Opportunity Information: Apply for DHS 2013 OHA BIOWATCH
Apply for DHS 2013 OHA BIOWATCH
- The Office of Procurement Operations Grants Division in the environment sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Homeland Security BioWatch Program" 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 Sep 16, 2013 and posted on Apr 3, 2013.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Rolling applications. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $2,700,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 27 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
- City or townships governments County governments State governments
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Opportunity Summary:
The Homeland Security BioWatch Program grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number DHS-2013-OHA-BIOWATCH; CFDA 97.091) supports a national early warning capability designed to detect the intentional release of certain aerosolized biological agents in major metropolitan areas. Run as part of the Department of Homeland Securitys broader approach to countering biological terrorism, the program funds the ongoing operation and sustainment of a continuous air monitoring system and emphasizes close coordination with state and local public health partners. The core purpose is to give jurisdictions additional time to activate their established concept of operations plans, make coordinated public health and emergency management decisions, and move more quickly from initial detection into response and eventual recovery activities following a biological agent release.
This opportunity is structured as a mandatory cooperative agreement, meaning recipients should expect active federal involvement in program execution, coordination, and oversight rather than a hands-off grant relationship. The funding is categorized under an environmental activity area and anticipated up to 27 awards. There is no cost-sharing or matching requirement, and the listed award ceiling is $2,700,000 per award with a floor of $0, which typically signals that award amounts can vary widely depending on a jurisdictions scope of work, level of program maturity, and operational needs.
Eligible applicants include state governments, county governments, and city or township governments (with the full eligibility details referenced in the announcements additional information section). Applications were accepted on a rolling basis during the open period, with the posting date of April 3, 2013 and an archive date of June 30, 2014, indicating this particular announcement reflected an ongoing intake process for that cycle rather than a single fixed deadline.
A major element highlighted in the announcement is the BioWatch Evaluation Program (BWEP), implemented under the BioWatch Quality Assurance Program effective April 1, 2013. BWEP is intended to strengthen confidence in field operations and results by establishing a layered quality framework. It combines independent external audits (Quality Assurance) conducted by Signature Science with internal audits (Quality Control) carried out by BioWatch Systems Program Office field personnel. Initially, these reviews focus on compliance with the BioWatch Field Operations Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), Version 1.3, and are planned to evolve over time to incorporate the broader Field Operations Quality Assurance Program Plan (QAPP). Jurisdictions may be audited through both an external QA audit and an internal QC audit within the same cooperative agreement year, reinforcing consistent operational performance and adherence to standardized procedures across participating sites.
The administering office listed for the opportunity is the Office of Procurement Operations, Grants Division. For access issues or announcement-related questions, the contact provided is Sean Lilly, Grants Specialist, reachable by phone at 202-447-5869.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Homeland Security BioWatch Program (DHS-2013-OHA-BIOWATCH; CFDA 97.091)
1) What is the Homeland Security BioWatch Program grant opportunity?
This funding opportunity supports the BioWatch Program, a national early warning capability designed to detect the intentional release of certain aerosolized biological agents in major metropolitan areas. It funds the ongoing operation and sustainment of a continuous air monitoring system and emphasizes close coordination with state and local public health partners.
2) What is the primary purpose of BioWatch funding for jurisdictions?
The core purpose is to give jurisdictions additional time to activate established concept of operations plans, make coordinated public health and emergency management decisions, and move more quickly from initial detection into response and eventual recovery activities following a biological agent release.
3) Who is offering and administering this opportunity?
The opportunity is offered under the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as part of its broader approach to countering biological terrorism. The administering office listed is the Office of Procurement Operations, Grants Division.
4) What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON) and CFDA number?
Funding Opportunity Number: DHS-2013-OHA-BIOWATCH. CFDA: 97.091.
5) What type of award is this: grant or cooperative agreement?
It is structured as a mandatory cooperative agreement. Recipients should expect active federal involvement in program execution, coordination, and oversight rather than a hands-off grant relationship.
6) What does "mandatory cooperative agreement" mean for recipients?
