Notices. Notice of OMB Review of Information Collection Forms R-22, R-19, R-43 and F-7 Submitted for Reinstatement and Solicitation of Public Comment
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BILLING CODE 6714-01-M FEDERAL MEDIATION AND CONCILIATION SERVICE Proposed Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission to the Office of Management and Budget
(OMB)for Review; Comment Request AGENCY: Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service. ACTION: Notice of OMB Review of Information Collection Forms R-22, R-19, R-43 and F-7 Submitted for Reinstatement and Solicitation of Public Comment. SUMMARY: This notice announces that four information collection requests contained among the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service
(FMCS)agency forms have come up for renewal. Pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, FMCS has submitted to OMB requests for review of these four FMCS forms: Arbitrator's Report and Fee Statement (Agency Form R-19), Arbitrator's Personal Data Questionnaire (Agency Form R-22), Request for Arbitration Services (Agency Form R-43) and Notice to Mediation Agencies (Agency Form F-7). These requests seek reinstatement of Forms R-19, R-22, and F-7, which expired January 31, 2006, and Form R-43, which expired February 28, 2006, with new expiration dates of three years from the date of OMB approval. FMCS also is soliciting comments on specific aspects of the collections as described below. DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before May 31, 2007. ADDRESSES: Submit written comments by mail to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Human Resources and Housing Branch, Office of Management and Budget, New Executive Office Building, Room 10235, Washington, DC 20503. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Copies of each of the agency forms and the Paperwork Reduction Act Submission to OMB are available from the FMCS Office of Arbitration Services by calling, faxing or writing Vella M. Traynham, Director of Arbitration Services, FMCS, 2100 K Street, NW., Washington, DC 20427. Telephone
(202)606-5111; Fax
(202)606-3749. Please ask for the form by title and agency form number. I. Information Collection Requests FMCS is seeking comments on the following Information Collection Requests (ICRs). *Title:* Arbitrator's Personal Data Questionnaire; Form R-22; OMB No. 3076-0001; *Expiration date:* January 31, 2006. *Type of Request:* Reinstatement of a previously approved collection with no change in the substance or method of collection. *Affected Entities:* Parties affected by this information collection are individuals who apply for admission to the FMCS Roster of Arbitrators. *Frequency:* Individuals complete this form once at the time of application to the FMCS Roster of Arbitrators. *Abstract:* Title II of the Labor Management Relations Act of 1947 (Pub. L. 90-101), as amended in 1959 (Pub. L. 86-257) and 1974 (Pub. L. 93-360), states that it is the labor policy of the United States that “the settlement of issues between employers and employees through collective bargaining may be advanced by making available full and adequate governmental facilities for conciliation, mediation, and voluntary arbitration to aid and encourage employers and representatives of their employees to reach and maintain agreements concerning rates of pay, hours, and working conditions, and to make all reasonable efforts to settle their differences by mutual agreement reached through conferences and collective bargaining or by such methods as may be provided for in any applicable agreement for the settlement of disputes.” 29 U.S.C. 201(b). Under its regulations at 29 CFR part 1404, FMCS has established policies and procedures for its arbitration function dealing with all arbitrators listed on the FMCS Roster of Arbitrators, all applicants for listing on the Roster, and all person or parties seeking to obtain from FMCS either names or panels of names of arbitrators listed on the Roster in connection with disputes which are to be submitted to arbitration or fact-finding. FMCS strives to maintain the highest quality of dispute resolution experts on its Roster. To ensure that purpose, it requires all candidates to complete an application form. 29 CFR 1404.5. The purpose of this collection is to gather information about applicants for inclusion in the FMCS Roster of Arbitrators. This questionnaire is needed in order that FMCS may select highly qualified individuals for the arbitrator Roster. The respondents are private citizens who make application for appointment to the FMCS Roster. *Burden Statement:* The number of respondents is approximately 100 individuals per year, which is the approximate number of individuals who request membership on the FMCS Roster. The time required to complete this questionnaire is approximately one hour. Each respondent is required to respond only once per application and to update the information as necessary. *Title:* Arbitrator's Report and Fee Statement; Form R-19; OMB No. 3076-0003; *Expiration date:* January 31, 2006. *Type of Request:* Reinstatement of a previously approved collection with no change in the substance or method of collection. *Affected Entities:* Individual arbitrators who render decisions under FMCS arbitration policies and procedures. *Frequency:* This form is completed each time an arbitrator hears an arbitration case and issues a decision. *Abstract:* Pursuant to 29 U.S.C. 171(b) and 29 CFR part 1404, FMCS assumes a responsibility to monitor the work of the arbitrators who serve on its Roster. This is satisfied by requiring the completion and submission of a Report and Fee Statement, which indicates when the arbitration award was rendered, the file number, the company and union, the issues, whether briefs were filed and transcripts taken, if there were any extensions of the date the award was due, and the fees and days for services of the arbitrator (see 29 CFR 1404.14). This information is contained in the agency's annual report to indicate the types of arbitration issues resolved, the applicable average or median arbitration fees and days spent on each case. *Burden Statement:* FMCS receives approximately 2500 responses per year. The form is filled out each time an arbitrator hears a case and the time required is approximately ten minutes. FMCS uses this form to review arbitrator conformance with its fee and expense reporting requirements. *Title:* Request for Arbitration Services; Form R-43; OMB No. 3076-0002; Expiration date: February 28, 2006. *Type of Request:* Reinstatement of a previously approved collection with no changes in the substance or method of collection. *Affected Entities:* Employers and their representatives, and labor unions, their representatives and employees, who request arbitration services. *Frequency:* This form is completed each time an employer or labor union requests a panel of arbitrators. *Abstract:* Pursuant to 29 U.S.C. 171(b) and 29 CFR part 1404, FMCS offers panels of arbitrators for selection by labor and management to resolve grievances and disagreements arising under their collective bargaining agreements and to deal with fact finding and interest arbitration issues as well. The need for this form is to obtain information such as name, address and type of assistance desired, so that FMCS can respond to requests efficiently and effectively for various arbitration services (see 29 CFR 1404.9). The purpose of this information collection is to facilitate the processing of the parties' request for arbitration assistance. No third party notification or public disclosure burden is associated with this collection. *Burden Statement:* The current total annual burden estimate is that FMCS will receive requests from approximately 10,000 respondents per year. The form takes about 10 minutes to complete. *Title:* Notice to Mediation Agencies; Form F-7; OMB No. 3076-0004; Expiration date: January 31, 2006. *Type of Request:* Reinstatement of a previously approved collection with no changes in the substance or method of collection. *Affected Entities:* Parties affected by this information collection are private sector employers and labor unions involved in interstate commerce that file notices for mediation services to the FMCS and state, local and territorial agencies. *Frequency:* Parties complete this form once, which is at the time of an impending expiration of a collective bargaining agreement. *Abstract:* Under the Labor Management Relations Act of 1947, 29 U.S.C. 158(d), Congress listed specific notice provisions so that no party to a collective bargaining agreement can terminate or modify that contract, unless the party wishing to terminate or modify the contract sends a written notice to the other party sixty days prior to the expiration date (29 U.S.C. 158(d)(1)), and offers to meet and confer with the other party for the purpose of negotiating a new or modified contract (29 U.S.C. 158(d)(2)). Furthermore, the Act requires that parties notify the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service within thirty days after such notice of the existence of a dispute and simultaneously notify any State or Territory where the dispute occurs (29 U.S.C. 158(d)(3)). The 1974 amendments to the National Labor Relations Act, which extended coverage to nonprofit health care institutions, also created a notification procedure in the health care industry requiring parties to notify each other 90 days in advance of termination and 60 days in advance to FMCS (29 U.S.C. 158(d)). This amendment also requires 30-day notification of bargaining for an initial agreement to the FMCS. To facilitate handling of more than 18,000 such notices a year, FMCS created a specific information collection form (see 29 CFR 1402.1). The purpose of this information collection activity is for FMCS to comply with its statutory duty to receive these notices, to facilitate assignment of mediators to assist in labor disputes, and to assist the parties in knowing whether or not proper notice was given. The information from these notices is sent electronically to the appropriate field manager who assigns the cases to a mediator so that the mediator may contact labor and management quickly, efficiently, and offer dispute resolution services. The F-7 form was created to allow FMCS to gather desired information in a uniform manner. The collection of such information, including the name of the employer or employer association, address and phone number, e-mail address, official contact, bargaining unit and establishment size, location of affected establishment and negotiations, industry or type of business, principal product or service, union address, phone number, e-mail address and official contact, contract expiration date or renewal date, whether the notice is on file on behalf of the employer or the union, and whether this is a health care industry notice for an initial contract, is critical for reporting and mediation purposes. *Burden Statement:* The current annual burden estimate is approximately 18,000 respondents. This one-page form takes about 10 minutes to complete. II. Request for Comments FMCS solicits comments to:
(i)Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility.
(ii)Enhance the accuracy of the agency's estimates of the burden of the proposed collection of information.
(iii)Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected.
(iv)Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including the use of appropriate automated, electronic collection technologies or other forms of information technology. Dated: April 26, 2007. Michael J. Bartlett, Deputy General Counsel. [FR Doc. E7-8260 Filed 4-30-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6732-01-P FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM Change in Bank Control Notices, Acquisition of Shares of Bank or Bank Holding Companies; Correction This notice corrects a notice (FR Doc. E7-7874) published on pages 20549 and 20550 of the issue for Wedneday, April 25, 2007. Under the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco heading, the entry for Frank W. Yuen, Nassau, Bahamas, is revised to read as follows: **A. Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco** (Tracy Basinger, Director, Regional and Community Bank Group) 101 Market Street, San Francisco, California 94105-1579: *1. Frank W. Yuen, Esq.* , San Francisco, California; to acquire control of Concord Place, Inc., Nassau, The Bahamas, and thereby indirectly acquire control of Los Angeles National Bank, Buena Park, California. Comments on this application must be received by May 10, 2007. Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, April 25, 2007. Margaret McCloskey Shanks, Associate Secretary of the Board. [FR Doc. E7-8229 Filed 4-30-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6210-01-S FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM Formations of, Acquisitions by, and Mergers of Bank Holding Companies The companies listed in this notice have applied to the Board for approval, pursuant to the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 (12 U.S.C. 1841 *et seq.* ) (BHC Act), Regulation Y (12 CFR Part 225), and all other applicable statutes and regulations to become a bank holding company and/or to acquire the assets or the ownership of, control of, or the power to vote shares of a bank or bank holding company and all of the banks and nonbanking companies owned by the bank holding company, including the companies listed below. The applications listed below, as well as other related filings required by the Board, are available for immediate inspection at the Federal Reserve Bank indicated. The application also will be available for inspection at the offices of the Board of Governors. Interested persons may express their views in writing on the standards enumerated in the BHC Act (12 U.S.C. 1842(c)). If the proposal also involves the acquisition of a nonbanking company, the review also includes whether the acquisition of the nonbanking company complies with the standards in section 4 of the BHC Act (12 U.S.C. 1843). Unless otherwise noted, nonbanking activities will be conducted throughout the United States. Additional information on all bank holding companies may be obtained from the National Information Center website at *www.ffiec.gov/nic/* . Unless otherwise noted, comments regarding each of these applications must be received at the Reserve Bank indicated or the offices of the Board of Governors not later than May 25, 2007. **A. Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta** (David Tatum, Vice President) 1000 Peachtree Street, N.E., Atlanta, Georgia 30309: *1. Pro Financial Holdings, Inc.* , to become a bank holding company by acquiring 100 percent of the voting shares of ProBank (in organization), both of Tallahassee, Florida. **B. Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas** (W. Arthur Tribble, Vice President) 2200 North Pearl Street, Dallas, Texas 75201-2272: *1. Southwest Bancshares, Inc.* , San Antonio, Texas; to become a bank holding company by acquiring 100 percent of the voting shares of The Bank of San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, a de novo bank. Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, April 25, 2007. Margaret McCloskey Shanks, Associate Secretary of the Board. [FR Doc. E7-8230 Filed 4-30-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6210-01-S FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM Formations of, Acquisitions by, and Mergers of Bank Holding Companies The companies listed in this notice have applied to the Board for approval, pursuant to the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 (12 U.S.C. 1841 *et seq.* ) (BHC Act), Regulation Y (12 CFR Part 225), and all other applicable statutes and regulations to become a bank holding company and/or to acquire the assets or the ownership of, control of, or the power to vote shares of a bank or bank holding company and all of the banks and nonbanking companies owned by the bank holding company, including the companies listed below. The applications listed below, as well as other related filings required by the Board, are available for immediate inspection at the Federal Reserve Bank indicated. The application also will be available for inspection at the offices of the Board of Governors. Interested persons may express their views in writing on the standards enumerated in the BHC Act (12 U.S.C. 1842(c)). If the proposal also involves the acquisition of a nonbanking company, the review also includes whether the acquisition of the nonbanking company complies with the standards in section 4 of the BHC Act (12 U.S.C. 1843). Unless otherwise noted, nonbanking activities will be conducted throughout the United States. Additional information on all bank holding companies may be obtained from the National Information Center website at *www.ffiec.gov/nic/* . Unless otherwise noted, comments regarding each of these applications must be received at the Reserve Bank indicated or the offices of the Board of Governors not later than May 25, 2007. **A. Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta** (David Tatum, Vice President) 1000 Peachtree Street, N.E., Atlanta, Georgia 30309: *1. WGNB Corp.* , Carrollton, Georgia; to merge with First Haralson Corporation, and thereby indirectly acquire First National Bank of Georgia, both of Buchanan, Georgia. Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, April 26, 2007. Robert deV. Frierson, Deputy Secretary of the Board. [FR Doc. E7-8259 Filed 4-30-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6210-01-S FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION United States Postal Service Study AGENCY: Federal Trade Commission. ACTION: Notice requesting information and comment. SUMMARY: On December 20, 2006, President Bush signed the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act (“PAEA” or the “Act”) into law. Congress intended the PAEA to increase competition and efficiency in the provision of mail service. The Act requires the Federal Trade Commission (the “Commission or “FTC”) to prepare and submit to the President, Congress, and the Postal Regulatory Commission (“PRC”) a comprehensive report by December 20, 2007, identifying Federal and State laws that apply differently to the United States Postal Service (“USPS”) with respect to the competitive category of mail and to private companies providing similar products. To help prepare this report, the Commission is requesting public comment on several issues. DATES: Public comments must be received on or before July 2, 2007. ADDRESSES: Comments should refer to “USPS Study, Project No. P071200” to facilitate the organization of comments. A comment filed in paper form should include this reference both in the text and on the envelope, and the original and two copies should be delivered to the following address: Federal Trade Commission/Office of the Secretary, Room 135-H (Annex F), 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20580. Because paper mail in the Washington area and at the FTC is subject to delay, please consider submitting your comment in electronic form, as prescribed below. Comments containing any material for which confidential treatment is requested, however, must be filed in paper (rather than electronic) form, and the first page of the document must be clearly labeled “Confidential,” and must comply with FTC Rule 4.9(c). 1 1 The comment must be accompanied by an explicit request for confidential treatment, including the factual and legal basis for the request, and must identify the specific portions of the comment to be withheld from the public record. The request will be granted or denied by the Commission's General Counsel, consistent with applicable law and the public interest. *See* Commission Rule 4.9(c), 16 CFR 4.9(c). Comments filed in electronic form (except comments containing any confidential material) should be submitted to the FTC by clicking on the following Web link: *https://secure.commentworks.com/FTC/USPSStudy* and following the instructions on the Web-based form. You also may visit *http://www.regulations.gov* to read this request for public comment and may file an electronic comment through that Web site. The FTC will consider all comments that regulations.gov forwards to it. The FTC Act and other laws the Commission administers permit the collection of public comments to consider and use in this proceeding as appropriate. All timely and responsive public comments, whether filed in paper or electronic form, will be considered by the Commission and will be available to the public on the FTC Web site, to the extent practicable, at *http://www.ftc.gov/os/publiccomments.shtm* . As a matter of discretion, the FTC makes every effort to remove home contact information for individuals from the public comments it receives before placing those comments on the FTC Web site. More information, including routine uses permitted by the Privacy Act, may be found in the FTC's privacy policy, at *http://www.ftc.gov/ftc/privacy.htm.* FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information should be addressed to James Cooper, Federal Trade Commission, Office of Policy Planning, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20580. *E-mail* : *jcooper1@ftc.gov* ; Telephone: 202-326-3367. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act On December 20, 2006, President Bush signed into law the PAEA, which is intended to increase competition and efficiency in the provision of mail service. 2 Under the PAEA, USPS products are divided into “market-dominant” and “competitive” categories. 3 The Act lists market-dominant and competitive products, 4 but allows the newly formed PRC to change these lists “by adding new products to the lists, removing products from the lists, or transferring products between the lists.” 5 2 PAEA, Pub. L. 109-435, 120 Stat. 3198 (2006). 3 The Act defines the market-dominant category as “each product in the sale of which the Postal Service exercises sufficient market power that it can effectively set the price of such product substantially above costs, raise prices significantly, decrease quality, or decrease output, without risk of losing a significant level of business to other firms offering similar products.” 39 U.S.C. 3642(b)(1). The competitive products category is defined as consisting of “all other products.” *Id.* 4 The Act lists first-class mail letters and sealed parcels; first-class mail cards; periodicals; standard mail; single piece parcel post; media mail; bound printed matter; library mail; special services; and single-piece international mail, as market-dominant products. 39 U.S.C. 3621(a)(1)-(10). The Act lists priority mail, expedited mail, bulk parcel post, bulk international mail, and mailgrams as competitive products. 39 U.S.C. 3631(a)(1)-(5). 5 39 U.S.C. 3642(a). The PAEA, however, forbids the PRC from transferring a “product covered by the postal monopoly” to the competitive products list. 39 U.S.C. 3642(b)(2). With respect to market-dominant products, the Act requires the PRC to establish “a modern system for regulating rates and classes” 6 that satisfies a variety of objectives, including, *inter alia* , to maximize incentives to reduce costs and increase efficiency, to create predictability and stability of rates, and to maintain financial stability. 7 Although the Act gives the USPS authority to set its own prices for competitive products (with a relatively brief public notification period), 8 the PAEA requires the USPS to set these prices in accordance with regulations that the PRC will promulgate to:
(1)Prohibit the subsidization of competitive products by market-dominant products;
(2)ensure that each competitive product covers its attributable costs; and
(3)ensure that all competitive products “collectively cover what the [PRC] determines to be an appropriate share of the institutional costs of the Postal Service.” 9 The Act creates a separate revolving fund—the Postal Service Competitive Products Fund—for revenues from the sale of competitive products; 10 permits the USPS, subject to certain limitations, to borrow money and deposit the proceeds in the fund; 11 and subjects income from the sale of competitive products to the equivalent of federal corporate income taxes, by requiring the USPS to transfer that amount each year from the Competitive Products Fund to the Postal Service Fund. 12 6 39 U.S.C. 3622(a). 7 39 U.S.C. 3622(b). 8 39 U.S.C. 3632. 9 39 U.S.C. 3633(a). 10 10 39 U.S.C. 2011. 11 11 Id. 12 39 U.S.C. 3634. The Act further prohibits the USPS, and other Federal agencies acting in concert with it or on its behalf, from engaging in conduct—with respect to any product not covered by the statutory postal monopoly provision—that constitutes an unfair method of competition, in violation of Section 5 of the Federal Trade Commission Act, 15 U.S.C. 45(a), or otherwise violates the antitrust laws, as defined in the Clayton Act, 15 U.S.C. 12(a). 13 In addition, the Act expressly prohibits the USPS from engaging in conduct that constitutes an unfair or deceptive act or practice, in violation of Section 5 of the FTC Act. 14 13 39 U.S.C. 409(e)(1)(A)-(B). 14 39 U.S.C. 409(d)(2)(B). FTC Study The PAEA directs the Commission to prepare and submit to the President, Congress, and the PRC, a comprehensive report “identifying Federal and State laws that apply differently to the [USPS] with respect to the competitive category of mail * * * and to private companies providing similar products.” 15 The report must include such recommendations as the FTC “considers appropriate for bringing such legal differences to an end,” and “in the interim,” to account—under the PRC's regulations that will prohibit subsidization of competitive products—“for the net economic effects provided by those laws.” 16 In preparing this report, the Act requires the Commission to consult with the USPS, the PRC, other Federal agencies, mailers, private companies that provide delivery services, and the general public. 17 15 PAEA § 703(a). 16 PAEA § 703(b). As noted above, 39 U.S.C. 3633 requires the PRC to promulgate regulations to prohibit the subsidization of competitive products by market-dominant products, and to ensure that prices charged for competitive products cover attributable costs and an appropriate share of “institutional costs.” 17 PAEA § 703. Accordingly, to assist with preparing this report, the Commission seeks relevant information concerning the questions that follow. These questions are designed to assist members of the public in focusing their comments, but should not be construed as a limitation on the issues on which public comment may be submitted. To facilitate the consideration of comments, responses to these questions should cite the numbers and subsection of the questions being addressed. All comments submitted should include any relevant data, statistics, or any other evidence upon which the comments are based. With regard to the following questions “competitive products” refers to
(1)priority mail;
(2)expedited mail;
(3)bulk parcel post;
(4)bulk international mail; and
(5)mailgrams. 18 “Private competitors” refers to companies that compete against the USPS in the provision of “competitive products.” 18 39 U.S.C. 3631(a)(1)-(5). Questions 1. With respect to competitive products, please identify specific Federal laws, State laws, and local laws, regulations, ordinances, etc. (collectively, “legal requirements”) with which private competitors must comply, but with which the USPS is not required to comply. Please identify the specific source of the USPS exemption from each such legal requirement. Please provide estimates of both actual expenses, and administrative costs associated with compliance, that such legal requirements impose on private competitors. 2. Please discuss any benefits the USPS derives, in providing competitive services, from its legal monopolies over letter delivery and mailboxes. Specifically, discuss any economies of scope (i.e., cost advantages or other efficiencies that arise due to the provision of multiple products) that exist between the supply of market-dominant products and the supply of competitive products. In what ways, if any, do private suppliers of competitive products interconnect with the USPS system? Do any federal or state laws prevent greater interconnection with the USPS system? If so, please cite these laws and explain the ways in which they prevent greater interconnection. 3. Please identify any additional legal requirements that confer benefits upon the USPS that are not available to its private competitors. 4. With respect to competitive products, please identify specific legal requirements with which the USPS must comply, but with which private competitors are not required to comply, or any other legal constraints on the USPS' operations that affect its costs. Please provide estimates of both actual expenses, and administrative costs associated with compliance, that such legal requirements and constraints impose on the USPS. Can any of these requirements or constraints be addressed apart from changes that would apply to the entire USPS? If so, please identify any requirements or constraints that might be removed only to the extent that they apply to competitive products. What laws would need to be changed to remove these requirements or constraints? 5. Please provide an estimate of how the requirements identified in responses to Question 4 affect the costs that the USPS incurs to provide competitive products, and the prices that the USPS charges for competitive products. 6. Please comment on the costs, benefits, and feasibility of requiring the USPS to account for the cost of complying with the legal requirements identified in responses to Question 1 in the cost of competitive products and in setting prices for competitive products. How should these costs be calculated and allocated between competitive and market-dominant products? Should the USPS be required actually to pay these costs or merely account for them when setting prices? If the USPS actually pays the costs associated with legal requirements, should it be required actually to comply with these legal requirements with respect to competitive products (e.g., pay local property taxes on buildings and vehicles to local governments)? Alternatively, should the USPS be required to pay the costs associated with these legal requirements to the U.S. Treasury or the U.S. Postal Fund? 7. Please describe how the USPS not being required to pay a return on the capital that the federal government contributed toward its competitive operations affects the USPS' costs and prices of competitive products. Should the USPS be required actually to pay a return on the capital that the federal government contributed toward its competitive operations or merely account for such a cost when setting prices for competitive products? How should this return be calculated? How would this cost be allocated between competitive and market-dominant products? Should the USPS be required to pay this return to the U.S. Treasury or to pay this return to the Postal Service Fund? 8. Please describe how the USPS' ability to borrow from the U.S. Treasury at preferential rates as compared with private sector companies affects the USPS' costs and prices of competitive products. How should these borrowing costs be calculated and allocated between competitive and market-dominant products? Should the USPS be required to borrow at commercial rates or should there be another mechanism to equalize this cost differential? If so, how should it be calculated and should it be paid to the U.S. Treasury or the Postal Service Fund? 9. Please discuss the costs, benefits, and feasibility of requiring the USPS explicitly to pay state and local taxes on its competitive operations. How should these costs be calculated and allocated between competitive and market-dominant products? For private sector competitors, please describe and provide the costs associated with filing and paying state and local income, sales, and property taxes and the magnitude of these taxes. What laws if any would need to be changed to require the USPS to explicitly pay such taxes? 10. Please discuss the costs, benefits, and feasibility associated with requiring the USPS to establish a separate private entity to provide competitive products. What, if any, scope economies between its market-dominant products and its competitive products would be lost under this scenario? Please cite any relevant examples involving foreign countries in which a state-owned postal service established a separate private entity to provide competitive products. 11. Please discuss any other possible ways of ending the differences in legal requirements between the USPS and its private competitors with respect to the competitive category of mail, including the costs, benefits, and feasibility associated with these other possible approaches. By direction of the Commission. Donald S. Clark, Secretary. [FR Doc. E7-8251 Filed 4-30-07; 10:40 am] BILLING CODE 6750-01-P GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION [PBS-N01] Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Assessment for the Transformation of Facilities and Infrastructure for the Non-Nuclear Production Activities Conducted at the National Nuclear Security Administration’s Kansas City Plant at Kansas City, Missouri AGENCY: General Services Administration and National Nuclear Security Administration, Department of Energy. ACTION: Notice of Intent. SUMMARY: The General Services Administration (GSA), as the lead agency, and the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), as a cooperating agency, intend to prepare an Environmental Assessment
