Expansion of HIV/AIDS, STI and TB Laboratory Activities in the Namibia Institute of Pathology (NIP), Ltd under the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is this funding opportunity?

This opportunity is a CDC cooperative agreement under the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). It focuses on expanding and strengthening HIV, sexually transmitted infection (STI), and tuberculosis (TB) laboratory and surveillance activities in Namibia.

Which CDC program is associated with this award?

The work sits within CDC's Global AIDS Program (GAP), which supports efforts to reduce the impact of HIV/AIDS in high-burden countries (including Namibia) through prevention, treatment, and systems-strengthening activities.

What country is the project focused on?

The activities supported by this award are focused on Namibia and are intended to align with Namibia's national strategic plan.

What is the main goal of the award?

The core purpose is twofold: (1) improve national surveillance for HIV, STIs, and TB by strengthening systems that generate, manage, and use reliable data for decision-making; and (2) expand the capacity of the Namibia Institute of Pathology (NIP), Ltd to provide laboratory services that support diagnosis and management of HIV, STIs, TB, and other infections linked to HIV transmission and HIV-related illness.

What types of activities does the surveillance component emphasize?

The surveillance component emphasizes strengthening and expanding HIV/STI/TB surveillance programs and improving the systems used to generate, manage, analyze, and apply data for public health decision-making.

What types of laboratory capacity improvements are expected?

The opportunity describes strengthening the laboratory backbone needed for accurate diagnosis, disease monitoring, and public health response. Practical improvements commonly associated with this type of support include enhancing laboratory infrastructure and quality systems, increasing testing capacity and coverage, improving turnaround times, supporting quality assurance and quality control, and strengthening integration between laboratory results and surveillance or clinical care pathways.

How does this opportunity connect laboratories and surveillance to clinical outcomes?

The opportunity frames laboratory and surveillance strengthening as a foundation for better clinical outcomes and program performance, supporting diagnosis, treatment monitoring, and the reliability of national HIV/AIDS program management rather than treating lab upgrades as stand-alone improvements.

What prevention priorities are reflected in the announcement?

Prevention priorities described include expanding confidential counseling and testing and strengthening programs to reduce mother-to-child transmission.

What care and treatment priorities are included?

Care and treatment priorities described include improving STI management, strengthening the diagnosis and treatment monitoring of opportunistic infections (especially TB), and supporting antiretroviral therapy (ART) programs.

What health systems strengthening priorities are included?

Systems strengthening priorities include building the country's capacity to collect, analyze, and use surveillance data, and reinforcing laboratory support for surveillance, diagnosis, treatment monitoring, and blood safety screening.

Is there a special initiative component in addition to lab and surveillance work?

Yes. The announcement highlights a special initiative component intended to support scaling up HIV/AIDS treatment services in priority regions of Namibia with high HIV burden.

How might the award support treatment scale-up in high-burden regions?

Based on the description, the award is expected to contribute to practical improvements that help high-need regions expand access to treatment, potentially through better diagnostic coverage, improved monitoring (such as tracking treatment response and detecting complications), and stronger links between laboratory services and frontline clinical programs.

Who is eligible to apply for this cooperative agreement?

Eligibility is narrowly limited to the Namibia Institute of Pathology (NIP), Ltd. This indicates the award is a targeted support action rather than an open competition among many organizations.

How many awards are anticipated?

The opportunity anticipates a single award.

What is the funding instrument and what does it imply?

The funding instrument is a cooperative agreement. This typically implies substantial CDC involvement, such as programmatic direction, technical collaboration, monitoring, and ensuring alignment with PEPFAR goals and reporting requirements.

How does the opportunity describe the approach to working with Namibia?

It is structured around PEPFAR's broader approach of partnering with host governments and key stakeholders to assess needs, prioritize interventions, and design country-specific assistance where it can have the greatest impact.

What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?

The opportunity is listed under CFDA 93.067.

When was the opportunity posted and when did it close?

The synopsis states it was posted on January 4, 2016, with a closing date of February 29, 2016.

What is the award ceiling for this opportunity?

The notice lists an award ceiling of 0, which generally indicates the ceiling is not specified in the synopsis and would be defined in the full announcement, budget guidance, or through continuation/supplement mechanisms.

Does the announcement mention blood safety screening?

Yes. Blood safety screening is included as part of the laboratory support priorities alongside surveillance, diagnosis, and treatment monitoring.

Is tuberculosis (TB) specifically addressed, or only HIV?

TB is specifically addressed. The opportunity focuses on HIV, STIs, and TB laboratory and surveillance activities and emphasizes strengthening diagnosis and treatment monitoring of opportunistic infections, especially TB.

What organization is expected to have its capacity expanded through this award?

The Namibia Institute of Pathology (NIP), Ltd is the organization specifically identified for expanded capacity to provide laboratory services supporting HIV, STI, and TB diagnosis and management.