Future and Emerging Strategies in Environmental Public Health Tracking Technical Report

Centers for Disease Control
National Center for Environmental Health
Enhancing Innovation and Capabilities of the Environmental Public Health Tracking Network
CDC-RFA-EH17-1702
Application Due Date: 05/31/2017

Enhancing Innovation and Capabilities of the Environmental Public Health Tracking Network
CDC-RFA-EH17-1702
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Part I. Overview Information
A. Federal Agency Name
B. Funding Opportunity Title
C. Announcement Type
D. Agency Funding Opportunity Number
E. Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number
F. Dates
G. Executive Summary
Part II. Full Text
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 Information
Applicants must go to the synopsis page of this announcement at www.grants.gov and click on
the "Send Me Change Notifications Emails" link to ensure they receive notifications of any
changes to CDC-RFA-EH17-1702. 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. Funding Opportunity Title:
Enhancing Innovation and Capabilities of the Environmental Public Health Tracking Network
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 http://www.cdc.gov/od/science/integrity/docs/cdc-policy-distinguishing-public-healt
h-research-nonresearch.pdf.
Cooperative Agreement
D. Agency Funding Opportunity Number:
CDC-RFA-EH17-1702
E. Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number:
93.070
F. Dates:
1. Due Date for Letter of Intent (LOI):
N/A
2. Due Date for Applications:
05/31/2017, 11:59 p.m. U.S. Eastern
Standard Time, at www.grants.gov.
3. Date for Informational Conference Call:
TBD
G. Executive Summary:
1. Summary Paragraph:
The purpose of the Environmental Public Health Tracking Program is to provide information
from a nationwide network of environmental health data to help drive actions to improve the
health of communities. The information is shared via a network of people and the
Environmental Public Health Tracking Network, a web-based system of integrated health and
environmental data with components at the national, state, and local levels. The Tracking
Program will build on existing state and local public health capacity and expertise in
environmental health surveillance to empower public health practitioners, healthcare providers,
community members, policy members, and others to make information-driven decisions that
affect their health.

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Amendment:
Page 37: Section H. Other Information:
2 bullets were added under the "Optional attachments, as determined by CDC programs":

 Workplan
 Additional Supporting Information

a. Eligible Applicants:
b. FOA Type:
c. Approximate Number of Awards:

Open Competition
Cooperative Agreement
26

d. Total Project Period Funding:

$104,000,000

e. Average One Year Award Amount:

$785,000

f. Total Project Period Length:
5
g. Estimated Award Date:
08/01/2017
h. Cost Sharing and / or Matching Requirements: N
Cost sharing or matching funds are not required for this program. Although no statutory
matching requirement for this FOA exists, leveraging other resources and related ongoing
efforts to promote sustainability is strongly encouraged.
Part II. Full Text
A. Funding Opportunity Description
Part II. Full Text
1. Background
a. Overview
In September, 2000, the Pew Environmental Health Commission issued a report entitled
America’s Environmental Health Gap: Why the Country Needs a Nationwide Health Tracking
Network. In this report, the Commission documented that the existing environmental health
systems were inadequate and fragmented and recommended a “Nationwide Health Tracking
Network for disease and exposures.” In response to the report, Congress appropriated funds in
the fiscal year 2002’s budget for the CDC to establish National Environmental Public Health
Tracking Program (Tracking Program) and Network and has appropriated funds each year
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thereafter to continue this effort.
Environmental Public Health Tracking (Tracking) is the integrated surveillance of health,
exposure, and hazard information and data from a variety of national, state, and local sources.
The Tracking Network is unique in that it provides the United States with accurate and timely
standardized data and supports ongoing efforts within the public health and environmental
sectors to improve data collection, accessibility, and dissemination as well as analytic and
response capacity. Data that were previously collected for different purposes and stored in
separate systems are now available in a nationally standardized format allowing programs to
begin bridging the gap between health and the environment. Having accurate and timely
tracking data enables public health authorities to determine temporal and spatial trends in
disease and potential environmental exposures, identify populations most affected, and develop
and assess the environmental public health policies and interventions aimed at reducing or
eliminating diseases associated with environmental factors. The availability of these types of
data in a standardized network provide researchers, public health authorities, healthcare
practitioners, and the public to have a better understanding about the possible associations
between the environment and adverse health effects, and to assist them with decision making.
The concept of using Tracking data and other program resources to inform public health action
is explicit in the Tracking Program’s mission, with the ultimate goal of reducing the burden of
environmentally related health conditions. Since 2005, one approach in monitoring Tracking
Program performance is by gathering information on how the Tracking Program has been able
to drive public health actions within funded jurisdictions. These public health actions include
using Tracking data to: identify populations at risk; responding to outbreaks, clusters, and
emerging threats; identify, reduce, and prevent environmental hazards; and informing policy
makers, communities and other regarding potential environmental health risks. Since the end of
2015, over 340 public health actions have been documented by current state and local grantees.
With rapid changes in information technology and tools; changing data and information needs;
changes in the population, disease, and environment, as well as the ability to continue to meet
the growing needs of public health practitioners, researchers, and others, it is critical that the
existing expertise, resources, and technical infrastructure in the Tracking Program and Tracking
Network continue to support and enhance the availability, quality, timeliness, compatibility, and
utility of existing hazard, exposure, and health effect data.
b. Statutory Authorities
This program is authorized under Sections 311 and 317(k)(2) of the Public Health Service Act,
[42 U.S.C. Sections 243 and 247b(k)(2)], as amended.
c. Healthy People 2020
This program addresses the “Healthy People 2020” focus area(s) of Environmental Health (http
://www.healthypeople.gov/ 2020/topicsobjectives2020/overview.aspx?topicid=12) and Public
Health Infrastructure (http://www.healthypeople.gov/ 2020/topicsobjectives2020/overview
.aspx?topicid=35) in addition to CDC’s Vision of “Health Protection…Health Equity” by
collaborating with partners to create the expertise, information, and tools that people and
communities need to protect their health – through health promotion, prevention of disease,
injury and disability, and preparedness for new health threats.

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d. Other National Public Health Priorities and Strategies
This announcement is consistent with priorities and strategies in the Department of Health and
Human Services, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, National Aeronautics and Space
Administration (http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/tracking/partners.htm), and other CDC programs
including the National Asthma Control Program, the Climate and Health Program, and
ATSDR’s Program to Promote Localized Efforts To Reduce Environmental Exposure http
://www.cdc.gov/nceh/tracking/related.htm). These programs address core public health areas
such as environmental health, chronic disease, and health communication that contribute to
prevention and health promotion efforts utilizing Tracking data.
e. Relevant Work
CDC-RFA-EH17-1702 builds on activities conducted under previous FOAs, including the
original work under Program Announcement 02179. Each applicant should have first-hand
experience of building a state or local tracking program and network based on CDC’s standards
including 1) developing an IT infrastructure and processes to disseminate environmental and
health data via a public web-based application that comply with standards defined by Tracking,
2) building and maintaining an IT infrastructure--including web-based portals that follow
Tracking metadata, data and functional standards--that allows for controlled access to and
exchange of data with CDC’s Tracking Program, and 3) conducting analyses using tracking data
and expertise to address environmental health issues at the state and local levels.
2. CDC Project Description
a. Approach
Bold indicates project period outcome.

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i. Purpose
This FOA will support grantees to conduct environmental health surveillance which guides
public health actions to prevent or mitigate impacts of environmental hazards. Since 2002,
grantees have worked with CDC to develop and build a Tracking network that allows health
practitioners and others to improve understanding of how the environment impacts health. This
FOA allows grantees continued access to network data, provides tools and methods for using
the data, and advances the ability to use data to help reduce the burden of environmentally
related exposures and diseases on the U.S. population.
ii. Outcomes
The logic model displays the outcomes that are expected to result from recipient efforts in the
short, mid, and long-term. As noted in the logic model, these key outcomes are expected to
result during the project period:
Short-Term (1-2 years)
 Public health decision makers and end-users are aware of and have access to
comprehensive and integrated environmental public health data, and are able to view
trends and measure impact

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Intermediate (3-4 years)
 Public health decision makers and other end-users incorporate environmental public
health data into decision making
 Public health practitioners and environmental professionals develop and deliver strong
informed programs, targeted interventions, and policies to address environmental public
health issues
 Data, expertise and technical infrastructure drive measureable public health actions
 Improved integration of Environmental Public Health Tracking Network so that it is
foundational to the jurisdiction’s public health surveillance system

Long-term (5+ years)
 At least 50% of requests for Environmental Public Health Tracking data, information,
and support/technical assistance represent individuals or groups outside of traditional
public health practice
 Communities improve their health outcomes
iii. Strategies and Activities
Activities in this funding opportunity announcement fall into four broad categories: Science and
Content, Technology and Informatics, Communications, and Program Services. Ongoing
activities in each category should be informed by work across the entire program and grantee’s
priorities. For example, Communications activities should be tailored to reflect current activities
in Science and Content. These activities should lead to the Outputs listed in the logic model.
Applicants need to demonstrate that 75% of the core activities are currently in place for their
application. The application must also present a strategy for implementing 100% of the core
activities by the end of year 1. Awardees must maintain all core activities each year. Awardees
must select and implement at least 2 new advanced activities per year. All advanced activities
must be implemented and maintained by the end of year 5.
Science and Content Strategy I: Identify and integrate public health and environmental
data
 Core Activities
o SC1.A Identify and evaluate the strengths and limitations of health, exposure,
environmental, and other data for the Network, in addition to work conducted as
part of the Content Workgroup
o SC1.B Integrate data into grantee’s Tracking Network and ensure the
availability and accessibility of data as appropriate for program staff and internal
and external partners

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o SC1.C Maintain existing and newly adopted Nationally Consistent Data and
Measures requirements including maintenance of NCDM data within the grantee
tracking network, submission of NCDM data to CDC, and dissemination of
required NCDM measures via grantee’s Tracking Network https://www.cdc.gov
/nceh/tracking/foa.htm
o SC1.D Disseminate additional indicators and measures to address grantee’s
priorities, optional NCDMs or other agreed-upon standards
o SC1.E Collaborate with CDC, data stewards, data users, and other tracking
grantees to improve existing NCDMs and, adopt new and optional NCDMs as
developed by the Content Workgroup
 Advanced Activities
o SC1.F Address gaps or limitations in available data by collaborating with state
and local programs to optimize data collection and ensure the inclusion of data
elements relevant to environmental public health tracking; integrating novel or
non-traditional data determined to be relevant and of sufficient quality (e.g.,
electronic health record data); conducting analyses and activities that either fills
the identified data gap or extends the applicability of the available data; or
expanding the availability and utility of sub-county data and measures

Science and Content Strategy II: Analyze and apply data to generate evidence-based
activities
 Core Activities
o SC2.A Conduct routine descriptive analysis of Tracking data to evaluate
quality and completeness of data; to examine state and local environmental
public health issues; or to generate information for other state and local
programs, state and local decision makers, and the general public
o SC2.B Use Tracking data to identify and prioritize the jurisdiction’s
environmental public health concerns and priorities, and need for action to help
direct Tracking program activities including but not limited to those listed in this
FOA
 Advanced Activities
o SC2.C Conduct routine analyses using Tracking data for the discovery of
spatial, temporal, and demographic patterns of diseases, exposures, or
environmental hazards; the timely identification of unusual events signaling the
need for further investigation; or the non-research purposes of analyzing or
linking health, exposure, and hazard data to help provide new insights or
solutions to environmental health issues
o SC2.D Apply and interpret Tracking data to inform the development and
evaluation of public health actions

