Notice of Availability of Funds

A. Purpose

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announces the availability of fiscal year FY 1999 funds for a grant program for the Water Fluoridation Assistance Program. This program addresses the Healthy People 2000 priority area for Oral Health.

The purpose of the program is to assist States and communities in promoting, implementing and maintaining fluoridated water systems by providing training and new and/or replacement fluoridation equipment and to implement the Association of State and Territorial Dental Directors (ASTDD)/CDC Fluoridation Reporting System (FRS). FRS is a voluntary reporting system developed under the guidance of the Association of State and Territorial Dental Directors to assist States and provides an automated system to monitor the quality of water fluoridation efforts and the proportion of the public receiving optimal levels of fluoride.

Two categories of awards will be made.

1. Fluoridation System Development: Awards will fund initial purchase, installation, or replacement of fluoridation equipment for water systems and training for the technical and promotional aspects of fluoridation for State professional staff, including engineers, technicians, and community organizational specialists.

2. Monitoring System: Awards will fund implementation of the ASTDD/CDC Fluoridation Reporting System (FRS) at the State level, including software training, management information system equipment, and database programming services related to the implementation process. Two levels of implementation of FRS will be considered for funding. Basic implementation will allow data entry and report generation via Internet connection. Advanced implementation will allow for transmission via Internet or modem of data exported from an existing State fluoridation database or other high volume data transmission method.

B. Eligible Applicants

Assistance will be provided only to the health departments of States or their bona fide agents, or the appropriate State-level agency responsible for the State drinking water program, including the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, Guam, federally recognized Indian tribal governments, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau. In consultation with States, assistance may be provided to political subdivisions of States.

Competition is limited to States because of the need to build capacity within the States for fluoridation activities and State responsibility for oversight and monitoring of fluoridation activities. States will be the responsible entity for fluoridation reporting using FRS.

Note: Effective January 1, 1996, Public Law 104-65 states that an organization described in section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 that engages in lobbying activities is not eligible to receive federal funds constituting an award, grant, cooperative agreement, contract, loan, or any other form.

Approximately $750,000 is available in FY 1999 to fund 50 awards.

1. Fluoridation System Development: Approximately $550,000 is available to fund ten awards. It is expected that the average award will be $55,000, ranging from $10,000 to $100,000.

2. Monitoring System: Approximately $200,000 is available to fund 40 awards. It is expected that the average award expected to be $5,000, ranging from $2,000 to $10,000. Monitoring System awards will be for either basic or advanced implementation of FRS. Basic implementation will allow data entry and report generation via Internet connection. Advanced implementation will allow for transmission via Internet or modem of data exported from an existing State fluoridation database or other high volume data transmission method.

It is expected that Fluoridation System Development awards will begin on or about September 1, 1999, and will be made for a 12-month budget period within a project period of up to three years. Monitoring System awards will begin on or about September 1, 1999, and will be for a one year budget and project period. Funding estimates may change.

Fluoridation System Development continuation awards within an approved project period will be made on the basis of satisfactory progress as evidenced by required reports and the availability of funds.

Use of Funds

No funds can be used for hiring personnel or fluoride chemicals. Grant funds can not be used to supplant funds already being used in a water fluoridation program.

1. Preference will be given to applicants for the Fluoridation System Development component who:

a. have not met the Year 2000 Oral Health objective 13.9 of providing optimal levels of fluoride to at least 75 percent of people served by community water systems in the State, and

b. include promotion of fluoridation for purchase of new equipment for initial fluoridation of water systems serving greater than 10,000 persons.

2. Preference will be given to applicants for the Monitoring System component who are recipients of Fluoridation System Development grants or applicants who have 50 or more public water systems with adjusted fluoride levels.

D. Program Requirements

In conducting activities to achieve the purpose of this Program, the recipient will be responsible for the activities listed under Fluoridation System Development and Monitoring System below.

1. Recipient Activities (Fluoridation System Development)

a. Provide training to State professional staff, including engineers, technicians, and community organizational specialists.

b. Purchase and install new or replacement fluoridation equipment, including necessary appurtenances and testing equipment, for public water systems serving at least 1,000 persons.

c. Arrange refresher fluoridation practices training, if needed, for State professional staff, including engineers and technicians. For new system installations, provide initial training of the water operator in safe operation and maintenance of the fluoridation equipment, if needed.

d. Monitor the effectiveness of the fluoridation program to extend the benefits of water fluoridation to new portions of the population or to replace obsolete or outdated equipment.

e. Evaluate the ability of the program to achieve stated objectives.