(EA)to evaluate the potential environmental impacts associated with the following project: Transformation of Facilities and Infrastructure for the Non-Nuclear Production Activities Conducted at the NNSA Kansas City Plant. The proposed action is for GSA to procure the construction of new facilities to house NNSA's non-nuclear component procurement and manufacturing operations. The new facilities would be located approximately 8 miles south of the existing plant on a currently undeveloped site at the northwest corner of Missouri Highway 150 and Botts Road in Kansas City, Missouri. GSA would lease the facilities to NNSA, which would relocate its non-nuclear operations from the existing Kansas City Plant in the Bannister Federal Complex in Kansas City, Missouri, to the new facilities and conduct future operations in the new facilities. The relocation would involve moving approximately two-thirds of the existing capital and process equipment to the new facilities. Disposition activities of the existing NNSA facilities at the Kansas City Plant are not part of the current proposed action, and will be addressed in appropriate future environmental analyses. The Kansas City Plant is collocated on the Bannister Federal Complex with GSA and disposition activities will require coordination between both agencies. The proposed facilities would cover more than 1 million square feet and provide over 2,000 surface parking spaces. The current facilities are approximately 3 million square feet. The proposed facilities would meet current and future production requirements for NNSA in a modern, cost effective, and flexible manner through reductions in the current facility footprint while significantly reducing operational, maintenance, security, and energy costs. The EA also will evaluate the potential environmental impacts associated with alternatives to the proposed action, including: • No Action, *i.e.,* continuing NNSA’s non-nuclear operations in the existing Bannister Federal Complex facilities. • Renovate the existing GSA office and warehouse space at the Bannister Federal Complex, relocate NNSA’s non-nuclear operations to the renovated facilities, and conduct future operations in the renovated facilities. • Renovate the existing GSA office space, demolish existing GSA warehouse space, and construct and operate a new manufacturing facility on the GSA portion of the Bannister Federal Complex. • Demolish existing GSA office and warehouse space. Construct and operate new office and manufacturing facilities on GSA’s portion of the Bannister Federal Complex. Concurrent with the preparation of the Environmental Assessment, GSA and NNSA will determine the applicability of floodplain management and wetland protection requirements (10 CFR Part 1022) and will publish a notice of proposed floodplain and/or wetland action as appropriate. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: *Public Scoping Meetings:* The GSA and NNSA will hold a public scoping meeting for the Environmental Assessment on the Transformation of Facilities and Infrastructure for the Non-Nuclear Production Activities Conducted at the National Nuclear Security Administration’s Kansas City Plant. The purpose of this Notice of Intent is to invite public participation at the scoping meeting and to request public comments on the scope of the EA, including the potential environmental impacts associated with the proposed action. The public scoping meeting is scheduled as follows: Wednesday, May 23rd, 2007 6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. Plaza Auditorium Bannister Federal Complex 1500 East Bannister Road Kansas City, MO 64131 Enter the Bannister Federal Complex by using Entrance 2, also marked Lydia Entrance, off Bannister Road. Enter the building through GSA Lobby 16. Please bring government-issued photo identification for entry into the building. Oral and written comments will be accepted at the public scoping meeting. In addition, GSA and NNSA will consider all written comments postmarked by May 30, 2007. For further information or to submit written comments please contact: Carlos Salazar GSA Regional NEPA Coordinator 1500 East Bannister Road, Room 2191
(6PTA)Kansas City, MO 64131
(816)823-2305 *carlos.salazar@gsa.gov* *Background:* NNSA intends to adopt this EA for use as a basis for decisions regarding the further transformation and downsizing of non-nuclear production activities performed at its Kansas City Plant. This EA is being prepared pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), and regulations implementing NEPA issued by the Council on Environmental Quality (40 CFR Parts 1500-1508), GSA (ADM 1095.1F), and to the extent not inconsistent with ADM 1095.1F, DOE (10 CFR Part 1021). NNSA’s non-nuclear operations include the procurement and manufacture of electrical, electronic, electromechanical, plastic, and mechanical components for the nuclear weapons program. Hazardous wastes are generated through general industrial processes and include acidic and alkaline liquids, solvents, oils and coolants. The Kansas City Plant is a non-nuclear site and does not have special nuclear materials, but operations do generate small quantities of low-level radioactive waste. GSA and NNSA believe that the relocation of the non-nuclear production mission to another location outside of the Kansas City Metropolitan Area is not a reasonable alternative and do not intend to analyze it as an alternative in the present EA. DOE completed a Nuclear Weapons Complex Reconfiguration (Complex-21) Study in January 1991, which identified significant cost savings that could be achieved by downsizing the nuclear weapons complex. On January 27, 1992, the Department issued an NOI (57 FR 3046) to prepare an environmental assessment (DOE/EA-0792) for the consolidation of non-nuclear production activities within the nuclear weapons complex. On September 14, 1993, DOE published a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) regarding its proposal (58 FR 48043) to terminate non-nuclear production missions at the Mound Plant in Ohio, the Pinellas Plant in Florida, and the Rocky Flats Plant in Colorado, and consolidate the electrical and mechanical manufacturing functions at the Kansas City Plant. DOE issued an NOI on June 6, 1995 (60 FR 31291), a final Stockpile Stewardship and Management PEIS on November 19, 1996 (61 FR 58871), and a ROD on December 26, 1996 (61 FR 68014) announcing its decision to transform the weapons production complex by further downsizing of the nuclear weapons complex. This decision included reducing non-nuclear component fabrication capacity at the Kansas City Plant. In these documents DOE evaluated alternatives for consolidation of non-nuclear manufacturing, storage and surveillance functions of the Nuclear Weapons Complex to the Kansas City Plant and reducing the capacity for non-nuclear component fabrication. The proposed action would continue the consolidation and downsizing of non-nuclear activities at the Kansas City Plant begun in the early 1990s. The alternatives are constructed around the mission need to maintain the Kansas City Plant while downsizing for cost efficiency. Keeping these activities in the Kansas City area is consistent with NNSA’s broader proposed transformation of the U.S. nuclear weapons complex and is based on the previous NEPA analyses and decisions described above, and on an economic analysis that will be included in the Environmental Assessment. GSA and NNSA invite and will consider comments on this issue during the scoping process. Separately, NNSA is preparing a Supplement to the Stockpile Stewardship and Management Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement—Complex 2030 (DOE/EIS-0236-S4) that evaluates alternatives for the continued transformation of the nuclear weapons complex. As explained in the NOI for that Supplemental PEIS (71 FR 61731; October 19, 2006), “NNSA believes that it is appropriate to separate the analyses of the transformation of non-nuclear production from the Supplemental PEIS because decisions regarding non-nuclear activities would neither significantly affect nor be affected by decisions regarding the transformation of nuclear production activities.” Dated: April 23, 2007. Carlos A Salazar, Regional NEPA Coordinator,Portfolio Management Division (6PTA),GSA Public Buildings Service, Heartland Region. [FR Doc. E7-8207 Filed 4-30-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6820-CG-S DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Nominations Requested/Open for the 2007 Innovation in Prevention Awards AGENCY: Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Secretary. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The Department of Health and Human Services
(HHS)seeks nominations of public and private sector organizations to receive the 2007 Innovation in Prevention Awards. This activity seeks to advance President George W. Bush's HealthierUS goal of helping Americans live longer, better, and healthier lives. The statutory authority for this health promotion activity is Section 1703 [42 U.S.C. 300u-2] from Title XVII of the Public Health Service Act. The Innovation in Prevention Awards Initiative will identify and celebrate outstanding organizations that have implemented innovative and creative chronic disease prevention and health promotion programs. To be nominated, a program must address at least one of the following risk categories:
(1)Obesity;
(2)Physical activity; and
(3)Nutrition. The Department intends that these awards will provide an opportunity to increase public awareness of creative approaches to develop and expand innovative health programs and encourage duplication of successful strategies. Awards will be given in the following categories: • Faith-Based and/or Community Initiatives. • Health Care Delivery. • Healthy Workplace. ○ Large Employer > 500 employees. ○ Small Employer < 500 employees. • Non-Profit. • Public Sector. • Schools (K-12). The following criteria will be taken into consideration upon review: • Creativity/Innovation. • Leadership. • Sustainability. • Replicability. • Effectiveness (results/outcomes). • Receipt of other awards or recognition at the national, state, or local level. DATES: Nominations must be received by 5 p.m. EDT on June 29, 2007. *Nominations:* Partnership for Prevention, a 501(c)(3) organization focused on health promotion, is coordinating the nomination process for the Innovation in Prevention Awards on behalf of the HHS. Nominations can only be made electronically at *http://www.prevent.org/awards2007.* For more information, contact Partnership for Prevention at
(202)785-4943 or *innovationawards@prevent.org.* Partnership for Prevention may request additional information as necessary. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Department of Health and Human Services is the U.S. government's principal agency for promoting and protecting the health of all Americans. The HHS manages many programs, covering a broad spectrum of health promotion and disease prevention services and activities. Leaders in the business community, State and local government officials, tribes and tribal entities, and charitable, faith-based, and community organizations have expressed an interest in working with the Department to promote healthy choices and behaviors. The Secretary welcomes this interest. With this notice, the Secretary outlines opportunities to identify and celebrate outstanding organizations that have implemented innovative and creative chronic disease prevention and health promotion programs. Dated: April 25, 2007. John O. Agwunobi, Assistant Secretary for Health. [FR Doc. E7-8226 Filed 4-30-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4151-05-P DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Request for Applications for the Intergenerational Approaches to HIV/AIDS Prevention Education With Women Across the Lifespan Pilot Program AGENCY: Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Secretary, Office of Public Health and Science, Office on Women's Health. ACTION: Notice. *Announcement Type:* Cooperative Agreement—FY 2007 Initial announcement. *Funding Opportunity Number:* Not applicable. *OMB Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance:* The OMB Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance number is 93.295. DATES: Applications must be received no later than 5 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on July 2, 2007. The application due date requirement in this announcement supersedes the instruction in the OPHS-1 form. Other Essential Dates Pre-site visits (if needed): July 23-27, 2007. Award date: September 1, 2007. ADDRESSES: To receive consideration applications must be received by the Office of Grants Management, Office of Public Health and Science (OPHS), Department of Health and Human Services
(DHHS)c/o WilDon Solutions, Office of Grants Management Operations Center, 1515 Wilson Blvd., Third Floor, Suite 310, Arlington, VA 22209, Attention Office on Women's Health, Intergenerational. SUMMARY: The Office on Women's Health
(OWH)in the Department of Health and Human Services
(DHHS)is the Department's focal point for women's health issues, and works to address disparities in research, health care services, and education that negatively effect the health of women. The OWH coordinates women's health efforts within DHHS to eliminate disparities in health status and supports culturally sensitive educational programs that encourage women to take personal responsibility for their own health and wellness. To that end, OWH has established public/private partnerships to address critical women's health issues nationwide. These partnerships are with non-profit community-based, faith-based, and women's service organizations (CBOs, FBOs, WSOs) innovating intergenerational approaches for HIV/AIDS prevention education targeting women disproportionately impacted by HIV/AIDS across the lifespan. African American and Latino women constituted 25 percent of the U.S. female population in 2002, but 81.5 percent of the reported female AIDS cases (65 percent were among African Americans and 16.5 percent were among Hispanics).
(1)The number of Asian/Pacific Islanders and American Indian/Alaskan Native women living with AIDS continues to rise, with an approximately 10 percent increase each year over the past 5 years.
(2)Women disproportionately impacted by HIV/AIDS are vulnerable for the disease because they lack accurate information about the virus; have low to no condom negotiation skills; are faced with low socioeconomic circumstances; suffer from sexual abuse; struggle with violence and other traumas, and lack information and skills to share sexual health information with other female members in the family. To this end, the Intergenerational Approaches to HIV/AIDS Prevention Education with Women Across the Lifespan Pilot Program intends to:
(1)Develop a cross-generational HIV/AIDS prevention education program to establish effective and/or increase communication about sexual health between African American, Native American/American Indian, Hispanic/Latino, and Asian/Pacific Islander women at risk for or living with HIV/AIDS with other female family and/or kinship network members 12+ years old;
(2)provide opportunities for African American, Native American/American Indian, Hispanic/Latino, and Asian/Pacific Islander women and other female members of the family 12+ years old to know their serostatus; and 3) address the age-, gender-, cultural-, spiritual-, and language-specific needs of African American, Native American/American Indian, Hispanic/Latino, and Asian/Pacific Islander women and other female members of the family 12+ years old regarding their sexual health issues, particularly HIV/AIDS prevention so they may decrease their risks for disease. This program builds on Minority AIDS Initiative- and Office on Women's Health-funded Women and HIV/AIDS Programs ( *e.g.* , Model Mentorship Program; HIV Prevention Education for Young Women Attending Minority Academic Institutions) by addressing HIV/AIDS issues using the strength of familial and kinship networks, as well as women-specific vulnerabilities to acquiring the virus. DHHS Collaborative Partners
(1)The OWH is the lead for this program and will be responsible for project officer duties.
