Foa_Content_of_CDC-RFA-PW-24-0080 (1).pdf

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

National Center for STLT Public Health Infrastructure and Workforce

Strengthening Public Health Systems and Services through National Partnerships to Improve and Protect the Nation's Health

CDC-RFA-PW-24-0080

04/01/2024

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- PW-24-0080. 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:

Strengthening Public Health Systems and Services through National Partnerships to Improve and Protect the Nation's Health

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 purposes of this NOFO, research is defined as set forth in 45 CFR 75.2 and, for further clarity, as set forth in 42 CFR 52.2 (see eCFR :: 45 CFR 75.2 -- Definitions and https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CFR-2007-title42-vol1/pdf/CFR- 2007-title42-vol1-sec52-2.pdf. In addition, for purposes of research involving human subjects and available exceptions for public health activities, please see 45 CFR 46.102(l) (https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/subtitle-A/subchapter-A/part-46/subpart-A/section- 46.102#p-46.102(l)).

D. Agency Notice of Funding Opportunity Number:

CDC-RFA-PW-24-0080

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.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/subtitle-A/subchapter-A/part-46/subpart-A/section-46.102#p-46.102(l) https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/subtitle-A/subchapter-A/part-46/subpart-A/section-46.102#p-46.102(l)

E. Assistance Listings Number:

93.421

F. Dates:

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

03/13/2024

2. Due Date for Applications:

04/01/2024 11:59 p.m. U.S. Eastern Standard Time, at www.grants.gov.

3. Due Date for Informational Conference Call:

The Informational Conference Calls will be held Tuesday, March 5, 2024, 10-11:30am ET and Wednesday, March 6, 2024, 4:30-6pm ET. Use one of the following links to register for either call:

• March 5 call registration:

https://cdc.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_O10L6mACSjmBmPrBgT1F2Q#/registr ation

• March 6 call registration:

https://cdc.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_lPRm2SKlT7qZionAeJotog#/registration

To facilitate appropriate timely responses, CDC encourages proactive written inquiries concerning this announcement to be submitted prior to the Informational Conference Calls. Due to the volume and variety of questions anticipated during the Informational Conference Calls, applicants are encouraged to submit questions to NationalPartnersCoAg@cdc.gov or via the Informational Conference Call registration link by Thursday, February 22, 2024.

G. Executive Summary:

1. Summary Paragraph The public health system represents a complex and broad range of agencies, organizations, and individuals in which each plays a significant role in affecting the health of the nation. The purpose of this NOFO is to announce a capacity-building assistance (CBA) program to improve the overall performance of the public health system. Key program outcomes are to improve organizational and systems infrastructure and performance across the public health system to improve health outcomes and reduce health inequities. The program will fund organizations with demonstrated capability, expertise, resources, national reach, and a track record of providing CBA. CBA is defined as the activities that strengthen and maintain the necessary structures, systems, processes, and competencies to more effectively and efficiently operate and sustain programs or ensure organizational strength. Under this mechanism, CBA should be delivered through technical assistance, training, information sharing, technology transfer or materials development. Recipients are expected to provide CBA in the following areas: organizational capacity and performance improvement; workforce; data modernization, informatics and information technology; partnership development and engagement; and policy and programs.

CDC and recipients will evaluate and measure completion of activities and demonstrate achievement of program outcomes. The CBA program has a two-part funding strategy-this NOFO details the first funding strategy.

https://www.grants.gov/ https://cdc.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_O10L6mACSjmBmPrBgT1F2Q#/registration https://cdc.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_O10L6mACSjmBmPrBgT1F2Q#/registration https://cdc.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_lPRm2SKlT7qZionAeJotog#/registration mailto:NationalPartnersCoAg@cdc.gov

a. Eligible Applicants:

Open Competition

b. Funding Instrument Type:

CA (Cooperative Agreement)

c. Approximate Number of Awards Up to 45 organizations will be funded under the NOFO. The expected number of awards will vary by population of focus category. Estimated number per category are listed below. Final awards by category depends on outcomes of the Phase II and Phase III reviews.

Category A: 6 awards Category B: 16 awards Category C: 23 awards

d. Total Period of Performance Funding:

$62,000,000 Funding amounts reflected throughout this NOFO represent approximate funding provided by the Public Health Infrastructure Center (PHIC) for Funding Strategy 1. Additional funding from other CDC centers, institutes, and offices (CIOs) may be available under Funding Strategy 2.

e. Average One Year Award Amount:

$200,000 Estimated average award for Funding Strategy 1 will vary by population of focus category as outlined below.

