CK21-2103.pdf

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases

Enhancing Regional Capacity for Vector Surveillance and Control in the US territories in the Caribbean

CDC-RFA-CK21-2103

05/07/2021

Table of Contents A. Funding Opportunity Description

B. Award Information

C. Eligibility Information

D. Application and Submission Information

E. Review and Selection Process

F. Award Administration Information

G. Agency Contacts

H. Other Information

I. Glossary

Part I. Overview Applicants must go to the synopsis page of this announcement at www.grants.gov and click on the "Subscribe" button link to ensure they receive notifications of any changes to CDC-RFA- CK21-2103. Applicants also must provide an e-mail address to www.grants.gov to receive notifications of changes.

A. Federal Agency Name:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) / Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) B. Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) Title:

Enhancing Regional Capacity for Vector Surveillance and Control in the US territories in the Caribbean C. Announcement Type: New - Type 1:

This announcement is only for non-research activities supported by CDC. If research is proposed, the application will not be considered. For this purpose, research is defined at https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CFR-2007-title42-vol1/pdf/CFR-2007-title42-vol1-sec52- 2.pdf. Guidance on how CDC interprets the definition of research in the context of public health can be found at https://www.hhs.gov/ohrp/regulations-and-policy/regulations/45-cfr- 46/index.html (See section 45 CFR 46.102(d)).

D. Agency Notice of Funding Opportunity Number:

CDC-RFA-CK21-2103

E. Assistance Listings Number:

93.084 F. Dates:

1. Due Date for Letter of Intent (LOI):

N/A https://www.grants.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/ https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CFR-2007-title42-vol1/pdf/CFR-2007-title42-vol1-sec52-2.pdf https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CFR-2007-title42-vol1/pdf/CFR-2007-title42-vol1-sec52-2.pdf https://www.hhs.gov/ohrp/regulations-and-policy/regulations/45-cfr-46/index.html https://www.hhs.gov/ohrp/regulations-and-policy/regulations/45-cfr-46/index.html

2. Due Date for Applications:

05/07/2021 11:59 p.m. U.S. Eastern Standard Time, at www.grants.gov.

3. Due Date for Informational Conference Call:

N/A

G. Executive Summary:

1. Summary Paragraph CDC funds are available to control mosquitos (i.e, Aedes aegypti) that transmit arboviruses (dengue, chikungunya, and Zika) in Puerto Rico, and provide support for vector control efforts in the US Caribbean. This NOFO will support the established Vector Control Unit (VCU) to strengthen its current capacity and strategic partners. In addition, this NOFO will build upon the relationship between the VCU and the USVI Department of Health (VIDOH) to support VIDOH vector control program activities. The program intends to reduce the morbidity and mortality caused by vector-borne diseases by addressing three areas: mosquito surveillance, community mobilization/outreach, and mosquito control. Analysis and interpretation of mosquito surveillance data will identify regions of higher mosquito infection. Outreach activities will communicate best protection practices against mosquito bites. Control strategies will be implemented in vulnerable communities. The recipient will need to collaborate with stakeholders, build local awareness and capacity and evaluate new mosquito control tools. All activities will be evaluated using appropriate methods to determine best practices for the control of Ae. aegypti. The expected outcome is the development of models based on integrated mosquito management that suppress Ae. aegypti and reduce human arboviral infection.

The programmatic and public health evaluation infrastructure in the VCU will also be leveraged to control other emerging threats.

a. Eligible Applicants:

Single

b. Funding Instrument Type:

CA (Cooperative Agreement)

c. Approximate Number of Awards

d. Total Period of Performance Funding:

$ 25,000,000

e. Average One Year Award Amount:

$ 5,000,000

f. Total Period of Performance Length:

g. Estimated Award Date:

September 30, 2021

h. Cost Sharing and / or Matching Requirements:

No https://www.grants.gov/

Cost sharing or matching funds are not required for this program. Although there is no statutory matching requirement for this NOFO, leveraging other resources and related ongoing efforts to promote sustainability is strongly encouraged.

Part II. Full Text A. Funding Opportunity Description

1. Background

a. Overview The burden of vector-borne diseases is a growing worldwide public health problem. The island of Puerto Rico has suffered cyclical epidemics of dengue for a number of decades and in recent years chikungunya and Zika arboviruses caused major epidemics from 2014 through 2017, respectively. Currently, dengue virus (DENV-1) transmission is increasing and is expected to become an epidemic. Historically, efforts to control mosquitoes were implemented as standalone interventions and were not incorporated into an integrated vector management program that controls Aedes aegypti and viruses transmitted by this mosquito. Successful control of dengue, chikungunya, and Zika viruses requires sustainable and comprehensive mosquito control strategies with activities housed within a centralized organization with the capacity to surveil and control Aedes aegypti using the best practices currently available.

Within the continental U.S., neighboring Caribbean islands and other Aedes infested countries, ‘mosquito districts’ or control units exist (either within government or autonomously managed) whose sole purpose is to control mosquito populations to reduce nuisance biting and prevent vector-borne disease. With specialized staff, coordinated programs of integrated mosquito management (IMM), and appropriate budget many of these programs are able to keep vector-borne disease burden to a minimum.

