Pediatric Disaster Care Centers of Excellence: Frequently Asked Questions

General

1. What are the goals of the Pediatric Disaster Care Centers of Excellence Cooperative Agreement?
2. What is the definition of “region” in the context of this Funding Opportunity Announcement?
3. What are the HHS Regions?
4. How do you define a region? Is the expectation that we would use predefined regions (i.e. FEMA Regions?) or is it acceptable to select two states within a predefined region? Do we have to enroll the entire state, if we are working with at least two states?
5. The announcement indicates that “this funding opportunity announcement is part and parcel to a multiyear plan to address pediatric disaster care needs” but the award information indicates that the project period is only 12 months.  Are applicants meant to plan to complete this work and expenditures within 12 months or should applicants anticipate expanding the project beyond that to accommodate the future elements of this plan?
6. How does the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Preparedness and Response (ASPR) envision the expansion of this pilot program? Will there be opportunities for continued funding if awarded centers show successes?
7. Do you anticipate that ther will be future funding opportunities similar to this? 
8. Has this funding opportunity been offered in the past?  
9. Would you help me clarify if we have to describe in our proposal how we would approach activities D & E in our proposal or are to wait until notice of award? I ask for clarification because it appears to be post award requirements, yet in the reviewing information says these activities will be scored. 
10. Do appendices included in the application count towards the page limit?​ 
11. Is there a page requirement for CVs and Biosketches?  

Applicant Eligibility and Special Requirements

1. What types of organizations are eligible to apply for these funds?
2. Is a Level II Pediatric Trauma Center acceptable as the lead institution for this funding opportunity?
3. What Letters of Support are required for this application?
4. What Letters of Support are desired for this application?
5. Is this grant intended to be a multi-center project or single center? 
6. Can an eligible entity apply with entities in other HHS regions? 
7. Our Office of Emergency Medical Services fall under our State Department of Health. Is it allowable to submit one
   letter of support from the State Department of Health to meet the letters of supprt requirement? 
8. Will applicants who are futher along with pediatric disaster care capabilites receive special preference for this
   funding? 

Roles and Responsibilities

1. Who is considered key personnel?
2. Are the project director and medical director two distinct roles?
3. What is the difference between the executive director and principal investigator?
4. Can the medical director be someone from another facility/organization? Can the position be contracted on a PT basis?
5. Does the Executive Director have to be a full-time person assigned to the project, or can it be an executive assigned to oversee success?
6. Can positions be jointly funded between HPP (for HCC work) and this award?
7. Am I allowed to be listed as a subject matter expert on multiple application for this funding opportunity? 

Allowable Expenditures

1. Are there any caps (in addition to the salary cap) applicants should consider with regards to overhead/F&A rates that is not otherwise posted?
2. With regards to overhead rate, are applicants able to request the overhead on top of the $3 million?
3. Is the 3M funding per project inclusive or exclusive of overhead charges?
4. Would a commodity like a disaster response tent be an allowable charge or is it considered construction?

Grants Administration

1. Cooperative Agreements are usually federal to state—what will be the fiscal tracking/requirements? What accounting processes will the awardee need to have in place?
2. Does all budgeted funding have to be expended by the end of the award period? Will carry-over be allowed?
3. What technical assistance is available prior to submitting the proposal on August 27, 2019? Should we check in with a program officer prior to completing our proposal and who would that be?
4. Are there any guidelines on subcontracts or funding limits on consultant rates?

Miscellaneous

1. Will the pre-application teleconference allow for participation from the attendees?
2. Is the Letter of Intent binding?
3. Can I still submit an application if I did not submit a Letter of Intent?
4. Will the two Centers of Excellence selected be required to share their data insights and output? What other systems/programs will they be required to share this with?
5. Will there be expectations that awarded centers will engage with ongoing training at other sites that might be awarded similar grants in future years?
6. Who will make the final decision between the two Centers of Excellence (CoE) on what data platform to use as the single source of truth? And, how will the decision process for that work? 
7. Does the ASPR have examples of metrics and/or data they would like to see captured regarding the potential impact of interventions pursued by awarded centers? 

