Questions and Answers

Updated May 11, 2022

On March 18, 2022 CDC announced a new competitive cooperative agreement that will provide funding to establish the US Pathogen Genomics Centers of Excellence (PGCoE) network. This website will be updated with questions and answers from applicant calls or emails. If you have any questions regarding Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) CDC-RFA-CK22-2204 not addressed here, please send an email to pgcoecoag@cdc.gov. The deadline for submitting questions for posting to Q&A is May 1. Q&A updates will be posted to this website and published at grants.gov

On This Page

Section 1: Overview
Section 2: Eligibility
Section 3: Application

Section 4: Response Implementation
Section 5: Academic Partners
Previous Updates

Summary of Recent Changes

Update as of May 11

Section 1: Overview
- Questions (1-30) through (1-31) added
Section 3: Application
- Questions (3-55) through (3-61) added

View Previous updates

Section 1: Overview

1-1) Would it be possible to arrange a Zoom call with you to discuss more about our proposed application?

We are not able to discuss proposal ideas with individual applicants. We can respond to questions submitted by email and also will be holding an informational call on March 31 at 2 pm ET. Phone number 1-866-620-0420; Passcode: 8943360.

Questions and answers from this call will be posted on this page.

Added March 25, 2022

1-2) Does CDC intend to release a companion solicitation for a Data Management and Coordination Center that would support the activities of the PGCoE network, or will data management, coordination, and scientific communication activities be carried out by network members and/or CDC? The PGCoE NOFO describes many data management, network coordination, and scientific communication activities as key to the success of the network, but it’s not clear who and how those will be supported.

CDC does not intend to release a companion solicitation for data management, coordination, and scientific communication activities. These activities will be supported through this NOFO and should be described within applications that are submitted.

Added April 7, 2022

1-3) Are applications required to focus on any specific pathogens? Are there any specific pathogens that would not be within the scope of this NOFO?

This NOFO is not limited to any particular pathogens of public health concern.
Work of the network is intended to meet the needs of public health and to align with the strategic direction of CDC programs, and to incorporate new technologies and approaches from the rapidly evolving field of genomics. Therefore, the network and individual PGCoEs are expected to be agile and flexible in identifying, implementing, and amending specific activities, to the extent consistent with the terms of this cooperative agreement. Annually, by way of the PGCoE cooperative agreement continuation planning and process, projects will be evaluated and amended as necessary in light of public health priorities, advancement in the field and emerging issues and infectious threats.

Added April 12, 2022

1-4) I was unable to attend the informational call. Is it possible for me to view a recording of that call?

Questions and Answers from the informational call will be posted on this page.

Added April 12, 2022

1-5) Could you please explain the funding strategy for year one and years two through five?

Year one is largely focused on a number of landscape analyses and individual site projects. Projects in years two through five would include projects that span multiple PGCoEs or are network-wide. Please see page 22 of the NOFO for more details.

Added April 12, 2022

1-6) How do you envision this working with state public health laboratories or state health departments that have active Bioinformatics Regional Resource (BRR) programs for advanced molecular detection or other Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity for Prevention and Control of Emerging Infectious Diseases (ELC)-funded programs that are focused on genome sequencing capabilities and workforce development?

There are a number of different initiatives that span multiple efforts around genomics and workforce development. This is an opportunity to build upon ongoing and synergistic activities; however, this funding opportunity should be considered to be self-standing.

Added April 12, 2022

1-7) How many PGCoEs will be funded?

It is anticipated that six PGCoEs will be funded.

Added April 12, 2022

1-8) On page 48 of the NOFO, it states that the recipient may not use funds for research. Please clarify.

This NOFO allows both research and non-research activities. This is clarified elsewhere in other sections of the NOFO and supersedes the information on page 48.

Added April 12, 2022

1-9) Could you confirm if the subject NOFO is intended to result only in a Cooperative Agreement, or if a cost-plus-fixed-fee (CPFF) contract would be acceptable for this effort? *

Yes, the mechanism selected is a Cooperative Agreement, this cannot be applied for as a contract.

* Answer updated May 4, 2022

1-10) Will you confirm that research activities are allowable for CDC-RFA-CK22-2204 (US Public Health Pathogens Genomics Centers of Excellence) and that applications proposing research will be considered?

Full question:
Section C (Announcement Type) and section 14 (Funding Restrictions) of the NOFO states that this announcement is only for non-research activities supported by CD. However, in each of these sections, the following paragraph is included: “Please note for this particular NOFO, CDC-RFA-CK22-2204, research activities are allowable and will be subject to all applicable laws, regulations and policy requirements. Note research and human subjects protection requirements inserted throughout this NOFO. All instructions pertaining to research should be addressed and followed as indicated in this NOFO.” Will you confirm that research activities are allowable for CDC-RFA-CK22-2204 (US Public Health Pathogens Genomics Centers of Excellence) and that applications proposing research will be considered?

Answer:
Yes, research activities are allowable for this NOFO. CDC-RFA-CK22-2204 (US Public Health Pathogens Genomics Centers of Excellence) and applications proposing research will be considered. As detailed in H. Other Information the application should describe research and non-research activities for the Mandatory Component (Core) Translation and Response Base strategies and for the Mandatory Component (Response Implementation).

Added April 14, 2022

1-11) The NOFO indicates that the Mandatory Component (Response Implementation) would be funded only in the event of a new infectious disease threat. So, does that mean the amount of guaranteed funding is $4 million per year for the 6 network members for the Mandatory Component (Core)?

Funding levels are not guaranteed for any portion of this NOFO. Funding for all components is based on merit review, programmatic priorities, and funding availability.

Added April 20, 2022

1-12) Is there a cap on the indirect cost rate that academic centers are able to claim if serving as a subcontractor on this grant?

The academic institution may use its existing indirect cost rate agreement already in place, provided it has not expired. New indirect cost rate agreements may also be negotiated, and the rate will be determined through that negotiation.

Added April 20, 2022

1-13) For the letter of intent, should the listed PIs solely be from the primary applicant (health department/lab) or should PIs also be listed for the academic partners?

Although a letter of intent (LOI) is not required, it is helpful for CDC staff to have the information contained within it for the purpose of planning the peer review. The name, address, and telephone number of the PI and any Co-PIs from the applicant health department or public health laboratory should be included in the LOI. The names of all other key personnel, including any Co-PIs from academic or other institutions, should also be included in the LOI.

Added April 20, 2022

1-14) Is this NOFO subject to review under Executive Order 12372?

Preapplication coordination is required. Environmental impact information is not required for this program. This program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372, “Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs.” An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review.

Added April 27, 2022

1-15) What is the role name for the leader from academic institution?

Co-Principal Investigator. Each Center of Excellence will have a Principal Investigator from the public health department or public health laboratory (prime recipient) and a Co-Principal Investigator at the partner organization(s).

Added April 27, 2022

1-16) Will the funds be awarded to a public health institution that will then set up a sub-award with an academic institution? Or will CDC award funds directly to both?

Funds will be awarded by CDC to the prime recipient (health department or public health laboratory) only. The prime recipient will establish sub-award(s) to the academic partner(s).

Added April 27, 2022

1-17) Years 2 through 5 of the grant are intended to focus on plans that involve collaboration across multiple PGCoE sites. Now that the Letters of Intent (LOI) have been submitted, is the CDC planning to post publicly (or just share amongst those who submitted LOIs) which PHLs submitted LOIs to open up the communication channels among applicants?

Letters of Intent will not be shared during the application phase.

Added April 27, 2022

1-18) Can you tell me if the HHS salary cap is used for this mechanism?

The NIH cap is applicable to all CDC awards.