Based on the announcement description, it means DHS will be actively involved in program execution, coordination, and oversight during the period of performance. This is not described as a passive funding arrangement.
7) What activities does the funding support?
The funding supports the ongoing operation and sustainment of a continuous air monitoring system as part of the BioWatch Program, including activities aligned with standardized field operations and quality oversight described in the announcement.
8) What is the activity category for this funding?
The funding is categorized under an environmental activity area.
9) Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants include state governments, county governments, and city or township governments. The announcement notes that full eligibility details are referenced in the announcement's additional information section.
10) How many awards were anticipated?
The announcement anticipated up to 27 awards.
11) What is the maximum award amount (ceiling) per award?
The listed award ceiling is $2,700,000 per award.
12) What is the minimum award amount (floor) per award?
The listed award floor is $0. This typically signals award amounts can vary widely depending on a jurisdiction's scope of work, level of program maturity, and operational needs, as described in the opportunity summary.
13) Is there a cost-share or match requirement?
No. The announcement states there is no cost-sharing or matching requirement.
14) Was the application process rolling or tied to a single deadline?
Applications were accepted on a rolling basis during the open period. The posting date was April 3, 2013, and the archive date was June 30, 2014, indicating an ongoing intake process for that cycle rather than a single fixed deadline.
15) What is the BioWatch Evaluation Program (BWEP)?
BWEP is a major element highlighted in the announcement. Implemented under the BioWatch Quality Assurance Program effective April 1, 2013, BWEP is intended to strengthen confidence in field operations and results by establishing a layered quality framework.
16) How does BWEP strengthen confidence in operations and results?
BWEP combines independent external audits (Quality Assurance) and internal audits (Quality Control) to create a layered review structure intended to reinforce consistent operational performance and adherence to standardized procedures across participating sites.
17) Who conducts the external Quality Assurance (QA) audits?
Independent external QA audits are conducted by Signature Science.
18) Who conducts the internal Quality Control (QC) audits?
Internal QC audits are carried out by BioWatch Systems Program Office field personnel.
19) What do the initial BWEP reviews focus on?
Initially, BWEP reviews focus on compliance with the BioWatch Field Operations Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), Version 1.3.
20) Will the BWEP audit focus change over time?
Yes. The announcement states the reviews are planned to evolve over time to incorporate the broader Field Operations Quality Assurance Program Plan (QAPP).
21) Can a jurisdiction be audited more than once within a cooperative agreement year?
Yes. The announcement notes jurisdictions may be audited through both an external QA audit and an internal QC audit within the same cooperative agreement year.
22) Why does the announcement emphasize coordination with public health partners?
The program description emphasizes close coordination with state and local public health partners to support coordinated public health and emergency management decisions and faster movement from detection into response and recovery activities.
23) What kind of capability does BioWatch provide to major metropolitan areas?
The program is described as a national early warning capability designed to detect the intentional release of certain aerosolized biological agents, supported by a continuous air monitoring system.
24) Who can be contacted for access issues or announcement-related questions?
The contact provided is Sean Lilly, Grants Specialist, reachable by phone at 202-447-5869.
25) Where does this program fit within DHS priorities?
The announcement describes BioWatch as part of the Department of Homeland Security's broader approach to countering biological terrorism.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Environment
Next opportunity: Urban and Non Urban Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program (HVRP) for Program Year (PY) 2013, July 1, 2013 through June 30, 2014
Previous opportunity: Child, Newborn, and Maternal Health Project
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 2013 OHA BIOWATCH
[Watch] how do funding administrators access proposals?
