Department of Health and Human Services

Part 1. Overview Information
Participating Organization(s)

National Institutes of Health (NIH)

Components of Participating Organizations

National Center for Research Resources (NCRR)
Office of AIDS Research (OAR) http://www.oar.nih.gov/

Funding Opportunity Title

Limited Competition: Extramural Research Facilities Improvement Program (C06)

Activity Code

C06 Research Facilities Construction Grant

Announcement Type

New

Related Notices

Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) Number

RFA-RR-11-001

Companion FOA

None

Number of Applications

Only one application per institution is allowed, as defined in Section III. 3. Section III. 3. Additional Information on Eligibility.

Catalog of Federal Domestics Assistance (CFDA) Number(s)

93.389

FOA Purpose

This FOA solicits applications from National Primate Research Centers (NPRCs) that propose to expand, remodel, renovate, or alter biomedical or behavioral research facilities. The proposed facilities must be used to support the development of appropriate experimental research and housing facilities to conduct HIV/AIDS related research with non-human primates (NHPs).

Key Dates
Posted Date
Open Date (Earliest Submission Date)

December 27, 2010

Letter of Intent Due Date

Not Applicable

Application Due Date(s)

February 4, 2011, by 5:00 PM local time of applicant organization.

AIDS Application Due Date(s)

Not applicable

Scientific Merit Review

May/June 2011

Advisory Council Review

September 2011

Earliest Start Date(s)

August/September 2011

Expiration Date

February 5, 2011

Due Dates for E.O. 12372

February 4, 2011

Required Application Instructions

It is critical that applicants follow the instructions in the SF 424 (R&R) Application Guide except where instructed to do otherwise (in this FOA or in a Notice from the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts). Conformance to all requirements (both in the Application Guide and the FOA) is required and strictly enforced. Applicants must read and follow all application instructions in the Application Guide as well as any program-specific instructions noted in Section IV. When the program-specific instructions deviate from those in the Application Guide, follow the program-specific instructions. Applications that do not comply with these instructions may be delayed or not accepted for review.

Table of Contents

Part 1. Overview Information
Part 2. Full Text of the Announcement
Section I. Funding Opportunity Description
Section II. Award Information
Section III. Eligibility Information
Section IV. Application and Submission Information
Section V. Application Review Information
Section VI. Award Administration Information
Section VII. Agency Contacts
Section VIII. Other Information

Part 2. Full Text of Announcement

Section I. Funding Opportunity Description

Purpose/Research Objectives

This FOA requests applications on the construction, expansion, repair or renovation of new or existing research facilities at the NPRCs. The availability of improved facilities will speed the translation of basic research to treatments and cures. The proposed construction project must support the development of appropriate experimental research and housing facilities to conduct HIV/AIDS related research with non-human primates (NHP). Applicants can propose major alterations and renovations (A&R) to existing facilities, add to existing facilities, complete uninhabitable shell space in existing facilities, or construct new facilities. Competition is limited to the National Primate Research Centers (http://www.ncrr.nih.gov/comparative_medicine/resource_directory/primates.asp). Funds requested can range from $500,000 to $1.5M. The institution is not required to provide matching funds.

The acquisition and installation of fixed equipment such as casework, fume hoods, large autoclaves, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems for the research areas, cage washers, animal ventilated racks, static racks, downdraft tables, sterilizing equipment, and other large equipment that are connected to building structure and services, or biological safety cabinets are allowed. Discussion of the appropriateness of the location of such instruments should be part of the application. The location of all fixed equipment should be noted in the line drawings.

A list of appropriate equipment can be found at http://ncrr.nih.gov/research_funding/instruments/ . If you plan to request equipment that is not on this list, you should discuss this issue with program staff before submitting your application. Applications must not request only fixed equipment when responding to this FOA. Applications that request only fixed equipment and do not have any renovation component will be returned as non-responsive.

No facilities and administrative (F&A) costs or continuation costs will be awarded. The NIH reserves the right to conduct post award site visits when deemed essential.

Special notes for High-Technology Equipment: The planning for and inclusion of new or unique medical and scientific technology, such as linear accelerators or positron emission tomography scanners, may require special consultants. The proposed design must be developed to accommodate the equipment selection, as well as recommendations and guidance of the respective manufacturers.

