Implementation of a Primary Health Care Program in South Africa under the Presidents Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1) What is the name of this funding opportunity?

This is a CDC funding opportunity under PEPFAR for implementation of a Primary Health Care (PHC) program in South Africa. The Funding Opportunity Number (FON) is CDC RFA PS09-951.

2) Which federal agency is offering this opportunity?

The opportunity is issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

3) What larger initiative is this funding associated with?

This opportunity is issued under PEPFAR (the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief).

4) What is the assistance listing / CFDA number tied to this opportunity?

The opportunity is tied to CFDA 93.067, Global AIDS.

5) What type of award mechanism is being used?

This is a discretionary cooperative agreement, which is designed for substantial CDC involvement and collaboration rather than a simple pass-through grant.

6) What does it mean that this is a cooperative agreement?

Based on the description provided, the cooperative agreement model reflects an expectation of ongoing CDC technical engagement, monitoring, and shared oversight during implementation.

7) What is the total amount of funding available?

Approximately $3.5 million is available under this announcement.

8) How many awards does CDC expect to make?

The opportunity is intended to fund a single award.

9) Is there an award minimum (floor) and maximum (ceiling)?

Yes. The award floor is $3.0 million and the award ceiling is $3.5 million.

10) Is cost sharing or matching required?

No. There is no cost sharing or matching requirement stated for this opportunity.

11) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is highly restricted. The only eligible applicant is the South Africa National Department of Health (SA NDOH).

12) Can NGOs, universities, or other implementers apply directly?

No. The eligibility language states that no other institutions, NGOs, universities, or implementers may apply directly under this specific solicitation.

13) The listing mentions "Others" as eligible. Does that mean additional applicants can apply?

No, not under this solicitation as described. While a generic category of "Others" is mentioned, the official eligibility language provided clarifies that only the SA NDOH may apply.

14) If an organization is not eligible to apply, how could it still participate?

Participation would be expected to occur indirectly, such as through partnerships, sub-awards, or implementation arrangements managed by the SA NDOH under the cooperative agreement, consistent with CDC and PEPFAR requirements.

15) What country is the program focused on?

The program is focused on South Africa.

16) What health system level is this program primarily targeting?

The program targets the Primary Health Care (PHC) level, with a focus on facility-level systems, quality improvement practices, and workforce capacity where services are delivered.

17) What are the two main purpose areas of the program?

The program has two main purpose areas: (1) strengthening health care delivery systems at the PHC level, and (2) human capacity development.

18) What activities are included under strengthening health care delivery systems?

Activities described include improving the quality and consistency of data recording and reporting, institutionalizing routine chart reviews at the facility level, and harmonizing knowledge transfer so clinical and operational lessons are applied consistently across sites.

19) How does the opportunity address data quality and reporting?

It emphasizes improving the quality and consistency of data recording and reporting, and reinforcing monitoring and evaluation so improvements can be tracked, corrected, and scaled.

20) What are "routine chart reviews" in the context of this program?

Routine chart reviews are described as a facility-level quality assurance practice the program seeks to institutionalize, supporting ongoing assessment and improvement of service delivery documentation and practices.

21) What does "harmonizing knowledge transfer" mean in this opportunity?

It refers to ensuring that clinical and operational lessons learned are transferred and applied consistently across sites, rather than being unevenly adopted or limited to individual facilities.

22) Is integrated care a focus of this award?

Yes. The program places a strong emphasis on promoting integrated care using best practices informed by operational research.

23) What is the role of monitoring and evaluation (M&E) in this program?

M&E is emphasized as a way to track service delivery improvements, identify issues that need correction, and support scaling of effective approaches.

24) How does the program relate to facility accreditation?

A key operational component is to support and strengthen the accreditation process for PHC facilities so they can provide comprehensive care management and treatment services.

25) How does facility accreditation connect to PEPFAR priorities?

The accreditation support is described as aligning with PEPFAR priorities to improve the quality, reliability, and reach of HIV-related and related primary care services.

26) What does the human capacity development component focus on?

It focuses on practical mentoring at the point of service to build clinical and managerial competence where care is delivered, along with strengthening support structures for clinic managers and frontline health care workers.

27) Does the opportunity mention mentoring?

Yes. It specifically highlights practical mentoring at the point of service as a strategy to build clinical and managerial competence.

28) Does the program include standardized or accredited training?

Yes. It supports integration of accredited training curricula, indicating an intent to standardize training content and align it with recognized national standards.

29) What does the opportunity mean by developing "new cadres" of health care workers?

The announcement highlights developing new cadres of health care workers, which is described as reflecting workforce expansion strategies such as task-shifting, differentiated roles, or new community- and clinic-based positions to address shortages and improve patient flow and continuity of care.

30) Does the opportunity address clinic management and supervision?

Yes. It seeks to strengthen support structures for clinic managers and frontline health care workers, recognizing leadership, supervision, and retention as important to sustaining service quality.

31) Is operational research part of the scope?

Yes. The opportunity explicitly includes support for operational research aimed at identifying and validating new evidence-based tools and technologies.

32) How is operational research expected to be used?

Operational research is positioned as a way to inform best practices and drive practice improvements, supporting a cycle where field learning informs service delivery and broader health system strengthening.

33) When was the opportunity posted?

The opportunity was posted on March 31, 2009.

34) What was the application closing date?

The application closing date was May 29, 2009.

35) When were awards expected to be made?

The estimated award timing was prior to September 30, 2009.

36) What does it mean that the grant was archived on June 28, 2009?

The opportunity being archived typically indicates the solicitation period had ended and the agency moved into review, selection, and award finalization steps.

37) Is this a currently open opportunity?

Based on the information provided (closing date in 2009 and archived in 2009), this is not an open solicitation.

38) Who can be contacted for the full announcement or more information?

The notice provides a CDC contact point through the Technical Information Management Section (PGOTIMS) at 770-488-2700.

39) What is the overall goal of the grant as described?

Overall, the grant is described as a targeted investment to improve PHC performance in South Africa within the PEPFAR context by tightening data quality and use, embedding routine quality assurance practices, expanding workforce capacity through mentoring and accredited training, and using operational evidence to drive integrated, comprehensive care at accredited facilities.