BPS NOFO questions_Aug 1.docx
DOCX document 31 KB Posted
- Opportunity number
- DFOP0017442
About this file
The document is a Questions and Answers (Q&A) file for a Department of State Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation grant opportunity focused on strengthening biosafety and biosecurity globally. The Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) seeks to support activities related to national implementation of the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC), with priority regions including the Western Hemisphere and East Asia Pacific, and specifically targeting countries like Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, India, Indonesia, Mexico, and others.
The grant opportunity, under CFDA Number 19.334 for the Office of the Biological Policy Staff, aims to advance BWC implementation through workshops and trainings, with a cooperative agreement valued at approximately $2 million. Key focus areas include developing national policies for high-containment laboratory safety, strengthening research oversight, and implementing biological risk management practices. The Q&A document provides clarifications on application requirements, such as font usage in charts and tables, submission format guidance, and confirms that the project can prioritize BSL-2+ laboratories handling high-risk pathogens under enhanced biosafety protocols. The anticipated project start date is October 2025, with eligible applicants including U.S. and foreign non-profit organizations, academic institutions, and public international organizations.
Responses to Questions_Aug 1
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Other files
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| BPS NOFO questions_July 18.docx | DOCX document | |
| BPS NOFO questions_July 25.docx | DOCX document | |
| FY24 BPS Project Narrative Template .docx | DOCX document | |
| FY 2024 Budget Template 241004.xlsx | XLSX spreadsheet | |
| DFOP0017442 NOFO.pdf |
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Text version
August 1 Q: Section D. Application Contents and Format on page 8 states, “Font sizes in charts and tables, including the budget, can be reformatted to fit within 1 page width.” Can the government please confirm that applicants may use 10-point Calibri font in charts and tables?
A: Confirmed
Q: Can the following proposal documents be combined and submitted as one PDF document?
Summary Page (1 page) Key Personnel (2 pages) M&E Narrative (1 page) Project Narrative (6 pages) Attachments: 1-page CV, Past Performance Statement, Official Permission letters A: Please submit as separate documents.
Q: Section C. Program Description on page 6 describes priority area 2 “Strengthening Biorisk Management at High Containment Laboratories.” Can the Government please confirm that applicants can also prioritize BSL-2+ laboratories that handle high-risk pathogens under enhanced biosafety and biosecurity protocols as part of the proposed project?
A: The priority for this NOFO is high containment laboratories and national contexts can be taken into account for proposals.
July 25 Q: Is there an incumbent implementer for this NOFO?
A: No.
Q: Could you provide additional details regarding the “applied biosafety research agenda developed in 2025 by an international group of experts in a Department of State-funded effort,” as mentioned on page 7 of the NOFO? Specifically, how this group was convened and what processes were used to manage its activities.
A: We have no further information to share with this NOFO at this time.
July 18 Q: Since [we are] a regional organization, all projects must be implemented within its Member States. If only one award will be granted, is it acceptable for the proposed project not to cover all beneficiary countries?
A: ISN/BPS priority regions for this grant are the Western Hemisphere and East Asia Pacific, but this NOFO not limited to those regions. ISN/BPS is looking for projects that have the highest likelihood of meeting the priorities, goals and objects identified in the NOFO.
Q: Under the section “Support for Global Biorisk Research Agenda (~20% of funds),” it states: “This second phase would focus on coordinating international research efforts based on the agenda to ensure that the data gathered can be effectively used to inform global biosafety practices.” Could you kindly provide examples of eligible activities under this section?
A: Section A.2 states “Activities undertaken will be in the form of workshops and trainings.”
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