Opportunity Information: Apply for CDC RFA GH22 2252
The Strengthening Sample Transportation System in Malawi under PEPFAR opportunity (CDC RFA GH22 2252) is a CDC cooperative agreement focused on improving how clinical specimens move from health facilities to laboratories across Malawi. The main purpose is to reinforce and expand an existing, partially integrated national sample transportation network that already supports multiple priority disease programs in all 28 districts. Right now, the system is used to transport specimens for HIV viral load testing, early infant diagnosis (EID), tuberculosis, hepatitis, and cervical cancer, but the demand on the network is growing as Malawi expands services like pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and increases plasma-based HIV viral load testing, both of which add volume and may require tighter handling and timing requirements.
A key theme of the announcement is moving from a partially integrated arrangement toward a stronger, more reliable national system that functions as an independent program with clear ownership and accountability. The recipient is expected to work directly with Malawi's Ministry of Health and other stakeholders to reinforce coordination, set standards, and improve day-to-day performance. The grant is also explicitly oriented toward strengthening government capacity so that the sample transportation system becomes more sustainable over time, with increasing local leadership, planning, and management rather than long-term dependence on external support.
The NOFO highlights an operational shift toward implementing a "pulling system" to improve efficiency and protect sample integrity. In practical terms, this signals a more organized logistics approach where pickups are scheduled and managed to match facility needs and testing workflows, helping reduce delays, prevent spoilage or compromised specimens, and ensure laboratories receive samples in better condition and within appropriate time windows. Alongside expanded coverage and more frequent visits to facilities, these improvements are meant to support timely, accurate testing and results delivery, which is essential for HIV treatment monitoring, infant diagnosis, TB and hepatitis services, and screening programs like cervical cancer.
From a funding and administrative standpoint, the opportunity is a discretionary cooperative agreement under CFDA 93.067, meaning CDC anticipates substantial involvement in guiding or collaborating on the work rather than simply providing a pass-through grant. Eligibility is listed as unrestricted, so a wide range of entities may apply as long as they meet any additional criteria described in the full notice. CDC anticipated approximately $1,800,000 in total funding for the first year, subject to the availability of funds, and expected to make two awards. Notably, the listing states the award ceiling for Year 1 is $0, which typically indicates no maximum cap was set in the notice rather than an absence of funding. The funding opportunity was posted December 30, 2021, with an original application deadline of February 28, 2022 (submitted electronically by 11:59 pm ET).Apply for CDC RFA GH22 2252
- The Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control - CGH in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Strengthening Sample Transportation System in Malawi under the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.067.
- This funding opportunity was created on Dec 30, 2021.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Feb 28, 2022 Electronically submitted applications must be submitted no later than 1159 pm ET on the listed application due date.. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 2 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the "Strengthening Sample Transportation System in Malawi under PEPFAR" opportunity?
It is a CDC cooperative agreement (CDC RFA GH22 2252) focused on improving how clinical specimens move from health facilities to laboratories across Malawi. The work is centered on strengthening and expanding an existing national sample transportation network that already serves multiple priority disease programs.
What is the main purpose of this cooperative agreement?
The main purpose is to reinforce and expand an existing, partially integrated national sample transportation network in all 28 districts of Malawi, and to move it toward a stronger, more reliable national system with clearer ownership and accountability.
What does "partially integrated" mean in the context of the current sample transportation network?
Based on the notice description, the network already supports multiple disease programs nationwide, but it is not yet functioning as a fully unified, independent national program with complete integration, clear ownership, and consistent accountability across stakeholders and operations.
Which health programs currently use Malawi's sample transportation system?
The system is currently used to transport specimens for HIV viral load testing, early infant diagnosis (EID), tuberculosis, hepatitis, and cervical cancer.
Why is demand on the transportation network increasing?
Demand is growing as Malawi expands services such as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and increases plasma-based HIV viral load testing. These expansions add specimen volume and may require more stringent handling and timing.
