Application and Submission FAQs

Question

Are all existing personnel funded under the NOFO 18-1801 required to submit a CV/resume?

Answer

A curriculum vitae or resume must be submitted for each existing key personnel who will be affiliated with this program.

Question

Should separate backgrounds be written for each disease program in the application?

Answer

No. Background information for all for disease programs in the NOFO should be included together in the Background section. Please note there is a 20-page limit for the Project Narrative.

Question

Should the budget be separated by disease program?

Answer

Yes. Separate budgets should be provided. Please note the floors and ceilings for each disease program as well as the floor and ceiling for the overall project. The floors and ceilings for each disease program can be found under the Funding Strategy section in the NOFO on page 19. The overall floor and ceiling can be found on page 30.

Question

What should be included in the work plan?

Answer

Applicants should describe how they plan to conduct the work for the first 12 months of the project. Applicants may use the template on page 27 of the NOFO. Please note the work plan will count towards the 20-page limit in the Project Narrative.

Question

What should I do to meet the application requirements?

Answer

Applicants should carefully review the Eligibility Requirements section on pages 31-33 of the NOFO and the Review and Selection Process section on pages 45-48.

Question

May I request to have a call with you to discuss in details pertaining to the NOFO?

Answer

CDC is extremely limited on what can be discussed about the NOFO because the NOFO is unrestricted (open-competition).  Any discussions with potential applicants can be viewed as providing an unfair advantage.  It is recommended to email your questions to USAPINOFO@cdc.gov.  All questions and responses are posted on the NOFO website.

Question

Do we need to apply for a new DUNS number?  Also, is the Federal Agency Name on the NOFO correct?  It’s listed as CDC/Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR)?

Answer

You do not need to apply for a new DUNS number. The Federal Agency name on the NOFO is correct.

Question

I need clarification on the grant application forms, should we address our questions to support@grants.gov or ogstims@cdc.gov?

Answer

Please contact support@grants.gov.

Question

Should all of the PS18-1801 indicators be included in the monitoring and evaluation plan submitted in the PS18-1801 application?

Answer

The PS18-1801 NOFO indicators should be included in the proposed monitoring and evaluation plan submitted in the application. CDC will work with the recipients within the first six months after the awards have been made to finalize the monitoring and evaluation plan. Applicants must provide an evaluation and performance measurement plan that demonstrates how they will fulfill the requirements described in the CDC Evaluation and Performance Measurement and Project Description sections of the PS18-1801 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.
• 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), if applicable, for accuracy throughout the lifecycle of the project. 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 List of Additional Requirements – 25: Data Management and Access.

Question

Is CDC going to consider program level (subpopulations) vs. jurisdictional level indicators?

Answer

The PS18-1801 NOFO indicators should be included in the proposed monitoring and evaluation plan submitted in the application. CDC will work with the recipients within the first six months after the awards have been made to finalize the monitoring and evaluation plan. Applicants must provide an evaluation and performance measurement plan that demonstrates how they will fulfill the requirements described in the CDC Evaluation and Performance Measurement and Project Description sections of the PS18-1801 NOFO.

Question

What are the staffing positions needed to support the PS18-1801 NOFO?

Answer

Positions needed to fulfill the staffing requirement are as follows:

• PCSI Coordinator (minimum of 40%)
• PCSI Surveillance Coordinator (100%)
• PCSI Laboratory Coordinator (minimum of 25%)
• TB Education and Training Focal Point (dedicated staff time to be decided by recipient)

Question

Are we required to submit one statement of need across all programs or a separate statement for each?

Answer

If you are applying for funds for all of the disease categories (i.e., HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB), you may submit only one statement of need that explains why you need funding for all of these categories.

Question

Are we required to submit a plan for all five years of the funding period?

Answer

No. In your application, you are only required to provide a plan for the first year of funding. Objectives are expected from all projects for the first year. However, if your program already has baselines established, you may provide a chart or table with your plans for the entire five-year budget period, if you choose.

Question

When will we be expected to establish baselines?

Answer

You should establish your baselines during the first year of funding. If your program already has baselines established, you may report performance measures during the first submission of your Annual Performance Report.

Question

Is the evaluation plan we submit in our application supposed to be a draft or a final plan?

Answer

You should submit a draft plan with your application. CDC will work with you during the first six months after the award to finalize the plan.

Question

How can we submit multiple staff resumes with our application while maintaining the 30 attachment limit?

Answer

For staff resumes, you may save all of them together in one PDF document. In that way, the document will count as only one attachment.

Question

Is cross-training of providers in the different disease categories a desired outcome of this NOFO?

Answer

This is one cross-cutting activity that is in the NOFO and you should consider the appropriateness of this activity for those providers that work with clients at risk for multiple diseases. One of the intents of this funding is to enhance the skills and know-how of the workforce, so cross-training of providers may be a way to leverage this opportunity.

Question

Will the proposed training addressed in this NOFO be for all doctors, nurses and staff of each disease area?

Answer

Yes. This training is planned to be similar to the way that the Pacific Island Tuberculosis Controllers Association (PITCA) provides training to doctors, nurses, laboratorians, surveillance and program staff for TB. We expect to maximize travel dollars and training opportunities in the future by holding a more PCSI-focused regional training in the Pacific.

Question

We want to be sure that the core strategies are to be used as guideline for the RMI drafted work plan.  The NOFO provides clear instructions but we want to be sure.  Please advise.