The presence of the VCU in Puerto Rico provides an opportunity to develop, implement, and evaluate mosquito control strategies based on the principles of IMM resulting in evidence-based models that can be scaled up within Puerto Rico and USVI to control of Aedes aegypti and control of vector-borne diseases. For almost 5 years, the VCU has provided leadership and services in this area and is the institution identified by the PR government to conduct these sorts of activities. In USVI, the VCU has provided support for mosquito surveillance and source evaluations, through a collaboration with the USVI Department of Health (VIDOH). VIDOH is the organization that has the authority to implement a vector control program in USVI.

This NOFO seeks to continue implementation of a program that integrates mosquito surveillance, community outreach and mobilization, and mosquito control in PR and USVI. The recipient will collaborate with national and local stakeholders, build local awareness and capacity and implement and evaluate new mosquito control tools. The expected outcome is the development of preventative models based on integrated mosquito management, that suppress the mosquito burden of Ae. aegypti and reduce human arboviral infection.

b. Statutory Authorities Public Health Service Act, Sections 317(k)(2) [42USC 247b(k)(2)] and 1703 [42 USC 300u- 2] as amended

c. Healthy People 2030

This NOFO supports the following Healthy People 2030 objectives:

Emergency Preparedness:

Increase the proportion of adults who prepare for a disease outbreak after getting preparedness information — PREP-D02

Community:

Increase the number of community organizations that provide prevention services — ECBP-D07

Health Communication:

Increase the health literacy of the population — HC/HIT-R01

Neighborhood and Built Environment:

Increase the proportion of schools with policies and practices that promote health and safety —

EH-D01

Global Health:

Increase the number of globally important public health events that are tracked and reported —

GH-D02

Global Health:

Increase laboratory diagnostic testing capacity, surveillance, and reporting globally — GH-D03

d. Other National Public Health Priorities and Strategies Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response’s National Health Security Strategy 2019- 2022: Objective 2: Protect the Nation from Emerging and Pandemic Infectious Diseases and CBRN Threats. https://www.phe.gov/Preparedness/planning/authority/nhss/Documents/NHSS- Strategy-508.pdf

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s The Public Health Preparedness Capabilities:

National Standards for State and Local Planning. http://www.cdc.gov/phpr/capabilities/

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s A National Public Health Framework for the Prevention and Control of Vector -Borne Disease in Humans https://www.cdc.gov/ncezid/dvbd/framework.html

e. Relevant Work This NOFO builds on the work performed under CK16-1608. That cooperative agreement funded vector control activities in Puerto Rico through the Puerto Rico Vector Control Unit. Activities included vector surveillance, community engagement and vector control. This cooperative agreement builds on that work, expands the scope to include USVI and provides a more robust evaluation framework for vector control activities.

This NOFO also builds on work done through cooperative agreement OT18-1804, through which the VCU served as a contractor to perform mosquito identification, build a database for mosquito surveillance, and conduct an evaluation of mosquito breeding sources (specifically water cisterns).

https://health.gov/healthypeople/objectives-and-data/browse-objectives/emergency-preparedness/increase-proportion-adults-who-prepare-disease-outbreak-after-getting-preparedness-information-prep-d02 https://health.gov/healthypeople/objectives-and-data/browse-objectives/emergency-preparedness/increase-proportion-adults-who-prepare-disease-outbreak-after-getting-preparedness-information-prep-d02 https://health.gov/healthypeople/objectives-and-data/browse-objectives/community/increase-number-community-organizations-provide-prevention-services-ecbp-d07 https://health.gov/healthypeople/objectives-and-data/browse-objectives/health-communication/increase-health-literacy-population-hchit-r01 https://health.gov/healthypeople/objectives-and-data/browse-objectives/neighborhood-and-built-environment/increase-proportion-schools-policies-and-practices-promote-health-and-safety-eh-d01 https://health.gov/healthypeople/objectives-and-data/browse-objectives/neighborhood-and-built-environment/increase-proportion-schools-policies-and-practices-promote-health-and-safety-eh-d01 https://health.gov/healthypeople/objectives-and-data/browse-objectives/global-health/increase-number-globally-important-public-health-events-are-tracked-and-reported-gh-d02 https://health.gov/healthypeople/objectives-and-data/browse-objectives/global-health/increase-number-globally-important-public-health-events-are-tracked-and-reported-gh-d02 https://health.gov/healthypeople/objectives-and-data/browse-objectives/global-health/increase-laboratory-diagnostic-testing-capacity-surveillance-and-reporting-globally-gh-d03 https://www.phe.gov/Preparedness/planning/authority/nhss/Documents/NHSS-Strategy-508.pdf https://www.phe.gov/Preparedness/planning/authority/nhss/Documents/NHSS-Strategy-508.pdf http://www.cdc.gov/phpr/capabilities/ https://www.cdc.gov/ncezid/dvbd/framework.html

2. CDC Project Description

a. Approach Bold indicates period of performance outcome.