Category A: $500,000 Category B: $300,000 Category C: $200,000

f. Total Period of Performance Length:

5 year(s)

g. Estimated Award Date:

August 01, 2024

h. Cost Sharing and / or Matching Requirements:

No Cost sharing or matching funds are not required for this program. Although no statutory matching requirement for this NOFO exists, 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 This program’s intent is to address persistent public health challenges such as underfunding, fragmented programs, workforce declines, health disparities and inequities, and emerging health threats that continue to strain today’s public health capacity, resources, and impact. Decades of research and numerous landmark national reports highlight the continued need for critical investments strengthening public health infrastructure. These include three Institute of Medicine (now the National Academy of Medicine) reports, The Future of Public Health (1988), The Future of the Public's Health in the 21st Century (2003), and For the Public’s Health: Investing in a Healthier Future (2012); the National Academy of Science’s Emerging Stronger from COVID-19: Priorities for Health System Transformation (2022), Trust for America’s Health’s The Impact of Chronic Underfunding on America’s Public Health System: Trends, Risks, and Recommendations (2023), the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology’s Supporting the U.S. Public Health Workforce, the Bipartisan Policy Center’s Public Health Forward: Modernizing the U.S. Public Health System, and The Commonwealth Fund’s Meeting America’s Public Health Challenge. In addition, national initiatives such as Healthy People 2030, Public Health 3.0: A Call to Action to Create a 21st Century Public Health Infrastructure, the Essential Public Health Services (EPHS) framework, and the Foundational Public Health Services (FPHS) framework address these critical public health imperatives. The public health system represents a complex and broad range of agencies, organizations, and individuals in which each plays a significant role in affecting the health of populations. The COVID-19 pandemic reiterated the importance of partnerships to fill key gaps, expand public health services, promote equity, innovate, and protect the nation’s health.

The purpose of this NOFO is to announce a capacity-building assistance (CBA) program to improve the overall performance of the public health system. The cooperative agreement will fund organizations with demonstrated capability, expertise, resources, national reach, and a track record of providing CBA. Program outcomes are to improve organizational and systems infrastructure and performance across the public health system to ultimately improve health outcomes and reduce health inequities. Applicants must address CBA needs for a population of focus in one of three population categories: A) Governmental Public Health Departments; B) Workforce Segments in Governmental Public Health Departments; or C) Public Health System Components.

The CBA program has a two-part funding strategy—this NOFO details the first funding strategy.

Under the second funding strategy, supplemental projects may be announced annually during the performance period. These supplemental projects are for successful applicants (recipients) of CDC-RFA-PW-24-0080 (funding strategy 1) and are subject to the availability of funds and agency priorities. The supplemental projects will be detailed in supplements to CDC-RFA-PW- 24-0080 and published for recipients of funding strategy 1 to submit work plans and budgets.

b. Statutory Authorities

• Sections 317(k)(2) and 307 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. Sections 242(1) and 247b(k)), as amended

• Sections 4002 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act

c. Healthy People 2030 Work funded under this mechanism supports Healthy People 2030 objectives that align with the following:

• Public Health Infrastructure

• Health Care Access and Quality https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK218218/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK221239/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK221239/ https://nap.nationalacademies.org/read/13268/chapter/1 https://nap.nationalacademies.org/read/13268/chapter/1 https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/26657/emerging-stronger-from-covid-19-priorities-for-health-system-transformation https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/26657/emerging-stronger-from-covid-19-priorities-for-health-system-transformation https://www.tfah.org/report-details/funding-2023/ https://www.tfah.org/report-details/funding-2023/ https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/PCAST_Public-Health-Report_May2023.pdf https://bipartisanpolicy.org/download/?file=/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/BPC_Public-Health-Forward_R01_WEB.pdf https://bipartisanpolicy.org/download/?file=/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/BPC_Public-Health-Forward_R01_WEB.pdf https://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/fund-reports/2022/jun/meeting-americas-public-health-challenge https://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/fund-reports/2022/jun/meeting-americas-public-health-challenge https://health.gov/healthypeople https://health.gov/healthypeople https://www.cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2017/17_0017.htm https://www.cdc.gov/publichealthgateway/publichealthservices/essentialhealthservices.html https://phaboard.org/center-for-innovation/public-health-frameworks/the-foundational-public-health-services/ https://phaboard.org/center-for-innovation/public-health-frameworks/the-foundational-public-health-services/ https://health.gov/healthypeople/objectives-and-data/browse-objectives/public-health-infrastructure https://health.gov/healthypeople/objectives-and-data/browse-objectives/health-care-access-and-quality

