cdc-rfa-ps13-130903cont15 final 03 26 15.docx

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Procurement and Grants Office Instructions for Preparing an Annual Performance Report (APR) Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA): 93.977 Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) Number: CDC-RFA-PS13-130903CONT15

National Network to Enhance Capacity of State and Local Sexually Transmitted Disease Prevention Programs (NNECS) Division of STD Prevention

Eligibility:

This award will be a continuation of funds intended only for grantees previously awarded under CDC-RFA-PS13-130903CONT15 , National Network to Enhance Capacity of State and Local Sexually Transmitted Disease Prevention Programs (NNECS).

Application Submission:

CDC requires grantees to submit their Annual Performance Reports (APR), which serves as the continuation application, through www.Grants.gov NLT 120 days prior to the end of the budget period.

If you encounter any difficulties submitting your annual performance report through www.Grants.gov, please contact CDC’s Technical Information Management Section at 770-488-2700 prior to the submission deadline. If you need further information regarding the annual performance report process, please contact Rhonda Perry, Grants Management Specialist at 770-488-2848. For programmatic information, please contact Daniel Lentine, Project Officer, at 404-639-0462.

Reports must be submitted by May 07, 2015, 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on www.Grants.gov for Reporting Period 3/1/2014- 2/28/2015. Late or incomplete reports could result in an enforcement action such as a delay in the award or a reduction in funds. CDC will accept requests for a deadline extension on rare occasions and after adequate justification has been provided.

General Application Packet Tips:

· Properly label each item of the application packet

· Each section should use 1.5 spacing with one-inch margins

· Number all narrative pages only

· This report must not exceed 45 pages excluding administrative reporting; allowed, but web links are allowed

· Where the instructions on the forms conflict with these instructions, follow these instructions

1. CDC requires the use of PDF format for ALL attachments.

2. Use of file formats other than PDF may result in the file being unreadable by CDC staff.

3. Directions for creating PDF files can be found on www.Grants.gov

Checklist of required contents of application packet:

1. SF-424 Application for Federal Domestic Assistance-Short Organizational Form

2. SF-424A Budget Information-Non-Construction Programs

3. Budget Justification

4. Indirect Cost Rate Agreement

5. Project Narrative

6. Certification *(See Note Below)

7. Assurances *(See Note Below)

*Note: Certifications and Assurances –Non-Construction forms are required to be submitted with APR application. Please go to the following website: http://wwwn.cdc.gov/grantassurances/Homepage.aspx, to upload the forms. The forms are required for each year of the project and should be updated as necessary.

When you enter the website you click on Download Instructions and Forms. and follow the instructions. To upload the completed forms, you click on “Submit Documents” in the upper left of the screen.

Instructions for accessing and completing required contents of the application package:

a) Go to: www.Grants.gov

b) Select: “Apply for Grants”

c) Select: “Step 1: Download a Grant Application”

d) Insert CDC-RFA-PS13-130903CONT15 only

e) Download application package and complete all sections.

1. SF-424 Application for Federal Domestic Assistance-Short Organizational Form:

Complete all sections:

A. In addition to inserting the legal name of your organization in Block #5a, insert the CDC Award Number provided in the CDC Notice of Award. Failure to provide your award number could cause delay in processing your application.

B. Please insert your organization’s Business Official information in Block #8.

SPECIAL NOTE: Items 2, 3, and 4 should be attached to the application through the “Mandatory Documents” section of the “Grant Application” page. Select “Other Attachments Form” and attach as a PDF file.

2. SF-424A Budget Information and Justification:

A. Download the form from www.grants.gov.

B. Complete all applicable sections.

C. Estimated Un-obligated for Part A, Part B, and Part C separately

1. Awardees may request up to 75% of anticipated unobligated funds at the end of the current budget period.

2. If use of estimated un-obligated funds is requested in addition to funding for the next year, complete all columns in Section A of SF-424A and submit an interim Federal Financial Report (FFR), Standard Form-425, available on the CDC internet at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/forms.htm#closeout.

D. The estimated un-obligated balance should be realistic in order to be consistent with the annual FFR to be submitted via eRA Commons following the end of the budget period.

E. Based on the current rate of obligation, if it appears there will be un-obligated funds at the end of the current budget period, provide detailed actions that will be taken to obligate this amount.