How does PrEP expansion relate to specimen transportation needs?
The notice indicates that expanded PrEP services contribute to increased demand on the sample transportation network by adding volume to the overall system workload.
Why does plasma-based HIV viral load testing affect transportation requirements?
Plasma-based viral load testing can increase the number of specimens transported and may require tighter handling and timing requirements, which puts additional pressure on the transport network to be reliable and timely.
What is the intended operational direction for the national system?
A key theme is shifting from a partially integrated arrangement toward a stronger national system that operates as an independent program with clear ownership and accountability.
What role is the recipient expected to play with Malawi's government?
The recipient is expected to work directly with Malawi's Ministry of Health and other stakeholders to reinforce coordination, set standards, and improve day-to-day performance of sample transportation.
Is sustainability and local ownership an explicit goal of the award?
Yes. The opportunity is explicitly oriented toward strengthening government capacity so the sample transportation system becomes more sustainable over time, with increasing local leadership, planning, and management rather than long-term dependence on external support.
What is a "pulling system" in this NOFO, and why is it emphasized?
The NOFO highlights an operational shift toward implementing a "pulling system," described as a more organized logistics approach where pickups are scheduled and managed to match facility needs and testing workflows. The aim is to improve efficiency, reduce delays, and protect sample integrity.
How does a pulling system help protect sample integrity?
By organizing pickups to better match facility needs and laboratory workflows, the system can help reduce delays that may lead to spoilage or compromised specimens and improve the likelihood that samples reach laboratories within appropriate time windows and in better condition.
What improvements are expected beyond implementing a pulling system?
The notice points to expanded coverage and more frequent visits to facilities, along with improved coordination, standards-setting, and day-to-day performance management.
Which outcomes are these transportation improvements meant to support?
They are meant to support timely and accurate testing and results delivery, which is essential for HIV treatment monitoring, early infant diagnosis, tuberculosis and hepatitis services, and screening programs such as cervical cancer.
What type of funding mechanism is this award?
It is a discretionary cooperative agreement. The listing also references CFDA 93.067.
What does it mean that this is a cooperative agreement rather than a standard grant?
The notice indicates CDC anticipates substantial involvement in guiding or collaborating on the work rather than simply providing funding as a pass-through grant.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is listed as unrestricted, meaning a wide range of entities may apply, as long as they meet any additional criteria described in the full notice.
How much funding was anticipated for the first year?
CDC anticipated approximately $1,800,000 in total funding for Year 1, subject to the availability of funds.
How many awards did CDC expect to make?
The notice states CDC expected to make two awards.
What does it mean that the Year 1 award ceiling is listed as $0?
The listing notes that a $0 ceiling typically indicates that no maximum cap was set in the notice, rather than indicating there is no funding available.
When was the opportunity posted?
The funding opportunity was posted on December 30, 2021.
What was the original application deadline?
The original application deadline was February 28, 2022, with electronic submission due by 11:59 pm Eastern Time.
What is the geographic scope of the work described?
The system described in the notice already supports services in all 28 districts of Malawi, and the purpose is to reinforce and expand that nationwide network.
What is the core problem this award is trying to address?
The award targets the need for a stronger, more reliable, and more sustainable national specimen transportation system as testing demand and service expansion increase, with a focus on coordination, standards, performance, and protecting specimen quality and timeliness.
Is the focus only on HIV programs?
No. While HIV viral load testing and early infant diagnosis are specifically mentioned, the network also supports tuberculosis, hepatitis, and cervical cancer specimen transport.
What does "independent program with clear ownership and accountability" imply for implementation?
It implies the strengthened transportation system should function as a distinct national program with defined leadership and responsibility structures, rather than a loosely coordinated set of activities spread across disease programs.
Does the notice specify that the current network is already nationwide?
Yes. The description states the network already supports multiple priority disease programs in all 28 districts, and the opportunity aims to reinforce and expand it.
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