• Health IT

• Workforce

• Health Communication

• Health Policy

d. Other National Public Health Priorities and Strategies This program addresses the following national public health priorities and strategies:

• National Voluntary Accreditation for Public Health Departments

• National Health Security Strategy and Implementation Plan

• National Stakeholder Strategy for Achieving Health Equity

• HHS Strategic Plan FY 2022–2026

• HHS Health Workforce Strategic Plan

• 2022-2027 CDC Strategic Plan

e. Relevant Work CDC has previously collaborated with national, nonprofit organizations to coordinate wide-ranging public health initiatives and priorities, and to provide CBA to an array of public health stakeholders under CDC-RFA-HM08-805, CDC RFA-OT13-1302, CDC-RFA-OT16-1601, CDC-RFA-OT18-1802, CDC-RFA-OT18-1803, and CDC-RFA-OT21-2101.

2. CDC Project Description

a. Approach

Bold indicates period of performance outcome.

TITLE: Strengthening Public Health systems and Services through National Partnerships to Improve and Protect the Nation’s Health

Strategies and Activities Short-term Outcomes

Intermediate Outcomes

Long-Term Outcomes

Capacity-building assistance (CBA) providers will:

• Support the CBA* needs of the populations of focus** related to the following strategic areas:

o Organizational Capacity and Performance Improvement o Workforce o Data modernization, Informatics, and

Development and implementation of quality CBA services and products will result in:

Increased availability of and access to CBA services and products that address the strategic areas

Use of CBA services and products will result in:

awareness and understanding of recommended processes, policies, programs, and practices within the strategic areas

Implementation of processes, policies, programs, and practices will result in:

Improved organizational and systems capacity and capability to address equity https://health.gov/healthypeople/objectives-and-data/browse-objectives/health-it https://health.gov/healthypeople/objectives-and-data/browse-objectives/workforce https://health.gov/healthypeople/objectives-and-data/browse-objectives/health-communication https://health.gov/healthypeople/objectives-and-data/browse-objectives/health-policy https://www.cdc.gov/publichealthgateway/accreditation/ https://aspr.hhs.gov/ResponseOperations/legal/NHSS/Pages/default.aspx https://www.phdmc.org/program-documents/healthy-lifestyles/dche/64-achieving-health-equity/file https://www.hhs.gov/about/strategic-plan/2022-2026/index.html https://bhw.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/bureau-health-workforce/about-us/hhs-health-workforce-strategic-plan-2021.pdf https://www.cdc.gov/about/strategic-plan/index.html

i. Purpose The purpose of this NOFO is to announce a capacity-building assistance (CBA) program to improve the overall performance of the public health system.

ii. Outcomes During the period of performance, recipients are expected to carry out the activities to achieve the program outcomes among the populations of focus as noted in the logic model and document additional outcomes accomplished. Applicants should identify at least one of the following outcomes they plan to achieve:

• Increased availability of and access to CBA services and products that address the strategic areas

• Increased awareness of best/promising practices and/or tools by populations of focus of CBA services and products

• Increased use of CBA services and products by populations of focus

• Increased awareness and understanding of recommended processes, policies, programs, and practices within the strategic areas

• Enhanced skill and ability to support decision-making toward applying recommended processes, policies, programs, and practices within the strategic areas

• Increased implementation and sharing of recommended processes, policies, programs, and practices within the strategic areas

iii. Strategies and Activities Recipients are expected to provide capacity-building assistance through this program to a specific population of focus. Applicants should select the population of focus category and

Information Technology o Partnership Development and Engagement o Policy and Programs

*CBA services and products may include, but not be limited to, technical assistance, training, information sharing, technology transfer, and/or materials development

**For a description of the population of focus, see section 2

Increased awareness of best/promising practices and/or tools by populations of focus of CBA services and products

Increased use of CBA services and products by populations of focus

Enhanced skill and ability to support decision-making toward processes, policies, programs, and practices within the strategic areas implementation and sharing of recommended processes, policies, programs, and practices within the strategic areas focused public health priorities

Improved effectiveness of organizational and systems infrastructure and performance

Improved health outcomes and reduced health inequities population of focus whose capacity will be built as a result of funding. Populations of focus are organized into three categories as outlined in the “population(s) of focus” section of this NOFO.