Strategies and Activities

Short-Term Outcomes 1-2 yr

Intermediate Outcomes 3-4 yr

Long-Term Outcomes 5 yr

Develop, implement, evaluate, and disseminate findings on mosquitoes and arboviral surveillance in high priority areas, insecticide resistance (IR) and best practices to manage IR in Puerto Rico (PR).

Identify geographic areas and population groups at increased risk for arboviruses transmission.

Mosquito and arbovirus surveillance in high priority areas identified, selected and implemented.

Increased understanding of IR heterogeneity in PR and causes for IR in Ae.

aegypti.

Increased acceptance of mosquito surveillance, IR testing, and control programs among general public.

Enhanced, adaptation, and implementation by the recipient of best practices for mosquito and arbovirus surveillance while increasing monitoring sites.

Increased mosquitoes IR testing to more municipalities and improve dissemination of findings, and improve collaborations with PRDH, CDC, and partners by sharing findings and resources through meetings and publications.

Findings from mosquito and arbovirus surveillance sites direct operational control of Ae. aegypti in PR.

Results from IR surveillance activities are used to produce recommendations for the insecticidal control of Ae. aegypti and management of IR in

PR.

Develop a professional network with Puerto Rico Department of Health (PRDH), CDC, USVI

Department of Health (VIDOH), and partners to provide training and resources for

Developed agreements with USVI Department of Health (VIDOH) on what technical assistance the VCU will provide.

Professional network of partners is used to

Developed a technical assistance program with

VIDOH.

mosquito control activities and mosquito-borne diseases.

understand and control other emerging infectious diseases or natural disasters in PR.

Develop, implement, and evaluate integrated (traditional and novel) mosquito control programs in high priority areas in Puerto Rico and

USVI.

Improved understanding of effective mosquito control interventions and expansion to high priority areas.

Evidence collected on how vector control strategies impacts Ae. aegypti populations.

Expanded collaborations established with regulatory partners, municipal and jurisdiction governments, including those in PR and USVI, academic institutions and others.

Evaluation of effective mosquito control interventions findings are incorporated into the Ae. aegypti mosquito control Program.

Expanded validated strategies and models to control Ae. aegypti island-wide are identified.

Established collaborations with VIDOH.

Improved detection and response to mosquito-borne diseases leading to decreased prevalence, morbidity, and mortality in PR.

The Mosquito Control Program makes operational decisions based on data from vector control evaluation results, arbovirus surveillance, and IR testing activities.

Establish new and continue existing relationships with CDC Centers of Excellence (COEs), Mosquito Control Associations (MCAs), and regulatory partners to facilitate environmental changes required to reduce the source of aquatic habitats of Ae. aegypti.

Increased and improved collaboration and training with personnel in municipalities, CDC, COEs, and MCAs.

Improved dissemination of effective mosquito control methods with PRDH, CDC, partners, and mosquito control organizations.

Regulatory approval pathways are established for novel and traditional vector control strategies.

Improved and consistent collaborations with CDC, PRDH, VIDOH, COEs, and MCAs on evaluations of integrated vector control and available public health interventions.

Develop, implement, and evaluate an educational tool kit and outreach program on mosquito control and personal protective actions against mosquito bites and disease exposure for local organizations and schools.

Improved general public awareness on mosquito-borne diseases personal protective actions.

Improved public knowledge of effective innovative mosquito control strategies.

Identification of strategies for improving adoption of personal protection actions.

General public is knowledgeable on the protection strategies against Ae. aegypti.

Reduction of prevalence, morbidity, and mortality of mosquito-borne diseases in PR as a result of improved detection, response, and personal protective measures.

Leverage the established infrastructure including community engagement, community based surveillance, laboratory surveillance and stakeholder involvement to control other emerging infections of epidemic potential.

Established collaborations with municipal and jurisdiction government, academic institutions and other partners use the vector control unit infrastructure to understand and control other emerging infectious diseases.

Established community outreach infrastructure is being be leveraged to understand and control other emerging infectious diseases or natural disasters in PR and

USVI.

A pilot project has been implemented using the surveillance and community

The collective knowledge of the community of practice has been leveraged to develop and implement applied research and public health evaluation of an emerging infectious disease.

engagement infrastructure to control other threats of epidemic potential.

i. Purpose This NOFO seeks to sustain the operations of the vector control unit (VCU) of Puerto Rico to implement activities in vector surveillance, community mobilization and mosquito control to protect the residents of Puerto Rico from vector-borne diseases such as dengue, chikungunya, and Zika. It also promotes the development of a model strategy employing the best practices to effectively suppress Aedes aegypti to low levels that prevent local transmission of arboviruses. It also seeks to provide subject matter support and training support to the USVI Department of Health vector control program through collaboration with the VCU.

ii. Outcomes As depicted in the logic model, the recipient will be expected to show progress on the following outcomes:

Short Term Outcomes (1-2 years):

Mosquito and arbovirus surveillance in high priority areas identified, selected and implemented.

Increased understanding of IR heterogeneity in PR and causes for IR in Ae. aegypti.