Answer

Yes.  In addition to using the strategies as a guideline, the work plan should be high-level and cover the duration of the project, with more detail included for the first year of the award. The work plan must include, at minimum, the following:

• Activities that are aligned with the strategies and activities required to achieve stated outcomes (with emphasis on the first year of the project period)
• Discussion of how the awardee will use information gathering, monitoring, analysis, and dissemination to address priority activities
• Explanation of how to support a health equity approach through services and activities
• Administration and assessment process to ensure successful implementation and quality assurance
• Staff and administrative roles and functions to support implementation of the FOA
• Describe how evaluation findings will be shared among stakeholders for increased programmatic accountability, awareness, and engagement
• Describe what measures will be used to reach target populations in their respective settings.
• Describe how awardee will assure compliance with CDC/NCHHSTP Security and Confidentiality Guidelines

Question

I am not a Health Department or Ministry of Health, how would I apply?

Answer

If you are not a Health Department or Ministry of Health, for example, a non-governmental organization or a corporation, you must submit a memorandum of agreement/memorandum of understanding with the Department/Ministry of Health in the jurisdiction for which it is applying. The memorandum of agreement/memorandum of understanding should include the authority to collect and submit surveillance data.

Question

Is the PS18-1801 NOFO meant for the entire USAPI or can it be within each country that represents the USAPI? For example, we’re from one of the six jurisdictions. Is it possible to create a proposal that would serve our jurisdiction only? Or does CDC want a proposal that would serve the entire USAPI?

Answer

Applicants may apply to serve in one or more of the USAPI jurisdictions. Please note the additional eligibility requirements if you are not a Department of Health or a Ministry of Health. For quick reference, below are the additional eligibility requirements  from the PS18-1801 Notice of Funding Opportunity (pages 32-33) which is available on Grants.gov.

Additional Eligibility Requirements

(1) Foreign Institutions
Non-domestic (non-U.S.) Entities (Foreign Institutions) are not eligible to apply.
Non-domestic (non-U.S.) components of U.S. Organizations are not eligible to apply.

(2) CDC will consider any application requesting an award higher than the ceiling amount of $1,000,000 to be non-responsive.

(3) Applicant must provide proof of ability to serve populations in one of the jurisdictions listed below:

Evidence of ability may include documentation that applicant is a territorial government or a bona fide agent in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, Guam, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, or the Republic of Palau. Documentation must be provided in attachment labeled EvidenceofAbility.

A bona fide agent is an agency/organization identified by the state as eligible to submit an application under the state eligibility in lieu of a state application. If applying as a bona fide agent of a state or local government, a legal, binding agreement from the state or local government as documentation of the status is required. Attach with “Other Attachment Forms” when submitting via Grants.gov.

If applicant is other than a Department/Ministry of Health in the specified jurisdiction, the applicant must submit a memorandum of agreement/memorandum of understanding with the Department/Ministry of Health in the jurisdiction for which it is applying. The memorandum of agreement/memorandum of understanding should include the authority to collect and submit surveillance data.

Applications that do not comply with these requirements will be determined non-responsive and will not receive further review.

Question

Is there something wrong with the current set up in PS13-1301 for the PCSI Focal Point?  Why are we being asked to have a PCSI Coordinator?

Answer

This is a new NOFO that builds upon the previous cooperative agreement.

Question

How are we supposed to have quarterly meetings with MCH/NCD given our communication and technology challenges and limitations?

Answer

Applicants must provide a clear and concise description of the strategies and activities they will use to achieve the period of performance outcomes.

Question

Are regular meetings with MCH also a requirement for MCH programs?  Why is this application requiring us to review all perinatal deaths, is this a requirement for MCH programs?  Is this also being done in the US States?

Answer

These activities are required for funding under PS18-1801. Specifically, recipients will be required to collaborate with Maternal Child Health (MCH)/Antenatal Care (ANC) departments to ensure pregnant women receive recommended testing for HIV, hepatitis B virus (HBV), chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis and strategize on ways STI and MCH programs can advocate together for congenital syphilis prevention in the jurisdiction. Additional guidance can be found at “WHO recommendations on antenatal care for a positive pregnancy experience” and “2015 Sexually Transmitted Diseases Treatment Guidelines.”

Activities include:

• Convene regular meetings to review screening data for all stillbirths and neonatal deaths each quarter to assess maternal syphilis status. If congenital syphilis cases occur (including syphilitic stillbirth), or if stillbirth/neonatal deaths occur without maternal syphilis testing, strategize with MCH program on why cases happened, address any barriers, and discuss what could be done to avert them in future.
• Ensure follow-up and case reviews of all perinatal deaths in an effort to identify linkage with mother-to-child transmission of syphilis, HBV, and perinatal transmission of HIV. Case reviews shall include staff from HIV, VH, STD, and MCH/ANC programs. The Fetal and Infant Mortality Review (FIMR)/HIV Prevention is a guide to assist with HIV perinatal case review. The Congenital Syphilis Case Investigation and Reporting Form is a guide to assist with mother-to-child transmission of syphilis case review. Additional guidance can be found at “Congenital Syphilis Case Investigation and Reporting Form Instructions [PDF – 5.5 MB]” and FIMR/HIV Prevention Methodology National Resource Center.

Question

Is screening diabetic patients for TB a requirement of diabetes programs?

Answer

These activities are required for funding under PS18-1801.

Question

Improve availability of lab supplies and high quality testing services, what are these services and what programs? TB is doing gene Xpert, is this referring to STD using gene Xpert or using dual testing for syphilis and HIV?

Answer

Specific activities that need to be conducted are bulleted under Activities 3.2 and 3.3 in the PS18-1801 NOFO.