Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA FD 13 006
Apply for RFA FD 13 006
- The Food Drug Administration in the agriculture business and commerce consumer protection food and nutrition health information and statistics regional development science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Food Protection Rapid Response Team" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.103 Food and Drug AdministrationResearch.
- This funding opportunity was created on Apr 18, 2013 and posted on Apr 2, 2013.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 1, 2013. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $2,700,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $300,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 9 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: State governments.
- State Governments This opportunity is only available to State food safety agencies with current FDA food safety inspection contracts that are also enrolled in the Manufactured Food Regulatory Program Standards (MFRPS) and currently receiving funding under the Food Protection Rapid Response Team cooperative agreements (RFA FD 11 013 or RFA FD 12 014). Competition is limited to these organizations because they have established Rapid Response Teams and have demonstrated significant achievements in accordance with the goal of developing and implementing rapid response concepts. The foundational work conducted under the current FDA food safety inspection contracts and the MFRPS is both necessary and promising for the completion of significant improvements in food emergency response among federal, state, and local partners through the program described in this funding opportunity. Additionally, this cooperative agreement will require a significant mentorship component which necessitates the participation of only established, experienced Food Protection Rapid Response Teams. Applicants must also maintain MFRPS enrollment and remain under a FDA food safety inspection contract for the duration of the award.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Food Protection Rapid Response Team grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number RFA-FD-13-006) is a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) cooperative agreement program designed to strengthen how federal, state, and local partners prepare for and respond to food and animal feed safety incidents. The program focuses on building and sustaining multi-jurisdictional Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) that can quickly coordinate across agencies and borders during outbreaks, contamination events, recalls, and other emergencies affecting the food supply. These RRTs are expected to operate using Incident Command System (ICS) and National Incident Management System (NIMS) principles, specifically emphasizing a Unified Command structure so that multiple agencies can manage an incident together through shared objectives, roles, and communications.
The core purpose of the funding is to drive long-term improvements in the national integrated food safety system by tightening coordination and creating more consistent, repeatable response capabilities. The FOA highlights three main improvement areas. First, it aims to strengthen the operational link between epidemiology, laboratory, and environmental health functions so that case detection, testing, and on-the-ground investigations connect faster and produce clearer conclusions. Second, it seeks to improve state regulatory and surveillance food/feed protection programs, with particular attention to manufactured foods, including better capacity for foodborne illness and outbreak investigations, faster identification and removal of contaminated products from commerce, and more robust root cause investigations to prevent repeat problems. Third, the program supports cross-cutting capabilities such as workforce training, improved data sharing and data analysis, and stronger risk communication practices, all of which are essential to running coordinated responses in real time.
This funding is structured as cooperative agreements rather than standard grants, meaning recipients should expect substantial involvement and coordination with FDA staff. The FOA makes clear that successful implementation requires close collaboration with FDA District Offices and other FDA program offices, as well as deliberate alignment with broader national food safety initiatives. Applicants are expected to leverage and harmonize efforts with key federal partners such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service, and to ensure compatibility with national frameworks and initiatives like the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), the Integrated Food Safety System (IFSS), the National Response Framework, and the Partnership for Food Protection (PFP). Coordination with relevant associations and state and local partners is also emphasized to avoid duplication and to make best use of limited emergency response resources.
The competition is limited and targeted. Up to nine (9) awards were expected, with an estimated total funding amount of $2.7 million and an award ceiling of $300,000 per award. There is no cost sharing or matching requirement noted. Eligibility is restricted to state governments, specifically state food safety agencies that already have current FDA food safety inspection contracts, are enrolled in the Manufactured Food Regulatory Program Standards (MFRPS), and are already receiving funding under prior Food Protection Rapid Response Team cooperative agreements (RFA-FD-11-013 or RFA-FD-12-014). The rationale for limiting eligibility is that these applicants already have established RRTs, have demonstrated progress under earlier awards, and are positioned to provide mentorship to others as part of a broader capacity-building approach. Recipients must maintain MFRPS enrollment and keep an active FDA food safety inspection contract throughout the award period.
Administratively, the opportunity was posted on April 2, 2013, with a closing date of July 1, 2013 (original and current closing dates listed as the same). The CFDA number associated with the program is 93.103, and the funding instrument type is a cooperative agreement under discretionary funding. The FDA contact listed for access or questions about the announcement is Jennerfer Torres Hernandez, Grants Management Specialist (301-827-9607; Jennerfer.TorresHernandez@fda.hhs.gov).
Food Protection Rapid Response Team (RFA-FD-13-006) FAQs
What is the Food Protection Rapid Response Team (RRT) grant opportunity?
