Lesotho JG-25-0078 Questions and Answers.pdf

Notice of Funding Opportunity CDC-RFA-JG-25-0078 Questions and Answers

1. The NOFO states the indirect cost threshold for subawards is $25,000 but 2 CFR 200 states the threshold is $50,000. Which indirect cost threshold for subawards is correct?

o The indirect cost threshold for subawards was updated at the end of 2024 and is currently

$50,000.

2. As a Ministry of Health, we are interested in the NOFO but are wondering whether we qualify through the Co-Ag or should wait for interested partners and apply with them?

o CDC/DGHT/PEPFAR NOFOs published on grants.gov are fully competitive and eligibility is unrestricted. Any and all types of organizations are eligible and encouraged to apply.

3. For the below cited 7 components in the NOFO, could CDC please clarify which are fully funded and which are unfunded? Should applicants plan to submit budgets, budget narratives, and workplan activities for all 7 components (or just the first four re: quarterly targets and activities)?

Component 1: COP Q1 Targets and Activities.

Component 2: COP Q2 Targets and Activities.

Component 3: COP Q3 Targets and Activities.

Component 4: COP Q4 Targets and Activities.

Component 5: COP Additional Targets and Activities 1.

Component 6: COP Additional Targets and Activities 2.

Component 7: Emerging Public Health Priorities (buffer component if needed) o You should prepare a budget of up to $ 15,000,000 addressing the expectations listed in the

NOFO, and group them under Components 1-7.

In Components 1-4, the COP quarterly targets refer to targets and activities funded through the Country Operational Plan including the MER and custom indicators.

Component 5 and 6 COP Additional Targets and Activities refers to targets/funds that may be awarded throughout the budget period based on availability of funds from the GHSD Bureau. In recent years, COP ceilings have been adjusted over the course of the year and this component would be for additional activities that may result if additional funds were to be approved.

Component 7 Emerging public health priorities (buffer component if needed) serves only as a buffer component in the event that additional funding becomes available or additional components are needed to address COP priorities.

You do not need to be as detailed for Components 5, 6, and 7 since they are buffer components, but they should still be included in the SF-424A along with a small budget amount and at least a high-level budget justification (ex. “to be finalized if funding becomes available”).

4. Would CDC appreciate or allow for hyperlinks?

o No. A panel will review all applications using the merit review criteria, and they will not click on any external weblinks. You should include all relevant information within your application, respecting the noted page limits.

5. We appreciate the interest in maintaining legible fonts with the font guidance and we note that scanned and copied items do not have this restriction. To ensure that narratives are not made up of scanned documents, would CDC consider having a smaller legible font size being standard for tables, organizational charts, and text boxes? // Would CDC consider having a smaller font size for footnotes and citations? // Would CDC consider a legible, smaller size font (ex. 10) than 12-point font for the indicator table? // Would CDC consider a legible smaller size than 12-point font for the work plan? // Would CDC consider a smaller but legible font than 12-point font size for footnotes, tables, graphics, and charts? // For the indicator table, would CDC consider a legible font size less than 12 points (ex, no less than 10)?

o Your entire application should be in 12-point font with 1-inch margins. This includes footnotes, tables, graphics, and charts.

6. Is CDC requiring a full draft DMP with the submission?

o The proposal and level of detail are at your discretion. Keep in mind that a panel will review all applications using the merit review criteria, including the data, monitoring, and evaluation review criteria. You’ll need to submit a more detailed EPMP and DMP within the first six months of award.

7. If a draft DMP is required, is the draft included in the technical narrative? // Does the draft DMP contribute to the 20-page technical narrative limit?

o Yes. Your initial evaluation and performance measurement plan (EPMP) and initial data management plan (DMP) are required within the 20-page project narrative file.

8. Does CDC expect respondents to follow the work plan format? Are the headings in the workplan required, or can applicants adapt this?

o The work plan must be submitted within the project narrative and counts toward the 20-page limit. A sample work plan format is included in the NOFO, but you can use another format if preferred. You should provide a detailed work plan for the first year and a high-level work plan for later years.

9. Would respondents be permitted to submit resumes of non-key personnel?

o It is up to you how to structure your staffing plan and you can choose which positions you consider “key” for project implementation. Unless otherwise indicated under resumes and job descriptions, you can choose which resumes to include. Job titles may vary depending on your organization’s practice, and you can propose or use alternate titles for key personnel. There is no limit to the number or length of resumes you can submit but keep in mind that combined, the attachments may not be more than 90 pages, except for the PEPFAR local partner funding preference documentation, if applicable.

It is up to you how to structure your staffing plan. You should determine the appropriate level of support required for each position based on your proposed work plan. Please indicate if staff are full-time or part-time and their level of effort.

10. We note that progress measures will be highlighted in the EPMP Section and therefore in order to conserve on limited space, can we assume CDC does not need to see progress measures repeated again in the work plan?

o The proposal is at your discretion. You should provide a detailed work plan for the first year and a high-level work plan for later years. The work plan must be submitted within the project narrative and counts toward the 20-page limit. A sample work plan format is included in the NOFO but you can use another format if preferred.

11. For the indicators included with the DMP, is CDC expecting a complete list of indicators presented within the technical narrative 20-page limit? Or would CDC consider the applicant only showing new and additive indicators (not the standard ones included in the NOFO)?

o The proposal is at your discretion. We have included anticipated MER and custom indicators, but you are welcome to propose any additional relevant MER or custom indicators as part of your initial evaluation and performance measurement plan (EPMP).