www.grants.gov.

Q2. If applying for both components, should the 424A represent line item totals for both components?

A2. The 424A should represent totals.

Q3. Should I provide separate work plans for Components 1 and 2 in the Project Narrative?

A3. The work plan can be provided as one combined work plan or separated into two. However, due to the 25 page limit for a multi-component application, an applicant may have difficulty including separate work plans and remaining within the limit. There is no requirement to separate them but applicants should identify content as Component 1 or Component 2.

Q4. Is the logic model an optional attachment or part of the work plan?

A4. The logic model for Component 1 is part of the work plan.

Q5. Do we need a logic model for both Component 1 and Component 2?

A5. A logic model is required for Component 1 applications, but is not required for Component 2 applications.

Q6. In the FOA, there is a hyperlink under “Optional Attachments?” Is this link intended to be a link to a template for the logic model?

A6. No template will be provided for the logic model. A template will only be provided for the work plan and included in this amendment.

Q7. Should the evaluation plan be included separately from the narrative?

A7. No, please address evaluation in the Project Narrative. Note that funded grantees will submit a more detailed evaluation plan within six (6) months of award.

Q8. Under which component should applicants include the two required trips?

A8. Required travel should be included in the Component 1 budget.

Q9. Will CDC provide a list of performance measures for Component 1? Have these been developed or will they be released at a later date?

A9. A list of performance measures will not be provided as part of the FOA application process. For the purpose of this application, applicants can develop their own measures.

Q10. The FOA states that MOUs, MOAs, and Letters of Commitment should be uploaded together, but these documents are not approved attachments. Please confirm that MOUs, MOAs and Letters of Commitment can be included as attachments.

A10. Applicants with MOUs, MOAs, and Letters of Commitment should upload them in www.grants.gov. Applications with signed MOUs/MOAs/Letters of Commitment that contain the required information as listed in the funding announcement will receive higher scores than those that do not.

Q11. Do funding ranges stated in the FOA suggest that there are funding floors or minimum request amounts?

A11. There is no floor for funding requests, but there is a ceiling of $1.8 million (for both direct and indirect costs) if funded for both components.

Q12. Are applicants required to address all outcomes listed in the FOA or should they only address outcomes relevant to applicant-proposed strategies?

A12. Applicants should address outcomes appropriate for their proposed strategies and activities.

Q13. Are organizations serving Hawaiian indigenous populations eligible to respond to this FOA?

A13. No. Eligibility is limited to state, territorial, and federally or state-recognized tribal governments, American Indian/Alaska Native tribally designated organizations, and public and private colleges, universities, and institutions for higher learning.

Q14. Can a county government or branch of a university system respond to this FOA?

A14 – County governments are not eligible applicants for this FOA. For universities, either a single university or the entire system can apply. If more than one university or college from the same college or university system apply, it is highly unlikely that more than one applicant would be awarded DP15-1502 funding.

Q15. Please clarify how CDC defines an active existing organized screening program.

A15. An active existing organized screening program currently has infrastructure, such as contracted providers, forms to identify patient eligibility, mechanisms to collect, collate and submit patient-level data, existing staff, and protocols for people requiring follow-up and treatment. Funds from this FOA will not be used to support screening program infrastructure development.

Q16. Will multiple applications from one state be considered for funding under this FOA? For example, if the state health department applied for a program to cover one region of the state and a university applied to cover another region of the state would they both be considered?

A16. Yes, both applications would be considered. However, as stated in the FOA, geographic diversity is a factor that may affect funding decisions.

Q17. Should we include the logic model as part of the work plan and count it toward our page limit? Can we have a combined logic model for comp 1 and 2?

A17. Yes, the logic model should be part of your work plan and will count toward an applicant’s page limit. A logic model is only required for Component 1.

Q18. If we email a letter of intent, do we also need to send a hard copy?

A19. No. All applicants that email an electronic copy of their Letter of Intent will receive a confirmation email from Tanya Hicks, the designated program contact for this FOA. If you have emailed a Letter of Intent, but have not received a response, please contact Tanya Hicks, THicks@cdc.gov.

Q19. Our agency has two indirect cost agreements at this time. For the purpose of this application, should we provide the current agreement or the pending agreement?

A19. The current indirect cost agreement should be submitted with the application.

Q20. When submitting the 424 form in grants.gov, how should we include consultant line item costs?

A20. For the 424 form, please include consultant costs in the contracts category.

Q21. Should applicants provide a statement addressing compliance with tobacco and nutrition policies in the application?

A21. Yes, applicants can provide a brief statement in the narrative to address tobacco/nutrition policies.

Q22. Does CDC have a definition for considering inadequate insurance as it relates to Component 2? Would “inadequately insured” include those with unaffordable co-payments, out-of-pocket costs, or should the applicant define “inadequate”?