(2)The following DHHS agencies and offices have agreed to establish a collaborative partnership: • Office on Women's Health (OWH), OPHS. • Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). • Office of HIV/AIDS Policy (OHAP), OPHS. • Indian Health Service (IHS). • Administration on Aging (AOA). • Office of Population Affairs (OPA). • Administration for Children and Families (ACF). • Center for Faith-Based Community Initiatives (CFBCI). Together these agencies agree to recruit technical review panelists to evaluate grant proposals; make presentations during the orientation meetings; provide advice and materials during the program year; provide advice during quarterly project monitoring teleconferences; and serve as site evaluation team members and/or assist in development of site evaluation form. I. Funding Opportunity Description Authority: This program is authorized by 42 U.S.C. 300u-2(a). The purpose of the Intergenerational Approaches to HIV/AIDS Prevention Education with Women Across the Lifespan Pilot Program is to develop cross-generational HIV/AIDS prevention education approaches specific to women at risk for or living with HIV/AIDS and other female members of the family 12+ years old, particularly African American, Native American/American Indian, Hispanic/Latino, and Asian/Pacific Islander women from the Diaspora who are grandmothers, mothers, daughters, granddaughters, and aunts. The goals of the program are: • To teach cross-generations of women and other female members of the family 12+ years old how to develop healthy communication patterns built on caring, trusting familial relationships; and • Equip women to share accurate information about their sexual health issues with other female members of the family 12+ years old by incorporating gender-focused, age-specific, culturally competent, and linguistically-appropriate HIV/AIDS prevention information. The objectives of the program are for African American, Native American/American Indian, Hispanic/Latino, and Asian/Pacific Islander women and other female members of the family 12+ years old to: • Know their serostatus; • Increase their knowledge of HIV/AIDS prevention; • Gain competencies in cross-generational communications about health in general and sexual health specifically; and • Connect with a primary healthcare physician (and navigate other systems of care). In order to achieve the objectives of the program, the grantee shall: A. During months 1-5 (start-up phase): 1. Attend the OWH Grantee Orientation Meeting. It will be conducted by OWH and DHHS Collaborating Partners (OHAP, IHS, AOA, OPA, ACF, and CFBCI). 2. Clinical Staff and Specialized Training. a. Licensed female behavioral health therapist (such as Social Worker, Psychologist, Counselor) with expertise in counseling women and other female members of the family 12+ years old most vulnerable for acquiring HIV/AIDS, *e.g.* counseling to address fear, stigma, abuse, and other areas of need that prevent participants from practicing healthy behaviors. Therapist legally required to uphold “duty to warn” state authorities for participants in instances presenting imminent harm or danger, such as statutory rape, intimate partner violence, suicide, etc. b. Request local health department to conduct in-service training on how to establish a review process for conducting a local program evaluation to measure whether goals and objectives are met. 3. Complete program development, including but not limited to the following activities: a. Complete development of training modules, assessment tools, and protocols necessary to present an intergenerational approach for HIV/AIDS prevention education to reach African American, Native American/American Indian, Hispanic/Latino, or Asian/Pacific Islander women at risk for or living with HIV/AIDS and other female members of the family 12+ years old that reflects: (Note: Grantee must reach only *one* racial/ethnic minority group) • The cultural, spiritual, and/or ritual factors that bridge traditional and American mores and values for women at risk for or living with HIV/AIDS, especially African American; Native American/American Indian, Hispanic/Latino, and Asian/Pacific Islander; and, • Evidence-based (domestic only) HIV/AIDS prevention education curricula designed to reach women at risk for or living with HIV/AIDS and other female members of the family 12+ years old. b. With adapted tools from local health department, develop the local program evaluation to measure whether the program goals and objectives are met. 4 Recruit a Team of Consumers to give feedback on what works best during all phases of program development and implementation. 5. Recruit community stakeholders with the following roles: a. Provide HIV testing opportunities for focus group participants (and consumer advisory team) b. Provide age-specific referral services via scheduled weekly appointments for women at risk for or living with HIV/AIDS and other female members of the family 12+ years old to receive counseling services from a licensed female behavioral health therapist with expertise in counseling women and other female members of the family 12+ years old most vulnerable for acquiring HIV/AIDS, e.g. counseling to address fear, stigma, abuse, and other areas of need that prevent participants from practicing healthy behaviors. Note: Therapist legally required to uphold “duty to warn” participants in instances presenting imminent harm or danger, such as statutory rape, intimate partner violence, suicide, etc. 6. Recruit women at risk for or living with HIV/AIDS to participate in focus groups to: • Identify gender-focused concerns of women most vulnerable for acquiring HIV/AIDS to be included in curriculum; • Identify age- and culturally-specific barriers to effective cross-generational communication for each women and other female members of the family 12+ years old disproportionately impacted by HIV/AIDS, for instance, African American, Native American/American Indian, Hispanic/Latino, and Asian/Pacific Islander women from the Diaspora; • Adult minority women participants to develop strategies for recruiting other female members of the family 12+ years old; • Participate in small group piloting of the training; • Provide entry to untapped venues to recruit additional participants; • Recruit age-appropriate peer support group leaders; • Recruit peers to get tested for HIV; and • Recruit peers to participate in program. 7. Submit: a. Four abstracts for workshop and/or poster presentations at one national HIV/AIDS conference targeting public health professionals; *and* b. Four abstracts for one community conference attracting an audience of consumers. 8. Require all program staff, consultants, and volunteers to attend OWH site evaluation visit. 9. Identify twenty funding opportunities and submit four applications. 10. Before start-up phase ends, recruit African American, Native American/American Indian, Hispanic/Latino, and Asian/Pacific Islander women at risk for or living with HIV/AIDS in places where they naturally gather both as a family and individually, including but not limited to: • Churches and other places of worship • Alumni associations of academic institutions for higher learning • Women's professional organizations/social organizations • PTA meetings • Commercial fitness centers • Beauty centers • English as a Second Language
(ESL)courses • Conferences • Sporting events • Supermarkets 11. Submit OWH initial progress report. B. During months 6-8 (pilot-test phase 1): 1. Pilot-test program and make program adaptations. a. Professional counseling services to be offered to participants by a licensed female behavioral health therapist (such as Social Worker, Psychologist, Counselor) with expertise in counseling women and other female members of the family 12+ years old most vulnerable for acquiring HIV/AIDS, *e.g.* counseling to address fear, stigma, abuse, and other areas of need that prevent participants from practicing healthy behaviors. Therapist legally required to uphold “duty to warn” state authorities for participants in instances presenting imminent harm or danger, such as statutory rape, intimate partner violence, suicide, etc. b. Offer peer group support to program participants. c. Review and measure success of meeting goals and objectives to-date. 2. Convene scheduled meetings for the: a. Team of Consumers b. Community stakeholders 3. Require program participants, Team of Consumers, and community stakeholders to recruit new program participants. 4. Receive confirmation for
(2)conference presentations. 5. Submit four applications to federal and non-federal funding sources. 6. Submit OWH mid-year progress report. C. During months 9-12 (pilot phase 2) 1. Conduct program with adaptations finalized from pilot phase 1: a. Professional counseling services to be offered to participants by a licensed female behavioral health therapist (such as Social Worker, Psychologist, Counselor) with expertise in counseling women and other female members of the family 12+ years old most vulnerable for acquiring HIV/AIDS, *e.g.* counseling to address fear, stigma, abuse, and other areas of need that prevent participants from practicing healthy behaviors. Therapist legally required to uphold “duty to warn” state authorities for participants in instances presenting imminent harm or danger, such as statutory rape, intimate partner violence, suicide, etc. b. Offer peer group support to program participants. 2. Convene final meetings for the: a. Team of Consumers b. Community stakeholders. 3. Review the success of meeting program goals and objectives. 4. Conduct one presentation (workshops, panels, posters) on the program at a national HIV/AIDS prevention conference targeting public health professionals. 5. Conduct one presentation (workshops, panels, posters) on the program at one community conference targeting consumers. 6. Submit four applications to federal and non-federal funding sources. 7. Submit OWH final progress report. 8. Submit OWH annual report. II. Award Information Under this announcement, the Office on Women's Health
(OWH)anticipates making four cooperative agreement awards. Approximately $1,200,000 is available to make four awards of up to $300,000 each. It is expected that the award will cover costs for the period of September 1, 2007 through August 31, 2008. Funding estimates may change. The Federal Government (Project Officer) will: A. Conduct an orientation meeting for the grantees (with other federal partners) within the first 8 weeks of the funding period. B. Conduct at least one site evaluation visit (with DHHS Collaborative Partners) that may include observation of program during pilot or implementation phase. C. Conduct quarterly project monitoring teleconferences (with DHHS Collaborative Partners). D. Review all quarterly, final, and annual progress reports. E. Review timeline and implementation plan. III. Eligibility Information 1. Eligible Applicants Eligible entities may include: non profit community-based organizations, faith-based organizations, national organizations, colleges and universities, clinics and hospitals, research institutions, State and local government agencies, tribal government agencies and tribal/urban Indian organizations. 2. Cost Sharing or Matching Cost sharing and matching funds is not a requirement of this grant. IV. Application and Submission Information 1. *Address to Request Application Package:* Application kits may be obtained by accessing Grants.gov at *http://grants.gov* or GrantSolution.gov. To obtain a hard copy of the application kit, contact WilDon Solutions, Office of Grants Management Operations Center, 1515 Wilson Boulevard, Third Floor, Suite 310, Arlington, VA 22209 at 1-888-203-6161. Applicants may fax a written request to WilDon Solutions at
(703)351-1148 or e-mail the request to *OPHSgrantinfo@teamwildon.com* . Applications must be prepared using Form OPHS-1, which can be obtained at the Web site noted above. 2. *Content and Format of Application and Submission:* At a minimum, each application for a cooperative agreement grant funded by this OWH announcement must: • Describe the applicant's record of success in providing HIV/AIDS prevention education, support services, and/or other services ( *e.g.* , other minority women's health issues; socioeconomic empowerment services; educational services) to women at risk for or living with HIV/AIDS. • Describe the applicant's current HIV/AIDS prevention education, support services, and/or other services for the women at risk for or living with HIV/AIDS served by the agency. • Give details on the barriers to cross-generational communication between grandmothers, mothers, daughters, aunts, and other female members of the family 12+ years old citing the impact of age, culture, traditions, and spirituality, as well as any trends or shifts in these areas. • Clearly define the women at risk for or living with HIV/AIDS to be reached by giving demographic and HIV/AIDS data covering the applicant's local service area and State (must cite all data from credible sources only). • Describe the applicant's work utilizing Teams of Consumers for feedback, in such cases where consumer feedback assisted in the design of new programs or making program adaptations that better meet the needs of those to be served. • Describe in detail any focus groups convened by the agency to reach women at risk for or living with HIV/AIDS, including demographic information, focus group leadership, number of participants, number of sessions, topics for each session, participant age range, and outcomes of the focus groups. • Describe the applicant's knowledge and/or experience with evidence-based HIV/AIDS prevention education curricula for women at risk for or living with HIV/AIDS in America. Cite your sources. • Provide a timeline for start-up, two piloting phases, and the proposed intergenerational approach for HIV/AIDS prevention education with a description of the demographics for women at risk for or living with HIV/AIDS and other female members of the family 12+ years old to be reached. • Provide a draft Plan of Action that links the applicant's timeline with delineated tasks to be accomplished over the three phases of the program. • Give a detailed description of the participation of applicant in existing community collaborative efforts. Include information on the purpose for collaboration; goals and objectives; names and complete contact information for partners; roles of each partner; timeline; challenges; corrective actions; and achievements. • Describe the applicant's competency or needs to build skills in reviewing whether program goals and objectives are met during all phases of the funding period. • Describe the process for determining whether program goals and objectives are met during all phases of the funding period. *Format and Limitations of Application:* Applicants are required to submit an original ink-signed and dated application and 2 photocopies. All pages must be numbered clearly and sequentially beginning with the Project Summary. The application must be typed double-spaced on one side of plain 8 1/2 ″ x 11″ white paper, using 12 point font, and containing 1″ margins all around. The Project Summary and Project Narrative must not exceed a total of 25 double-spaced pages. The appendices must not exceed 15 double-spaced pages. The original and each copy must be stapled and/or otherwise securely bound. The application should be organized in accordance with the format presented in the Program Guidelines. An outline for the minimum information to be included in the “Project Narrative” section is presented below. The content requirements for the Project Narrative portion of the application are divided into five sections and described below within each Factor. Applicants must pay particular attention to structuring the narrative to respond clearly and fully to each review Factor and associated criteria. Background (Understanding of the Problem) A. Provide a preliminary assessment of the HIV/AIDS prevention and support service needs for women at risk for or living with HIV/AIDS to be reached in this program. The assessment must be an age-specific demographic and service need profile for African American, Native American/American Indian, Hispanic/Latino, or Asian/Pacific Islander women disproportionately impacted by HIV/AIDS and other female members of the family 12+ years old in your local service area and State (cite data from credible sources only). B. Describe issues or challenges that impact African American, Native American/American Indian, Hispanic/Latino, or Asian/Pacific Islander women at risk for or living with HIV/AIDS to be able to have effective cross-generational communication about:
(1)Their own sexual health issues; and