Special notes for Magnetic Resonance Imaging Facilities (MRI): The planning, design, and installation of a MRI system in a facility requires extreme care to ensure that the magnet is sufficiently isolated from ferromagnetic and radio frequency influences of the impacted environment and that the surrounding environment is isolated from the effects of the magnetic field. Selection of the proper location for the magnet is extremely important and must be addressed in the earliest stages of planning and designing the MRI system. The specific guidance of the manufacturer of the selected equipment must be followed. Consultants should be used to verify specific requirements. Discussion of the appropriateness of the location of such instruments as well as all requested fixed equipment should be part of the application.

It is expected that green/sustainable technologies and design approaches will be employed when possible. When preparing an application, the impact of the improvements or the equipment on the environment must be considered and described in the application. Applicants are encouraged to implement the following listed primary elements of sustainable design in federally-funded facilities. Sustainability is the outcome of an integrated process of facility development and operation incorporating a balance of life-cycle cost, environmental impact, and occupant health and safety, security, and productivity. At minimum, the following primary elements of sustainable design are expected to be included in all projects.

1. Integrated design.
2. Commissioning.
3. Optimization of energy performance.
4. Energy efficiency.
5. Measurement and verification.
6. Protection and conservation of water.
6.a. Indoor water (i.e., fixtures that reduce amount of water used; recycling of waste water)
6.b. Outdoor water (i.e., natural site drainage and low impact storm water retention)
7. Enhancement of indoor environmental quality.
8. Ventilation and thermal comfort.
9. Moisture control.
10. Day lighting.
11. Low-emitting materials.
12. Protection of indoor air quality during renovation.
13. Reducing the environmental impact of materials.
14. Maximizing recycled and bio-based content.
15. Construction waste reuse and recycling.
16. Minimizing use of ozone depleting compounds.

For all improvements and repair projects that impact 40% or more of the overall floor area of a building, the applicant must obtain certification, during the design phase, from the U.S. Green Building Council s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) or the Green Building initiative’s Green Globes System Certification rating system.

Green/Sustainable Design References

Department of Health and Human Services. HHS Policy for Sustainable and High Performance Buildings. December 2007. http://www.hhs.gov/asam/ofmp/hiperfbldngpol.pdf

Department of Health and Human Services. HHS Real Property Asset Management Plan. http://www.hhs.gov/asam/ofmp/ramp.doc

Executive Order 13101: Greening the Government through Waste Prevention, Recycling, and Federal Acquisition. http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=1998_register&docid=fr16se98-113.pdf

Executive Order 13123: Greening the Government through Efficient Energy Management. http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=1999_register&docid=fr08jn99-171.pdf

Executive Order 13134: Developing and Promoting Biobased Products and Bioenergy. http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/executive-orders/1999.html#13134

Executive Order 13148: Greening the Government through Leadership in Environmental Management. http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=2000_register&docid=fr26ap00-129.pdf

OMB Circular A-11, Section 55-Energy and Transportation Efficiency Management. http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/circulars/a11/current_year/s300.pdf#search=%22OMB%20Circular%20A-11%20Part%207%22

OMB Circular A-11, Part 7 (Section 300), Planning, Budgeting, Acquisition, and Management of Capital Assets. http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/circulars/a11/current_year/s300.pdf#search=%22OMB%20Circular%20A-11%20Part%207%22

The Federal Leadership in High Performance and Sustainable Buildings, Memorandum of Understanding. http://www.energystar.gov/ia/business/Guiding_Principles.pdf

Green Building Initiative Green Globes System. http://www.thegbi.org

US Green Building Council. http://www.usgbc.org

Whole Building Design Guide http://www.wbdg.org

Funds for alterations and renovations over $500,000 are considered major alterations and renovations and must follow the terms in Part II of the NIH Grants Policy Statement for Construction Grants.

See Section VIII, Other Information - Required Federal Citations, for policies related to this announcement.

Section II. Award Information
Funding Instrument

Grant

Application Types Allowed

New

The OER Glossary and the SF 424 (R&R) Application Guide provide details on these application types.

Funds Available and Anticipated Number of Awards

The participating NIH IC components intend to commit $5M, for 3-5 awardsin FY 2011.

Award Budget

Application budgets are limited to $500,000 to $1.5M, and need to reflect actual needs of proposed project.

Award Project Period

Five years

NIH grants policies as described in the NIH Grants Policy Statement will apply to the applications submitted and awards made in response to this FOA.

