Opportunity Information: Apply for DHS 2014 OHA BIOWATCH
Apply for DHS 2014 OHA BIOWATCH
- The Office of Procurement Operations Grants Division in the disaster prevention and relief environment science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "BioWatch Program 2014 2015" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 97.091 Homeland Security Biowatch Program.
- This funding opportunity was created on Feb 25, 2014 and posted on Feb 25, 2014.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Sep 30, 2015. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $29,000,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $4,500,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 27 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: State governments County governments City or township governments.
- State and Local Governments must be invited by DHS to apply. DHS will invite governmental organizations to apply for continuation funding under this FOA. In addition, as part of ongoing improvements in the BioWatch Program, DHS may evaluate requests for some direct support of laboratories that analyze samples collected under the Program. If necessary, this FOA will also award an unspecified number of supplemental awards to current recipients in the event of emergencies, Special Events with National Significance, and limited alterations to current recipients to ensure a secure and resilient nation with the capabilities to thwart terrorist attacks.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Opportunity Summary:
The BioWatch Program 2014-2015 funding opportunity (DHS-2014-OHA-BIOWATCH) supports the Department of Homeland Securitys national effort to detect and respond to biological terrorism. BioWatch is described as an early warning system focused on identifying the intentional release of select aerosolized biological agents in metropolitan areas. The central purpose is to maintain continuous air monitoring and to coordinate closely with state and local public health partners so jurisdictions have enough warning time to activate their established plans, make coordinated decisions quickly, and move into response and recovery activities in an organized way. In practical terms, the program is meant to strengthen day-to-day preparedness and ensure cities and regions can act fast if monitoring indicates a possible biological agent release.
This opportunity is structured as a continuation cooperative agreement, meaning it is primarily intended to fund existing BioWatch jurisdictions so they can keep operating and improving their monitoring and readiness capabilities. DHS frames BioWatch as part of a broader preparedness strategy that emphasizes targeted jurisdictional planning and preventive actions that shorten the time between detection, decision-making, and public health response. The grant aligns with activity areas such as disaster prevention and relief and research and development-related work in environment, science, and technology, reflecting the programs blend of operational monitoring and technical quality requirements.
A key feature highlighted in the announcement is the BioWatch Evaluation Program (BWEP), carried out under the BioWatch Quality Assurance Program that became effective April 1, 2013. Under this framework, participating jurisdictions can expect both external and internal review activities designed to verify performance and adherence to BioWatch operational requirements. External Quality Assurance audits are performed independently by Signature Science, while internal Quality Control audits are performed by BioWatch Systems Program Office field personnel. Initially, audits focus on compliance with the BioWatch Field Operations Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) Version 1.3, with the intent to evolve toward broader coverage under the Field Operations Quality Assurance Program Plan (QAPP). The notice makes clear that a jurisdiction could receive both an external QA audit and an internal QC audit within the same cooperative agreement cycle, underscoring an emphasis on consistent operations, documentation, and reliable monitoring outcomes.
Funding details indicate an estimated total of $29,000,000 across the opportunity, with an expected 27 awards. Individual award amounts range from a floor of $178,220 up to a ceiling of $4,500,000. There is no cost sharing or matching requirement stated. The opportunity was posted on February 25, 2014, and remained open through a closing date of September 30, 2015, with an archive date of October 30, 2015. The CFDA listing is 97.091, Homeland Security Biowatch Program.
Eligibility is limited and invitation-based. State and local governments (including state governments, county governments, and city or township governments) must be invited by DHS to apply, and DHS specifically intends to invite governmental organizations for continuation funding under this announcement. The notice also mentions that, as part of ongoing program improvements, DHS may consider requests for direct support to laboratories that analyze BioWatch samples. In addition, the announcement allows for the possibility of supplemental awards to current recipients in situations such as emergencies, Special Events with National Significance, and limited alterations needed to maintain national security and resilience and to help prevent or disrupt terrorist attacks.
Administrative responsibility sits with DHS Office of Procurement Operations, Grants Division. The listed point of contact for access issues or announcement-related questions is Sean Lilly, Grants Specialist/Grants Officer, at 202-447-5869.
BioWatch Program 2014-2015 (DHS-2014-OHA-BIOWATCH) FAQs
What is the BioWatch Program 2014-2015 funding opportunity?
This is a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) continuation cooperative agreement funding opportunity (DHS-2014-OHA-BIOWATCH) that supports the national BioWatch effort to detect and respond to biological terrorism.