Improved understanding of effective mosquito control interventions and expansion to high priority areas.

Expanded collaborations established with regulatory partners, municipal and jurisdiction governments, including those in PR and USVI, academic institutions and others.

Intermediate Outcomes (3-4 years):

Enhanced, adaptation, and implementation by the recipient of best practices for mosquito and arbovirus surveillance while increasing monitoring sites.

Evaluation of effective mosquito control interventions findings are incorporated into the Ae. aegypti mosquito control Program.

Established collaborations with VIDOH.

Long-Term Outcomes (5 years):

Findings from mosquito and arbovirus surveillance sites direct operational control of Ae.

aegypti in PR.

Results from IR surveillance activities are used to produce recommendations for the insecticidal control of Ae. aegypti and management of IR in PR

The Mosquito Control Program makes operational decisions based on data from vector, arbovirus surveillance, and IR testing activities.

Reduction of prevalence, morbidity, and mortality of mosquito-borne diseases in PR as a result of improved detection, response, and personal protective measures.

iii. Strategies and Activities Develop, implement, evaluate, and disseminate findings on mosquitoes and arboviral surveillance in high priority areas, insecticide resistance (IR) and best practices to manage IR in Puerto Rico (PR).

Develop a professional network with Puerto Rico Department of Health (PRDH), CDC, USVI Department of Health (VIDOH), and partners to provide training and resources for mosquito control activities and mosquito-borne diseases.

Develop, implement, and evaluate integrated (traditional and novel) mosquito control programs in high priority areas.

Establish new and continue existing relationships with CDC Centers of Excellence (COEs), Mosquito Control Associations (MCAs), and regulatory partners to facilitate environmental changes required to reduce the source of aquatic habitats of Ae. aegypti.

Develop, implement, and evaluate an educational tool kit and outreach program on mosquito control and personal protective actions against mosquito bites and disease exposure for local organizations and schools.

Leverage the established infrastructure including community engagement, community based surveillance, laboratory surveillance and stakeholder involvement to control other emerging infections of epidemic potential.

1. Collaborations

a. With other CDC programs and CDC-funded organizations:

Recipient should maintain local collaborations with vector control program staff, surveillance staff, CDC-funded health department program staff, and other CDC-funded surveillance or prevention program staff, as appropriate for the successful implementation of strategies.

b. With organizations not funded by CDC:

Recipient is required to build or maintain collaborations with community partners and stakeholders when performing strategies and activities. Community partners and stakeholders may include but are not limited to municipalities, government offices, community based organizations, and environmental groups. As part of these collaborations, recipient should incorporate feedback from community partners and stakeholders into activities. Recipient has the option to collaborate with academic and public health partners with expertise in vector control, surveillance activities and evaluation. Where applicable, recipient should work with local health departments and vector control programs to carry out program strategies and activities. Recipient may convene community advisory boards to assist with planning activities (optional).

2. Target Populations This guidance targets the population and the public health system within the U.S territories in the Caribbean. Funding awarded for vector-borne disease programs is intended to support the needs of jurisdictions impacted by vector-borne diseases and to ensure that they are ready and capable to mitigate the impacts of endemic and new introductions or discoveries of vector-borne diseases.

a. Health Disparities The majority (~92%) of the population at risk for dengue in U.S. states and territories is located in Puerto Rico, with 95% of reported locally-acquired cases from Puerto Rico from 2010-2019.

Limited data is available on dengue burden among different racial/ethnic groups in dengue-endemic regions. Recent evidence gathered by CDC has shown that low-income neighborhoods have larger production of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes that may increase exposure to infection. This NOFO emphasizes mosquito control in urban areas with traditionally high incidence and persistence of dengue and other arboviral diseases. These areas usually have higher human population density and have substandard public services.

iv. Funding Strategy

NA

b. Evaluation and Performance Measurement

i. CDC Evaluation and Performance Measurement Strategy Strategy: Develop, implement, evaluate, and disseminate findings on mosquitoes and arboviral surveillance in high priority areas, insecticide resistance (IR) and best practices to manage IR in Puerto Rico (PR).

Performance measures:

Short-term Outcomes:

Mosquito surveillance dashboard is accessible to relevant public health officials and reports on mosquito abundance are kept up to date. (addresses priority outcome)

Dashboard, database structure and presentation are discussed and approved by CDC SMEs. (addresses priority outcome)

Findings from mosquito surveillance and insecticide resistance testing are entered into Mosquito Net. (addresses priority outcome)

Insecticide resistance testing in major urban areas and municipalities with active adulticiding programs to monitor for the evolution of resistance in Aedes aegypti. (addresses priority outcome)

Recipient defines along with CDC SMEs the selection of sites with historical arbovirus transmission (hotspots) and vulnerable human populations.

Intermediate Outcomes:

Findings from insecticide susceptibility testing are analyzed and recommendations are shared with territorial, municipal, and CDC SMEs on best practices to slow the evolution of insecticide resistance. Reports include recommendations on which adulticides are most effective in killing mosquitoes, and if adulticiding is recommended given current arbovirus transmission. Findings presented on the dashboard twice a year, prior to the start of the wet season and an updated report during peak mosquito season. (addresses priority outcome)

Strategy: Develop a professional network with Puerto Rico Department of Health (PRDOH), CDC, and partners to provide training and resources for mosquito control activities and mosquito-borne diseases.