Section III. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants

Eligible Organizations

Higher Education Institutions:

Nonprofits Other Than Institutions of Higher Education

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

Comment: For Profit Organizations are not allowed

Required Registrations

Applicant organizations must complete the following registrations as described in the SF 424 (R&R) Application Guide to be eligible to apply for or receive an award. Applicants must have a valid Dun and Bradstreet Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number in order to begin each of the following registrations.

All Program Directors/Principal Investigators (PD/PIs) must also work with their institutional officials to register with the eRA Commons or ensure their existing eRA Commons account is affiliated with the eRA Commons account of the applicant organization.

All registrations must be completed by the application due date. Applicant organizations are strongly encouraged to start the registration process at least four (4) weeks prior to the application due date.

Eligible Individuals (Project Director/Principal Investigator)

Any individual(s) with the skills, knowledge, and resources necessary to carry out the proposed research as the Project Director/Principal Investigator (PD/PI) is invited to work with his/her organization to develop an application for support. Individuals from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups as well as individuals with disabilities are always encouraged to apply for NIH support.

For institutions/organizations proposing multiple PDs/PIs, visit the Multiple Program Director/Principal Investigator Policy and submission details in the Senior/Key Person Profile (Expanded) Component of the SF 424 (R&R) Application Guide.

The PD/PI must be a highly placed institutional individual who has responsibility for allocation of space for biomedical and behavioral research and research training, e.g. Dean, Provost, Department Head, Center or Institute Director. Individuals from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups as well as individuals with disabilities are always encouraged to apply for NIH support.

Only one PD/PI may be designated on the application.

2. Cost Sharing

This FOA does not require cost sharing as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement.

3. Additional Information on Eligibility
Number of Applications

Applicant organizations may submit more than one application, provided that each application is scientifically distinct.

NIH will not accept any application in response to this FOA that is essentially the same as one currently pending initial peer review unless the applicant withdraws the pending application. NIH will not accept any application that is essentially the same as one already reviewed.

Only one application per institution (normally identified by having a unique DUNS number or NIH IPF number) is allowed. .

Section IV. Application and Submission Information

1. Requesting an Application Package

Applicants must download the SF424 (R&R) application package associated with this funding opportunity using the Apply for Grant Electronically button in this FOA or following the directions provided at Grants.gov.

2. Content and Form of Application Submission

It is critical that applicants follow the instructions in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide, except where instructed in this funding opportunity announcement to do otherwise. Conformance to the requirements in the Application Guide is required and strictly enforced. Applications that are out of compliance with these instructions may be delayed or not accepted for review.

Required and Optional Components

The forms package associated with this FOA includes all applicable components, mandatory and optional. Please note that some components marked optional in the application package are required for application submission. Follow all instructions in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide to ensure you complete all appropriate optional components.

Page Limitations

All page limitations described in the SF424 Application Guide must be followed, with the following exceptions or additional requirements:

PHS 398 Research Plan Component

All instructions in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide must be followed, with the following additional instructions:

All attachments must be provided to NIH in PDF format, filenames must be included with no spaces or special characters, and a .pdf extension must be used.

The Program Narrative should include the following sections and should be submitted in a single PDF attachment. The Program Narrative is limited to a total of 12 pages and should be included on the Other Project Information form.

Begin each section with a header (e.g., Specific Aims).

Specific Aims: This section must be one page or less. The Specific Aims should (1) summarize any request for improvement including the associated square footage and (2) list all requested equipment.

Background: The Background and Significance section must not exceed one page. This section should briefly describe the background leading to the present application. State concisely the importance of this improvement project to the performance of HIV/AIDS related research using non-human primates at the institution.

The rest of the application can be up to 10 pages (or more) as long as the number of pages in the Specific Aims, Background, and Improvement Plans sections totals no more than 12 pages. The page limits in this section do NOT include the requested tables or line drawings. The application should include the following sections.

Significance and Need: Begin with two tables containing (1) active and (2) pending grants (from the NIH and other sources) that will be affected by the proposed improvement. These tables should have the following columns: grant title, principal investigator, grant number, funding source, annual amount of funding, start and end dates. These tables do not count toward the page limits.

In the case where existing facilities are to be altered or modernized, describe the current status of the space to be improved (age of the existing space, deficiencies in the current space, and number of users). Describe how the requested improvements will correct these deficiencies and problems. Explain how the proposed improvements will expand, improve, or maintain existing research and research support activities. Describe the modifications to the existing facility to accommodate the proposed functions and the requested equipment. Future scientific needs that would be accommodated as part of the improvement also should be described.