Funding Opportunity Number RFA-FD-13-006 is an FDA cooperative agreement program intended to strengthen how federal, state, and local partners prepare for and respond to incidents affecting food and animal feed safety. The funding supports building and sustaining multi-jurisdictional Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) that can coordinate quickly across agencies and borders during emergencies.
Which agency offers this funding?
The program is offered by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
What type of funding instrument is used?
This opportunity uses a cooperative agreement (discretionary funding), not a standard grant.
What does it mean that this is a cooperative agreement?
Under a cooperative agreement, recipients should expect substantial involvement and coordination with FDA staff. The announcement describes close collaboration with FDA District Offices and other FDA program offices as a key expectation for successful implementation.
What is the overall purpose of the program?
The core purpose is to drive long-term improvements in the national integrated food safety system by tightening coordination and creating more consistent, repeatable response capabilities across partners.
What kinds of incidents are RRTs expected to respond to?
The RRTs are intended to support rapid, coordinated action during outbreaks, contamination events, recalls, and other emergencies that affect the food supply, including food and animal feed safety incidents.
Are teams expected to work across jurisdictions?
Yes. The program emphasizes multi-jurisdictional teams and the ability to coordinate across agencies and borders during incidents.
What incident management frameworks are RRTs expected to use?
RRTs are expected to operate using Incident Command System (ICS) and National Incident Management System (NIMS) principles.
Is a specific command model required during incidents?
Yes. The announcement specifically emphasizes a Unified Command structure so multiple agencies can manage an incident together through shared objectives, roles, and communications.
What are the main improvement areas highlighted in the funding announcement?
The FOA highlights three main areas: (1) strengthening operational links between epidemiology, laboratory, and environmental health functions; (2) improving state regulatory and surveillance food/feed protection programs with attention to manufactured foods; and (3) supporting cross-cutting capabilities such as training, data sharing and analysis, and risk communication.
How does the program aim to improve coordination between epidemiology, laboratory, and environmental health?
It seeks to tighten the operational connection among these functions so case detection, testing, and on-the-ground investigations connect faster and produce clearer conclusions.
What program improvements are expected for manufactured foods?
The FOA calls for improving state regulatory and surveillance programs for food/feed protection, particularly for manufactured foods. Examples noted include better capacity for foodborne illness and outbreak investigations, faster identification and removal of contaminated products from commerce, and stronger root cause investigations to prevent repeat problems.
What cross-cutting capabilities does the program support?
The program supports workforce training, improved data sharing, improved data analysis, and stronger risk communication practices needed for coordinated, real-time responses.
What kinds of partnerships and coordination are expected?
Recipients are expected to collaborate closely with FDA offices and align efforts with broader national food safety initiatives. Coordination is also expected with key federal partners such as CDC and USDA FSIS, as well as relevant associations and state and local partners, to avoid duplication and use emergency response resources efficiently.
Which national frameworks and initiatives should applicants align with?
The FOA highlights alignment and compatibility with the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), the Integrated Food Safety System (IFSS), the National Response Framework, and the Partnership for Food Protection (PFP).
How many awards were expected under this opportunity?
Up to nine (9) awards were expected.
What is the estimated total funding amount?
The estimated total funding amount is $2.7 million.
What is the maximum award amount?
The award ceiling is $300,000 per award.
Is there a cost sharing or matching requirement?
No cost sharing or matching requirement is noted in the information provided.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is restricted to state governments, specifically state food safety agencies that (1) have current FDA food safety inspection contracts, (2) are enrolled in the Manufactured Food Regulatory Program Standards (MFRPS), and (3) are already receiving funding under prior Food Protection Rapid Response Team cooperative agreements (RFA-FD-11-013 or RFA-FD-12-014).
Why is eligibility limited to certain state agencies?
The stated rationale is that these applicants already have established RRTs, have demonstrated progress under earlier awards, and are positioned to provide mentorship to others as part of a broader capacity-building approach.
Do recipients have to keep their MFRPS enrollment during the award?
Yes. Recipients must maintain MFRPS enrollment throughout the award period.
Do recipients have to maintain an FDA food safety inspection contract during the award?
Yes. Recipients must keep an active FDA food safety inspection contract throughout the award period.
When was this funding opportunity posted?
The opportunity was posted on April 2, 2013.
What was the application closing date?
The closing date was July 1, 2013. The original and current closing dates are listed as the same.
What is the CFDA number for this program?
The CFDA number associated with this program is 93.103.
Who is the FDA contact for questions about this announcement?
The FDA contact listed is Jennerfer Torres Hernandez, Grants Management Specialist. Phone: 301-827-9607. Email: Jennerfer.TorresHernandez@fda.hhs.gov.
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