The applicant should address work to be done in the 5 strategic areas (and related activities) as outlined in strategies and activities column of the logic model. Within the project narrative submitted, applicants must clearly identify and address one or more of the strategic areas, as they describe the CBA to be provided to their selected population of focus. The activities listed below serve as examples and the lists are not exhaustive. Applicants should propose activities based on priority needs of the selected population of focus and the applicant’s organizational capacity and experience to address those needs. Recipients of this funding are expected to complement and leverage, but not duplicate, activities and funding from other federal awards.

1. Organizational Capacity and Performance Improvement – Activities to improve and strengthen capacities that are needed for stronger agency infrastructure and to support basic public health protections. CBA provided may address needs, such as:

o Strengthening organizational capacity and competencies (i.e., human resources, financial management) o Prioritizing and implementing diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility within the organization, including support for organizational policies and practices to strengthen health equity o Supporting communications efforts, including communications planning, risk communication, social marketing, public information officer support, etc.

o Using and implementing quality improvement, performance management, accreditation, and strategic planning o Supporting change management and efforts to sustain, improve, or modify organizational structures or processes to meet needs or address efficiencies, including restructuring and cross-jurisdictional sharing.

2. Workforce – Activities to develop and maintain a diverse workforce within the public health system with cross-cutting skills and competencies. CBA provided may address needs, such as:

o Recruiting, developing, and retaining qualified workers (building and sustaining the workforce) o Identifying and assessing workforce gaps, training, and education needs o Developing and ensuring access to quality training and education that addresses identified needs.

o Developing and facilitating use of standards, competencies, and best practices for public health training and workforce development programs.

o Implementing culturally-appropriate, evidence-based, or evidence-informed strategies to develop and sustain supportive work environments.

3. Data Modernization, Informatics, and information technology – Activities to develop and deploy scalable, responsive and sustainable technologies, policies, and methods to implement high-quality data and analytical capabilities to support the Essential Public Health Services (EPHS). CBA provided may address needs, such as:

o Enhancing the use and capabilities of informatics in public health o Collecting, accessing, analyzing, interpreting, and using data from a variety of sources to guide public health planning and decision-making o Developing and carrying out processes to manage data modernization activities that are step-wise, adaptive, and oriented to the overall success of organizations o Identifying and reporting current capacity, gaps, and opportunities to modernize data systems and infrastructure

4. Partnership Development and Engagement – Activities to improve development and maintenance of results-driven partnerships at various levels. CBA provided may address needs, such as:

o Conducting health assessment and improvement planning to address specific public health issues, population health needs, and determinants of health o Engaging with community populations, partners, and multiple sectors (transportation agencies, academic institutions, law enforcement, healthcare and others) in identifying and addressing health problems through collaborative processes o Establishing and maintaining trust with community members and populations most impacted by key public health decision-making o Engaging community members and populations using community-driven, culturally-informed approaches to improve health outcomes o Identifying successful practices and developing new mechanisms to inform, mobilize, and engage the public and private sectors in collaborative efforts

5. Policy and Programs— Activities to develop, improve, and use evidence-based and promising practices in policies, processes, and programs aimed at improving the health of the community, addressing disparities, and increasing equity. CBA provided may address needs, such as:

o Developing, implementing, scaling up, maintaining, and evaluating programs, policies, and processes to support prevention and wellness.

o Engaging community populations, partners, and multiple sectors in activities that contribute to informing, evaluating, and providing evidence related to programs, laws, and policies that affect public health.

o Developing and supporting tools and technical assistance to equitably advance evidence-based or evidence-informed laws, policy, and programs.

o Facilitating knowledge and adoption of evidence-based and evidence-informed policy, programs, and initiatives.

o Identifying and promoting innovations and models of excellence that can contribute to new approaches.

1. Collaborations

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

Once awarded, recipients will collaborate with CIOs to ensure activities and funding do not duplicate work but instead are coordinated with and complementary to efforts supported under other CDC programs. Additionally, collaboration across the CDC CIOs is anticipated to improve program guidance, implementation, and evaluation. Recipients will also collaborate with other CDC-funded public health partners and CDC to identify and address emerging CBA needs.