In the case where new construction is proposed, describe how the new facilities will expand, improve, or maintain existing research and research support activities. Future scientific needs that would be accommodated as part of the new facility also should be described.

Project Management and Institutional Commitment: Describe the administrative structure and oversight for the project. Describe the role of the Project Manager. Describe the ongoing institutional commitment to the new or altered space.

Design Considerations: List in tabular format the size (dimensions) and square footage of each component (e.g., room, alcove, cubicle, laboratory etc.) that will be directly affected by the improvement project.

Engineering Criteria: Provide information about the mechanical, electrical, plumbing systems and utilities in each component. Include information about the number of air changes per hour; electrical power; light levels; hot and cold water; steam; mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) requirements; fire protection requirements; biohazard and radiation safety requirements; chemicals used; major scientific equipment to be installed including environmental rooms; density of fume hoods; building population; and the number of workstations, security/surveillance and building automation systems.

Architectural Criteria: Provide architectural criteria such as the width of corridors and doors and surface finishes. Architectural criteria should also address quality of life issues (e.g. natural lighting, noise, vibration), a planning module (laboratory neighborhood concepts, central support core concepts, material management), and planning concepts and functional relationships and zoning of the area to be improved. Sufficient information must be provided to allow the evaluation of plans for Biological Safety Level-3/Animal Biological Safety Level-3 (BSL-3/ABSL-3) designs, animal facility designs, and designs for clinical facilities.

Line Drawings: Include floor plans for the improvement. The line drawings must fit on an 8.5 x 11 sheet of paper. Do not submit blueprints. All floor plans must be legible with the scale clearly indicated. The floor plans must indicate the location of equipment and illustrate safety clearances and workspace. If applicable, submit both existing and proposed drawings. The drawings should indicate size dimensions, function, and the net and gross square feet for each room. The total net and gross square feet of space to be improved should also be given. The plan should indicate the location of the proposed construction/renovation area in the existing building. Changes or additions to existing MEP systems should be clearly described in notes made directly on the plan or attached to the plan. The line drawings must indicate egress routes. The drawings must indicate the functional layout of the proposed facility showing the location of entries and exits, clearances, and the location of fixed equipment. The line drawings do not count toward the page limits. Additional text must not be included in the line drawings to circumvent the page limits. Such additional text will be counted toward the 12 page limit of the Project Narative.

Equipment: List and justify all fixed equipment. Equipment should be relevant and should serve an identified user group. Information such as the manufacturer, model number, size, capacity, total cost, and location in the facility should be included. The table of fixed equipment will not count toward the 12 page limit of the Project Narrative. The justification for the equipment should be presented in the Budget Justification section below.

Project Timeline: Show plans to complete the project within three years following the approval of designs.

Resource Sharing Plan

Individuals are required to comply with the instructions for the Resource Sharing Plans (Data Sharing Plan, Sharing Model Organisms, and Genome Wide Association Studies (GWAS) as provided in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide.

Appendix

This FOA does not allow appendix material.

OTHER ATTACHMENTS

In the Other Attachments section, include the following, each as a separate attachment. NOTE: Each attachment must be given a file name using the headings below (e.g., Environmental_Analysis_Form).

(1) Environmental Analysis Form (http://www.ncrr.nih.gov/resinfra/environmental_Analysis_Form.pdf.

(2) Budget Justification and Vendor Quotes: The next attachment should be all vendor quotes and the budget justification. A justification must be provided for each piece of equipment.

(3) Certification of Title to Site: Applicants must include a legal opinion describing the interest the applicant has in the performance site. The legal opinion should describe any mortgages or other foreclosable liens on the property, including the principal amount of the mortgage (and rate of interest); the dates of the mortgage; the terms and conditions of repayment; the appraised value of the property; and any provisions designed to protect the Federal interest in the property. The facility must be utilized for biomedical or behavioral research purposes for which it was improved for at least 10 years beginning on the date of beneficial occupancy of the space. Any lease agreement must cover a time period sufficient for the usage requirement and be a minimum of 10 years in length from the completion of the facility.

(4) Documents associated with the Executive Order 12372, if applicable.

The following documents are likely to be useful when responding to this FOA.

NIH Grants Policy Statement 10/01/10) Part II- Subpart B (construction grants) http://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/nihgps_2010/nihgps_ch10.htm Please refer to this document for a representative list of allowable and unallowable costs.

Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories, CDC/NIH, 5th Edition, http://www.cdc.gov/OD/ohs/biosfty/bmbl5/bmbl5toc.htm. Appendix A is particularly useful.

Information about the Select Agent Rule and related matters. http://www.selectagents.gov/

Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, National Research Council, National Academy Press, Washington, D.C. http://www.nyu.edu/uawc/doc/guide-excerpts.pdf

NIH Model Commissioning guide http://des.od.nih.gov/eWeb/research/farhad2/Commissioning/nih_cx_guide/ComGuideTitle.htm

All application instructions outlined in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide are to be followed, incorporating "Just-in-Time" information concepts, and with the following additional requirements:

3. Submission Dates and Times

Part I. Overview Information contains information about Key Dates. Applicants are encouraged to submit in advance of the deadline to ensure they have time to make any application corrections that might be necessary for successful submission.

Organizations must submit applications via Grants.gov, the online portal to find and apply for grants across all Federal agencies. Applicants must then complete the submission process by tracking the status of the application in the eRA Commons, NIH’s electronic system for grants administration.

Applicants are responsible for viewing their application in the eRA Commons to ensure accurate and successful submission.

Information on the submission process and a definition of on-time submission are provided in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide.

4. Intergovernmental Review (E.O. 12372)

This initiative is subject to intergovernmental review. Applicants are required to comply with Executive Order (E.O.) 12372 as implemented by 45 CFR Part 100, Intergovernmental Review of Department of Health and Human Services Programs and Activities. E.O. 12372 sets up a system for state and local government review of proposed Federal assistance applications. Applicants (other than federally recognized Indian tribal governments) should contact their State Single Point of Contact (SPOC) 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 of each affected state.

A current list of SPOCs is located at http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/spoc.html. States without a SPOC do not participate in this process. The SPOC must be given 60 days to review a construction grant application. Applicants are to provide the SPOC with a copy of the application not later than the time the application is submitted to the Center for Scientific Review (CSR), NIH. Applications submitted to NIH in response to this solicitation must contain either SPOC comments or documentation indicating the date on which the application was submitted to the SPOC for review. The SPOC comment period ends 60 days after the application receipt date. The granting agency does not guarantee to accommodate or explain state process recommendations it receives after that date.

All SPOC comments must be forwarded to both the applicant and to the NCRR Program Official listed under INQUIRIES. If comments are provided by the SPOC, the applicant may wish to submit to the NIH a response to the comments and any appropriate changes in its application. If no response is received from the SPOC by the end of the 60 days allotted for review of the application, the applicant must notify the NIH that no response was received.

5. Funding Restrictions

All NIH awards are subject to the terms and conditions, cost principles, and other considerations described in the NIH Grants Policy Statement.

Pre-award costs are allowable only as described in the NIH Grants Policy Statement.

All funds are restricted except for Project Design and Engineering Fees.

Pre-award costs are allowable. A grantee may, at its own risk and without NIH prior approval, incur obligations and expenditures to cover costs up to 90 days before the beginning date of the initial budget period of a new or renewal award if such costs: 1) are necessary to conduct the project, and 2) would be allowable under the grant, if awarded, without NIH prior approval. If specific expenditures would otherwise require prior approval, the grantee must obtain NIH approval before incurring the cost. NIH prior approval is required for any costs to be incurred more than 90 days before the beginning date of the initial budget period of a new or renewal award.

The incurrence of pre-award costs in anticipation of a competing or non-competing award imposes no obligation on NIH either to make the award or to increase the amount of the approved budget if an award is made for less than the amount anticipated and is inadequate to cover the pre-award costs incurred. NIH expects the grantee to be fully aware that pre-award costs result in borrowing against future support and that such borrowing must not impair the grantee's ability to accomplish the project objectives in the approved time frame or in any way adversely affect the conduct of the project (see the NIH Grants Policy Statement).

6. Other Submission Requirements and Information

Applications must be submitted electronically following the instructions described in the SF 424 (R&R) Application Guide. Paper applications will not be accepted.

Applicants must complete all required registrations before the application due date. Section III. Eligibility Information contains information about registration.

For assistance with your electronic application or for more information on the electronic submission process, visit Applying Electronically.

Important reminders:
All PD/PIs must include their eRA Commons ID in the Credential field of the Senior/Key Person Profile Component of the SF 424(R&R) Application Package. Failure to register in the Commons and to include a valid PD/PI Commons ID in the credential field will prevent the successful submission of an electronic application to NIH.