2. Recipient Activities (Monitoring System - FRS Implementation)

a. Implement reporting of average monthly water system fluoride levels in the ASTDD/CDC Fluoridation Reporting System (FRS) on at least a quarterly basis.

Basic capability to participate in FRS will require access to FRS over the Internet. Data will be submitted using direct entry via Internet connection into the FRS database.

Advanced capability will use submission of data using one of two options:

(1) transmit data electronically via Internet or modem to FRS database from existing State database, or

(2) other high volume data transmission method.

b. Attend one regional training course, held annually by CDC, Division of Oral Health, to learn operation of the FRS software.

 

Use the information in the Program Requirements, Other Requirements, and Evaluation Criteria sections to develop the application content. Your application will be evaluated on the criteria listed, so it is important to follow them in laying out your program plan. The narrative for Fluoridation System Development applications should be no more than fifteen double-spaced pages, printed on one side, with one inch margins, and unreduced font. The narrative for Monitoring System applications should be no more than eight double-spaced pages, printed on one side, with one inch margins, and unreduced font.

Applicants may apply for Fluoridation System Development or Monitoring System grants or both. Separate applications must be submitted for each component.

Identify and describe the need for the program and current status of fluoridation within the State, to include, but not limited to:

a. status of State progress towards Healthy People 2000 Objective 13.9 (providing optimal levels of fluoride to at least 75 percent of people served by community water systems in the State);

b. water system name, population served, and number of injection points for water systems needing new equipment for initial fluoridation startup;

c. water system name, population served, and number of injection points for water systems needing replacement fluoridation equipment;

d. status of current fluoridation monitoring/surveillance activity;

e. water plant operator fluoridation training program;

f. financial constraints;

g. statement by the State that requested funds are necessary and reasonable;

h. documentation that fluoridation has been approved by the necessary governing body (bodies), or the State drinking water program has approved the plans and specifications for the installation of the fluoridation equipment.

Provide specific measurable objectives for the overall project. A definitive time-frame for each major component of project activity should be established.

Submit an operational plan that addresses achieving each of the established objectives. All the applicable components, such as public awareness, community organization, new and replacement equipment for fluoridation, and training should be discussed and the appropriate implementation schedule provided for each component.

Describe a system for ongoing evaluation to measure level of accomplishment(s) in regard to program objectives. At a minimum, progress should be measured by:

a. the population of and percentage of State population on water systems served by new fluoridation systems and the number of water system(s) newly fluoridated;

b. the population of people on water systems served by replacement equipment for fluoridation and the number of water system(s) affected;

c. satisfactory training of State professional personnel for capacity building, and training for water plant operators for new systems;

d. number and population of communities who have authorized implementation of new fluoridation systems; and

e. progress towards reaching the Healthy People 2000 Objective 13.9.(providing optimal levels of fluoride to at least 75 percent of people served by community water systems in the State);

Submit a detailed budget and line-item justification that is consistent with the purpose of the program and the proposed project activities.

Identify and describe the need for the program and current status of fluoridation reporting within the State, to include, but not limited to:

a. indicate whether applying for basic or advanced FRS capability;

b. number of water systems in the State with adjusted fluoride;

c. status of current fluoridation monitoring/surveillance activity;

d. need for additional computer and telecommunications equipment, software; and

e. availability of Internet access.

If applying for advanced FRS capability, include the following:

a. description of existing State fluoridation reporting database;

b. need for additional telecommunications equipment and software; and

c. need for database programming services related to the implementation process

Note: The minimum computer capability for basic implementation of the FRS system will include:

a. pentium processor;

b. 64M RAM (minimum);

c. 56K modem (v.90 compatible);

d. ISP (or network) provider with 56K access, or faster;

e. Browser, Netscape 4.0/Internet Explorer 4.0 or greater; and

f. printer.

 2. Objectives

Provide specific measurable objectives for the overall project. A definitive time-frame for each major component of project activity should be established.

Submit an operational plan that addresses achieving each of the established objectives in achieving FRS implementation. An implementation schedule should be provided.