Added April 29, 2022

1-19) Is the average award per site, listed in the RFA for mandatory components, the maximum each site can request or can we request additional funds if needed?

No. The amount listed in the NOFO is the maximum amount that will be funded.

Added May 4, 2020

1-20) Are Memorandum of Agreements acceptable versus contracts with partner academic institutions?

A contract with the academic partner(s) are preferable but we will evaluate other arrangements on a case-by-case basis.

Added May 4, 2020

1-21) What is the frequency of invoicing to CDC? Is it based on PMS Reporting - Quarterly due January 30, April 30, July 30 and October 30?

There is no set frequency required. However, recipients should not maintain more than 3 days’ worth of federal funding in their interest-bearing bank accounts.

Added May 4, 2020

1-22) Are lump sums to the prime recipient allowable?

We do not recommend withdrawing lump sums. However, recipients should follow their own internal policies.

Added May 4, 2020

1-23) Is CDC allowing lump sum amounts provided to partners with a return of funding if unspent? Or would this be cost reimbursement?

We do not recommend providing lump sums to partners. However, recipients should follow their own internal policies.

Added May 4, 2020

1-24) Do NIH guidelines apply to his grant? If so, can you please clarify.

All HHS grants management policies and guidelines including those in the 2 CFR 200 are applicable.

Added May 4, 2020

1-25) Page 31 of NOFO - CDC Monitoring and Accountability Approach includes guidelines for monitoring activities between CDC & recipients. Aside from providing regular reports on progress, submitting work plans & ensuring budgets are monitored and align with invoices, are there any documents CDC wants recipients to provide?

Any additional requirements will be provided at the time of award via the notice of grant award.

Added May 4, 2020

1-26) Can you tell me if the HHS salary cap is used for this mechanism?

The NIH cap is applicable to all CDC awards.

Added May 4, 2020

1-27) I am a CDC assignee to a health department. The health department is thinking of applying for this RFA. Can you please clarify for me if there are any prohibitions or restrictions on having me, as a CDC field assignee, assist the host institution in preparing the application for this RFA.

Federal guidelines allow the CDC assignee to provide assistance in support of this activity by providing factual information consistent with their assignment to the health department. This assistance is consistent with the employee’s duties and does not require further Agency review.

As a Federal employee, the employee’s name may not be listed on any section of the application. Nor is the employee allowed to be a named participant in the execution of related grant activities. Additionally, the employee must refrain from taking any action to influence or represent the interest of the health department in the grant application.

Added May 4, 2020

1-28) Are fixed price budgets allowable?

We do allow fixed price budgets. However, recipients should follow their own internal policies.

Added May 4, 2022

1-29) May we submit an application if we did not submit a Letter of Intent?

A letter of intent is recommended but not required. An application can be submitted even if a Letter of Intent was not.

Added May 4, 2020

1-30) We feel we are bit behind other competitors who already have genomics and sequencing centers and are actively contributing to public health needs, particularly in disease prevention and control whereas we are at the beginning stage. Would you please suggest if it is worth trying for this NOFO?

Decisions to apply are up to the applicant. Applications will be funded based on the review criteria listed in the NOFO, programmatic relevance, and funds availability. Section E. Review and Selection Process (page 57) includes the following Strategy-specific review criterion for the Mandatory Component (Core) – Translation: “Does the applicant (health department) have at least one year of experience with sequencing using next generation methods?”

Added May 11, 2020

1-31) May we request the deadline for final submission be extended as we have just learned about this NOFO?

The deadline for application submission is 11:59 pm on May 17, 2022. No extensions are allowed.

Added May 11, 2020

Top of Page

Section 2: Eligibility

2-1) Regarding eligibility, can this go through a Public Health Department, or does this need to come through the Governor’s office? Can activities involve multiple state public health departments? Can the academic partner subcontract and coordinate all activities of the network?

Eligibility criteria can be found on page 35. U.S. state, local, Tribal, or territorial public health departments or public health laboratories are eligible to be prime recipients. Applications should be submitted by the intended prime recipient. For each site the cooperative agreement will be with one prime recipient, which needs to be a health department. A single CoE may include more than one health department, but a single health department will be the prime recipient. Our intent is that each CoE be a true partnership between the public health agency and its academic partners. The intent is not that the public health agency act solely as a sub-award manager.

Added March 29, 2022

2-2) Would a foreign entity such as a research institute or a ministry of health in a country other than the U.S. be eligible for this grant?

This NOFO has been published as a domestic opportunity, therefore foreign entities are not eligible to apply. However, we encourage you to continue accessing grants.gov for opportunities that address global needs.

Added March 29, 2022

2-3) Is there a restriction on the number of public health agencies that can be partners in a single application, given the requirement that only one is the prime contractor?

A single CoE may include more than one health department, but a single health department will be the prime recipient.

Added March 29, 2022

2-4) Are we able to apply for this cooperative agreement as a state university?

Eligibility criteria can be found on page 35. U.S. state, local, Tribal, or territorial public health departments or public health laboratories are eligible to be prime recipients.

Added March 29, 2022

2-5) Please clarify whether industry is allowed to be involved as a collaborator.

The PGCoE is specifically meant to be a partnership between a health department and academia. There may be opportunities to involve industry as well, but the primary structure of the PGCoE is a partnership between a health department and an academic institution.

Added April 12, 2022

2-6) We are writing to clarify whether a Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) would be regarded as a partner academic institution in the context of this FOA or could be regarded as a public health laboratory. In addition, we would like to confirm that a public health department MUST be a Prime on this proposal, regardless of the composition of the overall team.

Eligibility criteria can be found on page 35. U.S. state, local, Tribal, or territorial public health departments or public health laboratories are eligible to be prime recipients. If an FRFCC is a research organization with expertise in areas relevant to the cooperative agreement, they would be eligible to be an academic partner. FFRDCs operate under specific rules regarding the types of Federal funding they can accept and would need to consult with their own legal counsel regarding serving as an academic partner for this cooperative agreement.

Added April 7, 2022

2-7) Can for-profit businesses serve as subcontractors to public health department or public health laboratory Prime recipients, or to academic subcontractors? The solicitation notes that one of the goals of the PGCoE network is to expand partnerships across public health, academia, the private sector that can be rapidly engaged for infectious threats, but does not clearly state whether business subcontractors are allowed.

Applicants may propose inclusion of entities in addition to the prime recipient and primary academic partner(s). Such proposals will be reviewed and considered; however, it is expected that inclusion of additional entities will not dilute the primary partnership between a public health department or public health laboratory and the primary academic partner(s).

Added April 8, 2022

2-8) If a public health laboratory does not have at least one year of sequencing experience, is the respective public health department eligible for this NOFO?

As described on page 28, the applicant (specifically the health department) should have at least one year of sequencing experience. At least one year of sequencing experience by the public health laboratory is expected for applicants.

Added April 12, 2022

2-9) To be eligible, an applicant must have a partner in the private sector - can you please elaborate on that?

Eligibility requires the prime recipient to be a health department or public health laboratory that must partner with an academic partner or partners.

Added April 12, 2022

2-10) If the prime recipient is a public health agency subcontracting to an academic institution, can that academic institution then subcontract in turn to another institution?

The intent of the NOFO is to have the health department as the prime recipient partnering with an academic partner or partners. Multiple levels of subcontracts are not encouraged to avoid creating a passthrough entity, which is not allowed.

Added April 12, 2022

2-11) It sounds like all work should originate from a public health department or public health laboratory. Is there a level below which the laboratory or partner is not viable for this award?

The capacity of the laboratory or partner to complete the work will be evaluated as part of the application review process. It is not the size of the laboratory or partner per se that will be evaluated but rather having the important capabilities needed that are detailed in the NOFO. Please see page 28 for specific expectations of laboratory capacity for the prime recipient: “Sequencing using next generation sequencing methods. Applicants (specifically, the public health department) should have at least one year of sequencing experience.”

