Strengthening HIV Strategic Information in the Republic of Mali under the President s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1) What is this funding opportunity?

It is a CDC-funded cooperative agreement called "Strengthening HIV Strategic Information in the Republic of Mali under PEPFAR" (Funding Opportunity Number: CDC RFA GH11-1184). The focus is on improving the quality, reach, and routine use of HIV-related data in Mali so that the national HIV response can be planned, targeted, and evaluated using stronger evidence.

2) What is the overall goal of the program?

The goal is to strengthen the "information backbone" of Mali's HIV response by improving how HIV strategic information is collected, analyzed, managed, and applied in day-to-day decision-making. The intent is that better data systems and better use of data will lead to a more effective HIV response.

3) Is this opportunity focused on direct HIV service delivery?

The emphasis is not described as direct service delivery alone. Instead, the opportunity highlights technical assistance and training to help national institutions and US Government (USG) partners design and implement stronger surveillance and monitoring and evaluation (M&E) tied to HIV/AIDS programs.

4) What kinds of activities does the grant emphasize?

Activities described include expanding and scaling up existing HIV surveillance activities, strengthening monitoring and evaluation systems, improving data management and data flow, and building capacity so that strategic information is produced and used effectively for program planning and evaluation.

5) What does "strategic information" mean in this context?

Based on the description, "strategic information" refers to the HIV surveillance and M&E data needed to track the epidemic and monitor program performance, including systems for collecting, analyzing, managing, and applying that information to guide decisions.

6) What is meant by scaling up HIV surveillance geographically?

The opportunity calls for expanding surveillance activities that already exist in Mali and scaling them up so they cover more of the country and more levels of the health system, rather than being limited to a small geographic area or only the national level.

7) Why does the opportunity emphasize building capacity beyond the national level?

The program aims to ensure surveillance and M&E are not confined to a small group of specialists at the national level. It highlights strengthening capacity across regional and local levels where programs are implemented and where data quality issues often arise.

8) Which government body in Mali is specifically mentioned as a key user of the strengthened information?

The opportunity specifically mentions the Coordinating Committee for HIV/AIDS within the Ministry of Health (CSLS) and emphasizes strengthening how surveillance information is managed, supported, and used by CSLS.

9) How is the flow of information expected to improve?

The description emphasizes improving the flow of information from data collection sites to decision-makers and helping CSLS and the Ministry of Health translate surveillance findings into planning, targeting, and evaluation of HIV programs.

10) What is bio-behavioral surveillance, and why is it highlighted?

The opportunity places particular emphasis on bio-behavioral surveillance among most at risk populations (MARPs). This reflects a priority to improve data that may not be well captured through routine systems, such as prevalence, risk behaviors, barriers to services, and trends over time in populations with heightened vulnerability to HIV.

11) Who are "MARPs" in the context of this opportunity?

The announcement uses the term "most at risk populations (MARPs)" and indicates these are populations with heightened vulnerability to HIV. The specific subgroups are not listed in the provided summary.

12) How does this opportunity relate to PEPFAR?

The opportunity is framed within PEPFAR's broader goal of using high-quality strategic information to drive an evidence-based HIV response. The program is intended to support better decision-making by improving both the technical design of surveillance and the practical management and use of resulting data.

13) What type of funding instrument is this?

The funding instrument is a cooperative agreement.

14) What does it mean that the award is a cooperative agreement?

The summary notes that a cooperative agreement typically indicates substantial federal involvement during implementation, such as collaboration on technical approaches, shared planning, and ongoing oversight or support.

15) How many awards did CDC anticipate making?

CDC anticipated making two awards.

16) What was the estimated total funding amount?

The estimated total funding amount was $5,000,000.

17) Was a cost-share or matching contribution required?

No cost-sharing or matching requirement was listed in the provided summary.

18) Were there stated minimum or maximum award amounts?

No specific award ceiling or award floor was stated in the summary provided.

19) When was the opportunity posted, and when did it close?

It was posted on February 25, 2011, and closed on April 26, 2011.

20) What does the archive date mean for this opportunity?

The summary lists an archive date of May 26, 2011. This indicates the opportunity was archived after the closing period; the provided information does not describe any later reopening or extension.

21) Who was eligible to apply?

Eligibility was described as broad and included US and non-US entities; nonprofits (with or without 501(c)(3) status); for-profit organizations (including small, minority-, and women-owned businesses); universities and colleges; research institutions; hospitals; community-based and faith-based organizations; and government entities at state and local levels (including bona fide agents with required documentation). Tribal governments and a range of US territories and affiliated jurisdictions were also included under the state and local government category.

22) Are non-US organizations allowed to apply?

Yes. The eligibility list explicitly included both US and non-US entities.

23) Can for-profit organizations apply?

Yes. For-profit organizations were included, including small businesses and minority- and women-owned businesses.

24) Can nonprofits apply if they do not have 501(c)(3) status?

Yes. The eligibility list included nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status.

25) Are universities, colleges, and research institutions eligible?

Yes. Universities and colleges and research institutions were included in the eligibility categories.

26) Are hospitals, community-based organizations, and faith-based organizations eligible?

Yes. Hospitals, community-based organizations, and faith-based organizations were included in the eligibility categories.

27) Are government entities eligible?

Yes. State and local government entities were included, including bona fide agents with required documentation. Tribal governments and various US territories and affiliated jurisdictions were also included under the state and local government category.

28) Who is listed as the point of contact for help accessing the full announcement?

The CDC Procurement and Grants Office Technical Information Management Section (TIMS) was listed as the point of contact for applicants needing help accessing the full announcement.

29) What contact phone number is provided for assistance?

The phone number provided is 770-488-2700.

30) What outcomes is the program aiming to support through stronger data systems?

The described outcomes include more accurate monitoring of program performance, improved tracking of the epidemic with enough detail to support smarter interventions, and better-informed decisions by CSLS, the Ministry of Health, and other donors through stronger surveillance design and improved management and use of data.