Drug Supply in Biological Specimens from Emergency Departments

The Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), part of the Executive Office of the President, has announced a funding opportunity under the title “Comparison of Illicit Drugs in the Drug Supply with those in Biological Specimens from Emergency Departments” (Opportunity Number: EDS-EDS-25-001). ONDCP is the federal office responsible for leading and coordinating the nation’s drug control policy and is charged with developing the National Drug Control Strategy, overseeing the federal drug control budget, and coordinating interagency efforts to address substance use and overdose challenges across the United States. This grant aligns with ONDCP’s mission to advance evidence-based approaches to improve public health and safety outcomes by expanding surveillance and analysis capabilities related to drug use and the illicit drug supply. The purpose of this funding opportunity is to establish a system for analyzing toxicologically confirmed data on drugs consumed by emergency department (ED) patients and to compare those results with drugs identified in law enforcement seizures. ONDCP is seeking to build a surveillance system that re-tests biological specimens, such as urine samples, originally collected in emergency departments. Traditional testing panels often fail to capture substances such as fentanyl, fentanyl analogues, nitazenes, designer benzodiazepines, xylazine, and other emerging synthetic drugs. This project aims to fill those gaps, providing timely and accurate information about drug consumption patterns across communities and regions of the United States. The analysis will extend beyond toxicology data to examine patient-level, healthcare system, and geographic factors, producing insights relevant to prevention, treatment, and policy response. The scope of work involves collecting and analyzing specimens and linking results with electronic health records and other relevant data. Applicants will be required to compare results with information about the illicit drug supply in corresponding regions, including data on law enforcement seizures, to better understand the overlap between what is circulating in the supply and what individuals are consuming. The project is expected to produce quarterly estimates by site and in aggregate by Census region, with results disseminated through regular reports and a data dashboard. The findings will help inform standardized testing protocols, reinforce best practice guidelines, and enhance coordination between public health and public safety organizations. Eligibility for this cooperative agreement is limited to nonprofit organizations, including institutions of higher education and hospitals. Applicants must demonstrate expertise and significant prior experience in collecting biological specimens from emergency departments and conducting comprehensive toxicological testing for a wide panel of illicit substances. ONDCP does not require cost sharing or matching for this award, and pre-agreement costs are not typically allowable unless expressly approved in writing. Applications are due by September 5, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time, with an expected award date of September 15, 2025. ONDCP anticipates making one award with a maximum award ceiling of $400,000 for a one-year period of performance beginning in September 2025. Applications must be submitted through Grants.gov, and applicants must have active registrations in both SAM.gov and Grants.gov. Required application components include proof of nonprofit status, a project narrative of no more than 20 pages, a detailed budget and justification, and relevant disclosures. Evaluation criteria include the applicant’s technical approach (50 points), qualifications and experience of key personnel (30 points), and organizational capacity (20 points). All applications will undergo an initial eligibility review followed by a merit review conducted by ONDCP. Successful applicants will receive a Notice of Federal Award through GrantSolutions, which will specify award terms and conditions. Post-award, recipients must comply with federal administrative and financial requirements, including quarterly performance and financial reporting. Questions regarding the solicitation may be directed to Dr. Christian Johnson, Statistician at ONDCP, via email at Christian.E.Johnson@ondcp.eop.gov or by telephone at 202-881-9869

Ensure SAM.gov and Grants.gov registrations are active, follow formatting requirements, provide thorough budget justifications