Performance measures:

Short-term Outcomes:

Recipient develops a training program for vector control workers in collaboration with

CDC.

There is an annual meeting of the vector control association in Puerto Rico for the duration of the project.

Strategy: Develop, implement, and evaluate integrated (traditional and novel) mosquito control programs in high priority areas.

Performance measures:

Short-term Outcomes:

Recipient monitors control program through virologic mosquito surveillance.

Intermediate Outcomes:

Recipient validates entomological outcomes of mosquito control activities. Recipient uses surveillance activities (adult and immature mosquito) to direct mosquito control activities. (addresses priority outcome)

Recipient implements effective interventions through an integrated vector management program and evaluates for reduction in adult mosquito abundance and arbovirus infection. (addresses priority outcome)

Strategy: Establish new and continue existing relationships with CDC Centers of Excellence (COEs), Mosquito Control Associations (MCAs), and regulatory partners to facilitate environmental changes required to reduce the source of aquatic habitats of Ae. aegypti.

Performance measures:

Intermediate Outcomes:

Recipient implements a project in the first 24 months of the cooperative agreement that includes a collaboration with a vector control associations, CDC COEs, governmental and non-governmental organizations, or territorial health department. (addresses priority outcome)

Organization educates local decision makers to inform legislative processes on implementation of traditional and novel vector control strategies.

Strategy: Develop, implement, and evaluate an educational tool kit and outreach program on mosquito control and personal protective actions against mosquito bites and disease exposure for local organizations and schools.

Performance measures:

Short-term Outcomes:

Agreements are established with Department of Education to include mosquito control in the school curriculum.

ii. Applicant Evaluation and Performance Measurement Plan Applicants must provide an evaluation and performance measurement plan that demonstrates how the recipient will fulfill the requirements described in the CDC Evaluation and Performance

Measurement and Project Description sections of this NOFO. At a minimum, the plan must describe:

How the applicant will collect the performance measures, respond to the evaluation questions, and use evaluation findings for continuous program quality improvement.

How key program partners will participate in the evaluation and performance measurement planning processes.

Available data sources, feasibility of collecting appropriate evaluation and performance data, and other relevant data information (e.g., performance measures proposed by the applicant)

Plans for updating the Data Management Plan (DMP) as new pertinent information becomes available. If applicable, throughout the lifecycle of the project. Updates to DMP should be provided in annual progress reports. The DMP should provide a description of the data that will be produced using these NOFO funds; access to data;

data standards ensuring released data have documentation describing methods of collection, what the data represent, and data limitations; and archival and long-term data preservation plans. For more information about CDC’s policy on the DMP, see https://www.cdc.gov/grants/additionalrequirements/ar-25.html.

Where the applicant chooses to, or is expected to, take on specific evaluation studies, the applicant should be directed to:

Describe the type of evaluations (i.e., process, outcome, or both).

Describe key evaluation questions to be addressed by these evaluations.

Describe other information (e.g., measures, data sources).

Recipients will be required to submit a more detailed Evaluation and Performance Measurement plan, including a DMP, if applicable, within the first 6 months of award, as described in the Reporting Section of this NOFO.

The DMP is included in the report table.

c. Organizational Capacity of Recipients to Implement the Approach The applicant must demonstrate the capacity to successfully implement the required strategies and activities and achieve the period of performance outputs and outcomes. Applicant should demonstrate experience administrating public health interventions, conducting surveillance, conducting community engagement strategies and engagement with the media and stakeholders.

Applicant should demonstrate experience and capacity to implement the evaluation plan.

Applicant should also have experience collaborating with local organizations that work with environmental issues and vector control. In addition, applicant should have the capacity to conduct analysis of surveillance data and report findings. Applicant must also be fully capable of financial reporting, budget management and administration. This includes managing the required procurement efforts, including the ability to write and award contracts in accordance with applicable grants regulations. This also includes submitting a budget with resources for all required activities.

https://www.cdc.gov/grants/additionalrequirements/ar-25.html

Applicant should have a clear staffing plan and project management structure to include a principal investigator , project coordinator, field supervisor, data manager/data analyst and sufficient number of field and community staff to conduct the required activities. Please include CVs for key staff or note whether hiring new staff will be required. Please name the file KeyStaffCV and upload as a pdf at www.grants.gov. Please also include an organizational chart and upload it as a PDF at www.grants.gov with the file name: Organizational Chart. Applicant should state whether key staff members have the following capacity and experience:

Principal investigators must be able to assume responsibility for overseeing that program outputs and outcomes are achieved, and that awarded funds are used in compliance with the terms and conditions of this cooperative agreement.

Project coordinators should have considerable knowledge of vector control strategies, surveillance activities, strong leadership and supervisory skills and high attention to detail

Field supervisors should have considerable knowledge of the communities in which the project is conducted and surveillance activities.

d. Work Plan Applicant should include a high-level 5-year work plan with this application. Applicant is expected to submit a more detailed workplan for the first year of the cooperative agreement and yearly work plans thereafter.