Describe a system for ongoing system of evaluation to measure level of accomplishment(s) in regard to program objectives. At a minimum, progress should be measured by:

a. satisfactory training of State professional personnel for FRS implementation;

b. ability to access FRS system via Internet;

c. progress towards implementation of advanced FRS capability, if applicable; and

d. assessment of usefulness of FRS in meeting State fluoridation monitoring needs, and ways FRS could be improved.

Submit a detailed budget and line-item justification that is consistent with the purpose of the program and the proposed project activities.

Application

Submit the original and two copies of CDC Form 0.1246(E). Forms are in the application kit. On or before July 6, 1999, submit the application to:

Locke Thompson, Grants Management Specialist
Grants Management Branch, Procurement and Grants Office
Announcement 99111
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
2920 Brandywine Road, Room 3000
Atlanta, Georgia 30341-4146

Deadline: Applications shall be considered as meeting the deadline if they are either:

(a) Received on or before the deadline date; or

(b) Sent on or before the deadline date and received in time prior to submission to the review committee. (Applicants must request a legibly dated U.S. Postal Service postmark or obtain a legibly dated receipt from a commercial carrier or U.S. Postal Service. Private metered postmarks shall not be acceptable as proof of timely mailing.)

Late Applications: Applications which do not meet the criteria in (a) or (b) above are considered late applications, will not be considered, and will be returned to the applicant.

G. Evaluation Criteria

Each application will be evaluated individually against the following criteria by an independent review group appointed by CDC:

1. Statement of Need (25 points)

The extent to which the applicant identifies specific needs related to the purpose and preference areas of this program announcement.

2. Objectives (15 points)

The extent to which (a) the objectives are realistic and measurable and are linked to appropriate evaluation criteria; and (b) the objectives have established a definitive time frame for each major component of project activity.

3. Operational Plan (40 points)

The adequacy of the applicant's plan to carry out proposed activities, to include how the fluoridation program is to be achieved, the appropriateness of the implementation schedule for major program activities, and the extent to which the plan meets preferences for funding. Major program activities could include: Public Awareness, Community Organization, New and Replacement Equipment for Fluoridation, and Training.

4. Evaluation (20 points)

The extent to which the system of evaluation is developed to measure the progress of the program objectives.

5. Budget (Not Scored)

The extent to which the applicant provides a detailed and clear budget and justification that is consistent with the proposed program objectives and activities.

1. Statement of Need (25 points)

The extent to which the applicant identifies specific needs related to the purpose and preference areas of this program announcement.

2. Objectives (15 points)

The extent to which (a) the objectives are realistic and measurable and are linked to appropriate evaluation criteria; and (b) the objectives have established a definitive time frame for each major component of project activity.

3. Operational Plan (40 points)

The adequacy of the applicant's plan to carry out proposed activities, to include how FRS implementation is to be achieved, the appropriateness of the implementation schedule for program activities, and the extent to which the plan addresses preferences for funding.

4. Evaluation (20 points)

The extent to which the system of evaluation is developed to measure the progress of the program objectives.

5. Budget (Not Scored)

The extent to which the applicant provides a detailed and clear budget and justification that is consistent with the proposed program objectives and activities.

Technical Reporting Requirements

a. Provide CDC with an original plus two copies of

1. semiannual progress reports;

2. financial status report, no more than 90 days after the end of the budget period; and

3. final financial status and performance reports, no more than 90 days after the end of the project period.

Send all reports to:

Locke Thompson, Grants Management Specialist
Grants Management Branch, Procurement and Grants Office
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
2920 Brandywine Road, Room 3000
Atlanta, Georgia 30341-4146

The following additional requirements are applicable to this program. For a complete description of each, see Attachment I in the application kit.

AR-7 Executive Order 12372 Review

AR-9 Paperwork Reduction Act Requirements

AR-10 Smoke-Free Workplace Requirements

AR-11 Healthy People 2000

AR-12 Lobbying Restrictions

I. Authority and Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number

This program is authorized under section 301(a) and 317(k)(2) [42 U.S.C. 241(a) and 247b(k)(2)] of the Public Health Service Act, as amended. The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance number is 93.945.

J. Where to Obtain Additional Information

To receive additional written information and to request an application kit, call 1-888-GRANTS4 (1-888 472-6874). You will be asked to leave your name and address and will be instructed to identify the Announcement number of interest.