Technology and Informatics Strategy I: Maintain and enhance information technology
infrastructure

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 Core Activities
o TI1.A Maintain a web-based publicly available environmental health tracking
system that complies with CDC grantee portal requirements
o TI1.B Develop tools and processes to improve and promote the quality,
usefulness, availability, and timeliness of data
o TI1.C Evaluate informatics needs and conduct a gap analysis to address
barriers to the effective use of data for environmental public health decision
making (or by environmental public health decision makers)
o TI1.D Maintain the technology infrastructure and resources to submit
Tracking NCDMs to CDC during scheduled data calls
o TI1.E Work with informatics and IT resources within the grantee’s
organization to ensure program informatics/IT activities align with
organizational strategies and objectives
 Advanced Activities
o TI1.F
Establish repeatable, reliable, and readily accessible electronic access to
data sources, including tools and processes to increase the availability and
accessibility of timely and locally relevant data (e.g., sub-county and real time
data) and any needs discovered as the result of the gap analysis
o TI1.G Increase data management efficiency by developing state/local standard
operating procedures and increasing the use of routine, reusable, and electronic
processes and scripts for obtaining, validating, and disseminating data, including
use of application programming interfaces

Communications Strategy I: Conduct program marketing and outreach
 Core Activities
o C1.A
Develop and implement an annual communication plan that includes a
risk communication plan; specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, time-bound
(SMART) objectives; and targets key tracking audiences including data
stewards, state and local health department staff, policymakers, technical
advisory group, relevant community groups or non-governmental organizations
o C1.B
Participate in one coordinated, program-wide communication activity
(e.g., Tracking Awareness Week) each year
o C1.C
Provide regular, periodic updates and announcements (at least quarterly)
about grantee tracking activities to partners and stakeholders via email
distribution (e.g., list-serv, e-newsletter) or other mechanism
o C1.D
Utilize social media (e.g., Facebook, Twitter, blogs) at least quarterly,
either from program accounts, agency accounts, or partner accounts
o C1.E
Present information about the Tracking Program (national and grantee),
national and local Tracking Networks, data, data use (e.g., public health actions),
and activities annually including: exhibiting at a meeting or conference;
conducting at least one webinar to an external (outside the health department)
audience; and presenting at national, regional, or local meetings or conferences
o C1.F
Maintain existing and add new content/messaging about NCDM and
other data as needed to Tracking Network websites in order to provide plain
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language interpretations of data and results to target audiences
o C1.G
Disseminate existing Tracking communication messages and products
(e.g., grantee profile, data highlights, community health reports, communication
toolkits) to appropriate audiences
 Advanced Activities
o C1.H
In the communications plan, include at least one collaborative
communication activity, in addition to the program-wide activity, with one or
more Tracking grantees (e.g., co-presenting at a meeting; coordinated
communication about a specific topic or awareness event)
o C1.I
Conduct a needs assessment with target audience(s) to inform
development of at least two custom communication products (e.g., messages,
tools) to communicate Tracking data and information. Products may include, but
are not limited to fact sheets, environmental health snapshots, infographics,
newsletter articles, and social media posts

Communications Strategy II: Initiate, maintain, and expand partnerships
 Core Activities
o C2.A
Develop and implement a partnership plan to engage new/innovative
external partners (e.g., accountable care organizations, big data providers, new
commercial technology and service providers in consumer-driven healthcare);
and non-traditional public sector organizations (e.g., Tribal Nations, Department
of Transportation)
o C2.B
Maintain Technical Advisory Group to inform decisions about Tracking
Program data, data analysis, communication messages and products, etc.
(minimum of one meeting per year)
o C2.C
Establish and maintain relationship with at least one university/college
program. Possible collaborations could include, but are not limited to, guest
lecturing; mentoring students; co-presenting (webinar/meeting/conference);
collaborating on GIS, data analysis, or other project
 Advanced Activities
o C2.D
Establish and maintain relationship with local media (i.e., newspapers,
magazines, TV) to promote Tracking through earned media
o C2.E
Co-present/Co-sponsor a national or regional meeting/conference or
webinar with other grantees or partners

Program Services Strategy I: Enhance organizational capacity to support and sustain the
Tracking Network
 Core Activities
o PS1.A Lead, support, and maintain existing Environmental Public Health
Tracking Program within state and/or local jurisdictions
o PS1.B Identify and prioritize technical and capacity needs among state and
local Tracking Program staff to inform provision of more targeted resources and
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training opportunities
o PS1.C Support and facilitate training of the state and local public health
workforce and partners on basic Tracking principles to establish a common
understanding of the Tracking Program
 Advanced Activities
o PS1.D Develop and implement program-specific training opportunities,
through Web-based or in-person training modules or other product (e.g., video
tutorial) and internships/fellowships/mentorships for students in environmental
public health tracking

Program Services Strategy II: Monitor the impact and performance of program activities
 Core Activities
o PS2.A Document and submit public health actions quarterly (if available), but
at a minimum of twice a year, to show program impact
o PS2.B Develop and implement an annual evaluation plan, based on CDCs
provided template, that clearly identifies accomplishments and guides
implementation efforts
o PS2.C Assist the CDC Tracking Program in conducting annual portal reviews
o PS2.D Collect and submit two times a year a report of website statistics on the
public Tracking website using standard web statistics established by the Tracking
Program

Emerging Topical Activities (to submit if funding is available):
Additional funding may be available on an annual basis for new, innovative, and emerging
topics, scientific methods, or processes that link environmental public health surveillance with
topical issues in health care, and demonstrate the health impact of Tracking. These activities
should advance the growth, development and use of the state/local and national networks. These
activities should reflect the state of the science, and will focus on emerging priorities for the
Tracking Program. When supplemental funds are available, information about these activities
will be provided in the annual continuation guidance.
Activity 1: Geocoding Sub-County Data. The expected outcomes of this activity are the
increased utility of sub-county data for grantees, an improved understanding of the process and
resources needed for geo-coding, and the increased availability of sub-county data to support
future national consistent sub-county data standards and collection. Awardees will geocode
(either directly or through collaboration with the data steward) at least the most recent five years
of data for one of the required Nationally Consistent Data and Measures datasets. Awardees
should demonstrate how these data will be utilized to benefit their Tracking program.

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Activity 2: Water boundary mapping. Awardees participating in this activity must collect,
maintain and share geographic information on public drinking water system customer service
areas. Customer service areas are the geographic boundaries that help to identify the population
served by the drinking water purveyor. The awardee will examine the feasibility of mapping
and regularly updating the geographic boundaries of public water systems, and determine how
to integrate such PWS displays into state networks using best practices.
Activity 3: Electronic Health Records (EHR). Awardees will help demonstrate the utility of
EHR data in providing more detailed information in environmental public health tracking. For
this activity, focus will be on exploring the specific use of EHRs for surveillance of exposures
to environmental hazards, and the core data elements needed to apply this data to Tracking.
Activities will also identify processes and methods that can help to overcome barriers in
accessing EHR data for public health surveillance. Barriers could include ethical, technical, or
administrative challenges such as: data privacy, confidentiality and security concerns, and
health data exchange between providers/EHR/health information exchanges and public health
agencies.
1. Collaborations
a. With other CDC programs and CDC-funded organizations:
Awardees are required to collaborate with other CDC-funded programs within their
jurisdictions that focus on related issues when interests and activities align. These may include,
but are not limited to, participants in the Healthy Homes and Lead Poisoning Prevention
Program, National Asthma Control Program, the Division of Birth Defects and Developmental
Disabilities, the Safe Water System, the Division of Cancer Prevention and Control, the Climate
and Health Program and ATSDR’s Program to Promote Localized Efforts To Reduce
Environmental Exposure, for the purposes of sharing data; developing consistent definitions and
measures; and creating maps, tables, or other appropriate tools for demonstrating alignment
between surveillance findings and program efforts.
b. With organizations not funded by CDC:
Awardees are required to collaborate with several key partners, including their state
environmental agencies. These established relationships may also benefit awardees by further
enhancing their activities. When possible, awardees should incorporate external partners (e.g.,
accountable care organizations, big data providers, new commercial technology and service
providers in consumer-driven healthcare); and non-traditional public sector organizations (e.g.,
Tribal Nations, Department of Transportation) into their workplan.
An important component of this announcement is to build partnerships among environmental
and health agencies, their subordinate departments and staff, county health departments, and
public health laboratories. Therefore, applicants must demonstrate that their program will be a
collaborative effort by including the following with their application:

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1. A letter of collaboration signed by both the state (or local) Secretary/Director of Health or
equivalent and the state (or local) Secretary/Director of Environmental
Quality/Protection/Natural Resources or the equivalent agency/department confirming that
partnership exists or will be developed within 90 days from receiving funds:
 Between Health and Environmental Agencies/Departments to exchange and/or share
data, provide technical expertise on data interpretation. Evidence of a partnership may
be a confirmation of an existing memorandum of understanding (MOU) between Health
and Environment that covers activities related to this FOA.
 Between appropriate organizational units within each Agency/Department (within the
Health Department this may include birth defect programs, cancer registries, vital
statistics, lead programs, environmental epidemiology, the state laboratory, chronic
disease, and others).
 If Health and Environment are organized under one state agency/department, a letter of
intent from the Secretary/Director or equivalent of that agency/department confirming
that partnership exists or will be developed across appropriate organizational units
within the Agency/Department as required.
2. A letter designating a public health liaison within the environmental agency/department and
an environmental liaison within the health agency/department, describing their roles and
responsibilities respectively.
3. Eligible local health departments must provide a letter from responsible state authority
assuring that activities related to this program will be coordinated with the State Health
Department, and that the state will cooperate in providing relevant data to support NCDMs on
the local and CDC network portals.
4. A letter of collaboration from the awardee’s Public Health and/or Environment Health
Laboratory director to confirm their collaboration with the awardee throughout the funding
period.
5. A letter of commitment from awardee’s information technology management office
indicating intent for collaboration and coordination on all IT focused activities listed under
“Recipient Activities.”
2. Target Populations
The collection, exploration, visualization, and analysis of Tracking data assists grantees in
identifying populations most at-risk for specific environmental health concerns.
a. Health Disparities
N/A

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iv. Funding Strategy
N/A
b. Evaluation and Performance Measurement
i. CDC Evaluation and Performance Measurement Strategy
Evaluation and performance measurements help demonstrate achievement of program
outcomes, build a stronger practice base for specific program strategies, and support continuous
program improvement. Evaluation and performance measurement can also determine if program
activities are scalable and effective at reaching their target populations. The Tracking Program’s
evaluation strategy is grounded in CDC’s Evaluation Framework for Public Health, MMWR,
September 18, 1999, Vol. 48/ No. RR-11, (http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/RR/RR4811.pdf )
as well as in the surveillance system focused approach described in CDC’s Updated Guidelines
for Evaluating Public Health Surveillance Systems, MMWR, July 27, 2001, Vol. 50/ RR-13,
(http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5013a1.htm). Ultimately, CDC’s Tracking
Program will be evaluated by how well it has documented and identified the environment’s
impact on health and the extent to which the Tracking Program has effectively leveraged its
resources to improve the public’s health.
CDC Evaluation and Performance Measurement Strategy:
CDC will use information collected from awardees to help evaluate the Tracking Program’s
impact on the public health by focusing on these outcomes:
 Public health decision makers and other end-users are aware of and have access to
comprehensive and integrated public health and environmental data, and are able to view
trends and measure impact
 Public health decision makers and other end-users incorporate environmental public
health data into decision making
 Public health and environmental professionals develop and deliver strong informed
programs, targeted interventions, and policies to address environmental health issues
ii. Applicant Evaluation and Performance Measurement Plan
Applicants must provide an evaluation and performance measurement plan that demonstrates
how the awardee 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.
 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

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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
https://www.cdc.gov/grants/additionalrequirements/ar-25.html.
Where the applicant chooses to, or is expected to, take on specific evaluation studies, they
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).
Awardees will be required to submit a more detailed Evaluation and Performance Measurement
plan, including a DMP, within the first 6 months of award, as described in the Reporting
Section of this NOFO.
The 9 key evaluation questions are restated from the strategies in the 'Strategies and Activities'
section above. At minimum, recipients will conduct evaluation in conjunction with CDC to
answer these questions.
The evaluation questions fall into four broad categories: Science and Content, Technology and
Informatics, Communications, and Program Services. They are:
Science and Content:
 To what extent has the program identified and integrated public health and
environmental data?
 To what extent has the program analyzed and applied data to generate evidence-based
information?