General

1. What are the goals of the Pediatric Disaster Care Centers of Excellence Cooperative Agreement?
   
   ASPR aims to address known gaps in pediatric disaster care of all pediatric patient populations by augmenting the existing clinical capabilities within states and across multi-state regions.

   
   Through this Funding Opportunity Announcement, ASPR seeks to fund up to two Pediatric Disaster Care Centers of Excellence to:

   • Develop a coordinated pediatric disaster care capability for pediatric patient care in disasters;
   • Strengthen pediatric disaster preparedness plans and health care system coordination related to pediatric medical surge in disasters;
   • Enhance statewide and regional medical surge capacity for pediatric patients;  
   • Increase and maintain health care professional competency through the development and delivery of a standardized training program; and
   • Enhance situational awareness of pediatric disaster care capabilities and capacity and assess regional pediatric readiness.
     
     
   Specific focus will be given to the management of pediatric care related to trauma, infectious diseases including pandemic influenza and other emerging infectious disease, burn, and chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear incidents.


2. What is the definition of “region” in the context of this Funding Opportunity Announcement?
   
   For the purposes of this Funding Opportunity Announcement, “region” is defined as a geographic area that is inclusive of at least two states within the applicant’s respective HHS region. Applicants must define the geographic region intended to be served under this Funding Opportunity Announcement in their application.


3. What are the HHS Regions?
   
   The Office of Intergovernmental and External Affairs hosts 10 Regional Offices that directly serve state and local organizations. More information and a map of the HHS Regions can be found at https://www.hhs.gov/about/agencies/iea/regional-offices/index.html.


4. How do you define a region? Is the expectation that we would use predefined regions (ie FEMA Regions?) or is it acceptable to select two states within a predefined region? Do we have to enroll the entire state, if we are working with at least two states?
   
   For the purposes of this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA), “region” is defined as a geographic area that is inclusive of at least two states within the applicant’s respective HHS region. Applicants must define the geographic region intended to be served under this FOA in their application. 

   
   Letters of support are required from:

   • State Department of Health or State Hospital Association within the applicant’s state and at least one additional state in the applicant’s defined region
   • State Office of Emergency Management within the applicant’s state
   • State Office of Emergency Medical Services within applicant’s state
   • Children’s Hospital* within at least one additional state in the applicant’s defined region
   
   
5. The announcement indicates that “this funding opportunity announcement is part and parcel to a multiyear plan to address pediatric disaster care needs” but the award information indicates that the project period is only 12 months. Are applicants meant to plan to complete this work and expenditures within 12 months or should applicants anticipate expanding the project beyond that to accommodate the future elements of this plan?
   
   The project period for this cooperative agreement is 12 months, and the requirements outlined in the funding opportunity announcement must be completed during that time. Specific investments beyond this funding opportunity announcement are contingent upon identified gaps, Department of Health and Human Services priorities, and funding appropriations. Applicants are expected to plan for completion of the project, have a sustainability plan in place and expend all awarded funds by the end of the project period. ASPR will evaluate recipient progress and provide technical assistance throughout the period of performance.


6. How does the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Preparedness and Response (ASPR) envision the expansion of this pilot program? Will there be opportunities for continued funding if awarded centers show successes?
   
   Specific investments beyond this funding opportunity announcement are contingent upon identified gaps, Department of Health and Human Services priorities, and funding appropriations pending availability of funds.


7. Do you anticipate that ther will be future funding opportunities similiar to this?
   
   Specific investments beyond this funding opportunity announcement are contingent upon identified gaps, Department of Health and Human Services priorities, and funding appropriations.


8. Has this funding opportunity been offered in the past?
   
   This is the first ASPR sponsored funding opportunity announcement related to Pediatric Disaster Care Centers of Excellence.