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (DHS 2013 OHA BIOWATCH) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Land Use Change and Disease Emergence Program Apply for USAID RDMA RFA 486 13 000001 Funding Number: USAID RDMA RFA 486 13 000001 Agency: Thailand USAID Bangkok Category: Environment Funding Amount: $2,000,000 |
| Dakota County Physical Development NOI, not a Request for Proposals Apply for P13AC00188 Funding Number: P13AC00188 Agency: National Park Service Category: Environment Funding Amount: $80,000 |
| Fish Screen Project Construction of New Grimes Diversion, Grimes Pipeline/Canal and Phase 1 Drexler Pipeline Apply for R13AS20009 Funding Number: R13AS20009 Agency: Bureau of Reclamation Mid Pacific Region Category: Environment Funding Amount: $63,258 |
| Mekong Partnership for the Environment Project (MPE) Apply for USAID RDMA RFA 486 13 000002 Funding Number: USAID RDMA RFA 486 13 000002 Agency: Thailand USAID Bangkok Category: Environment Funding Amount: $13,000,000 |
| Centralized Location for Pet Tortoises Apply for F13AS00148 Funding Number: F13AS00148 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Environment Funding Amount: $40,267 |
| Environmental Studies Program Opportunity for George Mason University Apply for M13AS00009 Funding Number: M13AS00009 Agency: Bureau of Ocean Energy Management Category: Environment Funding Amount: $166,329 |
| American Pronghorn Population Assessment Apply for F13AS00159 Funding Number: F13AS00159 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Environment Funding Amount: $30,000 |
| Development and Planning of North Country Trail on Minnesota/North Dakota Border Apply for P13AS00010 Funding Number: P13AS00010 Agency: National Park Service Category: Environment Funding Amount: $60,000 |
| Notice of Intent to Award Apply for FWS R5 RW 13 001 Funding Number: FWS R5 RW 13 001 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Environment Funding Amount: $45,000 |
| SCA Conservation Leadership Corps Crews Apply for NPS NOI MORA P13AC00300 Funding Number: NPS NOI MORA P13AC00300 Agency: National Park Service Category: Environment Funding Amount: $51,870 |
| Aquatic Invertebrate Monitoring Below Flaming Gorge Dam Apply for R13SS40016 Funding Number: R13SS40016 Agency: Bureau of Reclamation Upper Colorado Region Category: Environment Funding Amount: $20,000 |
| Request for Capability Statements for Environmental Monitoring for Post Hurricane Sandy Beach Re nourishment Projects Apply for M13RCS00001 Funding Number: M13RCS00001 Agency: Bureau of Ocean Energy Management Category: Environment Funding Amount: $2,000,000 |
| FY13 and FY14 Region 06 Wetland Program Development Grants Apply for EPA REG6 WPDG 2013 2014 Funding Number: EPA REG6 WPDG 2013 2014 Agency: Environmental Protection Agency Category: Environment Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| FY 2013 National Clean Diesel Funding Assistance Program Apply for EPA OAR OTAQ 13 02 Funding Number: EPA OAR OTAQ 13 02 Agency: Environmental Protection Agency Category: Environment Funding Amount: $1,200,000 |
| Desert Toirtoise Monitoring Field Data Collection Apply for F13AS00168 Funding Number: F13AS00168 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Environment Funding Amount: $382,252 |
| FY 13 Region 9 Wetland Program Development Grants Apply for EPA REG9 WP 13 Funding Number: EPA REG9 WP 13 Agency: Environmental Protection Agency Category: Environment Funding Amount: $350,000 |
| FY13 Region 7 Wetland Program Development Grants Apply for EPA R7WWPD 13 001 Funding Number: EPA R7WWPD 13 001 Agency: Environmental Protection Agency Category: Environment Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| FY13 and FY14 Region 01 Wetland Program Development Grants Apply for EPA REG1 13 14 Funding Number: EPA REG1 13 14 Agency: Environmental Protection Agency Category: Environment Funding Amount: $400,000 |
| Regional Agricultural Integrated Pest Managment (IPM) Grants Apply for EPA OPP 13 001 Funding Number: EPA OPP 13 001 Agency: Environmental Protection Agency Category: Environment Funding Amount: $170,000 |
| Propagation of Rio Grande Silvery Minnow Apply for R13SS40017 Funding Number: R13SS40017 Agency: Bureau of Reclamation Upper Colorado Region Category: Environment Funding Amount: $75,000 |
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 2013 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.