Added April 12, 2022

2-12) Would a state public health laboratory be eligible to be the prime recipient, if they are not embedded within a state health department?

U.S. state, local, tribal, or territorial public health departments or public health laboratories are eligible to be prime recipients. It is not a requirement that public health laboratories be embedded within health department.

Added April 14, 2022

2-13) Is the multiple PI (MPI) model allowable for this opportunity? If yes, may a PI at a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit research institute serve as one of the MPI?

Each Center of Excellence will have a principal investigator from the public health department or public health laboratory (prime recipient) and the partner organization(s).

Added April 14, 2022

2-14) Is an institute allowed to partner up with different public health institutes? So, for example, would it be possible for: i) one to partner up with institute A and B to address a similar project/pathogen (e.g., viral and fungal); ii) or can one partner up with institute A with project 1 (e.g., viral and fungal) and with institute B with project 2 (e.g., bacterial); iii) or one can only partner up with institute A or only with institute B.

The Centers of Excellence program was originally conceived of and budgeted to support a single health department paired with a single academic research center at each funded site. However, in recognition that there may be advantages in some cases for there to be more than two entities at certain sites, the funding opportunity allows applicants to propose including more than one academic or more than one public health organization. Such proposals will be reviewed and considered. However, any such arrangement should be organized in such a way that within the proposed site, both the public health and academic partners can contribute meaningfully to the partnership. The objective of the program is not to establish a network of sub-networks, with each of those sub-networks doing research disconnected from that being carried out by the others; rather the objective is to establish a network of a small number of sites, each an active partnership, with each site working collaboratively with other sites in the network to improve public health and public health practice.

Added April 14, 2022

2-15) Is this NOFO open to all universities or is it published to allow pre-selected groups to apply? Is this NOFO an open competition?

Eligibility criteria can be found on page 35. U.S. state, local, Tribal, or territorial public health departments or public health laboratories are eligible to be prime recipients. The primary partner(s) for the public health department or public health laboratory at each Pathogen Genomics Center of Excellence will be an academic institution(s).

This NOFO does not restrict academic partners to specific universities or other specific institutions. Applications should be submitted by the intended prime recipient. Applications should include input from both the public health agency and their intended academic partner(s).

Added April 14, 2022

2-16) Can an academic institution be the prime recipient for the Optional Component (Lead PGCoE for Education)?

Eligibility criteria can be found on page 35. U.S. state, local, Tribal, or territorial public health departments or public health laboratories are eligible to be prime recipients for both Mandatory and Optional Components of this NOFO. Recipients are expected to collaborate with one or more academic centers with strong programs in pathogen genomics or genomic epidemiology for all components (Mandatory and Optional).

Added April 14, 2022

2-17) Can the academic partner manage sub-contracts to other institutions and coordinate research activities in partnership with the health department (prime recipient)?

Our intent is for the health department or laboratory (prime recipient) and each academic partner, if there is more than one, to form a true partnership. In recognition that there may be advantages in some cases for there to be more than two partners at certain sites, the funding opportunity allows applicants to propose including more than one academic or more than one public health organization. Such proposals will be reviewed and considered. However, any such arrangement should be organized in such a way that within the proposed site, both the public health and academic partners can contribute meaningfully to the partnership.

Added April 14, 2022

2-18) May a governmental applicant with multiple academic partners include a subaward to a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit research institute?

501 (c) (3) organizations whose primary mission is research may serve as partners to the prime recipient (public health department or public health laboratory).

Added April 14, 2022

2-19) Are there any requirements for the governmental applicant to hold the majority of the funds (i.e., is it allowable for the subs to receive the majority of the award)?

The governmental applicant is not required to hold the majority of the funds. Please note that the health department cannot play merely as a “pass-through” entity in the partnership. The intent is that the health department plays a substantial and meaningful role in the partnership.

Added April 14, 2022

2-20) Are industry laboratories eligible for this NOFO?

The primary partner(s) for the public health department or public health laboratory at each Pathogen Genomics Center of Excellence will be an academic institution(s). Industry laboratories are not able to serve as the primary partner to a public health department or public health laboratory.

Added April 14, 2022

2-21) Is it possible to have foreign collaborators or partners as part of this application? Can we include foreign partners if they do not receive funding? Can we indicate foreign partners as recipients of fee-for-service funds?

This NOFO has been published as a domestic opportunity; therefore, foreign entities are not eligible to be prime recipients or primary academic partners.

Applicants may propose inclusion of entities in addition to the prime recipient and primary academic partner(s). Proposals may include foreign entities. Such proposals will be reviewed and considered; however, it is expected that inclusion of additional entities will not dilute the primary partnership between a public health department or public health laboratory and the primary academic partner(s).

Added April 20, 2022

2-22) Will the award allow for subs to subs or must all subs flow from the lead (submitting) institution? For example, if a state health department submits/leads the proposal and a university is a sub-recipient, would an additional entity need to be a sub from the lead or is it allowed for it to be a sub-recipient from the university?

Added April 20, 2022

2-23) Can one applicant have more than one partner?

The applicant must be a US state, local, Tribal, or territorial public health department or public health laboratory and must partner with at least one academic institution. There is no limit to the number of partners the recipient may have provided each partner has a meaningful and productive role.

Added April 20, 2022

2-24) Can one organization collaborate with more than one State Department of Public Health?

The PGCoEs are expected to operate collaboratively as a network. One organization may collaborate with more than one state health department; however, the collaborating organization must not duplicate percent effort or budget with two or more recipients. Should applications from the multiple state health departments be selected for award, the collaborating organization’s involvement in multiple awards will be assessed for possible overlap.

Added April 20, 2022

2-25) If a health department is not set up for developing/administering contracts with external entities (such as the academic partners in this case), can it apply through a fiscal agent - e.g., another non-profit that applies on behalf of the health department and receives/distributes the funding, and the health department would still be the lead on the grant and take final responsibility for the SOW and deliverables?

The applicant must be a US state, local, Tribal, or territorial public health department or public health laboratory which has at least one academic partner. It is the applicant’s responsibility to establish collaborations with at least one academic partner and to administer the funds received post-award. The health department may be able to use a fiscal agent to help the health department administer the funds after award on a case-by-case basis. The health department must include this intent in the application.

Added April 20, 2022

2-26) How many Co-PIs are allowed, and are there any requirements related to the institutions? (e.g., all PIs must be from the health department, or may there be one PI from health department, one from an academic institution, etc.)

The only eligible applicants are US state, local, Tribal, or territorial public health departments or public health laboratories; multiple Co-PIs are allowed and there must be one PI from the applicant institution serving as the point of contact for all award-related actions and one from the primary academic partner at a minimum. Co-PIs may be situated at the applicant institution or at any of the collaborating institutions.

Added April 20, 2022

2-27) The NOFO indicates only government entities may apply. Can a Veterans Administration Hospital be a prime recipient?

Eligibility criteria can be found on page 35. U.S. state, local, Tribal, or territorial public health departments or public health laboratories are eligible to be prime recipients.

Added April 27, 2022

2-28) If working with CDC through an IPA, can one participate in this NOFO?

The IPA assignee may participate as long as there is no overlap of IPA activities, percent effort, or funding received with that under the NOFO. Also, the IPA assignee must not use their IPA position/CDC affiliation to influence the design of the studies or direct how the activities/work related to the award will be conducted/supported or sway judgement/decisions that would otherwise have been made without coercion. Please keep in mind that although IPA assignees are not CDC employees, they are still held to the same Standards of Ethical Conduct as CDC employees while participating on the IPA assignment.