(2)the health of female family or kinship network members 12+ years old about: • Understanding a woman's body and how to care for it over the lifespan; • Knowledge of ways to enhance health; • Building and/or maintaining healthy relationships that include an understanding of health threats; • Awareness of a primary healthcare system and how to access it; • Skills to express feelings and concerns about one's sexual health issues to other female family or kinship network members 12+ years old; • Awareness and ability to insure physical safety when threatened by sexual, physical, or emotional violence. Implementation Plan (Approach) A. State goals for achieving the intended purpose of the proposed Intergenerational Approaches to HIV/AIDS Prevention Education with Women Across the Lifespan Pilot Program: to develop a cross-generational HIV/AIDS prevention education approach specific to women at risk for or living with HIV/AIDS and other female members of the family 12+ years old, particularly African American women, Native American/American Indian, Hispanic/Latino, and Asian/Pacific Islander women from the Diaspora who are grandmothers, mothers, daughters, granddaughters, and aunts. B. State quantifiable objectives for the number of African American, Native American/American Indian, Hispanic/Latino, or Asian/Pacific Islander women at risk for or living with HIV/AIDS and other female members of the family 12+ years old to be reached for the proposed program. C. Give a detailed Plan of Action and timeline covering: • Start-up phase activities; • First pilot phase activities; and • Second pilot phase activities. Management Plan A. Key project staff, volunteer, and student interns; their resumes; and a staffing chart for budgeted staff. B. To-be-hired staff and their qualifications, including but not limited to a contractual services of a licensed female behavioral health therapist with expertise in counseling African American, Native American/American Indian, Hispanic/Latino, and Asian/Pacific Islander women at risk for or living with HIV/AIDS and other female members of the family 12+ years old. C. Staff, consultant/sub-contractor, volunteer, and student intern responsibilities. D. Management oversight of staff roles and job performance. E. Address maintenance of confidentiality, ethics in performance, and any mandatory in-service staff training. Evaluation Plan A. Indicators that reflect goals/objectives are being met. B. Indicators of any trends. C. Indicators of any unanticipated outcomes. Appendices A. Required Forms (Assurance of Compliance Form, etc.). B. Key Staff Resumes. C. Charts/Tables (target population demographics, gaps in services, etc.). D. Other attachments. *Use of Funds:* A majority of the funds from the award must be used to support staff and efforts aimed at implementing the program. Funds may be used for supplies (including screening, education, and outreach supplies); local travel to perform duties of the funded HIV/AIDS prevention program; and out-of-town travel (required attendance at the OWH Grantee Orientation meeting *and* participation in one national HIV/AIDS prevention conference). Funds may not be used for construction, building alterations, equipment, medical treatment, or renovations. All budget requests must be justified fully in terms of the proposed goals and objectives and include an itemized computational explanation/breakout of how costs were determined. *Meetings:* The OWH will sponsor a mandatory orientation meeting for grantees. The meeting will be held in the Washington metropolitan area or in one of the ten
(10)HHS regional office cities. The budget should include a request for funds to pay for the travel, lodging, and meals. The meeting is usually held within the first eight weeks after awards are made. 3. *Submission Date and Times:* To be considered for review, applications must be received by the Office of Public Health and Science, Office of Grants Management, c/o WilDon Solutions, by 5 p.m. Eastern Standard Time July 2, 2007. Applications will be considered as meeting the deadline if they are received on or before the deadline date. The application due date requirement in this announcement supersedes the instructions in the OPHS-1 form. Submission Mechanisms The OPHS provides multiple mechanisms for the submission of applications, as described in the following sections. Applicants will receive notification via mail from the OPHS Office of Grants Management confirming the receipt of applications submitted using any of these mechanisms. Applications submitted to the OPHS Office of Grants Management after the deadlines described below will not be accepted for review. Applications which do not conform to the requirements of the grant announcement will not be accepted for review and will be returned to the applicant. While applications are accepted in hard copy, the use of the electronic application submission capabilities provided by the Grants.gov and GrantSolutions.gov systems is encouraged. Applications may only be submitted electronically via the electronic submission mechanisms specified below. Any applications submitted via any other means of electronic communication, including facsimile or electronic mail, will not be accepted for review. In order to apply for new funding opportunities which are open to the public for competition, you may access the Grants.gov Web site Portal. All OPHS funding opportunities and application kits are made available on Grants.gov. If your organization has/had a grantee business relationship with a grant program serviced by the OPHS Office of Grants Management, and you are applying as part of ongoing grantee related activities, please access GrantSolutions.gov. Electronic grant application submissions must be submitted no later than 5 p.m. Eastern Time on the deadline date specified in the DATES section of the announcement using one of the electronic submission mechanisms specified below. All required hardcopy original signatures and mail-in items must be received by the WilDon Solutions, Office of Grants Management Operations Center, 1515 Wilson Boulevard, Third Floor Suite 310, Arlington, VA 22209, no later than 5 p.m. Eastern Time on the next business day after the deadline date specified in the DATES section of the announcement. Applications will not be considered valid until all electronic application components, hardcopy original signatures, and mail-in items are received by the Office of Grants Management according to the deadlines specified above. Application submissions that do not adhere to the due date requirements will be considered late and will be deemed ineligible. Applicants are encouraged to initiate electronic applications early in the application development process, and to submit early on the due date or before. This will aid in addressing any problems with submissions prior to the application deadline. Electronic Submissions via the Grants.gov Web site Portal The Grants.gov Web site Portal provides organizations with the ability to submit applications for OPHS grant opportunities. Organizations must successfully complete the necessary registration processes in order to submit an application. Information about this system is available on the Grants.gov Web site, *http://www.grants.gov.* In addition to electronically submitted materials, applicants may be required to submit hard copy signatures for certain Program related forms, or original materials as required by the announcement. It is imperative that the applicant review both the grant announcement, as well as the application guidance provided within the Grants.gov application package, to determine such requirements. Any required hard copy materials, or documents that require a signature, must be submitted separately via mail to the OPHS Office of Grants Management, c/o WilDon Solutions, and if required, must contain the original signature of an individual authorized to act for the applicant agency and the obligations imposed by the terms and conditions of the grant award. When submitting the required forms, do not send the entire application. Complete hard copy applications submitted after the electronic submission will not be considered for review. Electronic applications submitted via the Grants.gov Web site Portal must contain all completed online forms required by the application kit, the Program Narrative, Budget Narrative and any appendices or exhibits. All required mail-in items must be received by the due date requirements specified above. Mail-In items may only include publications, resumes, or organizational documentation. When submitting the required forms, do not send the entire application. Complete hard copy applications submitted after the electronic submission will not be considered for review. Upon completion of a successful electronic application submission via the Grants.gov Web site Portal, the applicant will be provided with a confirmation page from Grants.gov indicating the date and time (Eastern Time) of the electronic application submission, as well as the Grants.gov Receipt Number. It is critical that the applicant print and retain this confirmation for their records, as well as a copy of the entire application package. All applications submitted via the Grants.gov Web site Portal will be validated by Grants.gov. Any applications deemed “Invalid” by the Grants.gov Web site Portal will not be transferred to the GrantSolutions system, and OPHS has no responsibility for any application that is not validated and transferred to OPHS from the Grants.gov Web site Portal. Grants.gov will notify the applicant regarding the application validation status. Once the application is successfully validated by the Grants.gov Web site Portal, applicants should immediately mail all required hard copy materials to the OPHS Office of Grants Management, c/o WilDon Solutions, to be received by the deadlines specified above. It is critical that the applicant clearly identify the organization name and Grants.gov Application Receipt Number on all hard copy materials. Once the application is validated by Grants.gov, it will be electronically transferred to the GrantSolutions system for processing. Upon receipt of both the electronic application from the Grants.gov Web site Portal, and the required hardcopy mail-in items, applicants will receive notification via mail from the OPHS Office of Grants Management confirming the receipt of the application submitted using the Grants.gov Web site Portal. Applicants should contact Grants.gov regarding any questions or concerns regarding the electronic application process conducted through the Grants.gov Web site Portal. Electronic Submissions via the GrantSolutions System OPHS is a managing partner of the GrantSolutions.gov system. GrantSolutions is a full life-cycle grants management system managed by the Administration for Children and Families, DHHS, and is designated by the Office of Management and Budget
(OMB)as one of the three Government-wide grants management systems under the Grants Management Line of Business initiative (GMLoB). OPHS uses GrantSolutions for the electronic processing of all grant applications, as well as the electronic management of its entire Grant portfolio. When submitting applications via the GrantSolutions system, applicants are required to submit a hard copy of the application face page (Standard Form 424) with the original signature of an individual authorized to act for the applicant agency and assume the obligations imposed by the terms and conditions of the grant award. If required, applicants will also need to submit a hard copy of the Standard Form LLL and/or certain Program related forms (e.g., Program Certifications) with the original signature of an individual authorized to act for the applicant agency. When submitting the required forms, do not send the entire application. Complete hard copy applications submitted after the electronic submission will not be considered for review. Electronic applications submitted via the GrantSolutions system must contain all completed online forms required by the application kit, the Program Narrative, Budget Narrative and any appendices or exhibits. The applicant may identify specific mail-in items to be sent to the Office of Grants Management separate from the electronic submission; however these mail-in items must be entered on the GrantSolutions Application Checklist at the time of electronic submission, and must be received by the due date requirements specified above. Mail-In items may only include publications, resumes, or organizational documentation. When submitting the required forms, do not send the entire application. Complete hard copy applications submitted after the electronic submission will not be considered for review. Upon completion of a successful electronic application submission, the GrantSolutions system will provide the applicant with a confirmation page indicating the date and time (Eastern Time) of the electronic application submission. This confirmation page will also provide a listing of all items that constitute the final application submission including all electronic application components, required hardcopy original signatures, and mail-in items, as well as the mailing address of the OPHS Office of Grants Management where all required hard copy materials must be submitted. As items are received by the OPHS Office of Grants Management, the electronic application status will be updated to reflect the receipt of mail-in items. It is recommended that the applicant monitor the status of their application in the GrantSolutions system to ensure that all signatures and mail-in items are received. Mailed or Hand-Delivered Hard Copy Applications Applicants who submit applications in hard copy (via mail or hand-delivered) are required to submit an original and two copies of the application. The original application must be signed by an individual authorized to act for the applicant agency or organization and to assume for the organization the obligations imposed by the terms and conditions of the grant award. Mailed or hand-delivered applications will be considered as meeting the deadline if they are received by the WilDon Solutions, Office of Grants Management Operations Center, 1515 Wilson Boulevard, Third Floor Suite 310, Arlington, VA 22209, on or before 5 p.m. Eastern Time on the deadline date specified in the DATES section of the announcement. The application deadline date requirement specified in this announcement supersedes the instructions in the OPHS-1. Applications that do not meet the deadline will be returned to the applicant unread. 4. *Intergovernmental Review:* This program is subject to the Public Health Systems Reporting Requirements. Under these requirements, a community-based non-governmental applicant must prepare and submit a Public Health System Impact Statement (PHSIS). Applicants shall submit a copy of the application face page (SF-424) and a one page summary of the project, called the Public Health System Impact Statement. The PHSIS is intended to provide information to State and local health officials to keep them apprised on proposed health services grant applications submitted by community-based, non-governmental organizations within their jurisdictions. Community-based, non-governmental applicants are required to submit, no later than the Federal due date for receipt of the application, the following information to the head of the appropriate state and local health agencies in the area(s) to be impacted:
(a)A copy of the face page of the application (SF 424),
(b)a summary of the project (PHSIS), not to exceed one page, which provides:
(1)A description of the population to be served,
(2)a summary of the services to be provided, and
(3)a description of the coordination planned with the appropriate state or local health agencies. Copies of the letters forwarding the PHSIS to these authorities must be contained in the application materials submitted to the OWH. This program is also subject to the requirements of Executive Order 12372 that allows States the option of setting up a system for reviewing applications from within their States for assistance under certain Federal programs. The application kit to be made available under this notice will contain a listing of States that have chosen to set up a review system and will include a State Single Point of Contact
(SPOC)in the State for review. Applicants (other than federally recognized Indian tribes) should contact their SPOCs as early as possible to alert them to the prospective applications and receive any necessary instructions on the State process. For proposed projects serving more than one State, the applicant is advised to contact the SPOC in each affected State. A complete list of SPOCs may be found at the following Web site: *http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/spoc.html.* The due date for State process recommendations is 60 days after the application deadline. The OWH does not guarantee that it will accommodate or explain its responses to State process recommendations received after that date. (See “Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs,” Executive Order 12372, and 45 CFR part 100 for a description of the review process and requirements.) 5. *Funding Restrictions:* Funds may not be used for construction, building alterations, equipment purchase, medical treatment, renovations, or to purchase food. 6. *Other Submission Requirements:* Beginning October 1, 2003, all applicants are required to obtain a Data Universal Numbering System