A workplan example is included below.

Period of Performance Outcome: from outcome section and/or logic model

Outcome Measure: from Evaluation and Performance Measurement section

Strategies and Activities Process Measures Responsible Position/Party Completion Date 1.

2.

3.

4.

e. CDC Monitoring and Accountability Approach Monitoring activities include routine and ongoing communication between CDC and recipients, site visits, and recipient reporting (including work plans, performance, and financial reporting).

Consistent with applicable grants regulations and policies, CDC expects the following to be included in post-award monitoring for grants and cooperative agreements:

Tracking recipient progress in achieving the desired outcomes.

Ensuring the adequacy of recipient systems that underlie and generate data reports.

Creating an environment that fosters integrity in program performance and results.

Monitoring may also include the following activities deemed necessary to monitor the award:

Ensuring that work plans are feasible based on the budget and consistent with the intent of the award.

Ensuring that recipients are performing at a sufficient level to achieve outcomes within stated timeframes.

Working with recipients on adjusting the work plan based on achievement of outcomes, evaluation results and changing budgets.

Monitoring performance measures (both programmatic and financial) to assure satisfactory performance levels.

Monitoring and reporting activities that assist grants management staff (e.g., grants management officers and specialists, and project officers) in the identification, notification, and management of high-risk recipients.

Recipient is required to collaboratively partner with the CDC program funding this agreement. If the recipient is performing at a less than sufficient level to achieve program activities and outputs within stated timeframes will be placed on a time-phased Corrective Action Plan (CAP) developed by the CDC project officer in collaboration with the recipient. The CAP is a comprehensive tool used to assist recipient to improve program performance through identifying factors contributing to less than sufficient performance and developing specific action steps to address areas in need of improvement.

B. Award Information

1. Funding Instrument Type:

CA (Cooperative Agreement) CDC's substantial involvement in this program appears in the CDC Program Support to Recipients Section.

2. Award Mechanism:

U50 - Special Cooperative Investigations/Assessment of Control/Prevention Methods

3. Fiscal Year:

4. Approximate Total Fiscal Year Funding:

$ 5,000,000

5. Total Period of Performance Funding:

$ 25,000,000 This amount is subject to the availability of funds.

Estimated Total Funding:

$ 25,000,000

6. Total Period of Performance Length:

year(s)

7. Expected Number of Awards:

8. Approximate Average Award:

$ 5,000,000 Per Budget Period

9. Award Ceiling:

$ 5,000,000 Per Budget Period

This amount is subject to the availability of funds.

10. Award Floor:

$ 100,000 Per Budget Period

11. Estimated Award Date:

September 30, 2021

12. Budget Period Length:

12 month(s)

Throughout the project period, CDC will continue the award based on the availability of funds, the 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. The total number of years for which federal support has been approved (project period) will be shown in the “Notice of Award.” This information does not constitute a commitment by the federal government to fund the entire period. The total period of performance comprises the initial competitive segment and any subsequent non-competitive continuation award(s).

13. Direct Assistance Direct Assistance (DA) is available through this NOFO.

The recipient is eligible to apply to host a Public Health Associate Program participant. For more information to this program please visit: CDC - Public Health Associate Program (PHAP).

If you are successful and receive a Notice of Award, in accepting the award, you agree that the award and any activities thereunder are subject to all provisions of 45 CFR part 75, currently in effect or implemented during the period of the award, other Department regulations and policies in effect at the time of the award, and applicable statutory provisions.

C. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants Eligibility Category:

12 (Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education)

2. Additional Information on Eligibility Puerto Rico Science, Technology and Research Trust https://www.cdc.gov/phap/

3. Justification for Less than Maximum Competition The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases (NCEZID), Division of Vector-Borne Diseases (DVBD) provided direct leadership and technical assistance to Puerto Rico during its Zika outbreak response. One of the major outcomes of this response was to develop and provide funding to the Puerto Rico Vector Control Unit (PRVCU) under the Puerto Rico Science, Technology and Research Trust (PRSTRT). PRSTRT occupies a unique niche in the 501(c)(3) environment in Puerto Rico in that it was established in 2004 by the Commonwealth Government to promote innovative science and technology research and development in Puerto Rico. The organization's business structure, financial stability, and administrative systems enables it to start up programs and projects within a short time frame to better impact the local island community.

The government of PR established the PRVCU because PR lacked the capacity to conduct activities necessary for integrated vector management (IVM), community engagement and evaluation of vector control best practices and strategies to effectively mitigate the impact of arboviral diseases on the PR community. This was a multimillion-dollar capacity building investment in PR that has provided major wins for the jurisdiction. For the first time, PR has been able to conduct IVM with state-of-the-art GIS capability, as well as mosquito surveillance.