Opportunities to collaborate with other CDC programs and CDC-funded organizations are numerous and will vary within and across the individual projects funded within a recipient’s portfolio under this program. Recipients will be expected to communicate and coordinate with one another, as appropriate, to leverage reach of CBA activities (e.g., sharing materials developed with award dollars, partnering with each other to broaden reach of trainings).

Applicants should propose how their collaborations with other CDC programs and organizations or entities, including American Indian and Alaska Native tribes, funded by CDC to implement activities will achieve the NOFO outcomes. The application should identify potential collaborators and demonstrate commitment from these organizations or entities, including American Indian and Alaska Native tribes, to collaborate with the applicant. Documentation may include letters of support. Applicants should also propose how they collaborate with other organizations or entities funded under this mechanism once awards are issued. Such collaborations should be used to increase reach and impact of program activities.

Where appropriate, applications should demonstrate commitment to collaborate with organizations or entities that will help them achieve the proposed outcomes, including recognition of tribal sovereignty and self-determination for tribal governments.

b. With organizations not funded by CDC:

Recipients will be encouraged to build and sustain partnerships and collaborations with organizations that have a role in implementing this program's strategies and activities and achieving the expected outcomes. Opportunities for recipients to collaborate with organizations and entities, including American Indian and Alaska Native tribes, are likely numerous and should be pursued based on the specific work funded. Collaborations should support implementation of program activities and those related to needs of the population of focus.

Applications should demonstrate commitment to collaborate with organizations and entities, including American Indian and Alaska Native tribes, that will help them achieve the proposed outcomes. This may include collaborating with organizations that 1) have experience or expertise with the selected population of focus or 2) those with expertise in a specific strategic area.

Applicants should explain how each collaboration will assist the recipient in implementing activities and achieving the NOFO outcomes.

2. Population(s) of Focus For the purposes of this program, population(s) of focus refer to the state, tribal, local, or territorial health departments, health department workforce, and for profit, public, and voluntary organizations and their staff that make up the public health system. This NOFO organizes those groups into three specific and distinct population of focus categories. Applicants must indicate which category and single population of focus they plan to serve, if funded. This cooperative agreement is not intended to provide direct prevention or clinical services to specific communities of individuals. Recipients must deliver CBA to only one population of focus in one of the following three categories outlined in this section.

Categories A and B address the CBA needs of governmental public health departments.

• Category A: Governmental Public Health Departments - Meets the priority organizational-level CBA needs of one of the following health department types: state, tribal, local, or territorial, and may include subsets of these health department types that are geographic in nature (e.g., rural areas, urban areas, big cities). Organizational-level includes, but is not limited to, business processes, system design, strategic planning, resource management, agency leadership, and governance.

• Category B: Workforce Segments in Governmental Public Health Departments - Meets the priority CBA needs of one workforce segments across two or more health department types (state, tribal, local and territorial). Workforce segments can include, but are not limited to, epidemiologists, chronic disease specialists, public health lawyers, environmentalists, informaticians, data scientists, public health nurses, physicians in health departments, and nutritionists.

Category C addresses the CBA needs outside of Governmental public health departments.

• Category C: Public Health System Components – Meets the priority CBA needs of one type of organization type or workforce outside of governmental public health system, including other sectors that support public health. Public health system components include, but are not limited to, community-based organizations, community health centers, primary care providers, hospitals, elected officials, education organizations, social action organizations, and public safety agencies.

Applicants may submit up to two stand-alone applications. Each application must identify one category and one population of focus within that category. If two applications are submitted, each application must identify a distinct category and population of focus. For example, an organization could submit two applications for populations of focus within Category A to include one for state health departments and one for tribal health departments. Or an applicant could submit two applications to include one from Category A for territorial health departments and one from Category C for community health centers.

All applications must include a "Project Title" on line 15 of the SF-424. The project title must represent the Population of Focus Category and the Population of Focus. Use the following naming convention for the Project Title and enter it on line 15 of the SF-424: "Population of Focus Category: Population of Focus." For example: "Category A: Tribal Health Departments."

If an applicant submits two applications for the same population of focus, the last submission will be reviewed, and applications submitted earlier will be deemed non-responsive.