A22. For the purposes of this application, applicants can define “inadequately insured.” However, applicants must document plans to identify an individual’s eligibility for other sources of support.

Q23. Can applicants define specific priority populations? For example, a population in an identified geographic region and then a racial group within that targeted region?

A23. Yes, applicants may define specific priority populations to focus efforts. Applicants should consider population size when deciding to target specific groups or sub-populations.

Q24. Can Component 2 applicants propose to provide direct services to patients who meet eligibility requirement and present to the program with a positive FIT result? Would these patients be excluded from the program or eligible for enrollment or can we request funds for providing follow-up for those with positive FITs performed outside of the program?

A24. For purposes of this funding opportunity announcement, applicants should submit an application/budget for a program designed to pay for the initial screening test and projected follow-up tests. Applicants should not submit an application/budget that is designed to only provide follow-up colonoscopies for positive FITs done outside of the program.

Q25 Are only applicants with CDC-funded organized screening program infrastructure eligible to respond to this FOA? Or can an applicant reference program infrastructure based on other funding sources, such as a state-funded program?

A25. Applicants with existing organized screening program infrastructure supported by any source of funding are eligible to apply for Component 2 funding.

Q26. Under Component 1, are “Supporting Strategies” required or optional?

A26. Applicants must propose to implement partnerships and program coordination activities and at least two of the four Priority Evidence-based Interventions. Supporting strategies are optional.

Q27. Are staffing requirements stated for Component 2 only referencing the applicant’s internal staff or can staff, such as clinical support staff, be located at a partner agency or organization?

A27. Program management staff, such as the program manager and data manager, should be funded within the applicant’s organization. Clinical staff, such as a person providing patient navigation as a supporting service, can be funded through a contracted organization or partner. Staff can be supported though contracts.

Q28. Under which component should applicants budget patient navigation services?

A28. For purposes of this application, applicants can budget for patient navigation services under Component 1 and Component 2. Component 2 applicants should budget for patient navigation services for clients who receive direct screening services paid for by the program. Under Component 1, patient navigation services can be provided to people who have other resources to pay for screening services. Therefore, an applicant can budget patient navigation services under both components, if applicable.

Q29. I did not see language in the FOA on specific clinical services such as FIT. Can I include funds for FIT in my proposed budget?

A29. CDC will reimburse for tests and procedures approved by the USPSTF. It is acceptable to include costs for the USPSTF-approved tests in a Component 2 budget proposal.

Q30. Can I include costs for anesthesia? I currently contract for colonoscopy procedures under an inclusive capitated rate?

A30. Applicants can submit direct service costs for Component 2 using the method they expect to pay for clinical services with contracted providers.

Q31. Does CDC have an expected range or number of patients screened or served under Component 2?

A31. No Q32. Does the funding ceiling include indirect costs?

A32. Yes Q33. Please clarify “other administrative costs for Component 2.” For example, a data system for MDEs, is this an administrative cost?

A33. Yes, you may include these costs.

Q34. Can we fund patient navigation and other facilitating services in component 2?

A34. Yes Q35. What proportion of funds can go to building a data system for evidence-based interventions (EBIs).

A35. There is no specific guidance on how funds should be distributed. All applicants are required to demonstrate how proposed initiatives will result in required program outcomes within the project period of the cooperative agreement (five years).

Q36. Can we buy flu kits under component 1 for a Flu-fit campaign?

No.

Q37. Given that you are planning to fund for screening services, is there insight into if you are looking for Medicaid or non-Medicaid states, to offer screening services?

Q37. All eligible applicants are equally eligible to apply and receive an award.

Q38. We are looking at patient navigation under Component 2—funding patient navigators in clinics with high need. We will do navigating under that model, does that qualify for Component 2?

A38. This would be a Component 1 activity. Component 2 is for direct screening (clinical) services and the patient navigation to accomplish those screens.

Q39. Funding for both Component 1 and Component 2 combined is $1.8 million (ceiling). What is ceiling for Component 1?

A39. The ceiling for Component 1 is $800,000.

Q40. For Component 2, does an active screening program need to be up and running?

Q40. Yes, that’s correct.

Q41. For Component 2, how is it to be laid out or will it be within the full application?

A41: Clarifying language will be included in upcoming amendment Q42. There is no scoring for matching funds, but in the review, would it be viewed favorably if there is a matching funding source?

A42. No, because it’s not an FOA requirement.

Q43. When can we expect the revised version of the FOA to be posted?

A43. Later this week or early next week.

Q44. Can FLU/FIT kits be allowable cost for Component 1 for participants with health care insurance?

A44. This purchase can not be approved under Component 1 for participants with health care coverage that provides payment for these same services.