Technology and Informatics:
 To what extent has the program maintained and enhanced information technology
infrastructure?

Communications:

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 To what extent has the program conducted program marketing and outreach?
 To what extent has the program initiated, maintained, and expanded partnerships?

Program Services:
 To what extent has the program increased organizational capacity to support and sustain
the Tracking Network?
 To what extent has the program monitored the impact and performance of program
activities?

Environmental Health Tracking Program:
 To what extent has the Environmental Public Health Tracking surveillance data been
integrated with other existing state/local health department surveillance systems?
 To what extent has Environmental Public Health Tracking data, information, and
expertise assisted users who are outside of traditional public health practice?

To answer these questions, CDC will use a standardized evaluation approach that all awardees
will be required to follow. Awardees will be required to 1) collect and report required process
and outcome measures on a quarterly or annual basis, specified in the table below; 2) develop
and implement jurisdiction-based evaluation plans and share findings with CDC if necessary; 3)
participate in refining CDC’s evaluation and performance measurement strategy as necessary.
The following performance measures should be collected for each budget year and reported to
CDC by the end of the budget year. The format for submission will be specified in post-award
guidance. CDC will work with awardees in the first year of the cooperative agreement to
establish and implement the required performance measures. Awardees may develop additional
measures as necessary, but it is not required.
Awardees must report annually on the following measures:
Science and Content:
1.
2.
3.
4.

Number of public health actions submitted per year
Number of new measures and indicators developed for state/local network
Number of new measures and indicators developed that are not NCDM’s
Description of new routine analyses conducted to improve and/or evaluate program
activities

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Technology and Informatics:
1. Number of new tools and processes developed to improve the quality, usefulness,
availability, and timeliness of data
2. List and description of integration of Environmental Public Health Tracking surveillance
data with other state/local public health surveillance system(s)

Communications:
1. Number of trainings given with number of participants in each
2. Number of presentations given (live or webinar) with number of participants in each
3. Number of social media posts with number of impressions for each Twitter post and
reach for each Facebook post
4. Number of program announcements/updates disseminated via listserv, e-newsletter, etc.
5. Number of exhibiting events with number of visitors at each
6. Number of internal and external partners (listed by name)

Program Services:
1. Number, role and title of workgroups and subgroups that your program is participating
in to increase organizational capacity
2. Number of personnel supported directly and in-kind under this program
3. Number of program training opportunities for student interns or fellows
4. Number of activities that are developed in response to requests for data needs, support,
and/or expertise by individuals or groups outside of traditional public health practice
5. Summary of standardized website statistics
Additionally, awardees will be required to collect and submit public health actions on a
quarterly basis (if available), but at least two times a year, as an outcome performance measure.
CDC will use submitted public health actions to demonstrate program impact on an awardee’s
jurisdiction. CDC will work with awardees to identify and provide feedback on submitted
public health actions.
CDC will develop annual, aggregate performance measure reports to be disseminated to
awardees and other stakeholders as appropriate. CDC will use evaluation findings to identify the
overall impact of the Tracking Network and provide recommendations for continuous program
quality improvement.
To ensure program resources are used effectively, CDC will work with awardees to review
required performance measures and discontinue any that provide information with limited use.

16 of 51

c. Organizational Capacity of Awardees to Implement the Approach
Applicants must have demonstrated ability to implement CDC program requirements and meet
project period outcomes. Applicants must describe their current capacity to successfully conduct
program strategies and activities in the areas of science and content, technology and informatics,
communication, and program services.
Applicants should describe the following:
Science and Content Capacity
 The ability of the applicant to analyze and apply data to generate evidence-based
activities including:
o Conducting routine descriptive analyses of Tracking data to evaluate its quality
and completeness, identify and prioritize environmental health issues in their
jurisdiction, and respond to requests for technical assistance from other programs
and decision makers.
o Collecting, analyzing, and using environmental health data to target public health
action or inform public health decision making specific to the jurisdiction.

Information Technology Capacity
 Evidence of a state/city-based Tracking Network consistent with CDC’s portal and data
requirements. Letters of commitment or evidence of existing relationships with required
data stewards.
 The extent to which the applicant describes their ability to maintain required data flows
to CDC through regularly scheduled data calls. If staff outside the immediate
organizational unit are responsible for maintaining data flows, the applicant should
provide a letter of support or other documentation detailing their commitment to
submitting required data in the specified format.

Communications Capacity
 Evidence of engaging key Tracking audiences including data stewards, state and local
health department staff, policymakers, technical advisory groups, and relevant
community or nongovernmental organizations.
 Experience disseminating Tracking communications messages and products to target
audiences

Program Services Capacity
 Experience conducting evaluation activities to identify accomplishments and guide
continuous program improvement.
17 of 51

 The extent to which the applicant can provide leadership and environmental public
health tracking expertise to key partners, including Tracking projects and workgroups.

Staffing Plan and Project Management Structure
 A staffing plan and project management structure with (a) a distribution of project
management, epidemiology, information technology or data management,
communications expertise, and evaluation appropriate for carrying out proposed
activities; (b) clearly defined staff roles; (c) an organizational chart.
 A staffing plan with at least 0.5 dedicated IT staff member either within the program or
directly available from a contractor or other agency program, that is responsible for
developing and maintaining their Tracking Network.
 A staffing plan with at least one 0.5 FTE staff with a background in risk
communications, marketing, or other experience related to communicating complex
environmental public health information.
 Position descriptions and resumes indicating that each staff member has the
qualifications, knowledge, training, and experience to perform assigned duties.
d. Work Plan
Applicants must submit a work plan that covers the first year of the five-year project period.
Applicants may include a high level summary of activities for subsequent project years if space
allows.
Work plans must include and identify strategies and selected activities with their associated
performance measures (including data sources, targets, and timeframe for completion). Selected
strategies and activities should identify the person, organizational unit, or contractor responsible
for implementation. The work plan should clearly identify the required core activities and
selected advanced activity for each strategy.
An example work plan template is available below. Applicants are not required to use this
template, but should incorporate all of the required elements.
Work Plan Template
Project Task Strategy Output Outcome
Title
and
Activity

Performance Measure

Timeline

18 of 51

e. CDC Monitoring and Accountability Approach
Monitoring activities include routine and ongoing communication between CDC and awardees,
site visits, and awardee 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 awardee progress in achieving the desired outcomes.
 Ensuring the adequacy of awardee 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 awardees are performing at a sufficient level to achieve outcomes
within stated timeframes.
 Working with awardees 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 grantees.

f. CDC Program Support to Awardees (THIS SECTION APPLIES ONLY TO
COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS)
CDC will provide substantial involvement beyond site visits and regular performance and
finance monitoring during project periods. Areas of support include technical assistance,
information sharing between awardees, as well as other areas of support. Activities
include:

19 of 51

1.
Maintain and revise the National Tracking Network Architecture as Tracking/PHIN
standards evolve in order to meet the awardee’s needs.
2.
Manage and maintain the National Tracking Network based on specifications in the
Technical Network Implementation Plan (TNIP - https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/tracking/foa.htm
), with input from awardees and other Tracking partners.
3.

Maintain the CDC gateway of the National Tracking Network.

4.

Maintain and revise Tracking standards for the portal and NCDMs.

5.

Review public health actions and maintain a repository of approved public health actions.

6.

Foster collaboration with:
o CDC’s National Center of Environmental Health’s Office of the Director, as
needed, to maintain and facilitate the creation of any emerging Tracking-related
technical and data standards.
o CDC’s Office of Public Health Scientific Services (OPHSS), as needed, to
maintain and facilitate the creation of any new Tracking-related technical and
data standards.
o CDC’s Office of Public Health Preparedness and Response (OPHPR), as needed,
to maintain and facilitate the creation of any emerging Tracking-related technical
and data standards.
o Federal data partners such as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA),
the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), National Aeronautics and Space
Administration (NASA), and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
(NOAA) to further the use of environmental data, fill data gaps, and develop
methods and tools for use in Tracking.
o Awardees on projects to (a) improve the quality of data provided to CDC for the
National Tracking Network Portals, and (b) explore methods and best practices
for linking and analyzing health and environmental data.
o National data stewards and other professional organizations to facilitate data and
information sharing and improvements in data quality that will support the
awardees’ Tracking activities.
o Tribal organizations to develop environmental health capacity and assess tribal
environmental health priorities within grantee jurisdictions.

7.

Coordinate:
o Technical assistance to awardees in work plan development; design and
implementation of program activities, including analysis and presentation of
data; and facilitation of regional trainings.
o Awardee data submissions and develop/maintain tools to assist awardees during
the data submission process.
o With EPA and OPHSS to ensure interoperability between CDC’s PHIN and
EPA’s National Environmental Information Exchange Network.
o Identification, development, and/or maintenance of appropriate methods and

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tools for use in the National Tracking Network and facilitate license agreements,
where appropriate, to provide broad access among Tracking partners to these
tools.
o Activities at the national level among Centers, Institutes and Offices at CDC and
the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry as well as other federal
partners, national data organizations, and national partners.
8.
Facilitate the development of Tracking-specific communication and outreach strategy
guidelines with input from awardees and other Tracking partners, and the criteria to evaluate the
effectiveness of the activities in the guidelines.
9.
Provide specific NCDMs from federal partners for use on state and local network portals
as appropriate and in compliance with CDC data sharing agreements.
10.

Facilitate:
o A monthly forum for principal investigators via teleconference to promote the
discussion of key Tracking issues and exchange of ideas.
o A National Tracking Program meeting approximately once every other year, and
up to two grantee meetings annually.