This NOFO, including funding and eligibility, is not limited based on, and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, disability, age, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation, and pregnancy) or other constitutionally protected statuses.

a. Health Disparities The goal of health equity is for everyone to have a fair and just opportunity to attain their highest level of health. Achieving this requires focused and ongoing societal efforts to address historical and contemporary injustices; overcome economic, social, and other obstacles to health and healthcare; and eliminate preventable health disparities.

Broadly defined, social determinants of health are non-medical factors that influence health outcomes. They are the conditions in which people are born, grow, work, live, and age, and the wider set of forces and systems shaping the conditions of daily life. These forces (e.g., racism, climate) and systems include economic policies and systems, development agendas, social norms, social policies, and political systems. See content below and in other sections (e.g., Approach, Collaborations, Populations of Focus) for information on how this specific NOFO affects social determinants of health.

A health disparity is a preventable difference in the burden of disease, injury, violence, or opportunities to achieve optimal health that are experienced by populations that have been socially, economically, geographically, and environmentally disadvantaged. Health disparities are inextricably linked to a complex blend of social determinants that influence which populations are most disproportionately affected by these diseases and conditions.

An enhanced public health system supported by this program should support effectively addressing social determinants of health (SDOH) and health disparities (www.cdc.gov/about/sdoh/index.html). Applicants are strongly encouraged to describe how their CBA activities will improve the population of focus's ability to effectively address SDOH, reduce health disparities, and achieve health equity.

iv. Funding Strategy The program will use a two-part funding strategy. This NOFO details application requirements for Funding Strategy 1 and provides high-level information for Funding Strategy 2.

• Funding Strategy 1: Initial Funding –Applicants are permitted to submit no more than two stand-alone applications. Responsive applications submitted under this funding opportunity will be reviewed objectively as described in the Review and Selection Process section of this NOFO. Awards under Funding Strategy 1 will support building capacities and capabilities of the selected population of focus in the strategic areas outlined in the program logic model. The applications from each population of focus category will be reviewed as a group. Funding awarded under this strategy will support activities outlined in the initial application. Applicants awarded funding under this NOFO will be eligible for supplemental funding under Funding Strategy 2.

• Funding Strategy 2: Project Plans – The second funding strategy is subject to the availability of appropriated funds and agency priorities. Recipients of Funding Strategy 1 will be eligible to apply for additional funding under Funding Strategy 2. Under Funding Strategy 2, CDC will post supplemental projects, referred to as Project Plans, according to populations of focus. In year 1, the projects will be included in a NOFO supplement to CDC-RFA-PW-24-0080. Organizations will submit “Work Plans in Response to Project Plans” and budgets that align with the population of focus category and selected population of focus ONLY for which they were awarded funding under Funding Strategy

1. Applications received that do not align with the population of focus of initial award will be deemed non-responsive and will not be considered. The Funding Strategy 2 Project Plan process is anticipated to occur once per year during period of performance.

Each supplement will include guidance for the process to submit the “Work Plan in Response to Project Plan” and budget.

b. Evaluation and Performance Measurement

i. CDC Evaluation and Performance Measurement Strategy

CDC will implement an evaluation and performance measurement strategy to assess the extent to which planned activities are completed successfully and demonstrate achievement of program outcomes. CDC will use evaluation findings to ensure continuous program quality improvement and inform decisions about future programmatic efforts. The CDC strategy for evaluating recipient and program performance will be consistent with the logic model. CDC may use various forms of data for evaluation efforts, such as annual progress reports, performance http://www.cdc.gov/about/sdoh/index.html measures, and evaluations. To the greatest extent possible, administrative data will be used to limit burden of data collection efforts and use existing data in new ways.

Within the first six months of the award, CDC will collaborate with recipients to finalize an evaluation plan to assess the effectiveness of the overall program, including the reach of CBA and program outcomes and accomplishments. In addition, CDC will work with recipients on establishing program performance measures that will consider both process (e.g., number of CBA services and products developed and delivered) and outcome measures (e.g., distribution of agencies who participate in CBA). CDC will provide guidance and a template for reporting on the agreed upon performance measures.

A Data Management Plan (DMP) will be required where a recipient’s awarded project(s) involve the collection or generation of public health data. Applicants must provide a statement of commitment to provide a DMP post-award. CDC will work with recipients to address DMP requirements, including submission process, within the first six months of the award.

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 applicant will collect the performance measures, respond to the evaluation questions, and use evaluation findings for continuous program quality improvement, including, as applicable to the award, how findings will contribute to reducing or eliminating health disparities and inequities.