If you have questions after reviewing the contents of all the documents, business management technical assistance may be obtained from:

Locke Thompson, Grants Management Specialist
Grants Management Branch, Procurement and Grants Office
Announcement 99111
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
2920 Brandywine Road, Room 3000
Atlanta, Georgia 30341-4146
telephone (770) 488-2749
E-mail address lxt1@cdc.gov

See also the CDC home page on the Internet to order a copy of this announcement: http://www.cdc.gov

For program technical assistance, contact:

Tom Reeves P.E., National Fluoridation Engineer,
Division Of Oral Health
Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Telephone: (770) 488-6056
Fax: (770) 488-6080
E-mail: tgr1@cdc.gov

 

Executive Order 12372 Review

Applications are subject to Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs, as governed by Executive Order (E.O.) 12372. The order sets up a system for State and local governmental review of proposed Federal assistance applications. Applicants should contact their State single point of contact (SPOC) as early as possible to alert the SPOC to prospective applications and to receive instructions on the State process. For proposed projects serving more than one State, the applicant is advised to contact the SPOC for each State affected. (The application kit contains a current list of SPOCs.) SPOCs who have recommendations about the State process for applications submitted to CDC should send them, in a document bearing the program announcement number, no more than 60 days after the application deadline date, to:

Locke Thompson, Grants Management Specialist
Grants Management Branch, Procurement and Grants Office
Announcement 99111
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
2920 Brandywine Road, Room 3000
Atlanta, Georgia 30341-4146

CDC does not guarantee to accept or justify its nonacceptance of recommendations that are received more than 60 days after the application deadline.

AR-9

Paperwork Reduction Act Requirements

Projects that involve data collection from 10 or more persons and that are funded by grants and cooperative agreements will be subject to review and approval by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

If information is being collected from 10 or more persons and CDC has not received OMB approval, use the following:

If a grant:

Under the Paperwork Reduction Act, projects that involve the collection of information from 10 or more individuals and funded by a grant will be subject to review and approval by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

If OMB approval has already been obtained for data collection resulting from this program:

Data collection initiated under this grant/cooperative agreement) has been approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under OMB number (0920-xxxx for CDC and 0923-xxxx for ATSDR), (insert title of clearance request), (insert expiration date).

If OMB clearance is pending:

OMB clearance for the data collection initiated under this grant/cooperative agreement is pending approval by OMB.

AR-10

Smoke-Free Workplace Requirements

CDC strongly encourages all recipients to provide a smoke-free workplace and to promote abstinence from all tobacco products. Public Law 103-227, the Pro-Children Act of 1994, prohibits smoking in certain facilities that receive Federal funds in which education, library, day care, health care, or early childhood development services are provided to children.

AR-11

Healthy People 2000

CDC is committed to achieving the health promotion and disease prevention objectives of A Healthy People 2000, a national activity to reduce morbidity and mortality and improve the quality of life. For a copy of "Healthy People 2000" (Full Report: Stock No. 017-001-00474-0) or "Healthy People 2000" (Summary Report: Stock No. 017-001-00473-1), write or call:

Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office

Washington, DC 20402-9325

Telephone (202) 512-1800

AR-12

Lobbying Restrictions

Applicants should be aware of restrictions on the use of HHS funds for lobbying of Federal or State legislative bodies. Under the provisions of 31 U.S.C. Section 1352, recipients (and their subtier contractors) are prohibited from using appropriated Federal funds (other than profits from a Federal contract) for lobbying congress or any Federal agency in connection with the award of a particular contract, grant, cooperative agreement, or loan. This includes grants/cooperative agreements that, in whole or in part, involve conferences for which Federal funds cannot be used directly or indirectly to encourage participants to lobby or to instruct participants on how to lobby.

In addition no part of CDC appropriated funds, shall be used, other than for normal and recognized executive-legislative relationships, for publicity or propaganda purposes, for the preparation, distribution, or use of any kit, pamphlet, booklet, publication, radio, television, or video presentation designed to support or defeat legislation pending before the Congress or any State or local legislature, except in presentation to the Congress or any State or local legislature itself. No part of the appropriated funds shall be used to pay the salary or expenses of any grant or contract recipient, or agent acting for such recipient, related to any activity designed to influence legislation or appropriations pending before the Congress or any State or local legislature.

CDC Home Page: http://www.cdc.gov

CDC Funding Web Page: http://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/funding/funding.htm

CDC Forms Web Page: http://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/forminfo.htm