The applicant organization must ensure that the DUNS number it provides on the application is the same number used in the organization’s profile in the eRA Commons and for the Central Contractor Registration (CCR). Additional information may be found in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide.

See more tips for avoiding common errors.

Upon receipt, applications will be evaluated for completeness by the Center for Scientific Review and responsiveness by NCRR, NIH. Applications that are incomplete and/or nonresponsive will not be reviewed.

It is the responsibility of the applicant to check periodically on the application status in the Commons after submission.

Post Submission Materials

Additional supplementary material will not be accepted after the receipt of the application.

Section V. Application Review Information

1. Criteria

Only the review criteria described below will be considered in the review process. As part of the NIH mission, all applications submitted to the NIH in support of biomedical and behavioral research are evaluated for scientific and technical merit through the NIH peer review system.

The C06 program supports efforts to make major A&R to existing buildings, add to existing buildings, complete uninhabitable shell space in existing buildings, or construct new facilities including research and animal facilities. The major objective is to facilitate and enhance the conduct of Public Health Service (PHS)-supported biomedical and behavioral research by supporting the costs of improving basic research, clinical research, and animal facilities to meet the biomedical or behavioral research, research training, or research support needs of an institution.

Overall Impact

Reviewers will provide an overall impact/priority score to reflect their assessment of the likelihood for the project to exert a sustained, powerful influence on the research field(s) involved, in consideration of the following review criteria and additional review criteria (as applicable for the project proposed).

Scored Review Criteria

Reviewers will consider each of the review criteria below in the determination of scientific merit, and give a separate score for each. An application does not need to be strong in all categories to be judged likely to have major scientific impact. For example, a project that by its nature is not innovative may be essential to advance a field.

Significance

Does the project address an important problem or a critical barrier to progress in the field? If the aims of the project are achieved, how will scientific knowledge, technical capability, and/or clinical practice be improved? How will successful completion of the aims change the concepts, methods, technologies, treatments, services, or preventative interventions that drive this field?

Is there sufficient justification for improving this facility? To what extent will the proposed change in the research environment facilitate the applicant institution’s ability to conduct, expand, improve, or maintain HIV/AIDS research? Will the conduct of HIV/AIDS related research be enhanced?

Investigator(s)

Are the PD/PIs, collaborators, and other researchers well suited to the project? If Early Stage Investigators or New Investigators, or in the early stages of independent careers, do they have appropriate experience and training? If established, have they demonstrated an ongoing record of accomplishments that have advanced their field(s)? If the project is collaborative or multi-PD/PI, do the investigators have complementary and integrated expertise; are their leadership approach, governance and organizational structure appropriate for the project?

Does the PD/PI have the appropriate experience and background suited to the proposed project? Is the Facility Person/Project Manager identified for the project? Does the Facility Person/Project Manager have the skills necessary to complete the project on time and within budget?

Innovation

Does the application challenge and seek to shift current research or clinical practice paradigms by utilizing novel theoretical concepts, approaches or methodologies, instrumentation, or interventions? Are the concepts, approaches or methodologies, instrumentation, or interventions novel to one field of research or novel in a broad sense? Is a refinement, improvement, or new application of theoretical concepts, approaches or methodologies, instrumentation, or interventions proposed?

Does the design implement sustainable design principles? Are innovative strategies used in the design? Does the proposed A&R increase efficiency in the use of energy, water, or materials to reduce adverse impacts on the environment?

Approach

Are the overall strategy, methodology, and analyses well-reasoned and appropriate to accomplish the specific aims of the project? Are potential problems, alternative strategies, and benchmarks for success presented? If the project is in the early stages of development, will the strategy establish feasibility and will particularly risky aspects be managed?

If the project involves clinical research, are the plans for 1) protection of human subjects from research risks, and 2) inclusion of minorities and members of both sexes/genders, as well as the inclusion of children, justified in terms of the scientific goals and research strategy proposed?

Are potential problems, alternative strategies, and benchmarks for success presented? Does the plan indicate the proposed project area in the building, including associated room adjacencies, research space, traffic patterns for the movement of people, animals, and materials (clean and dirty) through the facility, and relative location of needed ancillary areas (e.g., changing rooms for animal facilities)? Is the total net and gross square feet of space to be improved provided? Are the proposed timeline and sequence of construction reasonable? Are changes or additions to existing MEP systems clearly described and adequate to the project? Are requests for equipment justified? Will the requested equipment remedy identified deficiencies or fill gaps in the facility?

