Technical Assistance for the Continued Sustainable Provision of Comprehensive Quality HIV/AIDS Services in the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia under the President s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - CDC RFA GH11-1105 (CFDA 93.067, Global AIDS)

1) What is CDC RFA GH11-1105?

CDC RFA GH11-1105 is a CDC discretionary funding opportunity supported by PEPFAR, issued as a cooperative agreement under CFDA 93.067 (Global AIDS). It is designed to keep HIV/AIDS services operating smoothly in Ethiopia while transitioning more long-term responsibility to Ethiopian-led institutions.

2) What is the main purpose of this opportunity?

The central purpose is continuity and transition: preventing any interruption in antiretroviral therapy (ART) and related HIV services for people living with HIV, while strengthening and sustaining those services and building Ethiopian institutional capacity to lead implementation over time.

3) What does the announcement mean by "continuity" of services?

Continuity refers to maintaining uninterrupted delivery of HIV prevention, care and support, and treatment services, with particular emphasis on avoiding any dangerous disruption to ART and related clinical and support services.

4) Where will the program focus its work geographically?

The program focuses on health facilities and systems in Oromiya, Harai, and Somalia Regional States, as well as the Dire Dawa City Administration in Ethiopia.

5) What types of activities does the funding support?

The opportunity supports technical assistance and capacity development to sustain and strengthen HIV prevention, care and support, and treatment services that were launched under earlier PEPFAR investments (including HHS/CDC and HHS/HRSA clinical and ART programming).

6) Is this opportunity meant to start new HIV programs or sustain existing ones?

Based on the description, it is primarily a sustain-and-strengthen effort focused on services already launched under earlier PEPFAR investments, while also continuing to expand access as needed and feasible within the program design.

7) What is the "transition" component and what is expected of non-indigenous partners?

The transition component is explicit. Non-indigenous partners are expected to work alongside one or more indigenous Ethiopian organizations and progressively transfer skills, systems, and managerial control so Ethiopian entities can assume greater autonomy over implementation.

8) What kinds of Ethiopian organizations are envisioned as future leaders or prime partners?

The opportunity describes Ethiopian leadership roles for federal or regional government bodies, local universities, and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs).

9) What are the core service areas covered by the program?

The program emphasizes comprehensive, high-quality HIV prevention, care and support, and treatment services, with a strong focus on uninterrupted ART and related services.

10) What health system capacity areas are highlighted for strengthening?

Highlighted areas include human resources and workforce development, training systems, supportive supervision, financial management, quality improvement processes, laboratory capacity, commodity and supply chain support, and health facility infrastructure and maintenance.

11) Does the opportunity focus only on clinical services?

No. The description makes clear it includes both service delivery and the underlying operational backbone needed for durability and quality over time, such as labs, supply chains, supervision systems, financial management, and facility infrastructure.

12) What levels of the health system are targeted for strengthening?

The opportunity emphasizes strengthening the health system at federal, regional, and facility levels to improve Ethiopia's ability to plan, manage, and support HIV services sustainably.

13) What is meant by "indigenous technical assistance prime partners"?

This refers to Ethiopian-led organizations that can serve as prime recipients providing specialized guidance to the Government of Ethiopia across a broad range of HIV-related clinical services, tailored to different levels of the health system.

14) Is there a community-level component?

Yes. The opportunity includes building the capacity of local governmental organizations, NGOs, and community-based organizations to help them compete successfully for donor funding as prime recipients, particularly in areas tied to adherence support and community care programming.

15) Why is adherence support specifically mentioned?

Adherence support and community care are identified as critical for retention in care and long-term treatment outcomes, which directly supports the program goal of uninterrupted, effective ART services.

16) Are applicants expected to coordinate with other programs?

Yes. Recipients are expected to coordinate with Ethiopian, international, and other USG-supported activities to avoid duplication and improve efficiency, and to collaborate across program areas when it improves service delivery.

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

It means the award is a cooperative agreement mechanism (not a standard grant), and CDC is likely to have substantial programmatic involvement during implementation.

18) How many awards did CDC anticipate making and what was the total estimated funding?

CDC anticipated making about three awards, with an estimated total funding amount of $50,000,000.

19) Is cost sharing or matching required?

No. The listing indicates there is no cost sharing or matching requirement.

20) What were the key dates for this opportunity?

The posting date was February 12, 2011. The original closing date was April 13, 2011, and it was later extended to April 20, 2011. The archive date was May 20, 2011.

21) What do "award ceiling and floor are listed as zero" mean?

The summary data lists an award ceiling and floor as zero, which typically indicates applicants needed to consult the full announcement for budgeting expectations or that award amounts were to be determined based on applications and program priorities.

22) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is broad and includes nonprofits (with or without 501(c)(3) status), for-profit organizations (other than small businesses), small businesses (including minority- and women-owned businesses), universities and colleges, research institutions, hospitals, community-based and faith-based organizations, tribal governments, and state and local governments or their bona fide agents. Non-U.S. (non-domestic) entities are also eligible.

23) Are non-U.S. organizations eligible?

Yes. The opportunity states that non-U.S. (non-domestic) entities are eligible.

24) What is required if an applicant is applying as a bona fide agent for a state or local government?

If proposing to act as a bona fide agent, the applicant must provide documentation (a letter) confirming that status as part of the application package submitted via Grants.gov.

25) How are applications submitted?

The description references submission via Grants.gov, including required documentation for entities applying as bona fide agents.

26) How should this opportunity be understood in plain terms?

It is a continuation-and-transition initiative: stabilize and strengthen essential HIV services in targeted Ethiopian regions while deliberately building Ethiopian institutional capacity so local partners can eventually lead, manage, and expand services with less reliance on external implementers under a coordinated PEPFAR framework.