9. Would you help me clarify if we have to describe in our proposal how we would approach activities D & E in our proposal or are to wait until notice of award? I ask for clarification because it appears to be post award requirements, yet in the reviewing says these activities will be scored.
   
   The project narrative should cover the entire project period and address all required activities and strategies. This would be inclusive of Activities D and E, however we understand that Activities cannot be executed until both award recipients are announced. Therefore, recipients should acknowledge in their applications that (or how) they will collaborate, coordinate, plan, and work directly with the other award recipient on Activity D and Activity E, Strategies 1-3.


10. Do appendices included in the application count towards the page limit?
    
    ASPR will not accept applications with a Project Narrative that exceeds 12 pages. The Letters of Support, budget narrative and justification forms, Curriculum Vitae (CV)/Biosketch of Key Project Personnel and Other Relevant Appendices (e.g. partner table, statement of funding preference, Attachment C) are not counted as part of the Project Narrative for purposes of the 12-page limit. Any narrative drafted to accompany Attachment C and fulfill the required “Work Plan and Timeline of Proposed Activities” section of the project narrative will be included in the 12 pages. Any CV or Biosketch included should not exceed 2 pages.


11. Is there a page requirement for CVs and Biosketches?
    
    Each CV or Biosketch should be no more than 2 pages each, and while there is no required format, CVs or Biosketches should be double-spaced, on 8 ½” x 11” plain white paper with 1” margins on all sides, Calibri or Times New Roman font and a point size of not less than 11. CVs or Biosketches should clearly convey the required qualifications of personnel and include the specialized expertise and experience that personnel’s affiliated health care entity exhibits to complete the activities and strategies under the cooperative ag

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Applicant Eligibility and Special Requirements

1. What types of organizations are eligible to apply for these funds?
   
   Eligible applicants are limited to one or more public or private hospitals and/or corporate health systems. For the purposes of this Funding Opportunity Announcement, a corporate health system is defined as an organized, coordinated, and collaborative network that (1) links various health care providers, via common ownership or contract, across three domains of integration – economic, noneconomic, and clinical – to provide a coordinated, vertical continuum of services to a particular patient population or community, and (2) is accountable both clinically and fiscally for the clinical outcomes and health status of the population or community served, and has systems in place to manage and improve them.


2. Is a Level II Pediatric Trauma Center acceptable as the lead institution for this funding opportunity?
   
   Yes.


3. What Letters of Support are required for this application?
   
   The applicant will submit letters of support from the following agencies/organizations with the application package:
   
   
   • State Department of Health or State Hospital Association within the applicant’s state and at least one additional state in the applicant’s defined region
   • State Office of Emergency Management within the applicant’s state
   • State Office of Emergency Medical Services within applicant’s state
   • Children’s Hospital* within at least one additional state in the applicant’s defined region


4. What Letters of Support are desired for this application?
   
   While letters of support from these entities are not required as part of the application package, applicants will receive additional credit in the application scoring criteria for additional letters of support:
   
   
   • Acute Care Hospitals/Medical Centers within the applicant’s state or at least one additional state in the applicant’s defined region
   • State Office of Emergency Management within at least one additional state in the applicant’s defined region
   • State Office of Emergency Medical Services within at least one additional state in the applicant’s defined region


5. Is this grant intended to be a multi-center project or single center?
   
   

   Eligible applicants are limited to one or more public or private hospitals and/or corporate health systems. For the purposes of this Funding Opportunity Announcement, a corporate health system is defined as an organized, coordinated, and collaborative network that (1) links various health care providers, via common ownership or contract, across three domains of integration – economic, noneconomic, and clinical – to provide a coordinated, vertical continuum of services to a particular patient population or community, and (2) is accountable both clinically and fiscally for the clinical outcomes and health status of the population or community served, and has systems in place to manage and improve them.