F. If it appears there will be insufficient funds

1. Provide detailed justification of the shortfall

2. List the actions taken to bring the obligations in line with the authorized funding level.

G. The proposed budget should be based on the federal funding level stated in the letter from CDC.

H. In a separate narrative, provide a detailed, line-item budget justification of the funding amount requested to support the activities to be carried out with those funds for Part A, Part B, and Part C separately. Attach in the “Mandatory Documents” box under “Budget Narrative Attachment Form.” Document needs to be in the PDF format.

I. The budget justification must be prepared in the general form, format, and to the level of detail as described in the CDC Budget Guidance. The sample budget guidance is provided on CDC’s internet at: http://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/funding/grants/foamain.shtm.

J. For any new proposed subcontracts provide the information specified in the Budget Guidance.

K. When non-federal matching is required, provide a line-item list of non-federal contributions including source, amount, and/or value of third party contributions proposed to meet a matching requirement.

3. Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (This is not applicable to grantees subject to OMB Guidance A-21 – Educational Institutions. The rates stay the same as the first year award.):

A. If indirect costs are requested, include a copy of the current negotiated federal indirect cost rate agreement or a cost allocation plan approval letter for those Grantees under such a plan.

B. Clearly describe the method used to calculate indirect costs. Make sure the method is consistent with the Indirect Cost Rate Agreement.

C. To be entitled to use indirect cost rates, a rate agreement must be in effect at the start of the budget period.

D. If an Indirect Cost Rate Agreement is not in effect, indirect costs may be charged as direct if (1) this practice is consist with the grantee’s/applicant’s approved accounting practices; and (2) if the costs are adequately supported and justified. Please see the Budget Guidelines (http://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/funding/grants/foamain.shtm) for additional information.

E. If applicable, attach in the “Mandatory Documents” box under “Other Attachments Form”. Name document “Indirect Cost Rate.”

4. Project Narrative:

A. Project Narrative for PART A: Core Award and Technical Assistance

Section I. Current Budget Period Progress, Part A:

Provide a brief report addressing the following elements of each objective or activity.

The annual performance report must include the following:

· Performance Measures (including outcomes)–Awardees must report on performance measures for each budget period and update measures, if needed.

· Evaluation Results–Awardees must report evaluation results for the work completed to date (including any data about the effects of the program).

· Work Plan –Awardees must update work plan each budget period.

· Successes

· Awardees must report progress on completing activities outlined in the work plan.

· Awardees must describe any additional successes (e.g., identified through evaluation results or lessons learned) achieved in the past year.

· Awardees must describe success stories.

· Challenges

· Awardees must describe any challenges that might affect their ability to achieve annual and project-period outcomes, conduct performance measures, or complete the activities in the work plan.

· Awardees must describe any additional challenges (e.g., identified through evaluation results or lessons learned) encountered in the past year.

· CDC Program Support to Awardees

· Awardees must describe how CDC could help them overcome challenges to achieving annual and project-period outcomes and performance measures, and completing activities outlined in the work plan.

· Administrative Reporting (No page limit)

· SF-424A Budget Information-Non-Construction Programs.

· Budget Narrative–must use the format outlined in “Content and Form of Application

· Submission, Budget Narrative” section.

· Indirect Cost-Rate Agreement.

Section II. New Budget Period Proposed Objectives and Activities, Part A:

A. Grantee must allocate a minimum of $400,000 of the total award for activities under Part A: Core Award and Technical Assistance.

B. Provide a narrative proposing objectives and activities for year 3 addressing each of the areas below. Attach a work plan and evaluation plan (including logic model) that mirrors the proposed activities in your narrative. Please utilize the work plan format example provided below.

C. Each objective and activity must contain a performance or outcome measure that assesses the effectiveness of the project.

D. For each objective:

1. List activities that will be implemented;

2. Provide a timeline for accomplishment;

3. Identify and justify any redirection of activities; and

4. Explain the methods you will use to implement the new, redirected activities.

E. In addition to this information, include comments pertaining to budgetary issues that might hamper the success or completion of the project as originally proposed and approved.

1. Core Activities

a) Project management and Communications

a. Maintain weekly updates and other communications to state and local STD programs

b. Website development and maintenance

b) Partnerships & Collaboration

a. Ad-hoc meetings and committees

c) Assessment and Evaluation

a. Support the Program Operations Workgroup.