Added April 27, 2022

2-29) Is it allowable for one person to be an academic partner affiliated with more than one of the genomic center applications? The contributions to these two centers stem from independent long-standing collaborations, and there is no direct overlap or conflicting interests involved.

The academic partner is intended to be an academic institution but one person from an academic institution can collaborate with more than one PGCoE provided there is no scientific, budgetary or percent effort overlap by the individual to the two centers.

Added May 4, 2022

2-30) With this cooperative agreement with partner academic institutions, is sole source justification & competitive bidding applicable when naming subrecipients?

Recipients should adhere to their internal procurement policies and in accordance with 45 CFR 75.329 Procurement procedures.

Added May 4, 2022

Top of Page

Section 3: Application

3-1) A process evaluation metric for Strategy 2) Education is “performance of an evaluation to determine gaps and educational needs for the public health workforce”. A gap or landscape analysis is not identified as a deliverable for Strategy 2 on pg. 15 but does appear for the optional educational response. Should responses to the core educational section include a proposal for a gap analysis of the educational needs of the public health workforce?

For the Mandatory Component (Core) Education strategy, activities expected for this strategy are described on page 15 and those expected for the Optional Component (Lead PGCoE for education) are described on page 18. A landscape analysis is not required for the Mandatory (Core) education strategy. Applicants are not required to use the performance measures listed on page 23. The Performance Measures listed for “Educate Public Health Workforce” may be used as applicable to a particular application’s Mandatory Component (Core) Education strategy or, if included in the application, Optional Component (Lead PGCoE for Education).

Added April 12, 2022

3-2) May we use NIH biographical sketches as the format for this (resumes/CVs)? Do resumes/CVs count towards the page limit?

There is no required format for resumes or CVs. Resumes and CVs do not count against the page limit.

Added April 12, 2022

3-3) Should the Project Narratives for all mandatory components be submitted as one single PDF file? Or one PDF file per component?

The narratives for the Mandatory Components (Core, Response Implementation) should be submitted as a single file as detailed on page 72.

Added April 12, 2022

3-4) Do references/bibliographies count in the total page count? Additionally, a bibliography is only listed as a required section in the Project Narrative for Mandatory Component (Core) strategy Translation (one per broad area, given current structure discussed in question 1 above). Does that mean references are not needed for all other components?

References are only required for the Project Narrative for the Mandatory Component (Core) strategy Translation. References do count toward the total page count of the narrative.

Added April 12, 2022

3-5) Is there a specific format required for the work plans to be included in the project narratives for each mandatory component? *

A separate work plan must be provided for each of the Components. For each component, the applicant must provide detailed work plan for the first year and a high-level work plan for subsequent years.  For the Mandatory Component (Core) the work plan must be divided by strategy. The Mandatory Component (Core) has three strategies: Translation, Education, and Response Base. For the Mandatory Component (Core) strategies Translation and Response Base and for the Mandatory Component (Response Implementation), there should be a separate work plan for each of the 5 broad areas as described on pages 69-70. Activities proposed under the respective work plans must align with the approach (logic model, strategies, outcomes, and evaluation/performance measures) outlined throughout the NOFO. A sample table format for a work plan is shown on page 30. No specific work plan format is required, as long as it is clear how the components in the work plan crosswalk to the strategies and activities, outcomes, and evaluation and performance measures presented in the logic model and the narrative sections of the NOFO. This will ensure that the applicant sees the work plan as proceeding from what was presented earlier and not as a separate, standalone document.

* Answer updated April 27, 2022

3-6) What is the correct structure of the Project Narrative for the Translation strategy of the Mandatory Component (Core)? Should it include 5 separate IRB plans, one within each broad area section? This same question applies to the Project Narrative for the Mandatory Component (Core) strategy Response Base and Mandatory Component (Response Implementation), which also require multiple separate sections for each broad area.

Full Question:

For the Mandatory Component (Core) strategy Translation, for example, pages 69-70 of the NOFO specify a list of sections that should be included for each of the 5 broad areas. Therefore, our understanding is that the headings for this component narrative should look like this:

Broad Area 1 (wet lab methods)
Background
Activities (with 11 required subheadings)
Resource Sharing Plan
Evaluation and Performance Measurement Plan
Organizational Capacity
Work Plan
Bibliography
Broad Area 2 (bioinformatics)
Background
Activities (with 11 required subheadings)
…
Broad Area 3 (data standardization, etc.)
Background
Activities (with 11 required subheadings)
…
etc.

Under this structure, we would submit 5 different work plans within the Project Narrative for the Translation strategy of the Mandatory Component (Core). Similarly, the NOFO states that the “Approach” subsection (listed under the “Activities” section) should contain the IRB plan. Does that mean we should include 5 separate IRB plans, one within each broad area section? What is the correct structure of this Project Narrative? This same question applies to the Project Narrative for the Mandatory Component (Core) strategy Response Base and Mandatory Component (Response Implementation), which also require multiple separate sections for each broad area (background, approach, evaluation plan, organizational capacity, work plan; pages 70 and 71).

Answer:
The Narrative for the Mandatory Component (Core) strategy Translation should be organized according to the 5 broad areas listed on page 69. For each of these 5 broad areas, the narratives should be organized by sections in the list of 7 bullets and 11 sub-bullets that begins with “Background” and ends with “Bibliography and References.” This means that a separate IRB plan should be provided for each of the 5 broad areas of the Mandatory (Core) Translation strategy. A separate work plan must be provided for each of the Components. For the Mandatory Component (Core) the work plan must be divided by strategy. For the Mandatory Component (Core) strategy Translation, there should be a separate work plan for each of the 5 broad areas as described on pages 69-70. For the Mandatory (Core) strategy Response Base and Mandatory Component (Response Implementation) the narratives should be organized into the 5 broad areas described on page 70 and within each of those 5 broad areas the narrative should include the 5 sections: Background, Approach, Application Evaluation and Performance Plan, Organizational Capacity of Applicants to Implement the Approach, and Work Plan. For the Mandatory (Core) strategy Education and for the Optional Component (Lead PGCOE for Education) the narrative should be organized into the 5 sections: Background, Approach, Application Evaluation and Performance Plan, Organizational Capacity of Applicants to Implement the Approach, and Work Plan.

Added April 12, 2022

3-7) Please clarify the structure of the Project Narrative for the Mandatory Component (Core) Translation strategy. On pages 69-70, five broad areas are listed and each of the five areas has seven sections (Background, Activities, Resource Sharing Plan, etc.). Is this correct?

This is correct.
For the Mandatory Component (Core) Translation strategy, each of the five broad areas listed should have a detailed description of the seven sections listed on pages 69-70.
The seven sections are
1) Background
2) Activities (note, this section has 11 sub-sections)
3) Resource Sharing Plan (including Data Management Plan)
4) Evaluation and Performance Measurement Plan
5) Organizational Capacity of Applicant to Implement the Approach (Including Investigator qualifications and institutional Environment to successfully complete objectives)
6) Work Plan
7) Bibliography and References Cited

Added April 12, 2022

3-8) Do you want a Work Plan for each of the five broad areas listed or just one per Component? *

Separate work plans must be provided for each of the Components. For the Mandatory Component (Core) the work plan must be divided by strategy. For the Mandatory Component (Core) strategies Translation and Response Base and for the Mandatory Component (Response Implementation), there should be a separate work plan for each of the 5 broad areas as described on pages 69-70.

* Answer updated April 27, 2022

3-9) Should the budget include only direct costs, or should it also include indirect costs?

The budget submitted should include both direct and indirect costs. No additional indirect costs will be added to the budget once submitted.

Added April 12, 2022

3-10) What is the page limit? Is it not over 100 for the narratives + budgets + work plans?