   Applicants can be a single entity, or a ‘corporate health system,’ as defined above. If an entity applies representing a consortium of entities, one entity will need to be designated as the recipient entity, who will be responsible for carrying out duties related to management of the grant. Additional entities may provide support to the designated recipient entity in the capacity of consultants, subcontractors or subrecipients.


6. Can an eligible entity apply with entities in other HHS regions?
   
   

   Yes, an eligible entity (one or more public or private hospitals or corporate health systems, as defined in the Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA)) can include entities from other HHS regions in the application. However, only one entity can apply as the primary recipient. In all instances, the primary recipient must provide all required letters of support referenced in the FOA and designate the “region” to be served as defined in the FOA.



7. Our Office of Emergency Medical Services falls under our State Department Health. Is it allowable to submit one letter of support from the State Department of Health to meet the letters of support requirement?
   
   It is allowable to submit one letter of support to meet this requirement, if the letter of support indicates support from both the State Department of Health and Office Emergency Medical Services.


8. Will applicants who further along with pediatric disaster care capabilities receive special preference for this funding?
   
   All applications will undergo the same administrative and objective review and will be scored according to the criteria outlined in the Application and Submission Information and Application Review Information sections of the Funding Opportunity Announcement.
   

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Roles and Responsibilities

1. Who is considered key personnel?
   
   Key Personnel are defined as all individuals who contribute in a substantive, meaningful way to the scientific development or execution of the project, whether or not salaries are requested. Key personnel must include, at minimum, a designated Medical Director that meets or exceeds the following qualifications:
   • Physician with a current in-state license and demonstrated pediatric clinical experience.
   • Board Certified in an American Board of Medical Specialties recognized pediatric specialty and clinically active.
   • Familiarity with EMS, Emergency Management and Public Health laws and regulations.
   • Education and/or experience with mass casualty, bioterrorism, Nuclear, Biological Chemical, Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) and/or disaster preparedness.

   
   The applicant has discretion to determine additional key personnel to involve, as well as their designated project titles. Per the HHS Grants Policy Statement, the roles and responsibilities of designated individuals at recipient organizations, who serve as agents of the recipient, are as follows:

   Authorized Organizational Representative. The authorized organizational representative is the designated representative of the applicant/recipient organization with authority to act on the organization’s behalf in matters related to the award and administration of grants. In signing a grant application, this individual agrees that the organization will assume the obligations imposed by applicable Federal statutes and regulations and other terms and conditions of the award, including any assurances, if a grant is awarded. These responsibilities include accountability both for the appropriate use of funds awarded and the performance of the grant-supported project or activities as specified in the approved application. Although HHS requires that the recipient organization designate such an individual, HHS does not specify the organizational location or full set of responsibilities for this individual.

   Principal Investigator/Program or Project Director (PI/PD). The PI/PD is the individual, designated by the recipient, responsible for the scientific, technical, or programmatic aspects of the grant and for day-to-day management of the project or program. The PI/PD generally is an employee of the recipient. However, because the grant, if awarded, is made to the recipient organization, if the PI/PD is not an employee of that organization, the organization must have a formal written agreement with the PI/PD that specifies an official relationship between the parties even if the relationship does not involve a salary or other form of remuneration. If the PI/PD is not an employee of the applicant organization, ASPR will assess whether the arrangement will result in the organization being able to fulfill its responsibilities under the grant, if awarded.

   The PI/PD is a member of the recipient team responsible for ensuring compliance with the financial and administrative aspects of the award. This individual works closely with designated officials within the recipient organization to create and maintain necessary documentation, including both technical and administrative reports; prepare justifications; appropriately acknowledge Federal support in publications, announcements, news programs, and other media; and ensure compliance with other Federal and organizational requirements. The PI/PD is encouraged to maintain contact with the Project Officer with respect to the scientific, technical, or programmatic aspects of the project or program and, as applicable, the Grants Management Officer concerning the business and administrative aspects of the award.