This improved capacity for surveillance also allows the PRVCU to perform molecular diagnostic tests in mosquitos to identify viruses that might be circulating in the mosquito population. In addition, the PRVCU aided municipalities by increasing accessibility to receiving wide area larvicide spraying. The PRVCU has developed collaborations with a strong and wide number of main municipalities on the island and would benefit from receiving continued funding to maintain these relationships. The PRVCU has also been successful in evaluating novel mosquito control interventions and is getting ready to launch a Wolbachia suppression field trial, where millions of male mosquitos infected with Wolbachia are released, mate with females and the eggs produced never hatch. This is the first trial of this sort that will be conducted in a US jurisdiction where arboviral diseases, such as Zika, dengue and chikungunya, are endemic. The importance of this trial and the impact for this U.S. jurisdiction cannot be overstated. This cutting edge work will also lead to larger impacts on the greater mosquito control community and for translatable, public health work in the contiguous U.S.

Reasons to justify sole source competition: Additionally, the PRVCU has been a successful subcontractor for the National Association of City and County Health Officials (NACCHO) in their work done in the US Virgin Islands as part of the crisis cooperative agreements funded to respond to the 2017 hurricanes, Irma and Maria. As part of this work, the PRVCU has developed a database to track mosquito surveillance, has provided mosquito identification services and will be conducting an evaluation of water cisterns and if they are major sources of mosquitos on the island. The PRVCU has developed a great working relationship with the USVI Department of Health (VIDOH) and is well versed in their needs and capabilities.

The PRSTRT is the only organization that has the capacity in Puerto Rico to conduct IVM and implement novel vector control strategies. It was established to do so by the Governor of Puerto Rico in 2016. The Puerto Rico Department of Health does not have the expertise, administrative capacity nor entomological lab capacity to be able to perform the vector work that is currently being done by the PRVCU. There is no other local organization that can perform vector surveillance or molecular testing in mosquitos. The local exterminating companies do not do mosquito work. The same is true for USVI.

Building this capacity again from zero will be very detrimental to the efforts to control the mosquito that transmits arbovirus diseases. It took a considerable amount of time for the PRVCU to recruit and build up local staffing expertise and capacity and begin performing field activities.

The PRVCU also had to work diligently to develop and nurture relationships with several other PR organizations, such as the Puerto Rico Department of Health, the PR Department of Agriculture, local academic institutions, and many more. They have established a Technical Advisory Board and an Executive Advisory Board. The Trust has a dynamic network of partnerships and extensive connections that include a broad range of private, educational and government organizations with key subject matter experts vital in assembling and managing the VCU. Furthermore, it has demonstrated connection, confidence and experience from local and international experts in vector control management. Losing this connection with and funding for the PRVCU will immensely impact the PR community and will lead to a massive gap in local expertise for these endemic arboviral diseases. Dissolving these important relationships with other PR stakeholders and agencies will be a disservice to the PR community and in DVBD's mission to decrease morbidity and mortality of Vector-Borne diseases in the U.S. and with its territories. We need to maintain support for the PRVCU to ensure that the vector community maintains its readiness to prevent and respond to these endemic arboviral diseases.

4. Cost Sharing or Matching Cost Sharing / Matching Requirement:

No Cost sharing or matching funds are not required for this program. Although there is no statutory matching requirement for this NOFO, leveraging other resources and related ongoing efforts to promote sustainability is strongly encouraged.

5. Maintenance of Effort D. Application and Submission Information

1. Required Registrations An organization must be registered at the three following locations before it can submit an application for funding at www.grants.gov.

a. Data Universal Numbering System:

All applicant organizations must obtain a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number. A DUNS number is a unique nine-digit identification number provided by Dun & Bradstreet (D&B). It will be used as the Universal Identifier when applying for federal awards or cooperative agreements.

The applicant organization may request a DUNS number by telephone at 1-866-705-5711 (toll free) or internet at http:// fedgov.dnb. com/ webform/ displayHomePage.do. The DUNS number will be provided at no charge.

If funds are awarded to an applicant organization that includes sub-recipients, those sub-recipients must provide their DUNS numbers before accepting any funds.

b. System for Award Management (SAM):

http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform/displayHomePage.do

The SAM is the primary registrant database for the federal government and the repository into which an entity must submit information required to conduct business as a recipient. All applicant organizations must register with SAM, and will be assigned a SAM number. All information relevant to the SAM number must be current at all times during which the applicant has an application under consideration for funding by CDC. If an award is made, the SAM information must be maintained until a final financial report is submitted or the final payment is received, whichever is later. The SAM registration process can require 10 or more business days, and registration must be renewed annually. Additional information about registration procedures may be found at https://www.sam.gov/SAM/.

c. Grants.gov:

The first step in submitting an application online is registering your organization at www.grants.gov, the official HHS E-grant Web site. Registration information is located at the "Applicant Registration" option at www.grants.gov.

All applicant organizations must register at www.grants.gov. The one-time registration process usually takes not more than five days to complete. Applicants should start the registration process as early as possible.