(DUNS)number as preparation for doing business electronically with the Federal Government. The DUNS number must be obtained prior to applying for OWH funds. The DUNS number is a nine-character identification code provided by the commercial company Dun & Bradstreet, and serves as a unique identifier of business entities. There is no charge for requesting a DUNS number, and you may register and obtain a DUNS number by either of the following methods: *Telephone:* 1-866-705-5711. *Web site:* *https://www.dnb.com/product/eupdate/requestOptions.html.* Be sure to click on the link that reads, “DUNS Number Only” at the right hand, bottom corner of the screen to access the free registration page. Please note that registration via the Web site may take up to 30 business days to complete. V. Application Review Information *Criteria:* The technical review of applications will consider the following factors: Factor 1: Background/Understanding of the Problem (30%) This section must discuss: 1. Applicant's experience providing HIV/AIDS prevention education, support services, and/or other services ( *e.g.* , women's health issues; socioeconomic empowerment services; educational services) to women at risk for or living with HIV/AIDS, particularly African American, Native American/American Indian, Hispanic/Latino, and Asian/Pacific Islander women. 2. Applicant's description of the HIV/AIDS prevention and support service needs for the women at risk for or living with HIV/AIDS and other female members of the family 12+ years old to be reached in this program; must include a detailed assessment with age-specific demographic and service need profile for minority females (African American, Native American/American Indian, Hispanic/Latino, and Asian/Pacific Islander) in the applicant's local service area. 3. Applicant's full description of the issues or challenges that impact women at risk for or living with HIV/AIDS specific to one of the racial/ethnic minority groups to be reached (African American, Native American/American Indian, Hispanic/Latino, or Asian/Pacific Islander) relative to effective cross-generational communication about:
(1)Their own sexual health issues; and
(2)the health of female family or kinship network members 12+ years old about: • Understanding a woman's body and how to care for it over the lifespan. • Knowledge of ways to enhance health. • Building and/or maintaining healthy relationships that includes an understanding of health threats. • Awareness of primary healthcare system and how to access it. • Gaining skills to express feelings and concerns about one's sexual health issues to other female family or kinship network members 12+ years old. • Increasing awareness and ability to secure a safe place to live first when threatened by sexual, physical, or emotional violence. Factor 2: Implementation/Approach (25%) This section must discuss: 1. Evidence provided of applicant's success in providing HIV/AIDS prevention education, support services, and/or other services ( *e.g.* , women's health issues; socioeconomic empowerment services; educational services) to women at risk for or living with HIV/AIDS who are African American, Native American/American Indian, Hispanic/Latino, or Asian/Pacific Islander. 2. Applicant's goals, objectives, plan of action and timeline that fully describes how proposed intergenerational approach to HIV/AIDS prevention education for women at risk for or living with HIV/AIDS who are African American, Native American/American Indian, Hispanic/Latino, or Asian/Pacific Islander addresses the barriers to cross-generational communication between grandmothers, mothers, daughters, granddaughters, and aunts and/or other adult female kinship members 12+ years old with the impact of age, culture, traditions, and spirituality, as well as any trends or shifts in these areas. 3. Evidence of applicant's work in establishing and/or convening African American, Native American/American Indian, Hispanic/Latino, or Asian/Pacific Islander consumers for feedback on HIV/AIDS prevention, support, care, and/or treatment programs. 4. Evidence of applicant's work in identifying and/or working with community stakeholders, specifically for HIV/AIDS prevention, support, care, and/or treatment. Factor 3: Management Plan (25%) The applicant's proposal should contain: 1. Applicant's proposed staff and/or requirements for new staff adequately described in resumes (see Appendix); must include contractual services of a licensed female behavioral health therapist with expertise in counseling African American, Native American/American Indian, Hispanic/Latino, or Asian/Pacific Islander women at risk for or living with HIV/AID and other female members of the family 12+ years old. 2. Proposed staff level of effort; 3. Detailed position descriptions (appears in Appendix); and 4. Addresses maintenance of confidentiality, ethics in performance, and any mandatory in-service staff training. Factor 4: Evaluation Plan (20%) The applicant's proposal contains: 1. Clear statement of program goal(s); 2. Quantifiable objectives; 3. Clear indicators to analyze trends; and 4. Clear indicators to recognize unanticipated outcomes. *Review and Selection Process:* Funding decisions will be made by the OWH, and will take into consideration the recommendations and ratings of the review panel, program needs, geographic location, stated preferences, and the recommendations of DHHS Regional Women's Health Coordinators (RWHC). Accepted applications will be reviewed for technical merit in accordance with DHHS policies. Applications will be evaluated by a technical review panel composed of experts in the fields of minority women's health issues, particularly HIV/AIDS prevention; community based, faith based, and women's service organizations delivery of HIV/AIDS prevention and support services; and federal and state government public health systems. VI. Award Administration Information 1. *Award Notices:* Applicants will receive a Notice of Grant Award signed by the Grants Management Officer (GMO). This is the authorizing document and it will be sent electronically and followed up with a mailed copy. 2. *Administrative and National Policy Requirements:* The regulations set out at 45 CFR parts 74 and 92 are the Department of Health and Human Services
(DHHS)rules and requirements that govern the administration of grants. Part 74 is applicable to all recipients except those covered by part 92, which governs awards to state and local governments. Applicants funded under this announcement must be aware of and comply with these regulations. The CFR volume that includes parts 74 and 92 may be downloaded from *http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/45cfrv1_03.html* . The DHHS Appropriations Act requires that, when issuing statements, press releases, requests for proposals, bid solicitations, and other documents describing projects or programs funded in whole or in part with Federal money, all grantees shall clearly state the percentage and dollar amount of the total costs of the program or project which will be financed with Federal money and the percentage and dollar amount of the total costs of the project or program that will be financed by non-governmental sources. 3. *Reporting:* In addition to those listed above, the applicant will submit an initial progress report, a mid-year progress report, a final progress report, and a financial status report (in accordance with provisions of the general regulations which apply under “Monitoring and Reporting Program Performance,” 45 CFR parts 74 and 92). OWH will provide Progress Report Forms and Annual Report Forms during the orientation meeting. The purpose of the progress reports is to provide accurate and timely program information to program managers and to respond to Congressional, Departmental, and public requests for information about the program. An original and one copy of the four report(s) must be submitted as follows: 1. Initial Progress Report due date (provided at OWH orientation meeting). 2. Mid-Year Progress Report due date (provided at OWH orientation meeting). 3. Final Progress Report due date (provided at OWH orientation meeting). A Financial Status Report
(FSR)SF-269 is due 90 days after the close of each 12-month budget period. VII. Agency Contacts For application kits, submission of applications, and information on the budget and business aspects of the application, please contact: WilDon Solutions, Office of Grants Management Operations Center, 1515 Wilson Blvd., Third Floor, Suite 310, Arlington, VA 22209 at 1-888-203-2061, e-mail *OPHSgrantinfo@teamwildon.com* , or fax 703-351-1138. 4. Questions regarding programmatic information and/or requests for technical assistance in the preparation of the grant application should be directed in writing to: Joanna Short, M.Div., Public Health Advisor, Office on Women's Health, OPHS, DHHS, Hubert H. Humphrey Building, Room 733E, 200 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20201, Telephone:
(202)260-8420, E-mail: *JShort@osophs.dhhs.gov.* VIII. Other Information A. Protection of Human Subjects Regulations The applicant must comply with the DHHS Protection of Human Subjects regulations (which require obtaining Institutional Review Board approval), set out as 45 CFR Part 46, if applicable. General information about Human Subjects regulations can be obtained through the Office of Human Research Protections
(OHRP)at *http://www.hhs.gov/ohrp* , or *ohrp@osophs.dhhs.gov* , or toll free at
(866)447-4777. B. Objectives of Healthy People 2010 Emphasis will be placed on aligning OWH activities and programs with Healthy People 2010: Goal 2 to eliminate health disparities. More information on the Healthy People 2010 objectives may be found on the Healthy People 2010 Web site: *http://www.health.gov/healthypeople.* C. Definitions *Community-based organization:* Public and private, non-profit organizations that are representative of communities or significant segments of communities. *Culturally competent:* Information and services provided at the educational level and in the language and cultural context that are most appropriate for the individuals for whom the information and services are intended. Additional information on cultural competency is available at the following Web site: *http://www.aoa.dhhs.gov/May2001/factsheets/Cultural-Competency.html.* *Evidence-Based:* DHHS recognizes HIV/AID prevention education approaches for reaching minority populations, namely education/training, outreach (street, media), and care services. Additional information on evidence-based HIV/AIDS prevention programs is available at the following Web site: *http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/pubs/hivcompendium/organize.htm.* *Gender-focused:* An approach which, in considering the social and environmental contexts impacting women's lives therefore structures information, activities, program priorities, and service delivery systems that compliment those factors. *Healthy People 2010:* A set of national health objectives that outlines the prevention agenda for the Nation. Healthy People 2010 identifies the most significant preventable threats to health and establishes national goals for the next ten years. Individuals, groups, and organizations are encouraged to integrate Healthy People 2010 into current programs, special events, publications, and meetings. Businesses can use the framework, for example, to guide worksite health promotion activities as well as community-based initiatives. Schools, colleges, and civic and faith-based organizations can undertake activities to further the health of all members of their community. Health care providers can encourage their patients to pursue healthier lifestyles and to participate in community-based programs. By selecting from among the national objectives, individuals and organizations can build an agenda for community health improvement and can monitor results over time. More information on the Healthy People 2010 objectives may be found on the Healthy People 2010 Web site: *http://www.health.gov/healthypeople.* *Prevention education:* Accurate information to increase knowledge of methods and behaviors to keep individuals from becoming infected with HIV. References
(1)Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. HIV/AIDS Surveillance Report. 2002; 14/Addendum: 5. Table A3.
(2)Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. HIV/AIDS Surveillance Report 2002, Vol. 14. Dated: April 19, 2007. Wanda K. Jones, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health (Women's Health). [FR Doc. E7-8228 Filed 4-30-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4150-33-P DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES National Toxicology Program (NTP); Liaison and Scientific Review Office; Meeting of the Scientific Advisory Committee on Alternative Toxicological Methods (SACATM) AGENCY: National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), National Institutes of Health (NIH). ACTION: Meeting announcement and request for comment. SUMMARY: Pursuant to section 10(a) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended (5 U.S.C. Appendix 2), notice is hereby given of a meeting of SACATM on June 12, 2007, at the Marriott Bethesda North Hotel and Conference Center, 5701 Marinelli Road, Bethesda, Maryland. The meeting is scheduled from 8:30 a.m. to adjournment (~5 p.m.) and is open to the public with attendance limited only the space available. SACATM advises the Interagency Coordinating Committee on the Validation of Alternative Methods (ICCVAM), the NTP Interagency Center for the Evaluation of Alternative Toxicological Methods (NICEATM), and the Director of the NIEHS and NTP regarding statutorily mandated duties of ICCVAM and activities of NICEATM. DATES: The SACATM meeting will be held on June 12, 2007. All individuals who plan to attend are encouraged to register online at the NTP Web site ( *http://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/go/7441* ) by June 8, 2007. In order to facilitate planning, persons wishing to make an oral presentation are asked to notify Dr. Mary S. Wolfe via online registration, phone, or email by June 4, 2007 (see ADDRESSES below). Written comments should also be received by June 4 to enable review by SACATM and NIEHS/NTP staff before the meeting. ADDRESSES: The SACATM meeting will be held at the Marriott Bethesda North Hotel & Conference Center, 5701 Marinelli Road, Bethesda, Maryland 20852 [hotel:
(301)822-9200]. Public comments and other correspondence should be directed to Dr. Mary S. Wolfe (NIEHS, P.O. Box 12233, MD A3-01, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709; telephone: 919-541-7539 or e-mail: *wolfe@niehs.nih.gov* ). Persons needing special assistance, such as sign language interpretation or other reasonable accommodation in order to attend, should contact 919-541-2475 voice, 919-541-4644 TTY (text telephone), through the Federal TTY Relay System at 800-877-8339, or send e-mail to *niehsoeeo@niehs.nih.gov.* Requests should be made at least 7 days in advance of the meeting. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Preliminary Agenda and Availability of Meeting Materials A preliminary agenda is provided below. Additional background materials will be posted on the NTP Web site ( *http://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/go/7441* ) or available upon request (see ADDRESSES above). One agenda topic is discussion of the draft NICEATM-ICCVAM 5-Year Plan, which will be available by May 7 and presented at a public Town Meeting at the William H. Natcher Center, NIH, 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, Maryland on June 11 ( *http://iccvam.niehs.nih.gov/meetings/5YPlanTM/townmtg.htm* ). The Town Meeting will be announced in a separate **Federal Register** notice. Following the SACATM meeting, summary minutes will be prepared and available on NTP Web site or upon request. Preliminary Agenda Scientific Advisory Committee on Alternative Toxicological Methods June 12, 2007 Marriott Bethesda North Hotel & Conference Center, 5701 Marinelli Road, Bethesda, Maryland 20852 8:30 a.m. • Call to Order and Introductions • NICEATM-ICCVAM Update • Draft NICEATM-ICCVAM 5-Year Plan ○ Public Comment Noon LUNCH 1 p.m. • ICCVAM Evaluation of *In Vitro* Pyrogenicity Test Methods ○ Public Comment • Nominations to ICCVAM ○ Public Comment • NTP High Throughput Screening Initiative ○ Public Comment • Update from the European Center for the Evaluation of Alternative Methods • Update from the Japanese Center for the Validation of Alternative Methods • Other Business 5 p.m. ADJOURN Request for Comments Public input is invited and time is set-aside at the meeting for presentation of oral comments. Each organization is allowed one time slot per public comment period. At least 7 minutes will be allotted for each speaker, and if time permits, may be extended up to 10 minutes at the discretion of the chair. Registration for oral comments will also be available on-site, although time allowed for presentation by on-site registrants may be less than for pre-registered speakers and will be determined by the number of persons who register at the meeting. Persons registering to make oral comments are asked to do so through the online registration form ( *http://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/go/7441* ) and to send a copy of their statement to Dr. Wolfe (see ADDRESSES above) by June 4 to enable review by SACATM and NIEHS/NTP staff prior to the meeting. Written statements can supplement and may expand the oral presentation. If registering on-site and reading from written text, please bring 40 copies of the statement for distribution and to supplement the record. Written comments received in response to this notice will be posted on the NTP Web site. Persons submitting written comments should include their name, affiliation (if applicable), and sponsoring organization (if any) with the document. Background Information on SACATM SACATM was established in response to the ICCVAM Authorization Act [42 U.S.C. 285 *l* -3(d)] and is composed of scientists from the public and private sectors. SACATM advises ICCVAM, NICEATM, and the Director of the NIEHS and NTP regarding statutorily mandated duties of ICCVAM and activities of NICEATM. SACATM provides advice on priorities and activities related to the development, validation, scientific review, regulatory acceptance, implementation, and national and international harmonization of new, revised, and alternative toxicological test methods. Additional information about SACATM, including the charter, roster, and records of past meetings, can be found at *http://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/go/167.* Information about NICEATM and ICCVAM is available at *http://iccvam.niehs.nih.gov* or by contacting the NICEATM Director, Dr. William Stokes (telephone: 919-541-2384 or e-mail: *niceatm@niehs.nih.gov* ). Dated: April 17, 2007. Samuel H. Wilson, Deputy Director, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and National Toxicology Program. [FR Doc. E7-8289 Filed 4-30-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4140-01-P DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS); National Toxicology Program (NTP); NTP Interagency Center for the Evaluation of Alternative Toxicological Methods (NICEATM); Availability of Draft NICEATM-ICCVAM 5-Year Plan and Request for Public Comments; Announcement of a Town Meeting on the Draft NICEATM-ICCVAM 5-Year Plan AGENCY: National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), National Institutes of Health (NIH). ACTION: Meeting announcement and request for comments. SUMMARY: The NIEHS and NICEATM request public comments that can be considered by NICEATM, the Interagency Coordinating Committee on the Validation of Alternative Methods (ICCVAM), and relevant program offices on the draft NICEATM-ICCVAM 5-Year Plan. The draft plan addresses:
(a)Research, development, translation, and validation of new and revised non-animal and other alternatives assays for integration of relevant and reliable methods into federal agency testing programs and
(b)identification of areas of high priority for new and revised non-animal and alternative assays for the replacement, reduction, and refinement (less pain and distress) of animal tests. The draft plan will be available on or before May 7, 2007, at the NICEATM-ICCVAM 5-Year Plan Web site ( *http://iccvam.niehs.nih.gov/docs/5yearplan.htm* ). Copies of the draft plan may also be obtained by contacting NICEATM (see ADDRESSES below). NICEATM and ICCVAM will hold a public Town Meeting at the National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland on June 11, 2007, beginning at 1 p.m. to adjournment (~5 p.m.) to receive oral comments on the draft NICEATM-ICCVAM 5-Year Plan. DATES: The draft NICEATM-ICCVAM 5-Year Plan will be available by May 7, 2007. Registration to attend the meeting and written comments on the draft NICEATM-ICCVAM 5-Year Plan should be received by June 7, 2007. The Town Meeting will be held June 11, 2007. ADDRESSES: The Town Meeting will be held at the William H. Natcher Conference Center, Room E, NIH, 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, Maryland. Persons needing special assistance, such as sign language interpretation or other reasonable accommodation in order to attend, should contact 919-541-2475 voice, 919-541-4644 TTY (text telephone), through the Federal TTY Relay System at 800-877-8339, or send e-mail to *niehsoeeo@niehs.nih.gov* . Requests should be made at least 7 days in advance of the meeting. Written comments should be submitted preferably electronically at the NICEATM-ICCVAM 5-Year Plan Web site: *http://iccvam.niehs.nih.gov/docs/5yearplan.htm* . Comments can also be submitted by e-mail to *5yearplan@niehs.nih.gov.* FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Other correspondence should be directed to Dr. William S. Stokes, NICEATM Director (NIH/NIEHS, P.O. Box 12233, MD EC-17, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709; telephone: 919-541-2384, fax: 919-541-0947 or e-mail: *niceatm@niehs.nih.gov* . Courier address: NICEATM, 79 T.W. Alexander Drive, Building 4401, Room 3128, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background Congress established ICCVAM to promote development, validation, and regulatory acceptance of new or revised alternative toxicological test methods that protect human and animal health and the environment while reducing, refining, or replacing animal tests and ensuring human safety and product effectiveness (42 U.S.C. 285 *l* -3). Congress has requested that NICEATM and ICCVAM, in partnership with relevant federal agencies, develop a five-year plan that addresses
(1)research, development, translation, and validation of new and revised non-animal and other alternative assays for integration into federal agency testing programs and
(2)identification of areas of high priority for new and revised non-animal and alternative assays for replacement, reduction, and refinement (less pain and distress) of animal tests. At this time, the NIEHS and NICEATM seek public comments on the draft plan. NICEATM and ICCVAM in partnership with relevant agency program offices will consider these comments in development of the final plan. A Town Meeting on June 11 will provide the public an opportunity to present oral comments on the draft plan (see below) to NICEATM staff, ICCVAM Agency Representatives, and other agency program staff. In addition, some members of the Scientific Advisory Committee on Alternative Toxicological Methods (SACATM) will also attend. On June 12, 2007, SACATM will meet at the Marriott Bethesda North Hotel and Conference Center in Bethesda, Maryland, where the agenda also includes discussion of the draft plan ( *http://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/go/7441* ) and opportunity for oral comments. The SACATM meeting will be announced in a separate **Federal Register** notice. Registration for the Town Meeting The Town Meeting will be held on June 11, 2007, at the William H. Natcher Conference Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland. Persons planning to attend are asked to register by June 7, 2007 by completing the online registration at the NICEATM-ICCVAM Web site ( *http://iccvam.niehs.nih.gov/meetings/5YPlanTM/townmtg.htm* ) or by contacting NICEATM (see ADDRESSES above). The agenda is available on the NICEATM-ICCVAM Web site ( *http://iccvam.niehs.nih.gov/meetings/5YPlanTM/townmtg.htm* ) or can be obtained by contacting NICEATM (see ADDRESSES above). Request for Comments The NIEHS and NICEATM invite public comments on the draft NICEATM-ICCVAM 5-Year Plan. Written comments should be submitted preferably electronically at the NICEATM-ICCVAM 5-Year Plan Web site ( *http://iccvam.niehs.nih.gov/docs/5yearplan.htm* ). Comments can also be submitted by e-mail to *5yearplan@niehs.nih.gov* . Individuals submitting comments are asked to include appropriate contact information (name, affiliation, mailing address, phone, fax, e-mail, and sponsoring organization, if applicable). All comments received by June 7, 2007, will be posted on the ICCVAM-NICEATM Web site ( *http://iccvam.niehs.nih.gov/docs/5yearplan.htm* ) and identified by the individual's name, affiliation (if applicable), and/or sponsoring organization (if any). Persons registering to make oral comments at the Town Meeting are asked to contact NICEATM (see ADDRESSES above) and send a copy of their statement by June 7. Written statements can supplement and may expand the oral presentation. Each organization is allowed one speaker. At least 7 minutes will be allotted for each speaker, and if time permits, may be extended up to 10 minutes at the discretion of the moderator. Registration for oral comments will also be available on-site, although time allowed for presentation by on-site registrants may be less than for pre-registered speakers and will be determined by the number of persons who register at the meeting. If registering on-site and reading from written text, please bring 40 copies of the statement for distribution and to supplement the record. Background Information on ICCVAM and NICEATM ICCVAM is an interagency committee composed of representatives from 15 federal regulatory and research agencies that use, generate, or disseminate toxicological information. ICCVAM conducts technical evaluations of new, revised, and alternative methods with regulatory applicability and promotes scientific validation and regulatory acceptance of toxicological test methods that more accurately assess safety and hazards of chemicals and products and that refine, reduce, and replace animal use. The ICCVAM Authorization Act of 2000 (42 U.S.C. 285 *l* -3, available at *http://iccvam.niehs.nih.gov/docs/about_docs/PL106545.pdf* ) establishes ICCVAM as a permanent interagency committee of the NIEHS under NICEATM. NICEATM administers ICCVAM and provides scientific and operational support for ICCVAM-related activities. NICEATM and ICCVAM work collaboratively to evaluate new and improved test methods applicable to the needs of federal agencies. SACATM is a federally chartered advisory committee that provides advice to NICEATM, ICCVAM, and NIEHS on ICCVAM and NICEATM activities. Additional information about ICCVAM and NICEATM can be found at the following Web site: *http://iccvam.niehs.nih.gov* . Information about SACATM is available at *http://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/go/167* . Dated: April 20, 2007. Samuel H. Wilson, Deputy Director, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and National Toxicology Program. [FR Doc. E7-8290 Filed 4-30-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4140-01-P DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES National Toxicology Program (NTP); Center for the Evaluation of Risks to Human Reproduction (CERHR); Second Bisphenol A Expert Panel Meeting and Interim Draft Expert Panel Report on Bisphenol A: Announcement of Postponed Meeting and Extension of Public Comment Period AGENCY: National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS); National Institutes of Health. ACTION: Announcement of postponed meeting and extension of public comment period. SUMMARY: The second meeting of the expert panel on bisphenol A originally scheduled for May 21-23, 2007 [ **Federal Register** , April 2, 2007 (Vol. 72, No. 62, page 15695-15696)] is postponed. The new date for the meeting will be announced in a future **Federal Register** notice. During this time, NTP will conduct an independent audit of all materials used in the bisphenol-A review. Also, the deadline for submission of written public comments on the interim draft expert panel report on bisphenol A is extended until June 20, 2007. The interim draft report is posted on the CERHR Web site ( *http://cerhr.niehs.nih.gov/chemicals/bisphenol/bisphenol.html* ) and available in printed text from CERHR (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT below). Persons submitting written comments are asked to include their name and contact information [affiliation (if applicable), mailing address, telephone, e-mail, and sponsoring organization (if any)] and send the comments to Dr. Michael D. Shelby (see ADDRESSES below). Comments received will be posted on the CERHR Web site. DATES: Written comments on the interim draft expert panel report should be received by June 20, 2007. ADDRESSES: Comments on the interim draft report should be sent to Dr. Michael D. Shelby, CERHR Director, NIEHS, P.O. Box 12233, MD EC-32, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709 (mail),
(919)316-4511 (fax), or *shelby@niehs.nih.gov* (e-mail). Courier address: CERHR, 79 T.W. Alexander Drive, Building 4401, Room 103, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Michael D. Shelby, CERHR Director, 919-541-3455, *shelby@niehs.nih.gov* . Dated: April 23, 2007. Samuel H. Wilson, Deputy Director, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and National Toxicology Program. [FR Doc. E7-8292 Filed 4-30-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4140-01-P DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Center for Environmental Health/Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry The Program Peer Review Subcommittee
(PPRS)of the Board of Scientific Counselors (BSC), National Center for Environmental Health/Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (NCEH/ATSDR): Meeting. In accordance with section 10(a)(2) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (Pub. L. 92-463), NCEH/ATSDR, CDC, announces the following meeting of the aforementioned subcommittee: *Time and Date:* 1 p.m.-5 p.m. Eastern Daylight Saving Time, May 16, 2007. *Place:* 1825 Century Boulevard, Atlanta, Georgia 30345. *Status:* Open to the public, limited only by the space available. *Purpose:* Under the charge of the BSC, NCEH/ATSDR, the PPRS will provide the BSC, NCEH/ATSDR with advice and recommendations on NCEH/ATSDR program peer review. They will serve the function of organizing, facilitating, and providing a long-term perspective to the conduct of NCEH/ATSDR program peer review. *Matters To Be Discussed:* Review and approve previous meeting minutes; report on Site Specific Activities review; and a discussion of Preparedness and Emergency Response peer review: breadth and approach of the review, areas of expertise required for the review, nominations for a PPRS panel member, a chairperson, peer reviewers, and partners and customers. Agenda items are subject to change as priorities dictate. *Supplementary Information:* This meeting is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. Eastern Daylight Saving Time. To participate, please dial 877/315-6535 and enter conference code 383520. Public comment period is scheduled for 3-3:10 p.m. *Contact Person for More Information:* Sandra Malcom, Committee Management Specialist, Office of Science, NCEH/ATSDR, M/S E-28, 1600 Clifton Road, NE., Atlanta, Georgia 30333, telephone 404/498-0622. The deadline for notification of attendance is May 11, 2007. The Director, Management Analysis and Services Office, has been delegated the authority to sign **Federal Register** notices pertaining to announcements of meetings and other committee management activities for both CDC and ATSDR. Dated: April 25, 2007. Elaine L. Baker, Acting Director, Management Analysis and Services Office, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. [FR Doc. E7-8249 Filed 4-30-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4163-18-P DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES National Institutes of Health Proposed Collection Comment Request; Monitoring and Evaluation of the NIDA Goes Back to School National Dissemination Campaign; Revision *Summary:* In compliance with Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 concerning opportunity for public comment on proposed collection of information, the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), the National Institutes of Health
(NIH)will publish periodic summaries of proposed projects to be submitted to the Office of Management and Budget
(OMB)for review and approval. The proposed information collection was previously published in the **Federal Register** on February 21, 2007 (Volume 72, #34) page 7893-7894 and allowed 60 days for public comment. No public comments were received. The purpose of this notice is to allow an additional 30 days for public comment. The National Institutes of Health may not conduct or sponsor, and the respondent is not required to respond to, an information collection that has been extended, revised, or implemented on or after October 1, 1995, unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. *Proposed Collection: Title:* Monitoring and Evaluation of the NIDA Goes Back to School National Dissemination Campaign. *Type of Information Collection Request:* NEW. *Need and Use of Information Collection:* This is a request for a one-time clearance to collect information on the use of the NIDA Goes Back to School (NGBTS) dissemination materials that can be requested by interested persons from the NIDA Internet site. The National Institute on Drug Abuse