There is not a page limit for budgets. Please see page 72 of the NOFO for instructions on page limits for the narratives (which include work plans):

PAGE LIMIT:
Disregard page limits stated under Section D.10 for “Program Narrative,” (but do follow other page and type format instructions). Maximum number of pages for the Mandatory Components (Core, Response Implementation) Project Narrative file is 75 (excluding budget, budget narrative, appendices, and required forms). Maximum number of pages for the Optional Component (Lead PGCoE for Education) is 25 (excluding budget, budget narrative, appendices, and required forms). If Project Narrative exceeds the page limit, only the first pages which are within the page limit will be reviewed.

Added April 14, 2022

3-11) What is the page limit for attachments?

There is no page limit for attachments.

Added April 14, 2022

3-12) Is there a limit on the number of academic partners and letters of support that can be submitted as part of this application? Should these be submitted as a single PDF file entitled “Academic Letter of Support” as listed in the NOFO, or should we submit a separate PDF for each letter of support? Additionally, can we submit letters of support from non-academic partners, such as non-prime public health institutes or industry partners? Can we also submit letters of support from other center applicants (to show existing collaboration) and should these be included in the single PDF?

All letters of support from academic partners should be submitted as a single PDF file entitled “Academic Letter of Support.” Additional letters of support may be provided as attachments.

Added April 14, 2022

3-13) To whom should the required Academic Letter of Support be addressed, the applicant agency or CDC?

The Academic Letter of Support should be addressed to the applicant.

Added April 20, 2022

3-14) What is the page limit for applications? If I’m reading correctly, base gives us 15 pages and then 4 additional pages per component. How many components are considered to be in this grant? Is it three- two mandatory (core and response) and one optional? Or is each strategy considered to be a separate component (making four mandatory components and one optional?)

Please see page 72 of the NOFO for instructions on page limits for the narratives (which include work plans): “Disregard page limits stated under Section D.10 on page 43 for “Program Narrative,” (but do follow other page and type format instructions).”

The maximum number of pages for the Project Narrative file (which includes workplans) for the two Mandatory Components (Core, Response Implementation) combined is 75 (excluding budget, budget narrative, appendices, and required forms). Maximum number of pages for the Optional Component (Lead PGCoE for Education) is 25 (excluding budget, budget narrative, appendices, and required forms).

If an applicant chooses to apply only for the Mandatory Components (Core, Response Implementation) the total page limit for the application Narrative (which includes work plans) is 75 pages. If an applicant chooses to apply for both the Mandatory Components (Core, Response Implementation) and Optional (Lead PGCoE for Education) Component the total page limit for the application Narratives (which includes work plans) is 100 pages. There are no page limits for other sections of the application.

Added April 19, 2022

3-15) How can I create a workspace in order to draft this application?

This is a question that should be directed to the grants.gov helpdesk, as this is more of a systems and access question and does not relate directly to the content of the Notice of Funding Opportunity. A link to the support desk is below:

“d. Technical Difficulties: If technical difficulties are encountered at www.grants.gov, applicants should contact Customer Service atwww.grants.gov. The www.grants.gov Contact Center is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, except federal holidays. The Contact Center is available by phone at 1-800-518-4726 or by e-mail at support@grants.gov. Application submissions sent by e-mail or fax, or on CDs or thumb drives will not be accepted. Please note that www.grants.gov is managed by HHS.”

Added April 20, 2022

3-16) On page 46 it states, “The applicant must provide a detailed budget for the first year and high-level budgets for subsequent years.” I understand that a detailed budget is needed for the first year, but I’m unclear as to what is needed for the subsequent years. Could you please clarify?

Estimated funding levels for subsequent years should be indicated on application form SF242a in sections 16b, c, d, and e.

Added April 20, 2022

3-17) From Pgs 43-45, there is an alternative outline to the project narrative that the one outlined in pgs 69-71. Does that mean the application requires an overall project narrative in addition to the narrative for each component as described in section H? Or are the only elements needed for the project narrative the ones outlined in section H, pgs 69-71?

The only elements needed for the project narrative are the ones outlined in Section H, pages 69-71, of the NOFO.

Added April 20, 2022

3-18) Pages 12-16 discuss what elements must be included in the Mandatory Component (Core) Translation strategy (e.g., how we will develop networked approaches, do a landscape analysis, implement a platform to pilot new technologies, and assist with implementing the technologies broadly). Section H asks applicants to describe one research and one non-research initial project for each of the 5 broad areas. So, in addition to proposing detailed projects, are we expected to discuss within each of the sub-narratives (i.e., the 7 bullets and 11 sub-bullets) for the broad areas how we will develop networked approaches, do a landscape analysis, implement a platform to pilot new technologies, and assist with implementing the technologies broadly?

For the Mandatory Component (Core) Translation strategy there is not a requirement to do one research and one non-research activity for each of the 5 broad topic areas; but within each of the 5 broad topic areas proposed activities should include both research and non-research activities. Detailed instructions for the Narrative section are in Section H. Other Information of the NOFO. The activities proposed under each of the 5 topic areas should address areas of activity specified in the logic model and detailed on pages 12-16. Activities should include contribution toward a landscape analysis in each of the 5 broad topic areas.

Added April 20, 2022

3-19) The NOFO says "Applicants should propose an initial research and non-research project or projects that include all 5 of these broad topic areas." Does it mean an applicant is required to have a minimum of 1 research project, and a minimum of 1 non-research project, both of which address the 5 broad topic areas?

The Mandatory Component (Core) Translation strategy, the Mandatory Component (Core) Response Base strategy, and the Mandatory Component (Response Implementation) should include a research project or projects and should also include non-research projects. Projects should address the 5 broad topic areas.

The Mandatory Component (Core) Education strategy and the Optional Component (Lead PGCoE Education) may not include a research project or projects.

Added April 20, 2022

3-20) Do we have to complete the Lobbying Form if there is nothing to disclose?

Yes. If there is nothing to disclose the form should be completed and signed to verify that there is nothing to disclose.

Added April 20, 2022

3-21) I am confused about the structure of the narrative we submit. Should it be structured as indicated in the yellow boxes beginning on path 52 of the FoA? Or, should we carefully adhere to each bullet point listed for the Project Narrative, beginning on page 69? These two outlines are very different, making it hard to identify which way to structure the text. We want to make sure we address all the specific bullet points appropriately.

The format for the narratives should follow the instructions in H. Other Information starting on page 69. The yellow boxes in section E. Review and Selection Process, beginning on page 51, detail review criteria that will be used to evaluate applications during Phase II review. It is best to address the elements listed as Review Criteria, as well as those for Additional Review Criteria (i.e., Human Subjects and Vertebrate Animals; Inclusion of Women, Minorities, and Across the Lifespan; Biohazards/Dual Use Research of Concern), found on pages 52-57 when completing the Activities sections of the same name in H. Other Information (as applicable) for each of the 5 broad areas of the Mandatory Component (Core) because these criteria could influence the score the application receives.

Added April 20, 2022

3-22) Should the Narrative structure be the same for the Mandatory (Core) Translation strategy, Mandatory (Core) Response Base strategy, and Mandatory Component Response Implementation sections? For each of these sections should there be a separate Background, Approach, Application Evaluation and Performance Plan, Organizational Capacity for the Applicant to Implement the Approach, and Work Plan for each of the 5 broad areas?

For the Narrative sections for Mandatory (Core) Translation strategy, Mandatory (Core) Response Base strategy, and Mandatory Component (Response Implementation) there should be separate sections for Background, Approach, Application Evaluation and Performance Plan, Organizational Capacity for the Applicant to Implement the Approach, and Work Plan within each of the 5 broad topic areas (wet laboratory, bioinformatics technologies, etc.). For the Mandatory Component (Core) strategy Translation only, there should in addition be 11 sub-sections (Purpose, Outcomes, Significance, etc.) for the Activities sections.