2. Training, Technical Assistance and Capacity Building in support of STD AAPPS, especially on AAPPS priorities, which are: addressing STDs among adolescents and young adults, and men who have sex with men, addressing resistant gonorrhea and prevent congenital syphilis. Describe your overall approach to accomplishing this activity.

a) Facilitate peer-to-Peer technical assistance, including systems, connecting field experts, travel support and coordination with CDC.

b) Regional/Affinity Groups Meetings

c) Assessment and Evaluation

a. Assist jurisdictions in developing and maintaining Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) and implementing AAPPS performance measures.

3. Provide flexibility to CDC to rapidly respond to emerging STD program needs; and a mechanism for CDC to conduct special projects and demonstrations if funding should become available, including evaluation of such activities.

a) In partnership with CDC, establishing relationships, contracts, grants, or other funding mechanisms to conduct special projects, for example, working with organizations that can provide data to CDC concerning STD testing prior to HIV diagnosis, and assist CDC in obtaining relevant data sets; and other such activities as identified by CDC.

For budget period 02 and beyond of the award, awardees may request up to 75% of their estimated unobligated funds be carried over into the next budget period.

The carryover request must:

· Express a bona fide need for permission to use an unobligated balance;

· Include a signed, dated, and accurate Federal Financial Report (FFR) for the budget period from which funds will be transferred (NTE 75% of unobligated balances); and

· Include a list of proposed activities, an itemized budget, and a narrative justification for those activities.]

B. Project Narrative for PART B: State, Territorial, and Local CDC STD Grantee Policy Education and Related Policy Activities

Section I. Current Budget Period Progress, Part B:

Provide a brief report addressing the following elements of each objective or activity.

The annual performance report must include the following:

· Current Budget Year Period Progress, Part B: Provide a brief summary for each element below that describes year 2 activities of the cooperative agreement. Please address the following:

a. Describe Training Academy activities and include:

i. List of participants and policy topics addressed

ii. significant accomplishments

iii. any barriers encountered and how these were addressed

iv. plans and the anticipated outcomes for the remainder of year

b. Describe progress made on briefing templates. Describe activities, barriers, and plans for the remainder of year

c. Provide a brief overview of 1:1 policy TA activities with states. Describe activities and include plans for the remainder of year.

d. List meetings/conferences attended with targeted partners, such as AMCHP and briefly assess value of participation.

e. Describe any other significant accomplishments that were primarily as a result of support from this cooperative agreement.

f. Describe any significant challenges that have or are anticipated to hinder the achievement of objectives. Propose solutions and alternatives.

· Administrative Reporting (No page limit)

· SF-424A Budget Information-Non-Construction Programs.

· Budget Narrative–must use the format outlined in “Content and Form of Application

· Submission, Budget Narrative” section.

· Indirect Cost-Rate Agreement.

Section II. New Budget Period Proposed Objectives and Activities, Part B:

A. Grantee must allocate a minimum of $247,305 of the total award for activities under Part B: State, Territorial, and Local CDC STD Grantee Policy Education and Related Policy Activities.

B. List proposed objectives for the upcoming budget period. Please provide a narrative for year 3, and a corresponding work plan using the template provided, covering the following:

1. Provide Education/Technical Assistance to State, Territorial, and Local CDC STD and HIV Grantees on How to Educate Policymakers.

i. Deliver policymaker education training to CDC STD public health grantees – could include topics such as partnership building, how to put a brief together, explanation of allowable/non-allowable activities, may include policy education sessions at the annual meeting.

ii. Facilitate opportunities for state, local, and territorial STD public health staff to educate policymakers and provide 1:1 TA on related policy briefing activities.

iii. Collaborate with the CDC’s Capacity Building Assistance for High-Impact HIV Prevention program and related providers[footnoteRef:1] to enhance cooperative relationships and avoid duplication in policy-related capacity building efforts [1: http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/policies/funding/announcements/PS14-1403/ and http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/dhap/cbb/crisusers.html]

2. Capitalize on opportunities such as the STD Conference, STD Awareness Month.

3. Develop and disseminate policy resources, such as

i. Briefing templates that could be customized by CDC’s grantees with state or local data/information

ii. Policy or issue briefs on STD/HIV prevention topics mutually agreed upon with DSTDP/OPPER and DHAP/OPPC

4. Tracking and Reporting of State Policy and Budgetary Actions Related to STDs including HIV.

i. Provide updates in conjunction with monthly calls.

ii. Develop annual report on state bills and resolutions introduced/voted upon.

iii. Disseminate and make report available on website.