Engineering Criteria: Do the engineering criteria include information about the MEP systems, and utilities in the renovation? Are the number of air changes per hour, electrical power, light levels, hot and cold water, and steam appropriate for the project?

Architectural Criteria: Are the architectural criteria such as the width of corridors and doors and surface finishes appropriate for the project?

Line Drawings: Is the function of the space indicated? Do the line drawings indicate the size dimensions, function, and net and gross square feet for each component? Are the line drawings at a scale adequate to explain the project? Do the plans indicate the changes to be made to the space? Are the line drawings drawn to scale to indicate adjacencies and operational relationships of equipment? Is the location of major equipment, fume hoods, sinks, showers, and other major items indicated in the drawings? Are areas to be demolished indicated?

Environment

Will the scientific environment in which the work will be done contribute to the probability of success? Are the institutional support, equipment and other physical resources available to the investigators adequate for the project proposed? Will the project benefit from unique features of the scientific environment, subject populations, or collaborative arrangements?

Is the institution committed to using the renovated space for HIV/AIDS research? Does the institution have a history of adequate support for this facility?

Additional Review Criteria

As applicable for the project proposed, reviewers will evaluate the following additional items while determining scientific and technical merit, and in providing an overall impact/priority score, but will not give separate scores for these items.

Protections for Human Subjects

Generally not applicable. Reviewers should bring any concerns to the attention of the Scientific Review Officer.

Inclusion of Women, Minorities, and Children

Generally not applicable. Reviewers should bring any concerns to the attention of the Scientific Review Officer.

Vertebrate Animals

Generally not applicable. Reviewers should bring any concerns to the attention of the Scientific Review Officer.

Biohazards

Reviewers will assess whether materials or procedures proposed are potentially hazardous to research personnel and/or the environment, and if needed, determine whether adequate protection is proposed.

Resubmissions

Not Applicable

Renewals

Not Applicable

Revisions

Not Applicable

Additional Review Considerations

As applicable for the project proposed, reviewers will consider each of the following items, but will not give scores for these items, and should not consider them in providing an overall impact/priority score.

Applications from Foreign Organizations

Not applicable.

Select Agent Research

Reviewers will assess the information provided in this section of the application, including 1) the Select Agent(s) to be used in the proposed research, 2) the registration status of all entities where Select Agent(s) will be used, 3) the procedures that will be used to monitor possession use and transfer of Select Agent(s), and 4) plans for appropriate biosafety, biocontainment, and security of the Select Agent(s).

Resource Sharing Plans

Reviewers will comment on whether the following Resource Sharing Plans, or the rationale for not sharing the following types of resources, are reasonable: 1) Data Sharing Plan; 2) Sharing Model Organisms; and 3) Genome Wide Association Studies (GWAS).

Budget and Period of Support

Reviewers will consider whether the budget and the requested period of support are fully justified and reasonable in relation to the proposed research.

2. Review and Selection Process

Applications will be evaluated for scientific and technical merit by (an) appropriate Scientific Review Group(s) convened by NCRR (assignments will be shown in the eRA Commons), in accordance with NIH peer review policy and procedures, using the stated review criteria.

As part of the scientific peer review, all applications will:

Applications will be assigned to NCRR . Applications will compete for available funds with all other recommended applications submitted in response to this FOA . Following initial peer review, recommended applications will receive a second level of review by the NCRR National Advisory Council . The following will be considered in making funding decisions:

3. Anticipated Announcement and Award Dates

After the peer review of the application is completed, the PD/PI will be able to access his or her Summary Statement (written critique) via the eRA Commons.

Information regarding the disposition of applications is available in the NIH Grants Policy Statement.

Section VI. Award Administration Information

1. Award Notices

If the application is under consideration for funding, NIH will request "just-in-time" information from the applicant as described in the NIH Grants Policy Statement.

A formal notification in the form of a Notice of Award (NoA) will be provided to the applicant organization for successful applications. The NoA signed by the grants management officer is the authorizing document and will be sent via email to the grantee business official.

Awardees must comply with any funding restrictions described in Section IV.5. Funding Restrictions. Selection of an application for award is not an authorization to begin performance. Any costs incurred before receipt of the NoA are at the recipient's risk. These costs may be reimbursed only to the extent considered allowable pre-award costs.

