Strengthening HIV/TB Laboratory Quality Management Systems and Services in the Kingdom of Swaziland under the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1) What is the main purpose of this funding opportunity?

This opportunity supports ongoing efforts to strengthen HIV and tuberculosis (TB) laboratory quality management systems and related laboratory services in the Kingdom of Swaziland under the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). The goal is to improve the quality, reliability, and overall performance of laboratory services that are essential for HIV and TB prevention, diagnosis, treatment monitoring, and public health response.

2) Which federal agency is offering this opportunity?

The opportunity is offered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Center for Global Health.

3) What type of award is this?

The award mechanism is a cooperative agreement. This typically indicates substantial CDC programmatic involvement during implementation, including close collaboration on technical strategy, monitoring, and performance improvement approaches.

4) What does it mean that this is a continuation funding opportunity?

Continuation funding indicates the award is intended to extend, sustain, or maintain an existing project or program rather than launch a completely new initiative. It is described as a continuation cooperative agreement tied to an earlier funding announcement.

5) What is the focus area or funding activity category?

The funding activity category is health, with a programmatic focus on laboratory systems that support HIV and TB services.

6) What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?

The listing is associated with CFDA number 93.067, described as a CDC global health assistance program identifier commonly used for international HIV-related activities supported under PEPFAR.

7) What is the funding opportunity number?

The funding opportunity number is CDC RFA GH15-158103CONT17. The "CONT" segment reflects that it is a continuation opportunity linked to an earlier funding announcement.

8) How many awards are expected?

The competition details indicate there is one expected award, suggesting the opportunity is designed for a single implementing partner to continue delivering a defined package of technical assistance and capacity-building services.

9) What is the award ceiling for this opportunity?

The posted award ceiling is listed as 0. In federal postings, this can appear when a specific cap is not publicly stated in the synopsis or when the amount is controlled through continuation budgeting and negotiations rather than a fixed upper limit in the announcement.

10) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is labeled broadly as "Others," with a note to consult the additional eligibility information in the full announcement. The summary does not explicitly state constraints, but continuation announcements may limit eligibility to the current recipient or to organizations meeting specific criteria (such as holding an existing cooperative agreement under the original award). The full notice is the authoritative source for eligibility.

11) Where will the work supported by this opportunity take place?

The work is focused on strengthening HIV and TB laboratory quality management systems and services in the Kingdom of Swaziland.

12) What role does CDC typically play in a cooperative agreement like this?

Because this is a cooperative agreement, CDC is expected to have substantial programmatic involvement. Based on the summary, this generally involves close collaboration on technical strategy, monitoring, and performance improvement rather than a hands-off approach.

13) Why is strengthening laboratory quality management systems emphasized?

The opportunity emphasizes laboratory quality management systems to ensure that test results used for clinical decision-making and surveillance are accurate and timely. Reliable results are essential to effective HIV and TB programs, particularly in high-burden settings.

14) What kinds of activities might be supported under this opportunity?

Based on the summary, activities may include implementing or improving quality assurance (QA) and quality control (QC) processes, standard operating procedures, staff training and mentorship, participation in external quality assessment, laboratory accreditation readiness, equipment maintenance systems, supply chain and reagent management practices, data management and reporting improvements, and better integration of HIV and TB laboratory services with national program needs.

15) What laboratory services or testing areas could this support in the PEPFAR context?

The summary indicates these laboratory system improvements typically support reliable HIV viral load testing, early infant diagnosis, TB diagnostic testing, and other priority assays needed for patient management and program monitoring. The specific testing portfolio and deliverables would be described in the full program description.

16) When was the opportunity created and when was it due?

The opportunity was created on September 30, 2016, and had an original closing date of November 30, 2016.

17) How long was the application window based on the dates provided?

Based on the creation date (September 30, 2016) and original closing date (November 30, 2016), the summary implies an application window of roughly two months.

18) What is the relationship of this opportunity to PEPFAR?

The opportunity is explicitly described as being under PEPFAR and focused on laboratory system improvements that support HIV and TB programming, including diagnosis and treatment monitoring.

19) Does the summary confirm whether new applicants can compete?

No. While eligibility is listed as "Others," the summary does not confirm whether the opportunity is open competition or limited. It notes that continuation announcements often have restrictions (potentially limited to the current recipient), but directs readers to the full announcement for definitive eligibility requirements.

20) Where can applicants find definitive requirements (eligibility, deliverables, and scope)?

The summary indicates the full announcement is the authoritative source for eligibility details and would also contain the more specific program description, testing portfolio, and deliverables.