Added April 27, 2022

3-23) Do both direct and indirect costs have to be accounted for within the award amount? Or will additional funding be made available beyond the award to offset indirect costs.

The budget submitted should include both direct and indirect costs. No additional funds will be made available to offset indirect costs.

Added April 27, 2022

3-24) Should there be separate budgets for the subaward to an academic institution or only one budget for the entire grant with subaward details to be explained in the budget narrative?

Subaward budgets to the academic partner should be described in budget narratives in separate budgets.

Added April 27, 2022

3-25) How many budget narratives are required for the mandatory components? Is it 4 budget narratives (Mandatory (Core) strategies Translation, Education, and Response Base and Mandatory Component (Response Implementation))? Or do we need budget narratives for each of the 5 project areas within the mandatory components (which would mean 16 budget narratives)?

For the Mandatory Components, there should be a single file entitled “Budget Narrative” that includes individual and complete line item budgets and detailed justification narratives for each of the following: 1) Mandatory Component (Core) strategy Translation, 2) Mandatory Component (Core) strategy Education, 3) Mandatory Component (Core) strategy Response Base, 4) Mandatory Component (Response Implementation). Budget narratives should be sub-divided by the 5 topic areas.

Added April 27, 2022

3-26) How detailed must the budget justification be for the line items in the budget? The budget is already quite complex and the line items themselves might be descriptive enough to understand their inclusion in the budget. This is especially true for Years 2-5 in which many of the line items will be based on the assessment, planning, and prioritization done in Year 1 are unknown at this time.

A detailed budget for the first year for each of the Mandatory Components (and for each strategy of the Mandatory Component (Core)) should be provided. For each detailed Budget line item, justification should be provided in the Budget Narrative.

Total anticipated funding level should be indicated for years 2-5 in the budget and on Form 424A application form SF242a in sections 16b, c, d, and e.

Added April 27, 2022

3-27) Pg. 47 of the NOFO states “For the application, provide one single file entitled “Budget Narrative” that includes individual and complete line item budgets and detailed justification narratives for each: • Mandatory Component (Core) strategy Translation • Mandatory Component (Core) strategy Education • Mandatory Component (Core) strategy Response Base • Mandatory Component (Response Implementation) • Optional Component (Response Implementation) (if applying for the optional component).” Does this mean that for the Mandatory Components we must upload one single document (file) titled “Budget Narrative” and that this one document will contain four (4) line item budgets and four (4) associated detailed justification narratives [one line item budget and one detailed justification narrative each for the three Mandatory Component (Core) strategies and for the Mandatory Component (Response Implementation)]?

A detailed budget for each of the Mandatory Components (and for each strategy of the Mandatory Component (Core) should be provided. For each detailed Budget line item, justification should be provided in the Budget Narrative.

Added April 27, 2022

3-28) How many research and non-research projects should be proposed in the project narrative? Should it be per strategy? Or, can we propose projects that cross the strategies and broad topic areas?

There is not a requirement for a certain number of projects. For Mandatory Component (Core) strategies Translation and Response Base and for Mandatory Component (Response Implementation), activities should include research and non-research, and research activities should be proposed within each of the 5 broad topic areas. Activities may be organized within or across topic areas and may span different strategies.

Added April 27, 2022

3-29) Should the 424A be completed only for Year 1? Or should the columns be used to provide Year 2-5 budget information?

Form 424A should be completed for years 1-5.

Added April 27, 2022

3-30) On the SF-424A form is the detailed budget only to be separated out into personnel, travel, etc. and not specified at the individual level of personnel (i.e. 0.4 FTE genomic epidemiologist, salary, fringe) and is this supposed to be a single form for all components (both core and optional)?

On SF-424A limited detail can be included. A single form is used for all Components (Mandatory and Optional).

Please see section 12. Budget Narrative of the NOFO for information on detailed budget items that should be included in the Budget Narrative (for example, percent time, salary, fringe benefits, etc.).

Added April 27, 2022

3-31) Who should sign the academic letter of support? If an organization provides different signatories for Academic Letters of Support vs Institutional Support Letters, is there a preferred type of letter of support, or preferred signatories to demonstrate intellectual and institutional commitment from the academic partners?

The only letter that is required is from an academic partner(s) showing willingness to partner with the prime recipient. It should be signed by the Principal Investigator from the academic partner(s). All letters of support should be addressed to the prime applicant Principal Investigator at the health department or public health laboratory.

Added April 27, 2022

3-32) How should the budget be proposed for Years 2-5?

Estimated funding levels for years 2-5 should be indicated on application form SF242a in sections 16b, c, d, and e.

Added April 27, 2022

3-33) We have a question regarding the single-IRB requirement outlined on page 49 of the NOFO. We are preparing a proposal with a Public Health prime recipient as well as several other partners. With the complexity of multiple different partner institutions, would it be possible to use a central or umbrella IRB at the DPH with partners ceding review to this protocol?

The health department’s Institutional Review Board (IRB) may be used as the IRB of Record (i.e., the single IRB) as long as that IRB is registered with the Office for Human Research Protections (OHRP) and agrees to accept that responsibility. The partner(s) would need to enter into a written agreement with the health department in order to rely on that IRB for protocol review.

Information regarding a single IRB plan should be included under “Activities” as specified in the H. Other Information section (p. 69) and as further detailed on pp. 48-49 of the NOFO. Additional information regarding the single institutional review board (IRB) plan and format can be found at https://grants.nih.gov/grants/how-to-apply-application-guide/forms-g/general-forms-g.pdf referenced on p. 11 of the NOFO.

Added April 29, 2022

3-34) The application for the above includes a “Key Contacts” form but there aren’t any instructions. Should we complete for all key personnel or the Authorized Representative, Payee, Admin contact and Project Manager(PI)?

This form should be completed for all personnel that will have a key role on the award. This form is not limited to the personnel listed.

Added April 29, 2022

3-35) Under 2. CDC Project Description. a. Approach p. 7 of 77, there is a table with performance outcomes. Bold indicates period of performance outcomes. Is the "period of performance" year 1 or the entire 5 year project period?

The period of performance covers the entire 5 years of the NOFO.

Added May 4, 2022

3-36) The Project Narrative for the Mandatory Component (Core) strategy Translation on page 69 says - each one of the five broad areas should be presented with its own background, activities, resource, evaluation and performance measurement plan (EPMP) etc. My question is about Evaluation and Performance Measurement Plan. If the plan has to be written individually for each broad area, it will take up a lot of space. Besides, there will be a lot repetitive narrative i.e., program/project description, stakeholders, method/analysis etc. Is it ok to write one (initial) evaluation plan and include five components within the framework? The full evaluation plan (due in 6-months of award) could be five individual plans with five logic models or more, as needed.

Please note an Evaluation and Performance Measurement Plan must be provided for each of the 5 broad areas for Mandatory Component (Core) Translation strategy and Response Base strategy and for the Mandatory Component (Response Implementation).

For portions of the application that are redundant, a detailed description may be provided once and then referenced throughout along with any additional information specific to a particular section.

Added May 4, 2022

3-37) Is it allowed for a State Health Department to submit the same Project narratives and Budget outline in more than one sub-application of other States's Health Department or Public Health Lab? Specifically, if a State Public Health Department decided to join more than one State's ongoing application, would it be ok to have the same project narratives and budget in both applications?

One organization may collaborate with more than one state health department; however, the collaborating organization must not duplicate percent effort, budget, or scientific activity with two or more recipients. Should applications from the multiple state health departments be selected for award, the collaborating organization’s involvement in multiple awards will be assessed for possible overlap.