• 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).

• How evaluation findings will be disseminated to communities and populations of interest in a manner that is suitable to their needs.

• 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/additional-requirements/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.

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

• 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.

c. Organizational Capacity of Recipients to Implement the Approach The organizational capacity section of the application provides an opportunity for applicants to demonstrate their ability to execute this CBA program's strategic areas and activities and achieve its outcomes. As previously mentioned, this NOFO is designed to fund a group of organizations that have the knowledge, experience, expertise, and national reach necessary to provide CBA services effectively and efficiently to governmental health departments, their workforce, and components of the public health system. CDC encourages applicants to describe their organizational capacity to 1) provide CBA as proposed for year 1 of the budget period and 2) manage and execute on new supplemental projects that may become available in funding strategy 2 to build capacity of the applicant’s selected population of focus. Funding awarded under this mechanism should not be used primarily to build general capacity of the recipient organization. Awards may be used to support recipient needs to implement a funded project.

Communications, Information Systems: Applicants must describe their capacity and expertise in using various forms of communication to provide CBA services, including, but not limited to virtual platforms, media support, project monitoring and reporting, cultural and linguistic translation, graphics, and writing. Applicants should describe infrastructure (e.g., operational capacity, equipment, and physical space), information and data systems, electronic information and communication systems, and workforce capacity and competence to execute the award.

Current and Recent Programs: Applicants must demonstrate adequate expertise in program planning, program implementation, performance monitoring, and program evaluation as they relate to the strategic areas, activities, and outcomes. Expertise in these areas should be demonstrated in descriptions of current or recent programs designed, implemented, and evaluated by the applicant, including those funded by a CDC grant, cooperative agreement, or contract award. For CDC-funded programs, include the NOFO or contract number, population of focus, type of CBA provided and delivery method, and outcomes achieved. When describing current and recent programs, applicants must also demonstrate adequate capacity and experience necessary to develop and implement programs that have a national reach. For the purposes of this program, national reach is the extent to which current and recent programs cover the 10 HHS regions. Descriptions of current and recent programs should include the program reach and mode of delivery.

Staffing: Applicants must demonstrate adequate capacity and expertise in personnel management and program staffing. Program staffing includes the ability to recruit and hire for general staff expansion and specialized expertise. A staffing capacity and program management structure might be illustrated by submitting organizational charts, job descriptions, CVs/resumes, and staffing plans that clearly define staff roles and expertise as they relate to the activities and outcomes. Compile staffing documentation into a single PDF file titled “Staffing Documentation” and upload to www.grants.gov under “Other Attachment Forms.”

Procurement Activities: Applicants must demonstrate expertise in writing, negotiating, awarding, and executing contracts and consulting agreements as they relate to individual projects funded http://www.grants.gov under this program. Applicants must also demonstrate expertise in financial reporting, budget management and budget administration. Applicants must be fully capable of managing the required deliverables in accordance with 45 CFR Part 75. Applicants must submit a CV/resume for staff who will be involved in procurement activities and describe the organization’s capacity to execute contracts and consulting agreements. Include staff resumes in the “Staffing Documentation” upload referenced above.

Partnerships: Applicants must demonstrate expertise in developing and maintaining partnerships and collaborations by submitting letters of support from other organizations and tribes (if applicable) that will be engaged while completing CBA activities. The letters of support should be submitted on the supporting organization’s letterhead and include a statement indicating support for the applicant’s work plan for CDC-RFA-PW-24-0080, length of partnership, and overview of existing collaborations and results. Compile letters of support into a single PDF file titled “Letters of Support” and upload to www.grants.gov under “Other Attachment Forms.”

Relationship with Population of Focus: Applicants must also describe the nature of their relationship with the population of focus and history (including number of years) of serving or working with the population of focus on CBA selected for this cooperative agreement to include the content, format and results of the CBA provided. If applicants submit letters of support from members of the population of focus and related collaborators, the letters should outline the population of focus’s interest in the CBA services to be provided, the current relationship with the applicant, and previous examples of CBA received from the applicant. Compile letters of support from members of the population of focus as a single PDF file titled “Population of Focus LOS” and upload to www.grants.gov under “Other Attachment Forms.”