What is BioWatch, in practical terms?
BioWatch is described as an early warning system that maintains continuous air monitoring in metropolitan areas to help identify the intentional release of select aerosolized biological agents. The goal is to provide jurisdictions enough warning time to activate established plans, make coordinated decisions quickly, and move into organized response and recovery activities.
What is the main purpose of this grant?
The central purpose is to sustain continuous air monitoring and strengthen coordination with state and local public health partners so day-to-day preparedness is improved and jurisdictions can act quickly if monitoring indicates a possible biological agent release.
Is this grant for new BioWatch sites or existing jurisdictions?
It is structured as a continuation cooperative agreement and is primarily intended to fund existing BioWatch jurisdictions so they can continue operating and improving monitoring and readiness capabilities.
What does “continuation cooperative agreement†mean in this announcement?
Based on the notice language, it means DHS is primarily supporting ongoing BioWatch operations in jurisdictions already participating in the program, rather than launching entirely new efforts.
How does DHS describe the broader strategy behind BioWatch?
DHS frames BioWatch as part of a broader preparedness strategy emphasizing targeted jurisdictional planning and preventive actions that shorten the time between detection, decision-making, and public health response.
What kinds of activity areas does the opportunity align with?
The announcement ties the program to activity areas such as disaster prevention and relief and research-and-development-related work in environment, science, and technology, reflecting a blend of operational monitoring and technical quality requirements.
What is the BioWatch Evaluation Program (BWEP)?
BWEP is an evaluation framework carried out under the BioWatch Quality Assurance Program (effective April 1, 2013). It includes external and internal review activities intended to verify performance and adherence to BioWatch operational requirements.
What kinds of audits should jurisdictions expect under BWEP?
Participating jurisdictions can receive both external Quality Assurance (QA) audits and internal Quality Control (QC) audits during the same cooperative agreement cycle.
Who performs the external Quality Assurance (QA) audits?
External QA audits are performed independently by Signature Science, according to the announcement.
Who performs the internal Quality Control (QC) audits?
Internal QC audits are performed by BioWatch Systems Program Office field personnel.
What do the audits focus on initially?
Initially, audits focus on compliance with the BioWatch Field Operations Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) Version 1.3.
Will the audit scope change over time?
Yes. The notice indicates an intent to evolve toward broader audit coverage under the Field Operations Quality Assurance Program Plan (QAPP).
How much total funding is estimated under this opportunity?
The estimated total funding is $29,000,000 across the opportunity.
How many awards does DHS expect to make?
DHS expects approximately 27 awards.
What is the range of individual award amounts?
Individual awards range from a minimum (floor) of $178,220 to a maximum (ceiling) of $4,500,000.
Is there a cost sharing or matching requirement?
No cost sharing or matching requirement is stated in the provided notice information.
When was this opportunity posted and when did it close?
It was posted on February 25, 2014, and the closing date was September 30, 2015. The archive date listed is October 30, 2015.
What is the CFDA number for this program?
The CFDA listing is 97.091, Homeland Security Biowatch Program.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is limited and invitation-based. State and local governments (including state governments, county governments, and city or township governments) must be invited by DHS to apply.
Does DHS indicate who it intends to invite?
Yes. DHS specifically intends to invite governmental organizations for continuation funding under this announcement.
Can laboratories receive support under this announcement?
The notice mentions that, as part of ongoing program improvements, DHS may consider requests for direct support to laboratories that analyze BioWatch samples.
Are supplemental awards possible for current recipients?
Yes. The announcement allows for the possibility of supplemental awards to current recipients in situations such as emergencies, Special Events with National Significance, and limited alterations needed to maintain national security and resilience and to help prevent or disrupt terrorist attacks.
Which DHS office is responsible for administration of the grant?
Administrative responsibility is listed under the DHS Office of Procurement Operations, Grants Division.
Who is the point of contact for access issues or questions about the announcement?
The listed point of contact is Sean Lilly, Grants Specialist/Grants Officer, at 202-447-5869.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Disaster Prevention and Relief Environment Science and Technology and other Research and Development
Next opportunity: OJJDP FY 2014 Internet Crimes Against Children Program Support
Previous opportunity: 2014 BREP
USGrants.org Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for DHS 2014 OHA BIOWATCH
[Watch] how do funding administrators access proposals?
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Subscribe to Leads
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "DHS 2014 OHA BIOWATCH", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.