11. Implement and participate in projects and workgroups as needed to address specific
program issues. Work with awardees on workgroups as needed to solicit input from state/local
partners, academic partners, and other stakeholders on issues relevant to the implementation of
the state and national Tracking networks.
12. Conduct program evaluation activities including but not limited to annual or semi-annual
portal evaluations for all recipients. Program evaluation activities will also include: 1)
comprehensive program assessment of overall progress made toward network development at
the state and national levels; 2) training activities; 3) data utilization; 4) partnership, outreach
and communication activities.
13. Securely maintain, manage, and disseminate data provided by grantees and other partners
as described in the Tracking Programs Data Re-Release Plan https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/track
ing/foa.htm

B. Award Information
1. Funding Instrument Type:

Cooperative Agreement
CDC's substantial involvement in this
program appears in the CDC Program
Support to Awardees Section.
2. Award Mechanism:
UE1
UE1 - Studies of Environmental Hazards and Health Effects - Cooperative Agreements to
Develop or Improve Facets of the Public Health Information
3. Fiscal Year:
4. Approximate Total Fiscal Year Funding:

2017
$20,800,000
21 of 51

5. Approximate Project Period Funding:

$104,000,000

This amount is subject to the availability of funds.
Estimated Total Funding:
6. Total Project Period Length:
7. Expected Number of Awards:

$104,000,000
5 year(s)
26

8. Approximate Average Award:

$785,000 Per Budget Period

9. Award Ceiling:

$1,200,000 Per Budget Period

This amount is subject to the availability of funds.
10. Award Floor:

$600,000 Per Budget Period

11. Estimated Award Date:
12. Budget Period Length:

08/01/2017
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 awardee (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 project period comprises the initial
competitive segment and any subsequent non-competitive continuation award(s).
13. Direct Assistance
Direct Assistance (DA) is available through this FOA.
Direct Assistance (DA) is available through this FOA.
An official state, tribal nation, local or territorial government applicant may request that CDC
provide Direct Assistance (DA) in the form of federal personnel as a part of the grant awarded
through this FOA. If your request for DA is approved as a part of your award, CDC will reduce
the funding amount provided directly to you as a part of your award. The amount by which your
award is reduced will be used to provide DA; the funding shall be deemed part of the award and
as having been paid to you, the awardee.

C. Eligibility Information
1. Eligible Applicants
Eligibility Category:

Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of
entity above), subject to any clarification
in text field entitled "Additional

22 of 51

Information on Eligibility"
Additional Eligibility Category:
2. Additional Information on Eligibility
1. A letter of collaboration signed by both the state (or local) Secretary/Director of Health or
equivalent and the state (or local) Secretary/Director of Environmental
Quality/Protection/Natural Resources or the equivalent agency/department confirming that
partnership exists or will be developed within 90 days from receiving funds:
* Between Health and Environmental Agencies/Departments to exchange and/or share data,
provide technical expertise on data interpretation. Evidence of a partnership may be a
confirmation of an existing memorandum of understanding (MOU) between Health and
Environment that covers activities related to this FOA.
* Between appropriate organizational units within each Agency/Department (within the Health
Department this may include birth defect programs, cancer registries, vital statistics, lead
programs, environmental epidemiology, the state laboratory, chronic disease, and others).
* If Health and Environment are organized under one state agency/department, a letter of intent
from the Secretary/Director or equivalent of that agency/department confirming that partnership
exists or will be developed across appropriate organizational units within the
Agency/Department as required.
2. A letter designating a public health liaison within the environmental agency/department and
an environmental liaison within the health agency/department, describing their roles and
responsibilities.
3. Eligible local health departments must provide a letter from responsible state authority
assuring that activities related to this program will be coordinated with the State Health
Department, and that the state will cooperate in providing relevant data to support NCDMs on
the local and CDC portals.
4. A letter of collaboration from the awardee's Public Health and/or Environment Health
Laboratory director to confirm their collaboration with the awardee throughout the funding
period.
5. A letter of commitment from awardee's IT management office indicating intent for
collaboration and coordination on all IT focused activities listed under "Recipient Activities."

3. Justification for Less than Maximum Competition
N/A
4. Cost Sharing or Matching
Cost Sharing / Matching Requirement:
No
Cost sharing or matching funds are not required for this program. Although no statutory
matching requirement for this FOA exists, leveraging other resources and related ongoing
efforts to promote sustainability is strongly encouraged.
5. Maintenance of Effort

23 of 51

Maintenance of effort is not required for this program.
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-awardees, those subawardees must provide their DUNS numbers before accepting any funds.
b. System for Award Management (SAM):
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 an awardee. 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 www.SAM.gov.
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
“Get Registered” 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
1
Data
Universal
Number
System
(DUNS)

Requirements
Duration
1. Click on http://
1-2 Business
fedgov.dnb.com/ webform Days
2. Select Begin DUNS
search/request process
3. Select your country or
territory and follow the
instructions to obtain your

Follow Up
To confirm that
you have been
issued a new
DUNS number
check online at
(http://
fedgov.dnb.com/
24 of 51

2

3

DUNS 9-digit #
4. Request appropriate
staff member(s) to obtain
DUNS number, verify &
update information under
DUNS number
System for 1. Retrieve organizations
Award
DUNS number
Management 2. Go to www.sam.gov
(SAM)
and designate an E-Biz
formerly
POC (note CCR username
Central
will not work in SAM and
Contractor you will need to have an
Registration active SAM account
(CCR)
before you can register on
grants.gov)
Grants.gov 1. Set up an individual
account in Grants.gov
using organization new
DUNS number to become
an authorized 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 EBIZ POC received and
create new password
4. This authorizes the
AOR to submit
applications on behalf of
the organization

webform) or call
1-866-705-5711

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

For SAM
Customer
Service Contact
https://fsd.gov/
fsd-gov/
home.do Calls:
866-606-8220

Same day but Register early!
can take 8 Log into
weeks to be grants.gov and
fully
check AOR
registered
status until it
and approved shows you have
in the system been approved
(note,
applicants
MUST
obtain a
DUNS
number and
SAM
account
before
applying on
grants.gov)

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. If Internet access is not available, or
if the online forms cannot be accessed, applicants may call the CDC OGS staff at 770-4882700 or e-mail OGS ogstims@cdc.gov for assistance. Persons with hearing loss may access
CDC telecommunications at TTY 1-888-232-6348.

25 of 51

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)
Due Date for Letter of Intent: N/A
b. Application Deadline
Due Date for Applications: 05/31/2017 , 11:59 p.m. 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.
Date for Information Conference Call
TBD
5. CDC Assurances and Certifications
All applicants are required to sign and submit “Assurances and Certifications” documents
indicated at http://wwwn.cdc.gov/ grantassurances/ (S(mj444mxct51lnrv1hljjjmaa))
/Homepage.aspx.
Applicants may follow either of the following processes:
 Complete the applicable assurances and certifications with each application submission,
name the file “Assurances and Certifications” and upload it as a PDF file with at
www.grants.gov
 Complete the applicable assurances and certifications and submit them directly to CDC
on an annual basis at http://wwwn.cdc.gov/ grantassurances/
(S(mj444mxct51lnrv1hljjjmaa))/ Homepage.aspx
Assurances and certifications submitted directly to CDC will be kept on file for one year and
will apply to all applications submitted to CDC by the applicant within one year of the
submission date.
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
26 of 51

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. Overlap, whether programmatic,
budgetary, or commitment of an individual’s effort greater than 100 percent, is not permitted.
Any overlap will be resolved by the CDC with the applicant and the PD/PI prior to award.
Report Submission: The applicant must upload the report in Grants.gov under “Other
Attachment Forms.” The document should be labeled: "Report on Programmatic, Budgetary,
and Commitment Overlap.”

6. Content and Form of Application Submission
Applicants are required to include all of the following documents with their application package
at www.grants.gov.
7. Letter of Intent
LOI is not requested or required as part of the application for this FOA.
8. Table of Contents
(There is no page limit. The table of contents is not included in the project narrative page
limit.): The applicant must provide, as a separate attachment, the “Table of Contents” for the
entire submission package.
Provide a detailed table of contents for the entire submission package that includes all of the
documents in the application and headings in the "Project Narrative" section. Name the file
"Table of Contents" and upload it as a PDF file under "Other Attachment Forms"
at www.grants.gov.
9. Project Abstract Summary
(Maximum 1 page)
A project abstract is included on the mandatory documents list and must be submitted
at www.grants.gov. The project abstract must be a self-contained, brief summary of the
proposed project including the purpose and outcomes. This summary must not include any
proprietary or confidential information. Applicants must enter the summary in the "Project
Abstract Summary" text box at www.grants.gov.

10. Project Narrative
(Unless specified in the "H. Other Information" section, maximum of 20 pages, single spaced,
12 point font, 1-inch margins, number all pages. This includes the work plan. Content beyond
the specified page number will not be reviewed.)
Applicants must submit a Project Narrative with the application forms. Applicants must name
this file “Project Narrative” and upload it at www.grants.gov. The Project Narrative must
include all of the following headings (including subheadings): Background, Approach,
27 of 51

Applicant Evaluation and Performance Measurement Plan, Organizational Capacity of
Applicants to Implement the Approach, and Work Plan. The Project Narrative must be succinct,
self-explanatory, and in the order outlined in this section. It must address outcomes and
activities to be conducted over the entire project period as identified in the CDC Project
Description section. Applicants should use the federal plain language guidelines and Clear
Communication Index to respond to this Notice of Funding Opportunity. Note that awardees
should also use these tools when creating public communication materials supported by this
NOFO. Failure to follow the guidance and format may negatively impact scoring of the
application.
a. Background
Applicants must provide a description of relevant background information that includes the
context of the problem (See CDC Background).
b. Approach
i. Purpose
Applicants must describe in 2-3 sentences specifically how their application will address the
public health problem as described in the CDC Background section.
ii. Outcomes
Applicants must clearly identify the outcomes they expect to achieve by the end of the project
period, as identified in the logic model in the Approach section of the CDC Project Description.
Outcomes are the results that the program intends to achieve and usually indicate the intended
direction of change (e.g., increase, decrease).
iii. Strategies and Activities
Applicants must provide a clear and concise description of the strategies and activities they will
use to achieve the project period outcomes. Applicants must select existing evidence-based
strategies that meet their needs, or describe in the Applicant Evaluation and Performance
Measurement Plan how these strategies will be evaluated over the course of the project period.
See the Strategies and Activities section of the CDC Project Description.
1. Collaborations
Applicants must describe how they will collaborate with programs and organizations either
internal or external to CDC. Applicants must address the Collaboration requirements as
described in the CDC Project Description.
Applicants should refer back to the Collaboration section requirement stated in the Project
Description section of the FOA.
2. Target Populations and Health Disparities
Applicants must describe the specific target population(s) in their jurisdiction and explain how
such a target will achieve the goals of the award and/or alleviate health disparities. The
applicants must also address how they will include specific populations that can benefit from
the program that is described in the Approach section. Applicants must address the Target
28 of 51

Populations and Health Disparities requirements as described in the CDC Project Description.

c. Applicant Evaluation and Performance Measurement Plan
Applicants must provide an evaluation and performance measurement plan that demonstrates
how the awardee 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. The
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA): Applicants are advised that any activities
involving information collections (e.g., surveys, questionnaires, applications, audits,
data requests, reporting, recordkeeping and disclosure requirements) from 10 or more
individuals or non-Federal entities, including State and local governmental agencies, and
funded or sponsored by the Federal Government are subject to review and approval by
the Office of Management and Budget. For further information about CDC’s
requirements under PRA see http://www.hhs.gov/ ocio/policy/collection/.
 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, data management plan (DMP), and other relevant data information (e.g.,
performance measures proposed by the applicant).
Where the applicant chooses to, or is expected to, take on specific evaluation studies, they
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).
Awardees will be required to submit a more detailed Evaluation and Performance Measurement
plan (including the DMP elements) within the first 6 months of award, as described in the
Reporting Section of this NOFO.

d. Organizational Capacity of Applicants to Implement the Approach
Applicants must address the organizational capacity requirements as described in the CDC
Project Description.