Affiliate Organizations: If applicable, applicants must provide a description of all affiliate organizations. Affiliates are subsidiary or subordinate organizations that are officially connected to the applicant organization. The description of affiliated organizations should include the name(s) and the affiliate’s public health-related area of expertise. Applicants must also submit evidence, such as bylaws, signed board resolution, or other official documentation of guiding principles that recognize the affiliate organizations and their relationship with the applicant.

Compile documentation into a single PDF file titled “Affiliate Organizations” and upload to www.grants.gov under “Other Attachment Forms.”

As illustrated in the Review and Selection Process section of this NOFO, the Organizational Capacity of Applicants to Implement the Approach will be weighed heavily during the Objective Review process. Applicants are strongly encouraged to address all areas of capacity mentioned in this section.

d. Work Plan Each application includes 1 work plan developed based on the established Floor Award Amount for Categories A ($500,000), B ($300,000), and C ($200,000) to complete activities within 1 year. Applications submitted above the Floor Award Amount for the selected Population of Focus Category will be considered non-responsive and will not be considered for funding. Applicants should submit a two-part work plan.

The first is a high-level work plan narrative describing how the 5 years of funding will be carried out, and should include:

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/subtitle-A/subchapter-A/part-75 http://www.grants.gov

• Intended outcomes to be achieved by the end of the five-year period of performance.

• Intended strategic area(s), activities, and outputs to be achieved by the end of the five-year period of performance.

The second (and more detailed) part of the work plan to be submitted relates to the first year of the period of performance and receipt of the floor award amount. Applicants must present a detailed plan as to how they will carry out all year one activities. For year one, the work plan should address:

• Intended strategic area(s) and activities that correspond with the selected outcomes

• Description of the process measures for the strategic area and activities

• Description of responsible position/party to support implementation of the project

• Provision of completion date for each outcome measure

• Estimated cost per strategic area (not to exceed floor award for the selected category)

The work plan format presented below shows how a traditional work plan aligns with the program’s logic model and approach as presented earlier. Applicants are encouraged to use the table below for the first-year activities. Applicants are not required to use the table provided but must include all the information noted in the table as part of the work plan. In this format, the table would be completed for the budget period outcomes that are selected by the applicant from the program logic model. Applications must identify at least one short-term or intermediate outcome from the logic model. If a particular activity leads to multiple outcomes, a separate table should be completed for each outcome.

Period of Performance Outcome:

[select from logic model]

Outcome Measure:

[see Evaluation and Performance Measurement section for guidance; use bullets to separate each measure]

Strategic Areas and Activities [list strategic area and describe activities]

Process Measure [from Evaluation and Performance Measurement section]

Responsible Position/Party

Completio n Date

Estimate d Cost

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

CDC will provide feedback and technical assistance to recipients to finalize the work plan to adjust for available funding and alignment to CBA priorities for the population of focus.

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.

f. CDC Program Support to Recipients

In a cooperative agreement, CDC program staff are substantially involved in post-award program activities, above and beyond routine grant monitoring, technical assistance, and performance reviews undertaken in the normal course of stewardship of federal funds.

CDC program staff will assist, coordinate, or participate in carrying out efforts undertaken as part of the award, and recipients agree to the responsibilities therein, as detailed in and consistent with the NOFO, issued Notice of Award (NOA), and General Terms and Conditions of Non-research Awards. CDC activities for this program are as follows:

• Collaborate to ensure coordination and implementation of activities to provide capacity-building assistance (CBA) to governmental and nongovernmental components of the public health system.

• Provide guidance and appropriate clearances of products co-branded or co-authored by

CDC.

o Recipients are reminded that requests to use the CDC logo must be approved in writing by CDC via license agreement for products developed under the award.

• Provide technical assistance and recommendations to recipients to improve the quality and effectiveness of work plans, evaluation strategies, products and services, and collaborative activities with other organizations.

https://www.cdc.gov/grants/documents/General-Terms-and-Conditions-Non-Research-Awards.pdf

• Support ongoing opportunities to foster networking, communication, coordination, and collaboration, and serve as a conduit for information exchange, including fostering collaboration between recipients that would not normally interact or collaborate on public health efforts.

o Efforts may include hosting recipient meetings (frequency to be determined post-award) and collaborative spaces within grants management systems.

• Collaborate to compile and publish accomplishments, best practices, performance criteria, and lessons learned during the period of performance.

• Collaborate, as appropriate, to assess progress toward meeting strategic and operational goals and objectives and to establish measurement and accountability processes for…