   Please reference the Grants Policy Statement for detailed information on roles and responsibilities - https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/grants/grants/policies-regulations/hhsgps107.pdf



2. Are the project director and medical director two distinct roles?
   
   The Principal Investigator need not also serve as the Medical Director. However, should applicants prefer that the Principal Investigator also serve in the role of Medical Director, it is allowable. In these cases, please be sure to account for the clear delineation of roles and responsibilities of the individual as both the Principal Investigator and Medical Director and take into consideration that ASPR has estimated the role of Medical Director to require at least 25% level of effort.


3. What is the difference between the executive director and principal investigator?
   
   An Executive Director is not required for this Funding Opportunity Announcement. The Principal Investigator/Project Director is the individual, designated by the recipient, responsible for the scientific, technical, or programmatic aspects of the grant and for day-to-day management of the project or program.


4. Can the medical director be someone from another facility/organization? Can the position be contracted on a PT basis?
   
   Applicants must designate a Medical Director to act as a leader of clinical preparedness and response and neutral broker among the applicant and supporting organizations. The Medical Director position need not come from the applicant entity, unless the Medical Director is also performing the role of a Project Director/Principal Investigator. In this case, the Medical Director must be an employee of the applicant. ASPR has estimated the role of Medical Director to require at least 25% level of effort.


5. Does the Executive Director have to be a full-time person assigned to the project, or can it be an executive assigned to oversee success?
   
   While an Executive Director is not required for this Funding Opportunity Announcement, the expectation of designated personnel is not limited to a set number of work hours, but rather the completion of all necessary tasks to meet the objectives of the grant.


6. Can positions be jointly funded between HPP (for HCC work) and this award?
   
   Recipients may only charge to this award the level of effort/salary that corresponds with work on this project. Employee’s may conduct work for the HPP award in addition to this award, but must ensure the level of effort/salary is charged to the respective award.


7. Am I allowed to be listed as a subject matter expert on multiple applications for this funding opportunity?
   
   ASPR has no preclusion to individual subject matter experts (SME) being named on more than one application. If an SME's salary is charged to the budget of any application, level of effort must not exceed 100% across multiple applications.

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Allowable Expenditures

1. Are there any caps (in addition to the salary cap) applicants should consider with regards to overhead/F&A rates that is not otherwise posted?
   
   The Executive Level II Salary Cap is specific to all salaries charged to a Federal award and should not exceed the FY 2019 salary cap of $192,300.  Overhead/F&A costs are generally indirect costs vs direct cost of a (proposed) budget and applicants may negotiate an indirect cost rate agreement with a cognizant Federal agency for a determined rate. Applicants that have never received a negotiated IDCR have the option of a flat rate of up to 10% modified total direct costs (MTDC) which may be used indefinitely. Applicants may contact Program Support Center for detailed information on cost rate agreements via https://protect2.fireeye.com/url?k=03039b77-5f5692a7-0303aa48-0cc47a6a52de-63d21a10ef5c8aaf&u=https://rates.psc.gov/.


2. With regards to overhead rate, are applicants able to request the overhead on top of the $3 million?
   
   All overhead/F&A costs charged to a Federal award must be charged as indirect and as part of the budget for the total amount of award.  In this case of the total Federal share of $3M.

   
   Any non-Federal entity that has never received a negotiated indirect cost rate, may elect to charge a de minimis rate of 10% of modified total direct costs (MTDC) which may be used indefinitely. As described in 45 CFR Part 75.403, costs must be consistently charged as either indirect or direct costs, but may not be double charged or inconsistently charged as both. If chosen, this methodology once elected must be used consistently for all Federal awards until such time as a non-Federal entity chooses to negotiate for a rate, which the non-Federal entity may apply to do at any time.