11. Work Plan
(Included in the Project Narrative’s page limit)
Applicants must prepare a work plan consistent with the CDC Project Description Work Plan

29 of 51

section. The work plan integrates and delineates more specifically how the awardee plans to
carry out achieving the project period outcomes, strategies and activities, evaluation and
performance measurement.

12. Budget Narrative
Applicants must submit an itemized budget narrative. When developing the budget narrative,
applicants must consider whether the proposed budget is reasonable and consistent with the
purpose, outcomes, and program strategy outlined in the project narrative. The budget must
include:











Salaries and wages
Fringe benefits
Consultant costs
Equipment
Supplies
Travel
Other categories
Contractual costs
Total Direct costs
Total Indirect costs

Indirect costs could include the cost of collecting, managing, sharing and preserving data.
Indirect costs will not be reimbursed under grants to foreign organizations, international
organizations, and foreign components of grants to domestic organizations (does not affect
indirect cost reimbursement to the domestic entity for domestic activities).
For guidance on completing a detailed budget, see Budget Preparation Guidelines at: http://
www.cdc.gov /grants /interested in applying /application resources.html.
If applicable and consistent with the cited statutory authority for this announcement, applicant
entities may use funds for activities as they relate to the intent of this NOFO to meet national
standards or seek health department accreditation through the Public Health Accreditation
Board (see: http://www.phaboard.org). Applicant entities to whom this provision applies
include state, local, territorial governments (including the District of Columbia, the
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, the Commonwealth of the Northern
Marianna Islands, American Samoa, Guam, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of
the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau), or their bona fide agents, political subdivisions
of states (in consultation with states), federally recognized or state-recognized American Indian
or Alaska Native tribal governments, and American Indian or Alaska Native tribally designated
organizations. Activities include those that enable a public health organization to deliver public
health services such as activities that ensure a capable and qualified workforce, up-to-date
information systems, and the capability to assess and respond to public health needs. Use of
these funds must focus on achieving a minimum of one national standard that supports the
intent of the NOFO. Proposed activities must be included in the budget narrative and must
indicate which standards will be addressed.
Applicants must name this file “Budget Narrative” and upload it as a PDF file
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at www.grants.gov. If requesting indirect costs in the budget, a copy of the indirect cost-rate
agreement is required. If the indirect costs are requested, include a copy of the current
negotiated federal indirect cost rate agreement or a cost allocation plan approval letter for those
Grantees under such a plan. Applicants must name this file “Indirect Cost Rate” and upload it
at www.grants.gov.

13. Funds Tracking
Proper fiscal oversight is critical to maintaining public trust in the stewardship of federal funds.
Effective October 1, 2013, a new HHS policy on subaccounts requires the CDC to set up
payment subaccounts within the Payment Management System (PMS) for all new grant awards.
Funds awarded in support of approved activities and drawdown instructions will be identified
on the Notice of Award in a newly established PMS subaccount (P subaccount). Grantees will
be required to draw down funds from award-specific accounts in the PMS. Ultimately, the
subaccounts will provide grantees and CDC a more detailed and precise understanding of
financial transactions. The successful applicant will be required to track funds by Paccounts/sub accounts for each project/cooperative agreement awarded.
Applicants are encouraged to demonstrate a record of fiscal responsibility and the ability to
provide sufficient and effective oversight. Financial management systems must meet the
requirements as described 2 CFR 200 which include, but are not limited to, the following:
 Records that identify adequately the source and application of funds for federally-funded
activities.
 Effective control over, and accountability for, all funds, property, and other assets.
 Comparison of expenditures with budget amounts for each Federal award.
 Written procedures to implement payment requirements.
 Written procedures for determining cost allowability.
 Written procedures for financial reporting and monitoring.

14. Intergovernmental Review
The application is subject to Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs, as governed by
Executive Order 12372, which established a system for state and local intergovernmental
review of proposed federal assistance applications. Applicants should inform their state single
point of contact (SPOC) as early as possible that they are applying prospectively for federal
assistance and request instructions on the state's process. The current SPOC list is available at:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants_spoc/.
15. Pilot Program for Enhancement of Employee Whistleblower Protections
Pilot Program for Enhancement of Employee Whistleblower Protections: All applicants will be
subject to a term and condition that applies the terms of 48 Code of Federal Regulations
(CFR) section 3.908 to the award and requires that grantees inform their employees in writing
(in the predominant native language of the workforce) of employee whistleblower rights and

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protections under 41 U.S.C. 4712.

16. Copyright Interests Provisions
This provision is intended to ensure that the public has access to the results and
accomplishments of public health activities funded by CDC. Pursuant to applicable grant
regulations and CDC’s Public Access Policy, Recipient agrees to submit into the National
Institutes of Health (NIH) Manuscript Submission (NIHMS) system an electronic version of the
final, peer-reviewed manuscript of any such work developed under this award upon acceptance
for publication, to be made publicly available no later than 12 months after the official date of
publication. Also at the time of submission, Recipient and/or the Recipient’s submitting author
must specify the date the final manuscript will be publicly accessible through PubMed Central
(PMC). Recipient and/or Recipient’s submitting author must also post the manuscript through
PMC within twelve (12) months of the publisher's official date of final publication; however the
author is strongly encouraged to make the subject manuscript available as soon as possible. The
recipient must obtain prior approval from the CDC for any exception to this provision.
The author's final, peer-reviewed manuscript is defined as the final version accepted for journal
publication, and includes all modifications from the publishing peer review process, and all
graphics and supplemental material associated with the article. Recipient and its submitting
authors working under this award are responsible for ensuring that any publishing or copyright
agreements concerning submitted articles reserve adequate right to fully comply with this
provision and the license reserved by CDC. The manuscript will be hosted in both PMC and the
CDC Stacks institutional repository system. In progress reports for this award, recipient must
identify publications subject to the CDC Public Access Policy by using the applicable NIHMS
identification number for up to three (3) months after the publication date and the PubMed
Central identification number (PMCID) thereafter.
17. Funding Restrictions
Restrictions that must be considered while planning the programs and writing the budget are:
 Awardees may not use funds for research.
 Awardees may not use funds for clinical care except as allowed by law.
 Awardees may use funds only for reasonable program purposes, including personnel,
travel, supplies, and services.
 Generally, awardees may not use funds to purchase furniture or equipment. Any such
proposed spending must be clearly identified in the budget.
 Reimbursement of pre-award costs generally is not allowed, unless the CDC provides
written approval to the awardee.
 Other than for normal and recognized executive-legislative relationships, no funds may
be used for:
o publicity or propaganda purposes, for the preparation, distribution, or use of any
material designed to support or defeat the enactment of legislation before any
legislative body
o the salary or expenses of any grant or contract recipient, or agent acting for such
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recipient, related to any activity designed to influence the enactment of
legislation, appropriations, regulation, administrative action, or Executive order
proposed or pending before any legislative body
 See Additional Requirement (AR) 12 for detailed guidance on this prohibition
and additional guidance on lobbying for CDC awardees.
 The direct and primary recipient in a cooperative agreement program must perform a
substantial role in carrying out project outcomes and not merely serve as a conduit for an
award to another party or provider who is ineligible.

18. Data Management Plan
As identified in the Evaluation and Performance Measurement section, applications involving
data collection must include a Data Management Plan (DMP) as part of their evaluation and
performance measurement plan. The DMP is the applicant’s assurance of the quality of the
public health data through the data’s lifecycle and plans to deposit data in a repository to
preserve and to make the data accessible in a timely manner. See web link for additional
information:
https://www.cdc.gov/grants/additionalrequirements/ar-25.html
19. Other Submission Requirements
a. Electronic Submission: Applications must be submitted electronically at www.grants.gov.
The application package can be downloaded at www.grants.gov. Applicants can complete the
application package off-line and submit the application by uploading it at www.grants.gov. All
application attachments must be submitted using a PDF file format. Directions for creating PDF
files can be found at www.grants.gov. File formats other than PDF may not be readable by OGS
Technical Information Management Section (TIMS) staff.
Applications must be submitted electronically by using the forms and instructions posted for
this notice of funding opportunity at www.grants.gov.
If Internet access is not available or if the forms cannot be accessed online, applicants may
contact the OGS TIMS staff at 770- 488-2700 or by e-mail at ogstims@cdc.gov, Monday
through Friday, 7:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m., except federal holidays. Electronic applications will be
considered successful if they are available to OGS TIMS staff for processing
from www.grants.gov on the deadline date.
b. Tracking Number: Applications submitted through www.grants.gov are time/date stamped
electronically and assigned a tracking number. The applicant’s Authorized Organization
Representative (AOR) will be sent an e-mail notice of receipt when www.grants.gov receives
the application. The tracking number documents that the application has been submitted and
initiates the required electronic validation process before the application is made available to
CDC.

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c. Validation Process: Application submission is not concluded until the validation process is
completed successfully. After the application package is submitted, the applicant will receive a
“submission receipt” e-mail generated by www.grants.gov. A second e-mail message to
applicants will then be generated by www.grants.gov that will either validate or reject the
submitted application package. This validation process may take as long as two business days.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to check the status of their application to ensure that
submission of their package has been completed and no submission errors have occurred.
Applicants also are strongly encouraged to allocate ample time for filing to guarantee that their
application can be submitted and validated by the deadline published in the NOFO. Nonvalidated applications will not be accepted after the published application deadline date.
If you do not receive a “validation” e-mail within two business days of application submission,
please contact www.grants.gov. For instructions on how to track your application, refer to the email message generated at the time of application submission or the Grants.gov Online User
Guide.
https:// www.grants.gov/help/html/help/index.htm? callingApp=custom#t=
Get_Started%2FGet_Started. htm
d. Technical Difficulties: If technical difficulties are encountered at www.grants.gov,
applicants should contact Customer Service at www.grants.gov. The www.grants.gov Contact
Center is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, except federal holidays. The Contact Center
is available by phone at 1-800-518-4726 or by e-mail at support@grants.gov. Application
submissions sent by e-mail or fax, or on CDs or thumb drives will not be accepted. Please note
that www.grants.gov is managed by HHS.
e. Paper Submission: If technical difficulties are encountered at www.grants.gov, applicants
should call the www.grants.gov Contact Center at 1-800-518-4726 or e-mail them
at support@grants.gov for assistance. After consulting with the Contact Center, if the technical
difficulties remain unresolved and electronic submission is not possible, applicants may e-mail
CDC GMO/GMS, before the deadline, and request permission to submit a paper application.
Such requests are handled on a case-by-case basis.
An applicant’s request for permission to submit a paper application must:
1. Include the www.grants.gov case number assigned to the inquiry
2. Describe the difficulties that prevent electronic submission and the efforts taken with
the www.grants.gov Contact Center to submit electronically; and
3. Be received via e-mail to the GMS/GMO listed below at least three calendar days before
the application deadline. Paper applications submitted without prior approval will not be
considered.
If a paper application is authorized, OGS will advise the applicant of specific
instructions for submitting the application (e.g., original and two hard copies of the
application by U.S. mail or express delivery service).

