Strengthening the Botswana Ministry of Health (MOH) laboratory and health systems through technical assistance (TA) to effectively manage and sustain a quality HIV/TB program in Botswana under the Presidents Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR)

The Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) titled Strengthening the Botswana Ministry of Health (MOH) laboratory and health systems through technical assistance (TA) to effectively manage and sustain a quality HIV/TB program in Botswana (Opportunity Number CDC-RFA-JG-25-0084) is offered by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) under the Global AIDS Program. This NOFO is part of the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and aims to bolster Botswana's health systems, focusing on laboratory and quality management systems to support HIV/TB programs and address related public health threats. The primary purpose of the NOFO is to build resilient and sustainable systems in Botswana that deliver quality laboratory services, strengthen Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) of HIV/TB-related programs, and enhance Botswana's capacity to manage public health threats. Proposed strategies include providing technical assistance for laboratory and health systems strengthening, supporting implementation of quality management systems, and addressing gaps in the country's outbreak management processes. The initiative emphasizes the integration of electronic medical records and laboratory information systems, development of a national quality structure, and adherence to international laboratory accreditation standards. The NOFO provides $3 million in Year 1 funding with the potential for continuation over five years, contingent on satisfactory performance and availability of funds. This funding is aimed at a small number of awards, ranging from one to three recipients. Applicants are required to submit a detailed budget, addressing strategies grouped into components for each quarter. Local partners will receive preference, with a 15-point advantage during evaluation if they demonstrate alignment with the PEPFAR local partner definition. Eligibility for this opportunity is open and unrestricted. Applicants may include governments, nonprofits, for-profits, and foreign entities, provided they conduct the project in Botswana. Proposals are required to address programmatic gaps such as low viral load testing coverage among children, weak laboratory-clinic integration, and insufficient biosecurity and outbreak response systems. Eligible activities include conducting laboratory training, enhancing diagnostic testing capacities, building proficiency testing systems, and supporting adherence to biosafety standards. Applications must include specific components such as a project narrative (limited to 20 pages), work plan, budget narrative, and attachments detailing organizational capacity, financial capability, and resumes for key personnel. The submission deadline is February 19, 2025, at 11:59 PM ET, through Grants.gov. Additional reporting and compliance requirements include the submission of a performance measurement plan, adherence to CDC terms, and alignment with PEPFAR priorities. Proposals will be reviewed based on approach (45 points), organizational capacity (30 points), and data, monitoring, and evaluation plans (25 points). Emphasis will be placed on applicants' ability to provide technical assistance for sustainable laboratory management and health systems strengthening. Applicants are advised to align their activities with Botswana's national HIV/TB strategic goals and adhere to PEPFAR's strategic direction to end the HIV/AIDS pandemic by 2030. Evaluation findings will be shared with stakeholders and used to improve program implementation and sustainability.