Any application awarded in response to this FOA will be subject to the DUNS, CCR Registration, and Transparency Act requirements as noted on the Award Conditions and Information for NIH Grants website.

2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

All NIH grant and cooperative agreement awards include the NIH Grants Policy Statement as part of the NoA. For these terms of award, see the NIH Grants Policy Statement Part II: Terms and Conditions of NIH Grant Awards, Subpart A: General and Part II: Terms and Conditions of NIH Grant Awards, Subpart B: Terms and Conditions for Specific Types of Grants, Grantees, and Activities. More information is provided at Award Conditions and Information for NIH Grants.

Cooperative Agreement Terms and Conditions of Award

Not Applicable

3. Reporting

When multiple years are involved, awardees will be required to submit the Non-Competing Continuation Grant Progress Report (PHS 2590) annually and financial statements as required in the NIH Grants Policy Statement.

A final progress report, invention statement, and Financial Status Report are required when an award is relinquished when a recipient changes institutions or when an award is terminated.

The Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006 (Transparency Act), includes a requirement for awardees of Federal grants to report information about first-tier subawards and executive compensation under Federal assistance awards issued in FY2011 or later. All awardees of applicable NIH grants and cooperative agreements are required to report to the Federal Subaward Reporting System (FSRS) available at www.FSRS.gov on all subawards over $25,000. See the NIH Grants Policy Statement for additional information on this reporting requirement.

Section VII. Agency Contacts

We encourage inquiries concerning this funding opportunity and welcome the opportunity to answer questions from potential applicants.

Application Submission Contacts

Grants.gov Customer Support (Questions regarding Grants.gov registration and submission, downloading or navigating forms)
Contact Center Phone: 800-518-4726
Email: support@grants.gov

GrantsInfo (Questions regarding application instructions and process, finding NIH grant resources)
Telephone 301-710-0267
TTY 301-451-5936
Email: GrantsInfo@nih.gov

eRA Commons Help Desk(Questions regarding eRA Commons registration, tracking application status, post submission issues)
Phone: 301-402-7469 or 866-504-9552 (Toll Free)
TTY: 301-451-5939
Email: commons@od.nih.gov

Scientific/Research Contact(s)

Direct inquiries about scientific and programmatic issues to

Willie D. McCullough, Ph.D.
Office of Construction Grants
National Center for Research Resources (NCRR)
Telephone: 301- 435-0766
Email: mccullow@mail.nih.gov

Direct inquiries regarding engineering or architectural issues to:

Esmail Torkashvan, P.E.
Office of Construction Grants
National Center for Research Resources (NCRR)
Telephone: (301) 435-0766
Email: torkashv@mail.nih.gov

Peer Review Contact(s)

Barbara J. Nelson, Ph.D.
Office of Review
National Center for Research Resources (NCRR)
Telephone: (301) 435-0806
Email: nelsonbj@mail.nih.gov

Financial/Grants Management Contact(s)

Holly Atherton
Office of Grants Management
National Center for Research Resources (NCRR)
Telephone: 301- 435-0840
Email: athertoh@mail.nih.gov

Section VIII. Other Information

Recently issued trans-NIH policy notices may affect your application submission. A full list of policy notices published by NIH is provided in the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts. All awards are subject to the terms and conditions, cost principles, and other considerations described in the NIH Grants Policy Statement.

Authority and Regulations

Awards are made under the authorization of Sections 301 and 405 of the Public Health Service Act as amended (42 USC 241 and 284) and under Federal Regulations 42 CFR Part 52 and 45 CFR Parts 74 and 92

The National Center for Research Resources (NCRR) is authorized under Sections 481A of the Public Health Services Act, as amended by Sections 303 and 304 of Public Law (PL) 106-505, to make grants or contracts to public and nonprofit private entities to expand, remodel, renovate, or alter existing research and/or animal facilities.

Any awards resulting from this FOA will not be subject to the provisions of the Davis-Bacon Act (40 U.S.C. Secs 276a to 276a-7).

The PHS strongly encourages all grant recipients to provide a smoke-free workplace and discourage the use of all tobacco products. In addition, Public Law 103-227, the Pro-Children Act of 1994, prohibits smoking in certain facilities (or in some cases, any portion of a facility) in which regular or routine education, library, day care, health care, or early childhood development services are provided to children. This is consistent with the PHS mission to protect and advance the physical and mental health of the American people.


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