Improving quality of care and health outcomes through innovative systems and technologies in Malawi under the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) | CDC RFA JG 25 0050

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1) What is the name of this funding opportunity?

The opportunity is titled "Improving quality of care and health outcomes through innovative systems and technologies in Malawi under PEPFAR."

2) Who is offering this grant opportunity?

The awarding agency is the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), through its Global Health Center (GHC), under the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).

3) What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON) and CFDA number?

Funding Opportunity Number: CDC RFA JG 25 0050. CFDA: 93.067.

4) What type of award is this?

This opportunity uses a cooperative agreement instrument, which means CDC anticipates substantial involvement in implementation and oversight compared with a standard grant.

5) What is the main purpose of the cooperative agreement?

The main purpose is to strengthen and modernize Malawi's HIV health information systems so HIV data are more accurate, reliable, timely, secure, and usable for decision-making across facility, district, and national levels, ultimately supporting better patient outcomes and stronger program management.

6) What country and program area does this work focus on?

The work focuses on Malawi and is centered on HIV health information systems in support of PEPFAR and Ministry of Health (MOH) needs.

7) What are the key priorities described in the notice?

Key priorities include strengthening existing systems rather than replacing them, improving data security using International Organization for Standardization (ISO) approaches, maintaining and upgrading underlying infrastructure, and improving interoperability so digital health platforms can exchange information smoothly and securely.

8) Does the opportunity focus on replacing Malawi's existing data systems?

No. A stated priority is strengthening existing data systems rather than replacing them wholesale.

9) What does "interoperability" mean in the context of this opportunity?

Interoperability refers to different digital health platforms being able to exchange information smoothly and securely, reducing data silos and supporting system-wide reporting and analysis.

10) What kinds of results are expected from funded activities?

Expected results include measurable improvements in data reliability and accuracy; stronger use of data for reporting and decision-making; and expanded use of a sustainable nationwide HIV health information system capable of producing both aggregate reporting and case-based surveillance outputs.

11) How does this opportunity support quality of care and health outcomes?

By improving the quality, security, and usability of HIV data, the initiative supports more credible reporting and analysis, better continuity of care (including improved client identification and deduplication), and more effective program management and decision-making that can translate into improved health outcomes.

12) What is MaHIS, and how is it referenced in this opportunity?

The notice references governance and implementation improvements for the broader Malawi health information system (MaHIS), emphasizing MOH leadership and stewardship.

13) What role does Malawi's Ministry of Health (MOH) play in this work?

The opportunity emphasizes MOH leadership and stewardship and includes strengthening MOH capacity to manage and support the systems over the long term.

14) What operational needs does this opportunity support?

It supports core operational needs such as patient records management, routine program monitoring, and timely reporting required by MOH and PEPFAR.

15) What is meant by improving site-level client identification and deduplication?

It refers to improving how clients are identified at the facility/site level and reducing duplicate records or double counting. This supports continuity of care and strengthens the credibility of national reporting and analysis.

16) What kinds of activities are included in the scope of work?

The scope is broad and systems-oriented, covering technology and long-term capacity. Activities described include maintaining and upgrading hardware and infrastructure, strengthening MOH capacity to manage and support systems, expanding user support services, and introducing sustainable new technologies appropriate to Malawi's context.

17) Is the goal to create a government-owned platform?

Yes. The overall goal is modernization of a government-owned, secure, integrated platform for data collection and management that can function at every level of the health system.

18) How much funding is anticipated for Year 1?

CDC anticipates approximately $7,000,000 in total funding for Year 1, contingent on the availability of funds.

19) What does it mean that the "Award Ceiling for Year 1" is listed as $0 (none)?

The posting notes an award ceiling of $0 (none), which typically indicates a specific per-award cap is not being set in the notice, even though total Year 1 funding is estimated.

20) How many awards does CDC expect to make?

CDC expects to make two awards.

21) When is the application closing date?

The original application closing date is February 21, 2025.

22) When was this opportunity created?

The opportunity was created on December 5, 2024.

23) What is the opportunity category and activity area?

The opportunity category is discretionary funding, and the activity category is health.

24) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is broad and includes US and other governmental entities and many organization types, including: state, county, city/township, and special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized tribal governments and other tribal organizations; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status; for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); and small businesses.

25) Are for-profit organizations eligible?

Yes. For-profit organizations (other than small businesses) are listed as eligible, and small businesses are also listed separately as eligible.

26) Are nonprofits required to have 501(c)(3) status to be eligible?

No. The eligibility list includes nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status and nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status.

27) Are tribal governments and tribal organizations eligible?

Yes. Federally recognized tribal governments and other tribal organizations are included in the eligibility list.

28) Are universities and colleges eligible to apply?

Yes. Public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, as well as private institutions of higher education, are included as eligible applicants.

29) What does CDC mean by improving data security using ISO approaches?

The notice highlights improving data security using International Organization for Standardization (ISO) approaches, indicating a focus on structured, standards-based security practices for protecting data.

30) What levels of the health system are intended to benefit from this work?

The effort is intended to support the entire health system, from individual facilities to district and national levels, enabling both local use of data and national program reporting and surveillance outputs.