Added May 4, 2022

3-38) The health department and academic institution are each developing 4 budgets (Translation, Education, Base Response and Response Implementation), totaling 8 budgets in the application. Should we accordingly submit 8 separate budget narratives (4 from the health department, 4 from academic institution) or submit 4 separate budget narratives (Translation, Education, Base Response and Response Implementation) that combines budget narratives from the health department and Academic institution for each of four strategies?

Subaward budgets of the academic partner should be described in separate budget narratives as part of the prime recipient’s application.

Added May 4, 2022

3-39) We have a question regarding the single-IRB requirement outlined on page 49 of the NOFO. We are preparing a proposal with a Public Health prime recipient as well as several other partners. With the complexity of multiple different partner institutions, would it be possible to use a central or umbrella IRB at the DPH with partners ceding review to this protocol?

Added May 4, 2022

3-40) If we have multiple collaborators that will be across sections in translation, can we write them into the personnel for wet bench broad areas and then for the other broad areas state “see the personnel description on pg X”?

For portions of the application that are redundant, a detailed description may be provided once and then referenced throughout along with any additional information specific to a particular section.

Added May 4, 2022

3-41) For components Response Base and Response Implementation, do we need to provide the purpose, outcome/outcome measures, and significance under the approach portion, or can we simply write out our activities paragraphs?

For Mandatory Component (Core) Response Base strategy and for Mandatory Component (Response Implementation) the project narrative should be separated into 5 broad areas (wet laboratory, bioinformatics, etc.). For each of these 5 broad categories, the narrative should have the following sections: Background, Approach, Application Evaluation and Performance Plan, Organizational Capacity of Applicants to Implement the Approach, Work Plan.

For the Mandatory Component (Core) Translation strategy only, there should in addition be 11 sub-sections (Purpose, Outcomes, Significance, etc.) for the Activities sections.

Added May 4, 2022

3-42) On SF-424A, should we divide out by component and mandatory for column 1? For instance, should I have 1a as Mandatory Core Translation, Education, Response Base $4M, then 1b as Mandatory Response Implementation $2M, and 1c Optional Education $1M OR should I have it as 1a PGCoE $7M

SF-424A should be divided by component (e.g., there should be separate columns for Mandatory Component (Core), Mandatory Component (Response Implementation), Optional Component (Lead PGCoE for Education)).

Added May 4, 2022

3-43) For the budget narrative, if I have PI’s spread across multiple broad areas, should I list them multiple times and just state that their FTE will be covered in broad areas x, y, z?

For portions of the application that are redundant, a detailed description may be provided once and then referenced throughout along with any additional information specific to a particular section.

In the budget narrative, the PIs percent effort should be delineated for each of the broad topic areas.

Added May 4, 2022

3-44) Does each organization need to submit a risk assessment questionnaire or is a questionnaire only needed from the primary applicant?

The risk assessment only needs to be completed by the prime recipient.

Added May 4, 2022

3-45) If the state public health laboratory is applying for the grant but plans to work with the state health department (a separate organization) should a letter of support also be included from the health department?

A letter of support from an academic partner(s) is required. Additional letters of support from collaborating entities may be provided. All letters of support from academic partners should be submitted as a single PDF file entitled “Academic Letter of Support.” Additional letters of support may be provided as attachments.

Added May 4, 2022

3-46) Is an overview or introductory section allowable in the Project Narrative portion of the proposal?

Yes, but it must be included in the page limit.

Added May 4, 2022

3-47) Should the landscape analysis be incorporated into each section of the translation, or should it be included in the response base portion of the proposal?

The landscape analysis should be incorporated into each of the 5 broad sections of Mandatory Component (Core) Translation strategy.

Added May 4, 2022

3-48) Do the following pre-award assessment documents need to be provided with application or can be done later? a. Report on programmatic, budgetary and commitment overlap or b. Risk assessment questionnaire

These documents must be provided at the time of application.

Added May 4, 2022

3-49) Do work plans count towards the 75 page limit in the project narrative?

Yes. For portions of the application that are redundant, a detailed description may be provided once and then referenced throughout along with any additional information specific to a particular section.

Added May 4, 2022

3-50) Are separate work plans expected for year 1 and years 2-5? Should each section have two work plans?

The applicant must provide a detailed work plan for the first year and a high-level work plan for subsequent years.

Added May 4, 2022

3-51) The application for the above includes a “Key Contacts” form but there aren’t any instructions. Should we complete for all key personnel or the Authorized Representative, Payee, Admin contact and Project Manager (PI)?

This form should be completed for all personnel that will have a key role on the award. This form is not limited to the personnel listed.

Added May 4, 2022

3-52) The NOFO instructs that several documents should be divided into the 5 broad areas specified. When dividing3-52) The NOFO instructs that several documents should be divided into the 5 broad areas specified. When dividing the document into Broad Area sections, do we need to include the full title of the Broad Area or would it be sufficient to just use numbers or abbreviated names? the document into Broad Area sections, do we need to include the full title of the Broad Area or would it be sufficient to just use numbers or abbreviated names?

Full question:
The NOFO instructs that several documents should be divided into the 5 broad areas specified. When dividing the document into Broad Area sections, do we need to include the full title of the Broad Area or would it be sufficient to just use numbers or abbreviated names?

For example, must we write: “Broad Area 3: Data standardization/data security/data stewardship/data integration and reporting/data linkage/data science/data analytics/data visualization including of genomic, epidemiologic, clinical, biological, environmental, geospatial, behavioral, social and other types of data together” each time or could we instead call the section simply “Broad Area 3” or “Broad Area 3: Data?”

Answer:
The 5 Broad Areas may be defined in the application with a number (Broad Area 3), or with a number and shortened term (Broad Area 3: Data), or with a shortened term alone (Data) to describe these Broad Areas.

Added May 4, 2022

3-53) Should the columns of the 424A, Section B – Budget Categories be broken down to account for the three Mandatory components, and if applying for Lead for the Optional Education, include it as well, which would total approximately $7,000,000 adding the totals for each row?

Yes, each component will have its own column and should be labeled accordingly for a total of $7M, if applying for the Optional Component.

A detailed breakdown should be included on the budget narrative document.

Added May 4, 2022

3-54) As instructed, we are preparing separate budgets for each project component (three for the first mandatory core, one for the mandatory implementation, and one for the optional educational activities). We expect to issue a subaward to a consortium partner. We use an MTDC indirect cost model. When determining the indirect cost base, are we expected to include the first $25K of the subaward amount for each component—or just once for the entire project? We expect to write a single subaward, so I expect the latter, but I would appreciate your guidance.

Recipients must adhere to the terms of their negotiated indirect cost rate agreement. If utilizing a Modified Total Direct Cost (MTDC) indirect cost model, they must include the first $25k for each subawards. If issuing only one subaward the allowance is limited to the first $25K for that subaward.

Added May 4, 2022

3-55) Not clear about the format to use for the initial non-research and research projects that are requested on p. 14 of the NOFO. Should an applicant integrate each of the non-research and research projects into the 5 broad areas within Translation strategy? Or should an applicant submit each of the non-research and research projects free-standing, but formatted according to instructions on p. 69 for formatting the 5 broad areas?

Applicants should propose an initial research and non-research project or projects that include all 5 broad topic areas. These may be organized as separate projects for the 5 different topic areas or as a single project or projects that include activities for the 5 broad topic areas. The format for the Project Narrative should follow the format described in the H. Other Information section of the NOFO for the Mandatory Component (Core) strategy Translation.

Added May 11, 2022

3-56) Where should the application include the requirements for research projects to describe Personnel, Environment, and Management & Administrative Capacities (p. 27-28)?