   Any non-Federal entity that has a current federally negotiated indirect cost rate may apply for a one-time extension of the rates in that agreement for a period of up to four years. This extension will be subject to the review and approval of the cognizant agency for indirect costs. If an extension is granted the non-Federal entity may not request a rate review until the extension period ends. At the end of the 4-year extension, the non-Federal entity must re-apply to negotiate a rate. Subsequent one-time extensions (up to four years) are permitted if a renegotiation is completed between each extension request.



3. Is the 3M funding per project inclusive or exclusive of overhead charges?
   
   All overhead/F&A costs charged to a Federal award must be charged as indirect and as part of the budget for the total amount of award. In this case of the total Federal share of $3M.


4. Would a commodity like a disaster response tent be an allowable charge or is it considered construction?
   
   Prior approval is required and the tent must not be affixed to any property. Construction is not allowable. 

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Grants Administration

1. Cooperative Agreements are usually federal to state—what will be the fiscal tracking/requirements? What accounting processes will the awardee need to have in place?
   
   Recipients of Federal financial awards are expected to administer funds in accordance with financial management standards provided in 45 CFR 75.302, “Financial management and standards for financial management systems.”

   
   (b) In accordance with 45 CFR 75.302(b), the financial management system of each non-Federal entity must provide for the following (see also §§ 75.361, 75.362, 75.363, 75.364, and 75.365): /p>

   1. Identification, in its accounts, of all Federal awards received and expended and the Federal programs under which they were received. Federal program and Federal award identification must include, as applicable, the CFDA title and number, Federal award identification number and year, name of the HHS awarding agency, and name of the pass-through entity, if any.
   
   
   2. Accurate, current, and complete disclosure of the financial results of each Federal award or program in accordance with the reporting requirements set forth in §§ 75.341 and 75.342. If an HHS awarding agency requires reporting on an accrual basis from a recipient that maintains its records on other than an accrual basis, the recipient must not be required to establish an accrual accounting system. This recipient may develop accrual data for its reports on the basis of an analysis of the documentation on hand. Similarly, a pass-through entity must not require a subrecipient to establish an accrual accounting system and must allow the subrecipient to develop accrual data for its reports on the basis of an analysis of the documentation on hand.
   
   
   3. Records that identify adequately the source and application of funds for federally-funded activities. These records must contain information pertaining to Federal awards, authorizations, obligations, unobligated balances, assets, expenditures, income and interest and be supported by source documentation.
   
   
   4. Effective control over, and accountability for, all funds, property, and other assets. The non-Federal entity must adequately safeguard all assets and assure that they are used solely for authorized purposes. See § 75.303.
   
   
   5. Comparison of expenditures with budget amounts for each Federal award.
   
   
   6. Written procedures to implement the requirements of § 75.305.
   
   
   7. Written procedures for determining the allowability of costs in accordance with subpart E of this part and the terms and conditions of the Federal award.


2. Does all budgeted funding have to be expended by the end of the award period? Will carry-over be allowed?
   
   The period of performance is 12 months; therefore, carryover of funds is not applicable. Successful recipients are expected to be proactive and accountable for all expenditures of their budget.  ASPR recommends frequent and open communications with Federal project officers on all program activities and expenditures on such activities.


3. What technical assistance is available prior to submitting the proposal on August 27, 2019? Should we check in with a program officer prior to completing our proposal and who would that be?
   
   A pre-application teleconference will be held on July 23, 2019 from 1:00 p.m. -2:00 p.m. Eastern Time. No RSVP is necessary to attend this call. The call can be accessed at 1-888-455-8509; participant code 5518640. This call will allow potential applicants to ask questions regarding the Funding Opportunity Announcement and the application process. Also, ASPR accepts all questions regarding the program expectations and application assistance up to the application due date.