(NIDA)launched an initiative to increase awareness of the Institute and its mission to bring the power of science to bear on the treatment and prevention of drug abuse and addiction. NIDA has been developing science education materials for grades K-12 for use by students, teachers, parents, school counselors, school health educators, school resources officers, community organizers, and state and local government agencies. The number of requestors has been an average of 7,500 per year. These large numbers indicate that the dissemination reach is considerable. The pattern of requests also indicates that the number of requests increases dramatically in the early weeks after a dissemination activity is launched. The purpose of this information collection is to determine the level of use by school personnel and community leaders who request the NGBTS materials, and if there is a difference in use level between those requestors responding to a campaign activity and those requestors who were not reached by campaign activities. The information will identify barriers to the use of the materials among these occupational groups and the populations they serve. It will help make the materials more productive in raising the awareness of the harms from substance abuse among children, youth, and parents. It will be used to refine the focus of the dissemination activities, so that dissemination resources are used more productively. The information will be collected from requestors who have requested NIDA NGBTS materials using the requestor forms from the NIDA site, from October 2003 to September 2005. All information collection in the evaluation will be conducted on-line. The estimated total time for a survey is 5 minutes. Prior to the monitoring and evaluation study, the information collection instruments will be pilot-tested via telephone interview format, with a sample of 8 individuals who have requested these materials during the chosen study years. The surveys will include the following elements:
(1)Use of the NGBTS materials,
(2)Opinion of the NGBTS materials,
(3)Respondent information on gender, present occupation and its duration,
(4)Background information on the school or Organization/Community. *Frequency of Response:* This project will be conducted once. *Affected Public:* School personnel, and Community Leaders who have requested the NGBTS materials. *Type of Respondent:* School personnel, and Community Leaders who have requested the NGBTS materials from the NIDA site. *Estimated Total Annual Number of Respondents:* 400. *Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent:* 1. *Average Burden Hours per Response:* .08. *Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours Requested:* 96.0. There are no Capital Costs to report. There are no Operating or Maintenance Costs to report. The estimated annualized burden is summarized below. Type of respondents Number of respondents Frequency of response Average burden hours per response Estimated total burden hours requested Requestors—School Personnel 600 1 0.08 48 Requestors—Community Leaders 600 1 0.08 48 Total 1200 96 *Request for Comments:* Written comments and/or suggestions from the public and affected agencies are invited on one or more of the following points:
(1)Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information shall have practical utility;
(2)the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information;
(3)ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and
(4)ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. *Direct Comments to OMB:* Written comments and/or suggestions regarding the item(s) contained in this notice, especially regarding the estimated public burden and associated response time, should be directed to the: Office of Management and Budget, Office of Regulatory Affairs, New Executive Office Building, Room 10235, Washington, DC 20503, Attention: Desk Officer for NIH. To request more information on the proposed project or to obtain a copy of the information collection plans, contact Brian Marquis, Project Officer, National Institute on Drug Abuse, 6001 Executive Boulevard, Room 5216, Bethesda, MD 20892, or call non-toll-free number 301-443-1124; fax 301-443-7397; or by e-mail to *bmarquis@nida.nih.gov.* *Comments Due Date:* Comments regarding this information collection are best assured of having their full effect if received within 30-days of the date of this publication. Dated: April 21, 2007. Donna Jones, Budget Officer & Acting Associate Director for Management, National Institute on Drug Abuse. [FR Doc. E7-8293 Filed 4-30-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4140-01-P DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES National Institutes of Health Government-Owned Inventions; Availability for Licensing AGENCY: National Institutes of Health, Public Health Service, HHS. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The inventions listed below are owned by an agency of the U.S. Government and are available for licensing in the U.S. in accordance with 35 U.S.C. 207 to achieve expeditious commercialization of results of federally-funded research and development. Foreign patent applications are filed on selected inventions to extend market coverage for companies and may also be available for licensing. ADDRESSES: Licensing information and copies of the U.S. patent applications listed below may be obtained by writing to the indicated licensing contact at the Office of Technology Transfer, National Institutes of Health, 6011 Executive Boulevard, Suite 325, Rockville, Maryland 20852-3804; telephone: 301/496-7057; fax: 301/402-0220. A signed Confidential Disclosure Agreement will be required to receive copies of the patent applications. New High-Throughput and Bioinformatic Tools To Identify and Use Genomic DNA Sequence Dimorphisms (Indels) *Description of Technology:* This invention describes new methods to identify genomic DNA sequence dimorphisms called indels and to determine their biological consequences. “Indels” refers to large insertions and deletions, a form of variation in DNA sequences, that can cause genotypic and phenotypic differences between cells, tissues, individuals, populations or species. The technology describes new bioinformatic tools and high-throughput methods to identify such dimorphisms. Additionally, the technology provides new assays to distinguish genomic sequences by genotyping, understand the role of such indels in altering gene expression, for example in disease pathogenesis, develop new models for variation in genomes and in gene expression, and improve methods for the molecular diagnosis and treatment of disease. *Applications:* 1. A new bioinformatics software tool that can easily identify dimorphisms and can help create a searchable database and graphical interface containing sites of dimorphisms and information regarding functional effects of dimorphisms. 2. Low cost, high-throughput PCR based methods to identify dimorphic repetitive elements from any eukaryotic genome including individual tissue specimens. 3. Methods to determine functional consequences of dimorphisms (indels). *Development Status:* 1. Bioinformatics software tools are ready for use. 2. High-throughput PCR methods have been validated. 3. Annotated mouse genes whose expression is altered by dimorphic indels have been identified. *Inventors:* David E. Symer *et al.* (NCI). *Relevant Publications:* 1. Manuscripts relating to this invention are under preparation and will be available once accepted for publication. 2. RE Mills *et al.* An initial map of insertion and deletion (INDEL) variation in the human genome. Genome Res. 2006 Sep;16(9):1182-1190. *Patent Status:* U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/841,089 filed 29 Aug 2006 (HHS Reference No. E-301-2006/0-US-01) *Licensing Status:* This technology is available for licensing under an exclusive or non-exclusive patent license. *Licensing Contact:* Michelle Booden, PhD; 301/451-7337; *boodenm@mail.nih.gov* *Collaborative Research Opportunity:* The National Cancer Institute, Center for Cancer Research, Mouse Cancer Genetics Program is seeking statements of capability or interest from parties interested in collaborative research to further develop, evaluate, or commercialize identification and use of such genomic DNA sequence insertion/deletion dimorphisms (indels). Please contact John D. Hewes, PhD at 301/435-3121 or *hewesj@mail.nih.gov* for more information. Self-Assembling Nanoparticles Composed of Transmembrane Peptides and Their Application for Specific Intra-Tumor Delivery of Anti-Cancer Drugs *Description of Technology:* The current invention discloses peptide based nanoparticles as an alternative to liposomes. The nanoparticles have a diameter of 8-10 nm and are much smaller than a liposome thus providing better tumor penetration. Peptides corresponding to transmembrane domains of a number of integral membrane proteins have been discovered that spontaneously self-assemble in aqueous solutions into stable and remarkably uniform nanoparticles. The nanoparticles of the current invention are fully synthetic, and their surfaces can be functionalized with ligands that provide specific binding to cell surface receptors overexpressed on tumor cells. Thus, they are even more specific for tumor targeting. Nanoparticles constructed from transmembrane domains of certain receptors and transporters have biological activity of their own and inhibit metastasis or drug resistance thus sensitizing tumors to therapy. Hydrophobic drugs can be easily entrapped inside the nanoparticles, which not only solve the problem of drug insolubility under physiological conditions, but also generate a form of a drug that concentrates in tumors due to enhanced permeability and retention
(EPR)effects. *Applications and Modality:* 1. Self-assembling nano-particles as an alternative to liposomes, inorganic, dendrimeric or polymeric nanoparticles. 2. Nanoparticles have biological activity of their own and can inhibit metastasis (CXCR4 receptor antagonists) or drug resistance (inhibitors of ABCG2 transporter and p-glycoprotein) thus sensitizing tumors to therapy. *Advantages:* 1. The nanoparticles are superior in stability, uniformity, ease and reproducibility of preparation compared to conventional liposomes, are much more uniform and less toxic than inorganic, polymeric or dendrimeric nanoparticles. 2. The nanoparticles are much smaller than a liposome thus providing better tumor penetration. 3. Synthetic nanoparticles can be easily coated with receptor ligands and loaded with hydrophobic drugs for more specific tumor targeting. *Market:* Drug delivery remains one of the biggest challenges for the pharmaceutical industry. Nearly all therapeutics currently on the market are delivered in a non-specific manner to the whole body, and this results in unintentional side effects. The Food and Drug Administration
(FDA)has created a new class of therapeutic products using nanoparticulate drug delivery system. In 2005, the first nanoparticulate drug delivery product, Abraxane, for the treatment of breast cancer, was launched. The worldwide R&D investment in nanotechnology research and development in 2004 from both public and private sectors was an estimated $US8.4 billion, 15% of which will be focused on nanobiotechnology. *Development Status:* The technology is in the pre-clinical stage of development. *Inventors:* Nadya I. Tarasova *et al.* (NCI). *Related Publication:* NI Tarasova *et al.* Transmembrane inhibitors of P-glycoprotein, an ABC transporter. J Med Chem. 2005 Jun 2;48(11):3768-3775. *Patent Status:* U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/864,665 filed 07 Nov 2006, entitled “Self-Assembling Nanoparticles Composed of Transmembrane Peptides and Their Application for Specific Intra-Tumor Delivery of Anti-Cancer Drugs” (HHS Reference No. E-256-2006/0-US-01). *Licensing Status:* Available for exclusive and non-exclusive licensing. *Licensing Contact:* Jennifer Wong; 301/435-4633; *wongje@mail.nih.gov.* *Collaborative Research Opportunity:* The NCI Center for Cancer Research is seeking statements of capability or interest from parties interested in collaborative research to further develop, evaluate, or commercialize self-assembling nanoparticles with intrinsic anti-tumor activity. Please contact John D. Hewes, PhD at 301-435-3121 or *hewesj@mail.nih.gov* for more information. Sipa-Gene and Sipa-1 Inhibitor for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Metastatic Cancer *Market Opportunity:* No screening markers are currently available in the market that can diagnose early metastasis, which causes majority of cancer related deaths. Opportunity for new diagnostic and therapeutic technologies exists as personalized medicine is taking a major role in the clinical management of cancer. This invention can provide the much needed new diagnostic marker for predicting early metastasis as well as a new therapy targeting metastasis causing factors. *Description of Technology:* This technology relates to methods and compositions of a new gene Sipa-1 that can identify and treat metastatic cancer. The inventors have identified the Sipa-1 gene as a possible metastasis modifying gene. Further analyses revealed that Sipa-1 expression levels correlate with metastasis. Inhibitors that modulate the Sipa-1 expression and reduce metastasis in animal models have been identified. Additionally, single nucleotide polymorphisms
(SNPs)present in the mouse Sipa-1 gene have been identified that, if also present in humans, could serve as the basis for diagnosing cancer and metastasis. *Applications and Modality:* Method for diagnosing early onset of metastasis with Sipa-1; Sipa-1 as a new therapeutic target for treatment of metastatic cancer. *Advantages:* Simple PCR based assay for detecting single nucleotide polymorphisms
(SNPs)within the Sipa-1 gene; Inhibitors of Sipa-1 are known in the art, they can be easily screened from existing small molecule libraries. *Current Development Status:* 1. The technology is currently in the pre-clinical stage of development. 2. Proof of concept results show that inhibition of Sipa-1 reduces metastasis in mouse models. 3. Laboratory data shows single nucleotide polymorphisms
(SNPs)within the Sipa-1 gene linked to metastatic disease. *Inventors:* Kent Hunter *et al.* (NCI). *Publications:* 1. PCT Publication No. WO 2006084027, published October 8, 2006. 2. YG Park *et al.* Sipa1 is a candidate for underlying the metastasis efficiency modifier locus Mtes1. Nat Genet. 2005 Oct;37(10):1055-1062. Epub 2005 Sep 4. 3. NP Crawford *et al.* Germline polymorphisms in SIPA-1 are associated with metastasis and other indicators of poor prognosis in breast cancer. Breast Cancer Res. 2006;8(2):R16. Epub 2006 Mar 21. *Patent Status:* U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/649,365 filed 02 Feb 2005 (HHS Reference No. E-082-2005/0-US-01); PCT Application No. PCT/US2006/003672 filed February 2, 2006 (HHS Reference No. E-082-2005/2-PCT-01). *Related Technology:* U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/695,024 filed 29 Jun 2005 (HHS Reference No. E-216-2005/0-US-01). *Licensing Status:* Available for exclusive and non-exclusive licensing. *Licensing Contact:* Mojdeh Bahar, J.D.; 301/435-2950; *baharm@mail.nih.gov.* Dated: April 20, 2007. Steven M. Ferguson, Director, Division of Technology Development and Transfer, Office of Technology Transfer, National Institutes of Health. [FR Doc. E7-8288 Filed 4-30-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4140-01-P DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES National Institutes of Health National Cancer Institute; Amended Notice of Meeting Notice hereby given of a change in the meeting of the Subcommittee G—Education, June 26, 2007, 8 a.m. to June 27, 2007, 5 p.m., Gaithersburg Marriott Washingtonian Center, 204 Boardwalk Place, Gaithersburg, MD 20878 which was published in the **Federal Register** on April 16, 2007, 72FR19006. The meeting has been rescheduled to a one day meeting that will occur on June 26, 2007. The meeting is closed to the public. Dated: April 23, 2007. Jennifer Spaeth, Director, Office of Federal Advisory Committee Policy. [FR Doc. 07-2131 Filed 4-30-07; 8:45 am]
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12 references not yet in our index
- Pub. L. 90-101
- Pub. L. 86-257
- Pub. L. 93-360
- 29 CFR 1404
- 12 CFR 225
- Pub. L. 109-435
- 120 Stat. 3198
- 10 CFR 1022
- 10 CFR 1021
- 45 CFR 100
- 45 CFR 46
- Pub. L. 92-463
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cites case law
Notices
Notice of OMB Review of Information Collection Forms R-22, R-19, R-43 and F-7 Submitted for Reinstatement and Solicitation of Public Comment
Pub. L.Pub. L. 90-101
Pub. L.Pub. L. 86-257
Pub. L.Pub. L. 93-360
Cites 38 · showing 12Cited by 0 across 0 sources