5. Work with CDC DSTDP/OPPER and DHAP/OPPC to provide additional TA and training on policy-related topics. This could include, for example:

i. webinars on how to put together a billing business case, how to approach policy analysis

ii. assisting states with analysis of potential impact of legislation or rules

6. Create policy-relevant bridges with non-STD stakeholders; this could include meeting with/briefing organizations such as NCSL, CBC, AMCHP, NACCHO.

For budget period 02 and beyond of the award, awardees may request up to 75% of their estimated unobligated funds be carried over into the next budget period.

The carryover request must:

· Express a bona fide need for permission to use an unobligated balance;

· Include a signed, dated, and accurate Federal Financial Report (FFR) for the budget period from which funds will be transferred (NTE 75% of unobligated balances); and

· Include a list of proposed activities, an itemized budget, and a narrative justification for those activities.]

C. Project Narrative for PART C: Support for Certification of Disease Intervention Specialists

Section I. Current Budget Period Progress, Part C:

Provide a brief report addressing the following elements of each objective or activity.

The annual performance report must include the following:

· Performance Measures (including outcomes)–Awardees must report on performance measures for each budget period and update measures, if needed.

· Evaluation Results–Awardees must report evaluation results for the work completed to date (including any data about the effects of the program).

· Work Plan –Awardees must update work plan each budget period.

· Successes

· Awardees must report progress on completing activities outlined in the work plan.

· Awardees must describe any additional successes (e.g., identified through evaluation results or lessons learned) achieved in the past year.

· Awardees must describe success stories.

· Challenges

· Awardees must describe any challenges that might affect their ability to achieve annual and project-period outcomes, conduct performance measures, or complete the activities in the work plan.

· Awardees must describe any additional challenges (e.g., identified through evaluation results or lessons learned) encountered in the past year.

· CDC Program Support to Awardees

· Awardees must describe how CDC could help them overcome challenges to achieving annual and project-period outcomes and performance measures, and completing activities outlined in the work plan.

· Administrative Reporting (No page limit)

· SF-424A Budget Information-Non-Construction Programs.

· Budget Narrative–must use the format outlined in “Content and Form of Application

· Submission, Budget Narrative” section.

· Indirect Cost-Rate Agreement.

Section II. New Budget Period Proposed Objectives and Activities, Part C:

A. Subject to the availability of funds, CDC may or may not continue activities under Part C. In anticipation of the possibility of funding availability for Part C, please propose activities up to $100,000 that relate to the following areas:

a. NCSD will support the DIS certificate program by working with CDC programs (DSTDP, DTBE, DHAP) and their funded jurisdictions to establish state and local policies that support DIS certification such as:

i. Establishing working groups and sub-committees to provide input on and to disseminate standardized position descriptions.

ii. Establishing state and local jurisdiction goals (e.g., certify X% of all DIS within a given time-frame), and monitoring progress towards certifying current DIS.

iii. Establishing policies for how and when newly hired DIS will be trained and certified (e.g., all new hires will receive X trainings and should be certified within 1 year of hiring).

iv. Coordinating with the certification entity to ensure input from field DIS and CDC is used in the development of the certification test.

v. Examining existing training, and coordinate across training entities to establish a curriculum that supports DIS for HIV, STD, and TB prevention.

vi. Establishing a system that tracks the pool of certified and non-certified DIS, and tracks DIS through training, certification, continuing education, and recertification.

vii. Examining reimbursement policies and potential for DIS.

For budget period 02 and beyond of the award, awardees may request up to 75% of their estimated unobligated funds be carried over into the next budget period.

The carryover request must:

· Express a bona fide need for permission to use an unobligated balance;

· Include a signed, dated, and accurate Federal Financial Report (FFR) for the budget period from which funds will be transferred (NTE 75% of unobligated balances); and

· Include a list of proposed activities, an itemized budget, and a narrative justification for those activities.]

EXAMPLE Work Plan Goal/Activity

Time-frame

Rev. 5/22/14 image1.tiff image2.gif