4. Are there any guidelines on subcontracts or funding limits on consultant rates?
   
   Applicants intending to apply subcontracts to their proposals must comply with applicable Federal procurement provisions in 45 CFR 75.326-75.335, including but not limited to competition 45 CFR 75.328 and procurement procedures 45 CFR 75.329. Effective 6/20/18, the threshold for micro-purchases is $10,000 and $250,000 for simplified acquisitions. Under the micro-purchase procurements with federal award funds (e.g. 45 CFR 75.329(a)), the purchases at or under the established threshold may be awarded without soliciting competitive quotations. There are two primary methods of selecting a subcontractor: sole/single source selection or competitive bidding. A detailed justification is required with the proposal for all types of procurements.

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Miscellaneous

1. Will the pre-application teleconference allow for participation from the attendees?
   
   A pre-application teleconference will be held on July 23, 2019 from 1:00 p.m. -2:00 p.m. Eastern Time. No RSVP is necessary to attend this call. The call can be accessed at 1-888-455-8509; participant code 5518640. During this call, participants will be able to ask questions about the funding opportunity announcement and application process.


2. Is the Letter of Intent binding?
   
   No, the Letter of Intent is not binding. Applicants will not be evaluated on the Letter of Intent.


3. Can I still submit an application if I did not submit a Letter of Intent?
   
   Yes. Submission of a Letter of Intent is not required to submit an application.


4. Will the two Centers of Excellence selected be required to share their data insights and output? What other systems/programs will they be required to share this with?
   
   Recipients are required to determine which essential elements of information are essential for regional coordination of pediatric patients. At this time, no, we don’t require sharing actual data. However, in a functioning pediatric disaster medical care system we would expect recipients of these funds to responsibly share and use data that would reduce morbidity and mortality of pediatric patients. Such data sharing should be compliant with applicable laws, regulations, and policies such as HIPAA.


5. Will there be expectations that awarded centers will engage with ongoing training at other sites that might be awarded similar grants in future years?
   
   Specific investments beyond this funding opportunity announcement are contingent upon identified gaps, Department of Health and Human Services priorities, and funding appropriations. Expectations of centers awarded similar grants in future years will be defined in subsequent funding opportunity announcements.


6. Who will make the final decision between the two Centers of Excellence (CoE) on what data platform to use as the single source of truth? And, how will the decision process for that work?
   
   ASPR does not require recipients to use a single data platform. However, in developing essential elements of information (EEI), the recipients are required to explore the role of integration of these EEI into interoperable health information technology systems and Health Information Exchanges (HIEs). The Centers of Excellence are also required to collaborate with one another on this activity and will work closely with ASPR pediatric disaster project staff throughout the duration of the cooperative agreement.


7. Does the ASPR have examples of metrics and/or data they would like to see captured regarding the potential impact of interventions pursued by awarded centers?
   
   Recipients are required to maintain all documentation that demonstrates accomplishment of the performance measures in the Award Administration Information/Reporting Requirements section of the Funding Opportunity Announcement and provide relevant documents to Federal staff, as requested, during site visits or through other requests. ASPR does not provide examples of specific metrics and/or data that must be captured through the process of achieving these performance measures. Such metrics are determined and proposed by the applicants.

   
   When submitting applications, applicants must include an Evaluation and Performance Measurement Plan (EPMP). The EPMP is used to describe how the recipient and/or ASPR will determine whether activities are appropriately implemented and intended outcomes are achieved, and how these outcomes are related to the required performance measures in the Award Administration Information/Reporting Requirements section of the Funding Opportunity Announcement.

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* In this instance, “Children’s Hospital” is defined as: Self-governing, not-for-profit children's hospitals that care for patients with conditions normally requiring a stay of less than 30 days; Pediatric units of not-for-profit medical institutions caring for patients normally requiring stays of less than 30 days and serving as the primary teaching sites of organized pediatric departments of approved medical schools; or Not-for-profit medical institutions each with a pediatric graduate education program affiliated with a medical school, but not the primary teaching site, and having a minimum daily pediatric census of 45 and recognition as a pediatric referral center. To learn about the Children's Hospital Association Membership visit https://www.childrenshospitals.org/About-Us/Membership.