Applications should describe the Personnel, Environment, and Management and Administrative capacities in the Project Narrative under the headings for “Organizational Capacity of Applicant to Implement the Approach” (see H. Other Information section of the NOFO).

Added May 11, 2022

3-57) Is there an error in formatting of the Work Plan template? Should the box marked Outcome Measure: be a column header? Should the box marked Period of Performance Outcome: be a header for the entire table?

The example Work Plan headers are correct as formatted on p. 30 of the NOFO.

Added May 11, 2022

3-58) “Applicants should consider and include requests for travel that may be necessary for proposed activities, including specifically (in the Mandatory Components (Core) strategy Translation and the Mandatory Component (Response Implementation)) travel to the bi-annual PGCoE coordinating group meeting and to the Annual Network Meeting. Travel that is approved and funded by CDC will be considered a required activity of the cooperative agreement.” Q: So that we can budget accurately, how many days are each of these meetings? Does the bi-annual meeting start in Budget Year 1 of the 5-year cooperative agreement?

There will be two coordinating group meetings each year beginning in budget year 1. We expect that one of these meetings will be held in conjunction with the Annual Network Meeting. Each meeting is expected to last approximately 3-4 days.

Added May 11, 2022

3-59) Is the data management plan included in the page count for the narrative or can it be included at the end as a supplement document?

Yes, the data management plan (DMP) is included in the page count and should not be added as an appendix. Please note that at the time of application submission, a high-level plan is required that addresses the bullets listed in the DMP section on page 26 of the NOFO. Award recipients have 6 months to finalize a detailed DMP.

Added May 11, 2022

3-60) What documents are included in the 75 maximum page limit in the CDC-RFA-CK22-2204 application?

The Project Narratives for the Mandatory Component (Core) and Mandatory Component (Response Implementation) have a combined limit of 75 pages.

Added May 11, 2022

3-61) Are Sections A – F required on the Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs (SF-424A)?

Yes.

Added May 11, 2022

Top of Page

Section 4: Response Implementation

4-1) Regarding the response implementation section, are we intended to propose activities we would aim to take on if CDC initiated an emergency response? We are wondering if response implementation is targeted to implementing, validating, or applying the methods developed in the translation section to standard public health response activities, but it seems like that is not the expectation and rather this section would just be activated in an emergency, so the response here should be pathogen agnostic. It would also imply that this section would not necessarily be funded. Are we interpreting that correctly?

The Mandatory Component (Response Implementation) will only be funded and implemented when and if there is a need to respond to an infectious threat. As described on page 16, applications should describe the types of experiments, research studies, and non-research activities that could be done in the event of an infectious threat. Applications should include working with other network sites to analyze and synthesize pathogen genomic and other diverse data and preparing informational reports. Applications should also describe implementation activities in the five broad areas listed.

Added April 12, 2022

4-2) How much of the Response Implementation Component should be directed toward SARS-CoV-2 versus other emerging and seasonal pandemic and epidemic diseases?

This NOFO is to establish a platform for pathogen genomics and innovation in the US. Response implementation should involve collaboration with CDC and CDC programs and is meant to be a broad and flexible platform that can be adapted for use with a specific pathogen or pathogens.

Added April 12, 2022

4-3) What are the conditions upon which the Response Implementation funding will be released? *

The Mandatory Component (Response implementation) will only be funded and implemented when and if there is a need to respond to an infectious threat.

* Answer updated May 4, 2022

4-4) Should we think of Response Implementation as funding to start implementing a response with targeted interventions or programs within a public health department or to build capacity to be ready for when an initiating event occurs?

There are two parts to the answer:
1) Within the Mandatory Component (Core), there are funds to build a Response Base to prepare for an infectious disease threat. For example, this could include establishing data use agreements, protocols, operating procedures, and planning for a response to an infectious disease threat.
2) There is a separate Mandatory Component (Response Implementation) that would be activated if there is an actual infectious disease threat. The Response Implementation Component would be activated according to whatever disease threat is present at the time. In the NOFO, “Section H. Other Information” details some of the elements that should be included in the application’s Project Narrative. This includes activities that could be stood up in a flexible way depending on what the actual infectious disease threat is, includes the five broad areas of work listed in this section of the NOFO, and includes activities that might be needed such as genomic sequencing, bioinformatics, rapidly analyzing diverse data and synthesizing information, etc.

Added April 12, 2022

4-5) There seems to be a conundrum in relation to the budget for Response Implementation. In your response to Question 4-1, you state that Response Implementation will only be funded if there is an event. However, you also indicate in the NOFO that the average Year 1 award will include $2 million for Response Implementation. In developing a budget, it becomes impossible to budget for positions, particularly partial effort in this component, when full effort (100%) is allocated across the 3 required components and one of the required components will not be initially, if ever, funded. How do we show particularly personnel in relation to Response Implementation? Does this mean that the initial award will only be $4,000,000 including Response Base, but not Response Implementation, which may be an unfunded but mandatory component?

Funding levels are not guaranteed for any portion of this NOFO. Funding for all components is based on merit review, programmatic priorities, and funding availability.

A separate budget and budget narrative, including the estimated cost and percent effort of personnel, is required for each component: Mandatory Component (Core), Mandatory Component (Response Implementation) and Optional Component (Lead PGCoE Education – if applied for).

In the event of an emerging infectious threat and the need to respond, successful Mandatory Component (Core) recipients will be notified and will be requested to submit a revised budget based on the available funds.

Added May 4, 2022

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Section 5: Academic Partners

5-1) In terms of indirect costs for the subcontract that the health department would have with the academic institution, can the academic institution use the existing indirect cost rate it already has in use, or would the academic institution need to negotiate a new indirect cost rate agreement?

The academic institution can use the existing indirect cost rate it now uses as long as the indirect cost rate agreement has not expired.

Added April 12, 2022

5-2) Is there any guidance for what academic partners and the depth of knowledge/information that should be included in the letter of support from academic and other entities for the application?

An “Academic Letter of Support” from the partnering academic organization(s) should articulate the nature of the partnership and the partner’s commitment to participate in the proposed activities.

Added April 7, 2022

5-3) Can you provide us the definition of an academic partner? Would a large health system that is a teaching institution qualify or does the grant require a more traditional academic institution for partnership?

A health system that is a teaching institution would be considered an academic institution. The academic partner for a CoE is expected to be an entity with expertise in microbial genomics and genomic epidemiology.

Added April 7, 2022

5-4) As stated in the RFA, the health department must partner with at least one academic institution but may partner with more than one. Does CDC recommend limiting the number of academic partnerships to a certain number?

Added April 7, 2022

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Update as of May 4

Section 1: Overview
- Response (1-9) updated
- Questions (1-30) through (1-31) added
Section 2: Eligibility
- Questions (2-29) and (2-30) added
Section 3: Application
- Responses to (3-5) and (3-8) updated
- Questions (3-55) through (3-61) added
Section 4: Response Implementation
- Response (4-3) updated
- Question (4-5) added

Update as of April 29

Section 1: Overview
- Question (1-18) added
Section 3: Application
- Questions (3-33) and (3-34) added

Update as of April 27

Section 1: Overview
- Questions (1-14) through (1-17) added
Section 2: Eligibility
- Questions (2-27) and (2-28) added
Section 3: Application
- Response to (3-5) and (3-8) updated
- Questions (3-22) through (3-32) added

Update as of April 20

Section 1: Overview
- Questions (1-11) through (1-13) added
Section 2: Eligibility
- Questions (2-21) and (2-26) added
Section 3: Application
- Questions (3-15) through (3-21) added

Note: This page will be updated on Wednesdays and Fridays as of April 20.