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E. Review and Selection Process
1. Review and Selection Process: Applications will be reviewed in three phases
a. Phase 1 Review
All applications will be initially reviewed for eligibility and completeness by CDC Office of
Grants Services. Complete applications will be reviewed for responsiveness by the Grants
Management Officials and Program Officials. Non-responsive applications will not advance to
Phase II review. Applicants will be notified that their applications did not meet eligibility and/or
published submission requirements.
b. Phase II Review
A review panel will evaluate complete, eligible applications in accordance with the criteria
below.
i. Approach
ii. Evaluation and Performance Measurement
iii. Applicant’s Organizational Capacity to Implement the Approach
Not more than thirty days after the Phase II review is completed, applicants will be notified
electronically if their application does not meet eligibility or published submission
requirements.
i. Approach
Evaluate the extent to which the applicant addresses the items below:

Maximum Points:40

Purpose
 Identifies a purpose and associated outcome consistent with the strategies outlined in
the FOA and the logic model presented in the CDC Project Description
Strategies and Activities
 The extent to which the applicant demonstrates that 75% of the core activities are
currently in place for their application
 The extent to which the applicant presents their strategy for implementing 100% of the
core activities by the end of year 1
 The extent to which the applicant describes their approach to select and implement at
least 2 new advanced activities per year
Work Plan
 The extent to which the applicant presents a work plan that is clearly aligned with
proposed strategies/activities, outcomes, and performance measures in the approach and
is consistent with the content and format proposed by CDC
ii. Evaluation and Performance Measurement

Maximum Points:25

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Evaluate the extent to which the applicant addresses the items below:
 The extent to which the applicant describes mechanisms to collect data from identified
data sources to report on required CDC performance measures
 Describes a commitment to collecting and reporting data for performance measures
 Commits to submitting performance measures in a format prescribed by CDC
 Describes a process for engaging stakeholders in the evaluation process
 Describes how findings from evaluation activities will be used to ensure continuous
quality and program improvement
 Describes how the applicant will disseminate the results of any evaluation to
stakeholders and CDC
iii. Applicant's Organizational Capacity to Implement the
Approach
Evaluate the extent to which the applicant addresses the items below:

Maximum Points:35

Science and Content Capacity
 Evidence of the applicant’s capacity to conduct routine descriptive analyses of Tracking
data to evaluate its quality and completeness, identify and prioritize environmental heal
issues in their jurisdiction, and respond to requests for technical assistance from other
programs and decision makers.
 Evidence of collecting, analyzing, and using environmental health data sets to target
public health action or inform public health decision making specific to the jurisdiction.
Technology and Informatics Capacity
 Evidence of a state-based Tracking Network consistent with CDC’s portal and data
requirements. Letters of commitment or evidence of existing relationships with required
data stewards.
 The extent to which the applicant describes their ability to maintain required data flows
to CDC through regularly scheduled data calls. If staff outside the immediate
organizational unit are responsible for maintaining data flows, the applicant should
provide a letter of support or other documentation detailing their commitment to
submitting required data in the specified format.
 The extent to which the applicant can maintain and innovate their state-based Tracking
Network. Applicants should explicitly describe who is responsible for developing and
maintaining their Tracking Network (e.g. internal staff, or a contractor). If the applicant
relies on staff outside the immediate organizational unit of Tracking (e.g. a state-based
information technology office), the applicant should provide a letter of support or other
documentation detailing their commitment to implementing Information Technology
strategies in conjunction with the applicant.
Communications Capacity

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 Evidence of engaging key Tracking audiences including data stewards, state and local
health department staff, policymakers, technical advisory groups, and relevant
community or nongovernmental organizations.
 Experience disseminating Tracking communications messages and products to target
audiences
Program Services Capacity
 Experience conducting evaluation activities to identify accomplishments and guide
continuous program improvement.
 The extent to which the applicant can provide leadership and environmental public
health tracking expertise to key partners, including Tracking projects and workgroups.
Staffing Plan and Project Management Structure
 A staffing plan and project management structure with (a) a distribution of project
management, epidemiology, information technology or data management,
communications expertise, and evaluation appropriate for carrying out proposed
activities; (b) clearly defined staff roles; (c) an organizational chart.
 It is highly recommended that the program have at least 0.5 dedicated IT staff member
either within the program or directly available from a contractor or other agency
program.
 A staffing plan with at least one 0.5 FTE staff with a background in risk
communications, marketing, or other experience related to communicating complex
environmental public health information.
 Position descriptions and resumes indicating that each staff member has the
qualifications, knowledge, training, and experience to perform assigned duties.
Budget
Budget – Reviewed but not scored. Although the budget is not scored, applicants should
consider the following when developing their budget:
• Is the project’s budget itemized, and is the budget’s justification reasonable and consistent
with stated objectives and planned program activities?
• Does the budget allow for a minimum of two project staff and for management staff to
attend two yet-undetermined CDC hosted meetings or training sessions for each budget year?
• If the applicant requests indirect costs in the budget, a copy of the indirect cost-rate
agreement is required. If the indirect cost rate is a provisional rate, the agreement should have
been made less than 12 months earlier. The indirect cost-rate agreement should be uploaded as
a PDF file with “Other Attachment Forms” when submitting online. The applicant can obtain
guidance for completing a detailed justified budget on the CDC Web site, at
http://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/funding/budgetguide.htm
c. Phase III Review

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Applications will be funded in order by score and rank determined by the review panel.
Review of risk posed by applicants.
Prior to making a Federal award, CDC is required by 31 U.S.C. 3321 and 41 U.S.C. 2313 to
review information available through any OMB-designated repositories of government-wide
eligibility qualification or financial integrity information as appropriate. See also suspension
and debarment requirements at 2 CFR parts 180 and 376.
In accordance 41 U.S.C. 2313, CDC is required to review the non-public segment of the OMBdesignated integrity and performance system accessible through SAM (currently the Federal
Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System (FAPIIS)) prior to making a Federal
award where the Federal share is expected to exceed the simplified acquisition threshold,
defined in 41 U.S.C. 134, over the period of performance. At a minimum, the information in the
system for a prior Federal award recipient must demonstrate a satisfactory record of executing
programs or activities under Federal grants, cooperative agreements, or procurement awards;
and integrity and business ethics. CDC may make a Federal award to a recipient who does not
fully meet these standards, if it is determined that the information is not relevant to the current
Federal award under consideration or there are specific conditions that can appropriately
mitigate the effects of the non-Federal entity's risk in accordance with 45 CFR §75.207.
CDC’s framework for evaluating the risks posed by an applicant may incorporate results of the
evaluation of the applicant's eligibility or the quality of its application. If it is determined that a
Federal award will be made, special conditions that correspond to the degree of risk assessed
may be applied to the Federal award. The evaluation criteria is described in this Notice of
Funding Opportunity.
In evaluating risks posed by applicants, CDC will use a risk-based approach and may consider
any items such as the following:
(1) Financial stability;
(2) Quality of management systems and ability to meet the management standards prescribed in
this part;
(3) History of performance. The applicant's record in managing Federal awards, if it is a prior
recipient of Federal awards, including timeliness of compliance with applicable reporting
requirements, conformance to the terms and conditions of previous Federal awards, and if
applicable, the extent to which any previously awarded amounts will be expended prior to
future awards;
(4) Reports and findings from audits performed under subpart F 45 CFR 75 or the reports and
findings of any other available audits; and
(5) The applicant's ability to effectively implement statutory, regulatory, or other requirements
imposed on non-Federal entities.
CDC must comply with the guidelines on government-wide suspension and debarment in 2
CFR part 180, and require non-Federal entities to comply with these provisions. These
provisions restrict Federal awards, subawards and contracts with certain parties that are
debarred, suspended or otherwise excluded from or ineligible for participation in Federal
programs or activities.

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2. Announcement and Anticipated Award Dates
Awards will be announced at the earliest possible date. Awardees will receive an electronic
copy of the Notice of Award (NOA) from CDC OFR, and unsuccessful applicants will be
notified by e-mail.
F. Award Administration Information
1. Award Notices
Awardees will receive an electronic copy of the Notice of Award (NOA) from CDC OGS. The
NOA shall be the only binding, authorizing document between the awardee and CDC. The
NOA will be signed by an authorized GMO and emailed to the Awardee Business Officer listed
in application and the Program Director.
Any applicant awarded funds in response to this Notice of Funding Opportunity will be subject
to the DUNS, SAM Registration, and Federal Funding Accountability And Transparency Act
Of 2006 (FFATA) requirements.
Unsuccessful applicants will receive notification of these results by e-mail with delivery receipt
or by U.S. mail.
2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements
Awardees must comply with the administrative and public policy requirements outlined in 45
CFR Part 75 and the HHS Grants Policy Statement, as appropriate.
Brief descriptions of relevant provisions are available
at http://www.cdc.gov/grants/additionalrequirements/index.html#ui-id-17.
The HHS Grants Policy Statement is available
at http://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/grants/grants/policies-regulations/hhsgps107.pdf.
Awardees must comply with the administrative requirements outlined in 45 C.F.R. Part 74 or
Part 92, as appropriate. Brief descriptions of relevant provisions are available at http://www.cdc
.gov/od/pgo/funding/grants/additional_req.shtm.
The following Administrative Requirements (AR) apply to this project:
• AR-7: Executive Order 12372
• AR-8: Public Health System Reporting Requirements
• AR-9: Paperwork Reduction Act
• AR-10: Smoke-Free Workplace
• AR-11: Healthy People 2020
• AR-12: Lobbying Restrictions
• AR-13: Prohibition on Use of CDC Funds for Certain Gun Control Activities
• AR-14: Accounting System Requirements
• AR-24: Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act
• AR-25: Release and Sharing of Data
• AR-29: Compliance with EO13513, “Federal Leadership on Reducing Text Messaging while
Driving,” October 1, 2009
• AR-30: Compliance with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
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• AR-33: Plain Writing Act of 2010
• AR-34: Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (e.g., a tobacco-free campus policy and a
lactation policy consistent with S4207)
For more information on the CFR visit http://www. access.gpo.gov/ nara/cfr/cfr-tablesearch.html
3. Reporting
Reporting provides continuous program monitoring and identifies successes and challenges that
awardees encounter throughout the project period. Also, reporting is a requirement for awardees
who want to apply for yearly continuation of funding. Reporting helps CDC and awardees
because it:
 Helps target support to awardees;
 Provides CDC with periodic data to monitor awardee progress toward meeting
the Notice of Funding Opportunity outcomes and overall performance;
 Allows CDC to track performance measures and evaluation findings for continuous
quality and program improvement throughout the project period and to determine
applicability of evidence-based approaches to different populations, settings, and
contexts; and
 Enables CDC to assess the overall effectiveness and influence of the NOFO.
The table below summarizes required and optional reports. All required reports must be sent
electronically to GMS listed in the “Agency Contacts” section of the NOFO copying the CDC
Project Officer.
As described in the following text, awardees must submit an annual performance report,
ongoing performance measures data, administrative reports, and a final performance and
financial report. A detailed explanation of any additional reporting requirements will be
provided in the Notice of Award to successful applicants.
a. Awardee Evaluation and Performance Measurement Plan (required)
With support from CDC, awardees must elaborate on their initial applicant evaluation and
performance measurement plan. This plan must be no more than 20 pages; awardees must
submit the plan 6 months into the award. HHS/CDC will review and approve the recipient’s
monitoring and evaluation plan to ensure that it is appropriate for the activities to be undertaken
as part of the agreement, for compliance with the monitoring and evaluation guidance
established by HHS/CDC, or other guidance otherwise applicable to this Agreement.
Awardee Evaluation and Performance Measurement Plan (required): This plan should provide
additional detail on the following:
Performance Measurement
• Performance measures and targets
• The frequency that performance data are to be collected.