Step

System Requirements Duration Follow Up

Data Universal Number System

(DUNS)

1. Click on http:// fedgov.dnb.com/ webform

2. Select Begin DUNS search/request process

3. Select your country or territory and follow the instructions to obtain your DUNS 9-digit #

4. Request appropriate staff member(s) to obtain DUNS number, verify & update information under DUNS number

1-2 Business Days

To confirm that you have been issued a new DUNS number check online at (http:// fedgov.dnb.com/ webform) or call 1-866-705-

System for Award Management

(SAM)

formerly Central Contractor Registration

(CCR)

1. Retrieve organizations DUNS number

2. Go to https://www.sam.gov/SAM/ and designate an E-Biz POC (note CCR username will not work in SAM and you will need to have an active SAM account before you can register on grants.gov)

3-5 Business Days but up to 2 weeks and must be renewed once a year

For SAM Customer Service Contact https://fs d.gov/ fsd-gov/ home.do Calls: 86 6-606-8220

3 Grants.gov

1. Set up an individual account in Grants.gov using organization new DUNS number to become an authorized

Same day but can take 8 weeks to be fully registered and approved in the system (note, Register early!

Log into grants.gov and check AOR status https://www.sam.gov/SAM/ https://grants.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/ http://www.grants.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/ http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform https://www.sam.gov/SAM/ https://fsd.gov/fsd-gov/home.do https://fsd.gov/fsd-gov/home.do https://fsd.gov/fsd-gov/home.do organization representative

(AOR)

2. Once the account is set up the E-BIZ POC will be notified via email

3. Log into grants.gov using the password the E-BIZ POC received and create new password

4. This authorizes the AOR to submit applications on behalf of the organization applicants MUST obtain a DUNS number and SAM account before applying on grants.gov) until it shows you have been approved

2. Request Application Package Applicants may access the application package at www.grants.gov.

3. Application Package Applicants must download the SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance, package associated with this notice of funding opportunity at www.grants.gov.

4. Submission Dates and Times If the application is not submitted by the deadline published in the NOFO, it will not be processed. Office of Grants Services (OGS) personnel will notify the applicant that their application did not meet the deadline. The applicant must receive pre-approval to submit a paper application (see Other Submission Requirements section for additional details). If the applicant is authorized to submit a paper application, it must be received by the deadline provided by OGS.

a. Letter of Intent Deadline (must be emailed or postmarked by)

b. Application Deadline

Due Date for Applications 05/07/2021

05/07/2021 11:59 pm U.S. Eastern Standard Time, at www.grants.gov. If Grants.gov is inoperable and cannot receive applications, and circumstances preclude advance notification of an extension, then applications must be submitted by the first business day on which grants.gov operations resume.

N/A

Due Date for Information Conference Call N/A

5. Pre-Award Assessments Risk Assessment Questionnaire Requirement

CDC is required to conduct pre-award risk assessments to determine the risk an applicant poses to meeting federal programmatic and administrative requirements by taking into account issues such as financial instability, insufficient management systems, non-compliance with award conditions, the charging of unallowable costs, and inexperience. The risk assessment will include https://www.grants.gov/ an evaluation of the applicant’s CDC Risk Questionnaire, located at https://www.cdc.gov/grants/documents/PPMR-G-CDC-Risk-Questionnaire.pdf, as well as a review of the applicant’s history in all available systems; including OMB-designated repositories of government-wide eligibility and financial integrity systems (see 45 CFR 75.205(a)), and other sources of historical information. These systems include, but are not limited to: FAPIIS (https://www.fapiis.gov/), including past performance on federal contracts as per Duncan Hunter National Defense Authorization Act of 2009; Do Not Pay list; and System for Award Management (SAM) exclusions.

CDC requires all applicants to complete the Risk Questionnaire, OMB Control Number 0920- 1132 annually. This questionnaire, which is located at https://www.cdc.gov/grants/documents/PPMR-G-CDC-Risk-Questionnaire.pdf, along with supporting documentation must be submitted with your application by the closing date of the Notice of Funding Opportunity Announcement. If your organization has completed CDC’s Risk Questionnaire within the past 12 months of the closing date of this NOFO, then you must submit a copy of that questionnaire, or submit a letter signed by the authorized organization representative to include the original submission date, organization’s EIN and DUNS.

When uploading supporting documentation for the Risk Questionnaire into this application package, clearly label the documents for easy identification of the type of documentation. For example, a copy of Procurement policy submitted in response to the questionnaire may be labeled using the following format: Risk Questionnaire Supporting Documents _ Procurement Policy.

Duplication of Efforts

Applicants are responsible for reporting if this application will result in programmatic, budgetary, or commitment overlap with another application or award (i.e. grant, cooperative agreement, or contract) submitted to another funding source in the same fiscal year. Programmatic overlap occurs when (1) substantially the same project is proposed in more than one application or is submitted to two or more funding sources for review and funding consideration or (2) a specific objective and the project design for accomplishing the objective are the same or closely related in two or more applications or awards, regardless of the funding source. Budgetary overlap occurs when duplicate or equivalent budgetary items (e.g., equipment, salaries) are requested in an application but already are provided by another source. Commitment overlap occurs when an individual’s time commitment exceeds 100 percent, whether or not salary support is requested in the application.