Technical Assistance for Laboratory Systems Strengthening in Mozambique under the Presidents Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1) What is the title of this grant opportunity?

The opportunity is titled "Technical Assistance for Laboratory Systems Strengthening in Mozambique under the Presidents Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR)."

2) Which agency is offering this funding?

The issuing agency is the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

3) What type of funding mechanism is this?

This opportunity uses a cooperative agreement mechanism. This generally indicates substantial involvement by the funding agency in guiding and/or collaborating on the supported work, rather than a fully hands-off grant.

4) How is this opportunity categorized (funding type and activity area)?

It is categorized as discretionary funding and falls under the health funding activity category.

5) What CFDA program is this associated with?

This opportunity is tied to CFDA 93.067 (Global AIDS).

6) What is the overall purpose of the program?

The program focuses on improving Mozambique's national laboratory system as a core part of HIV care and treatment and broader public health. The aim is to strengthen an integrated national laboratory network that can reliably deliver quality testing and related services, supporting PEPFAR goals and contributing to the longer-term objective of an AIDS-free generation.

7) Why are laboratory systems a central focus of this opportunity?

The announcement emphasizes that strong laboratory services are essential to a health system. They support accurate clinical diagnosis, routine screening, disease detection, outbreak control, and surveillance, rather than being optional add-ons.

8) Is the program focused on a single disease-specific laboratory activity?

No. The program is designed around cross-cutting health system functions rather than one disease-specific laboratory activity.

9) What does "laboratory systems governance and management across the national network" mean in this context?

It refers to strengthening the structures, policies, coordination mechanisms, and operational practices that allow laboratories at different levels to function as a connected national system rather than as isolated sites.

10) What does the opportunity emphasize about workforce and institutional strengthening?

It emphasizes building and retaining a competent laboratory workforce, recognizing that equipment and testing platforms alone do not produce quality services without trained staff, supervision, leadership, and career pathways.

11) How does quality management and accreditation fit into the program?

A major pillar is expanding the use of quality management systems and building technical and scientific capacity with an explicit aim of moving laboratories toward accreditation. The approach is expected to be sustainable and led by Mozambique's Ministry of Health, rather than relying on temporary, externally driven fixes.

12) What is meant by a "national quality improvement and accreditation program led by the Ministry of Health"?

It describes a technically and financially sustainable quality improvement and accreditation program that is owned, directed, and implemented by the Ministry of Health, with broader implementation of quality management systems across the laboratory network.

13) What are the expected outcomes related to laboratory network operations?

The announcement anticipates increased efficiency in laboratory network operations. Examples mentioned include better coordination of sample referral systems, improved logistics and supply chain performance, clearer roles and responsibilities across tiers of the system, and more consistent turnaround times for results.

14) What are the expected outcomes related to external quality assessment (EQA)?

An expected outcome is an increase in both the coverage and quality of external quality assessment (EQA) services, which help verify testing accuracy and maintain confidence in results across many laboratory sites.

15) Are biosafety improvements included in the expected outcomes?

Yes. The announcement includes improved adherence to laboratory biosafety standards as an expected outcome.

16) Does the opportunity address laboratory pre-service training?

Yes. It expects improved quality of laboratory pre-service training so new graduates enter the workforce with stronger practical competencies.

17) Does the opportunity include advanced training for laboratory leadership?

Yes. The announcement expects an increased number of laboratory managers and leaders trained to the Masters level.

18) How does the program expect to reduce long-term dependence on external support?

It anticipates an overall increase in workforce capacity that reduces reliance on external training support over time.

19) How many awards were anticipated under this announcement?

The announcement anticipated a single award.

20) What is the maximum funding amount (award ceiling)?

The award ceiling listed in the announcement is $1,500,000.

21) Is there a cost-sharing or matching requirement?

No cost-sharing or matching requirement is stated in the provided information.

22) What were the key dates for this opportunity?

The posted and creation date is listed as September 11, 2014. The current closing date is listed as October 27, 2014, and the record notes that the original closing date was later extended. The archive date is noted as November 26, 2017.

23) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is broad and includes government and non-government entities. Eligible applicants listed include national ministries of health; state, local, territorial, and other government entities and their bona fide agents; federally recognized or state-recognized American Indian/Alaska Native tribal governments and related tribal organizations; nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education in that specific category); research institutions applying for non-research activities; colleges and universities; community-based and faith-based organizations; hospitals; for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); and small, minority-, and women-owned businesses, as well as other eligible organizations referenced in the full eligibility text.

24) Are for-profit organizations eligible?

Yes. For-profit organizations (other than small businesses) are listed as eligible, and small, minority-, and women-owned businesses are also included among eligible applicants.

25) Are colleges and universities eligible?

Yes. Colleges and universities are included in the eligibility list.

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

Yes. Hospitals, community-based organizations, and faith-based organizations are included in the eligibility list.

27) Are tribal governments and tribal organizations eligible?

Yes. Federally recognized or state-recognized American Indian/Alaska Native tribal governments and related tribal organizations are included among eligible applicants.

28) Who should be contacted for technical issues accessing the announcement?

For technical issues accessing the announcement, the contact listed is the CDC Procurement and Grants Office Technical Information Management Section at pgotim@cdc.gov or 770-488-2700.