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• How performance data will be reported.
• How quality of performance data will be assured.
• How performance measurement will yield findings to demonstrate progress towards
achieving NOFO goals (e.g., reaching target populations or achieving expected outcomes).
• Dissemination channels and audiences.
• Other information requested as determined by the CDC program.
Evaluation
• The types of evaluations to be conducted (e.g. process or outcome evaluations).
• The frequency that evaluations will be conducted.
• How evaluation reports will be published on a publically available website.
• How evaluation findings will be used to ensure continuous quality and program improvement.
• How evaluation will yield findings to demonstrate the value of the NOFO (e.g., effect on
improving public health outcomes, effectiveness of NOFO, cost-effectiveness or cost-benefit).
• Dissemination channels and audiences.
HHS/CDC or its designee will also undertake monitoring and evaluation of the defined
activities within the agreement. The recipient must ensure reasonable access by HHS/CDC or
its designee to all necessary sites, documentation, individuals and information to monitor,
evaluate and verify the appropriate implementation the activities and use of HHS/CDC funding
under this Agreement.
b. Annual Performance Report (APR) (required)
The awardee must submit the APR via www.Grantsolutions.gov no later than120 days prior to
the end of the budget period. This report must not exceed 45 pages excluding administrative
reporting. Attachments are not allowed, but weblinks are allowed.
This report must include the following:
 Performance Measures: Awardees must report on performance measures for each
budget period and update measures, if needed.
 Evaluation Results: Awardees must report evaluation results for the work completed to
date (including findings from process or outcome evaluations).
 Work Plan: Awardees must update work plan each budget period to reflect any changes
in project period outcomes, activities, timeline, etc.
 Successes
o Awardees must report progress on completing activities and progress towards
achieving the project period outcomes described in the logic model and work
plan.
o Awardees must describe any additional successes (e.g. identified through
evaluation results or lessons learned) achieved in the past year.
o Awardees must describe success stories.
 Challenges
o Awardees must describe any challenges that hindered or might hinder their

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ability to complete the work plan activities and achieve the project period
outcomes.
o Awardees must describe any additional challenges (e.g., identified through
evaluation results or lessons learned) encountered in the past year.
 CDC Program Support to Awardees
o Awardees must describe how CDC could help them overcome challenges to
complete activities in the work plan and achieving project period outcomes.
 Administrative Reporting (No page limit)
o SF-424A Budget Information-Non-Construction Programs.
o Budget Narrative – Must use the format outlined in "Content and Form of
Application Submission, Budget Narrative" section.
o Indirect Cost Rate Agreement.
The carryover request must:
 Express a bona fide need for permission to use an unobligated balance;
 Include a signal, dated, and accurate Federal Financial Report (FFR) for the budget
period from which funds will be transferred (as much as 75% of unobligated balances);
 and Include a list of proposed activities, an itemized budget, and a narrative justification
for those activities.
The awardees must submit the Annual Performance Report via www.Grantsolutions.gov no
later than 120 days prior to the end of the budget period.
c. Performance Measure Reporting (optional)
CDC programs may require more frequent reporting of performance measures than annually in
the APR. If this is the case, CDC programs must specify reporting frequency, data fields, and
format for awardees at the beginning of the award period.
d. Federal Financial Reporting (FFR) (required)
The annual FFR form (SF-425) is required and must be submitted 90 days after the end of the
budget period. The report must include only those funds authorized and disbursed during the
timeframe covered by the report. The final FFR must indicate the exact balance of unobligated
funds, and may not reflect any unliquidated obligations. There must be no discrepancies
between the final FFR expenditure data and the Payment Management System’s (PMS) cash
transaction data. Failure to submit the required information by the due date may adversely affect
the future funding of the project. If the information cannot be provided by the due date,
awardees are required to submit a letter of explanation to OGS and include the date by which
the Grants Officer will receive information.
e. Final Performance and Financial Report (required)
This report is due 90 days after the end of the project period. CDC programs must indicate that
this report should not exceed 40 pages. This report covers the entire project period and can
include information previously reported in APRs. At a minimum, this report must include the
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following:
 Performance Measures – Awardees must report final performance data for all process
and outcome performance measures.
 Evaluation Results – Awardees must report final evaluation results for the project period
for any evaluations conducted.
 Impact/Results/Success Stories – Awardees must use their performance measure results
and their evaluation findings to describe the effects or results of the work completed
over the project period, and can include some success stories.
 A final Data Management Plan that includes the location of the data collected during the
funded period, for example, repository name and link data set(s)
 Additional forms as described in the Notice of Award (e.g., Equipment Inventory
Report, Final Invention Statement).

4. Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006 (FFATA)
Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006 (FFATA), P.L. 109–282, as
amended by section 6202 of P.L. 110–252 requires full disclosure of all entities and
organizations receiving Federal funds including awards, contracts, loans, other assistance, and
payments through a single publicly accessible Web site, http://www.USASpending.gov.
Compliance with this law is primarily the responsibility of the Federal agency. However, two
elements of the law require information to be collected and reported by applicants: 1)
information on executive compensation when not already reported through the SAM, and 2)
similar information on all sub-awards/subcontracts/consortiums over $25,000.
For the full text of the requirements under the FFATA and HHS guidelines, go to:
 https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/PLAW-109publ282/pdf/PLAW-109publ282.pdf,
 https://www. fsrs.gov/documents /ffata_legislation_ 110_252.pdf
 http://www.hhs.gov/grants/grants/grants-policies-regulations/index.html#FFATA.
5. Reporting of Foreign Taxes (International/Foreign projects only)
A. Valued Added Tax (VAT) and Customs Duties – Customs and import duties, consular fees,
customs surtax, valued added taxes, and other related charges are hereby authorized as an
allowable cost for costs incurred for non-host governmental entities operating where no
applicable tax exemption exists. This waiver does not apply to countries where a bilateral
agreement (or similar legal document) is already in place providing applicable tax exemptions
and it is not applicable to Ministries of Health. Successful applicants will receive information
on VAT requirements via their Notice of Award.
B. The U.S. Department of State requires that agencies collect and report information on the
amount of taxes assessed, reimbursed and not reimbursed by a foreign government against
commodities financed with funds appropriated by the U.S. Department of State, Foreign
Operations and Related Programs Appropriations Act (SFOAA) (“United States foreign

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assistance funds”). Outlined below are the specifics of this requirement:
1) Annual Report: The grantee must submit a report on or before November 16 for each foreign
country on the amount of foreign taxes charged, as of September 30 of the same year, by a
foreign government on commodity purchase transactions valued at 500 USD or more financed
with United States foreign assistance funds under this grant during the prior United States fiscal
year (October 1 – September 30), and the amount reimbursed and unreimbursed by the foreign
government. [Reports are required even if the grantee did not pay any taxes during the reporting
period.]
2) Quarterly Report: The grantee must quarterly submit a report on the amount of foreign taxes
charged by a foreign government on commodity purchase transactions valued at 500 USD or
more financed with United States foreign assistance funds under this grant. This report shall be
submitted no later than two weeks following the end of each quarter: April 15, July 15, October
15 and January 15.
3) Terms: For purposes of this clause:
“Commodity” means any material, article, supplies, goods, or equipment;
“Foreign government” includes any foreign government entity;
“Foreign taxes” means value-added taxes and custom duties assessed by a foreign government
on a commodity. It does not include foreign sales taxes.
4) Where: Submit the reports to the Director and Deputy Director of the CDC office in the
country(ies) in which you are carrying out the activities associated with this cooperative
agreement. In countries where there is no CDC office, send reports to VATreporting@cdc.gov.
5) Contents of Reports: The reports must contain:
a. grantee name;
b. contact name with phone, fax, and e-mail;
c. agreement number(s) if reporting by agreement(s);
d. reporting period;
e. amount of foreign taxes assessed by each foreign government;
f. amount of any foreign taxes reimbursed by each foreign government;
g. amount of foreign taxes unreimbursed by each foreign government.
6) Subagreements. The grantee must include this reporting requirement in all applicable
subgrants and other subagreements.
G. Agency Contacts
CDC encourages inquiries concerning this notice of funding opportunity.
Program Office Contact
For programmatic technical assistance, contact:
Joseph Ralph, Project Officer

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Department of Health and Human Services
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Telephone: 770.488.0539
Email: cmq8@cdc.gov
Grants Staff Contact
For financial, awards management, or budget assistance, contact:
Wanda Tucker, Grants Management Specialist
Department of Health and Human Services
Office of Grants Services
2960 Brandywine Road, MS-E01
Atlanta, Georgia 30341-4146
Telephone: (770) 488-5056
Email: KNA9@cdc.gov
For assistance with submission difficulties related to www.grants.gov, contact the Contact
Center by phone at 1-800-518-4726.
Hours of Operation: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, except on federal holidays.
For all other submission questions, contact:
Technical Information Management Section
Department of Health and Human Services
CDC Office of Financial Resources
Office of Grants Services
2920 Brandywine Road, MS E-14
Atlanta, GA 30341
Telephone: 770-488-2700
E-mail: ogstims@cdc.gov
CDC Telecommunications for persons with hearing loss is available at: TTY 1-888-232-6348
H. Other Information
Following is a list of acceptable attachments applicants can upload as PDF files as part of their
application at www.grants.gov. Applicants may not attach documents other than those listed; if
other documents are attached, applications will not be reviewed.





