DFOP0017890 GHSD Advancing Global Health APS Addendum 2 - Outbreak Response.pdf

Annual Program Statement Addendum

Rapid Outbreak Response U.S Department of State

Bureau of Global Health and Security and Diplomacy (GHSD)

A. Basic Information

1. Overview

The Bureau of Global Health Security and Diplomacy (GHSD) of the U.S. Department of State invites organizations to submit a statement of interest (SOI), proposing a project (or projects) to support countries with comprehensive responses to infectious disease outbreaks.

The purpose of this addendum is to indicate specific areas where the Department of State would like to receive SOIs. Submission instructions are included in the “Advancing Global Health”

Annual Program Statement (APS). The submission of the SOI is the first step in a two-step process, in which applicants must first submit a concept note that presents a project approach and intended outcomes. Importantly, this is not a full application and will not result in a federal assistance award at this step. This Addendum will not include a consultative program design phase.

The purpose of the SOI process is to allow applicants to submit project ideas for evaluation prior to requiring the development of a full proposal application.

Funding opportunity title Advancing Global Health

Funding Opportunity Number DFOP0017890

Addendum title Rapid Outbreak Response

Deadline for Questions 11:59 pm EST March 27

SOI Due Date 11:59 pm EST May 31

Number of awards anticipated Up to 10 awards

Total estimated funding Up to $290M, subject to availability

Proposed projects should be completed in five years or less.

This notice is subject to availability of funding.

2. Executive Summary

The Department of State invites eligible U.S. and foreign organizations to advance the rapid outbreak response (ROR) efforts in line with Pillar One of the America First Global Health

Strategy, Making America Safer, and its Goals: Goal 1: Enable detection of an outbreak with epidemic potential within seven days of its emergence; and Goal 2: Contain outbreaks that originate outside of the United States rapidly at their source. ROR efforts will advance the

United States’ work to contain outbreaks and prevent pandemics, activities which are critical to protecting Americans and safeguarding our economy. By containing outbreaks before they reach

American shores, the United States is able to protect its economy and the health of Americans both at home and abroad.

B. Program Description

The Department of State is announcing the launch of the Rapid Outbreak Response (ROR) projects, in line with the America First Global Health Strategy, to advance programming that enable timely, effective responses to infectious disease outbreaks by supporting immediate response actions during the earliest stages of an outbreak when rapid intervention can significantly limit transmission and reduce morbidity and mortality. These ROR efforts will capitalize on existing country capacities and partnerships to support swift activation of outbreak response activities, complementing national leadership and established response frameworks.

Projects supported under this addendum will prioritize speed, operational readiness, and flexibility, enabling countries to respond rapidly to evolving epidemiological threats, while maintaining coordination across national, regional, and international actors.

ROR projects will provide life-saving response support across key technical and operational domains, which may include (but are not limited to) coordination and incident management support; point of entry screening and border health measures; medical countermeasures;

immunization for outbreak prevention and response; nutrition crisis prevention; infection prevention and control; case management; laboratory strengthening; surveillance and data collection and use; and operational and logistical support. Activities are expected to be time-bound, surge-oriented, culturally adapted and scalable, allowing partners to adapt interventions as outbreak dynamics change.

At the same time, ROR programming will reinforce and invest in critical country systems for detecting, responding to, and managing outbreaks, helping to ensure that rapid response efforts contribute to sustained national and global health security and health system resilience. Projects supported under this addendum should demonstrate operational feasibility in high-risk environments and the ability to transition seamlessly from emergency response to recovery or longer-term capacity strengthening, as appropriate.

1. Goals and Objectives

In line with the America First Global Health Strategy, the goal of these projects is to enable rapid, effective, and coordinated outbreak response actions that contain infectious disease threats, reduce morbidity and mortality, and limit cross-border spread during the earliest stages of an outbreak. Proposed projects can focus on one Objective or cover several of the Objectives listed below.

Objective 1: Rapid Activation and Surge Response Enable the immediate mobilization of technical, operational, and logistical capacities to support countries responding to emerging or re-emerging infectious disease outbreaks, particularly within the first days and weeks of detection.

Objective 2: Early Detection, Containment, and Mitigation Strengthen short-term response interventions that support timely detection, surveillance, and containment of outbreaks, including infection prevention and control, case management, immunization outbreak response, nutrition crisis prevention, community-based surveillance, risk communication, laboratory services, and point of entry screening.

Objective 3: Coordinated and Operationally Effective Response Support effective coordination and incident management across national authorities, implementing partners, and other stakeholders to ensure aligned, efficient, and risk-informed outbreak response operations.

Objective 4: System Reinforcement and Transition Reinforce critical country systems for outbreak detection and response while enabling a smooth transition from emergency surge activities to recovery or longer-term resilience and capacity-building efforts, as appropriate.

2. Guiding Principles

Projects supported under the Rapid Outbreak Response (ROR) Addendum will be guided by the principles outlined in the America First Global Health Strategy, emphasizing targeted, results-driven investments that protect the health and security of the American people while strengthening partner countries’ ability to prevent, detect, respond to, and recover from infectious disease threats.

• Speed, Precision, and Operational Readiness: Interventions must prioritize rapid activation and execution, particularly during the earliest stages of an outbreak. Projects should demonstrate operational readiness, streamlined decision-making, and the ability to deploy technical and logistical support quickly in high-risk, dynamic environments.

• Country Ownership and Sovereignty: Consistent with the America First Global Health

Strategy, activities should support and reinforce host-country leadership, national response plans, and sovereign decision-making. ROR investments are intended to complement (and not replace) country government-led efforts and should strengthen national capacities to manage outbreaks effectively.

• Targeted, High-Impact Use of Resources: Projects should focus on clearly defined, time-bound interventions that deliver measurable impact. ROR prioritizes efficient use of U.S. government resources, directing funding toward actions that demonstrably reduce transmission, morbidity, and mortality and mitigate cross-border health risks.

• Risk-Based and Evidence-Informed Decision Making: Projects should be grounded in real-time epidemiological data, risk assessments, and operational intelligence.

Applicants are expected to adapt interventions as outbreak conditions evolve, applying evidence-informed approaches to maximize effectiveness and minimize unintended consequences.

• Coordination and Accountability: Effective outbreak response requires close coordination across national and sub-national governments, implementing partners, and other stakeholders. ROR projects must demonstrate clear roles, responsibilities, and accountability mechanisms to ensure coherent action and responsible stewardship of

U.S. Government funds.

• Sustainability and Transition: While ROR projects are designed to address urgent response needs, they should also reinforce critical systems for outbreak detection and response. Projects should facilitate a smooth transition from emergency surge activities to recovery, stabilization, or longer-term capacity strengthening where appropriate, consistent with U.S. strategic priorities.

B. Program Description