Project Abstract
Project Narrative
Budget Narrative
CDC Assurances and Certifications
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 Report on Programmatic, Budgetary and Commitment Overlap
 Table of Contents for Entire Submission
For international NOFOs:
 SF424
 SF424A
 Funding Preference Deliverables
Optional attachments, as determined by CDC programs:










Resumes / CVs
Position descriptions
Letters of Support
Organization Charts
Non-profit organization IRS status forms, if applicable
Indirect Cost Rate, if applicable
Memorandum of Agreement (MOA)
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
Bona Fide Agent status documentation, if applicable

 Work plan
 Additional Supporting Information

I. Glossary
Activities: The actual events or actions that take place as a part of the program.
Administrative and National Policy Requirements, Additional Requirements
(ARs): Administrative requirements found in 45 CFR Part 75 and other requirements mandated
by statute or CDC policy. All ARs are listed in the Template for CDC programs. CDC programs
must indicate which ARs are relevant to the NOFO; awardees must comply with the ARs listed
in the NOFO. To view brief descriptions of relevant provisions, see http:// www.cdc.gov/
grants/ additional requirements/ index.html. Note that 2 CFR 200 supersedes the administrative
requirements (A-110 & A-102), cost principles (A-21, A-87 & A-122) and audit requirements
(A-50, A-89 & A-133).
Approved but Unfunded: Approved but unfunded refers to applications recommended for
approval during the objective review process; however, they were not recommended for funding
by the program office and/or the grants management office.
Award: Financial assistance that provides support or stimulation to accomplish a public
purpose. Awards include grants and other agreements (e.g., cooperative agreements) in the form
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of money, or property in lieu of money, by the federal government to an eligible applicant.
Budget Period or Budget Year: The duration of each individual funding period within the
project period. Traditionally, budget periods are 12 months or 1 year.
Carryover: Unobligated federal funds remaining at the end of any budget period that, with the
approval of the GMO or under an automatic authority, may be carried over to another budget
period to cover allowable costs of that budget period either as an offset or additional
authorization. Obligated but liquidated funds are not considered carryover.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA): A government-wide compendium
published by the General Services Administration (available on-line in searchable format as
well as in printable format as a .pdf file) that describes domestic assistance programs
administered by the Federal Government.
CFDA Number: A unique number assigned to each program and NOFO throughout its
lifecycle that enables data and funding tracking and transparency.
CDC Assurances and Certifications: Standard government-wide grant application forms.
Competing Continuation Award: A financial assistance mechanism that adds funds to a grant
and adds one or more budget periods to the previously established project period (i.e., extends
the “life” of the award).
Continuous Quality Improvement: A system that seeks to improve the provision of services
with an emphasis on future results.
Contracts: An award instrument used to acquire (by purchase, lease, or barter) property or
services for the direct benefit or use of the Federal Government.
Cooperative Agreement: A financial assistance award with the same kind of interagency
relationship as a grant except that it provides for substantial involvement by the federal agency
funding the award. Substantial involvement means that the recipient can expect federal
programmatic collaboration or participation in carrying out the effort under the award.
Cost Sharing or Matching: Refers to program costs not borne by the Federal Government but
by the awardees. It may include the value of allowable third-party, in-kind contributions, as well
as expenditures by the awardee.
Direct Assistance: A financial assistance mechanism, which must be specifically authorized by
statute, whereby goods or services are provided to recipients in lieu of cash. DA generally
involves the assignment of federal personnel or the provision of equipment or supplies, such as
vaccines. DA is primarily used to support payroll and travel expenses of CDC employees
assigned to state, tribal, local, and territorial (STLT) health agencies that are recipients of grants
and cooperative agreements. Most legislative authorities that provide financial assistance to
STLT health agencies allow for the use of DA. http:// www.cdc.gov /grants
/additionalrequirements /index.html.
DUNS: The Dun and Bradstreet (D&B) Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number is
a nine-digit number assigned by Dun and Bradstreet Information Services. When applying for
Federal awards or cooperative agreements, all applicant organizations must obtain a DUNS
number as the Universal Identifier. DUNS number assignment is free. If requested by telephone,
a DUNS number will be provided immediately at no charge. If requested via the Internet,
obtaining a DUNS number may take one to two days at no charge. If an organization does not
know its DUNS number or needs to register for one, visit Dun & Bradstreet at
http://fedgov.dnb.com/ webform/displayHomePage.do.
Evaluation (program evaluation): The systematic collection of information about the
activities, characteristics, and outcomes of programs (which may include interventions, policies,
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and specific projects) to make judgments about that program, improve program effectiveness,
and/or inform decisions about future program development.
Evaluation Plan: A written document describing the overall approach that will be used to guide
an evaluation, including why the evaluation is being conducted, how the findings will likely be
used, and the design and data collection sources and methods. The plan specifies what will be
done, how it will be done, who will do it, and when it will be done. The NOFO evaluation plan
is used to describe how the awardee and/or CDC will determine whether activities are
implemented appropriately and outcomes are achieved.
Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006 (FFATA): Requires that
information about federal awards, including awards, contracts, loans, and other assistance and
payments, be available to the public on a single website at www.USAspending.gov.
Fiscal Year: The year for which budget dollars are allocated annually. The federal fiscal year
starts October 1 and ends September 30.
Grant: A legal instrument used by the federal government to transfer anything of value to a
recipient for public support or stimulation authorized by statute. Financial assistance may be
money or property. The definition does not include a federal procurement subject to the Federal
Acquisition Regulation; technical assistance (which provides services instead of money); or
assistance in the form of revenue sharing, loans, loan guarantees, interest subsidies, insurance,
or direct payments of any kind to a person or persons. The main difference between a grant and
a cooperative agreement is that in a grant there is no anticipated substantial programmatic
involvement by the federal government under the award.
Grants.gov: A "storefront" web portal for electronic data collection (forms and reports) for
federal grant-making agencies at www.grants.gov.
Grants Management Officer (GMO): The individual designated to serve as the HHS official
responsible for the business management aspects of a particular grant(s) or cooperative
agreement(s). The GMO serves as the counterpart to the business officer of the recipient
organization. In this capacity, the GMO is responsible for all business management matters
associated with the review, negotiation, award, and administration of grants and interprets
grants administration policies and provisions. The GMO works closely with the program or
project officer who is responsible for the scientific, technical, and programmatic aspects of the
grant.
Grants Management Specialist (GMS): A federal staff member who oversees the business
and other non-programmatic aspects of one or more grants and/or cooperative agreements.
These activities include, but are not limited to, evaluating grant applications for administrative
content and compliance with regulations and guidelines, negotiating grants, providing
consultation and technical assistance to recipients, post-award administration and closing out
grants.
Health Disparities: Differences in health outcomes and their determinants among segments of
the population as defined by social, demographic, environmental, or geographic category.
Health Equity: Striving for the highest possible standard of health for all people and giving
special attention to the needs of those at greatest risk of poor health, based on social conditions.
Health Inequities: Systematic, unfair, and avoidable differences in health outcomes and their
determinants between segments of the population, such as by socioeconomic status (SES),
demographics, or geography.
Healthy People 2020: National health objectives aimed at improving the health of all
Americans by encouraging collaboration across sectors, guiding people toward making
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informed health decisions, and measuring the effects of prevention activities.
Inclusion: Both the meaningful involvement of a community’s members in all stages of the
program process and the maximum involvement of the target population that the intervention
will benefit. Inclusion ensures that the views, perspectives, and needs of affected communities,
care providers, and key partners are considered.
Indirect Costs: Costs that are incurred for common or joint objectives and not readily and
specifically identifiable with a particular sponsored project, program, or activity; nevertheless,
these costs are necessary to the operations of the organization. For example, the costs of
operating and maintaining facilities, depreciation, and administrative salaries generally are
considered indirect costs.
Intergovernmental Review: Executive Order 12372 governs applications subject to
Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs. This order sets up a system for state and local
governmental review of proposed federal assistance applications. Contact the state single point
of contact (SPOC) to alert the SPOC to prospective applications and to receive instructions on
the State’s process. Visit the following web address to get the current SPOC
list: http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/ grants_spoc/.
Letter of Intent (LOI): A preliminary, non-binding indication of an organization’s intent to
submit an application.
Lobbying: Direct lobbying includes any attempt to influence legislation, appropriations,
regulations, administrative actions, executive orders (legislation or other orders), or other
similar deliberations at any level of government through communication that directly expresses
a view on proposed or pending legislation or other orders, and which is directed to staff
members or other employees of a legislative body, government officials, or employees who
participate in formulating legislation or other orders. Grass roots lobbying includes efforts
directed at inducing or encouraging members of the public to contact their elected
representatives at the federal, state, or local levels to urge support of, or opposition to, proposed
or pending legislative proposals.
Logic Model: A visual representation showing the sequence of related events connecting the
activities of a program with the programs’ desired outcomes and results.
Maintenance of Effort: A requirement contained in authorizing legislation, or applicable
regulations that a recipient must agree to contribute and maintain a specified level of financial
effort from its own resources or other non-government sources to be eligible to receive federal
grant funds. This requirement is typically given in terms of meeting a previous base-year dollar
amount.
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) or Memorandum of Agreement
(MOA): Document that describes a bilateral or multilateral agreement between parties
expressing a convergence of will between the parties, indicating an intended common line of
action. It is often used in cases where the parties either do not imply a legal commitment or
cannot create a legally enforceable agreement.
Nonprofit Organization: Any corporation, trust, association, cooperative, or other organization
that is operated primarily for scientific, educational, service, charitable, or similar purposes in
the public interest; is not organized for profit; and uses net proceeds to maintain, improve, or
expand the operations of the organization. Nonprofit organizations include institutions of higher
educations, hospitals, and tribal organizations (that is, Indian entities other than federally
recognized Indian tribal governments).
Notice of Award (NoA): The official document, signed (or the electronic equivalent of
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signature) by a Grants Management Officer that: (1) notifies the recipient of the award of a
grant; (2) contains or references all the terms and conditions of the grant and Federal funding
limits and obligations; and (3) provides the documentary basis for recording the obligation of
Federal funds in the HHS accounting system.
Objective Review: A process that involves the thorough and consistent examination of
applications based on an unbiased evaluation of scientific or technical merit or other relevant
aspects of the proposal. The review is intended to provide advice to the persons responsible for
making award decisions.
Outcome: The results of program operations or activitIes; the effects triggered by the program.
For example, increased knowledge, changed attitudes or beliefs, reduced tobacco use, reduced
morbidity and mortality.
Performance Measurement: The ongoing monitoring and reporting of program
accomplishments, particularly progress toward pre-established goals, typically conducted by
program or agency management. Performance measurement may address the type or level of
program activities conducted (process), the direct products and services delivered by a program
(outputs), or the results of those products and services (outcomes). A “program” may be any
activity, project, function, or policy that has an identifiable purpose or set of objectives.
Plain Writing Act of 2010: The Plain Writing Act of 2010 requires that federal agencies use
clear communication that the public can understand and use. NOFOs must be written in clear,
consistent language so that any reader can understand expectations and intended outcomes of
the funded program. CDC programs should use NOFO plain writing tips when writing NOFOs.
Program Strategies: Strategies are groupings of related activities, usually expressed as general
headers (e.g., Partnerships, Assessment, Policy) or as brief statements (e.g., Form partnerships,
Conduct assessments, Formulate policies).
Program Official: Person responsible for developing the NOFO; can be either a project officer,
program manager, branch chief, division leader, policy official, center leader, or similar staff
member.
Project Period Outcome: An outcome that will occur by the end of the NOFO’s funding
period.
Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB): A nonprofit organization that works to promote
and protect the health of the public by advancing the quality and performance of public health
departments in the U.S. through national public health department
accreditation http://www.phaboard.org.
Social Determinants of Health: Conditions in the environments in which people are born, live,
learn, work, play, worship, and age that affect a wide range of health, functioning, and qualityof-life outcomes and risks.
Statute: An act of the legislature; a particular law enacted and established by the will of the
legislative department of government, expressed with the requisite formalities. In foreign or
civil law any particular municipal law or usage, though resting for its authority on judicial
decisions, or the practice of nations.
Statutory Authority: Authority provided by legal statute that establishes a federal financial
assistance program or award.
System for Award Management (SAM): The primary vendor database for the U.S. federal
government. SAM validates applicant information and electronically shares secure and
encrypted data with federal agencies' finance offices to facilitate paperless payments through
Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT). SAM stores organizational information,
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allowing www.grants.gov to verify identity and pre-fill organizational information on grant
applications.
Technical Assistance: Advice, assistance, or training pertaining to program development,
implementation, maintenance, or evaluation that is provided by the funding agency.
Work Plan: The summary of project period outcomes, strategies and activities, personnel
and/or partners who will complete the activities, and the timeline for completion. The work plan
will outline the details of all necessary activities that will be supported through the approved
budget.
NOFO-specific Glossary and Acronyms

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