Strengthening Local Capacity to Deliver Comprehensive HIV/AIDS Prevention, Care and Treatment Activities in the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire under the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) | CDC RFA GH 23 0031

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1) What is the name and reference number of this funding opportunity?

This opportunity is CDC RFA GH 23 0031, a PEPFAR-supported cooperative agreement from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

2) What is the overall purpose of this award?

The purpose is to strengthen local capacity to deliver comprehensive HIV/AIDS prevention, care, and treatment services in the Republic of Cote d'Ivoire, while building on prior CDC/PEPFAR investments and avoiding gaps in services for people already enrolled in HIV care and antiretroviral treatment (ART).

3) Is this mainly a continuity grant or an expansion grant?

It is designed as both. It prioritizes continuity for an existing cohort of clients already receiving HIV care, support, and ART, while also supporting growth by expanding access to additional clients and communities and strengthening national systems over time.

4) What country is the program focused on?

The work is focused on the Republic of Cote d'Ivoire.

5) What funder and initiative support this award?

The funder is CDC (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services), and the award is supported by PEPFAR.

6) What type of funding mechanism is this?

The mechanism is a cooperative agreement, which generally means CDC expects substantial involvement during implementation (such as collaboration on technical direction, performance monitoring, and alignment with PEPFAR priorities).

7) What does CDC involvement typically imply under a cooperative agreement?

Based on the description provided, CDC anticipates being actively involved in implementation through areas like technical direction, performance monitoring, and ensuring alignment with PEPFAR priorities, rather than taking a fully hands-off approach.

8) What are the main programmatic priorities described for the project?

The program emphasizes: (1) maintaining high-quality HIV services without disruption for current clients, (2) expanding reach to additional clients and communities, (3) strengthening local/indigenous organizations and local ownership, and (4) progressively institutionalizing capabilities within government systems so the response can be sustained long-term.

9) How is sustainability and local ownership reflected in the program expectations?

Early in the project, recipients are expected to support HIV service delivery aligned with PEPFAR geographic and programmatic pivots and to work through and strengthen local indigenous organizations. Over time, expectations shift toward institutionalization within government systems, ultimately emphasizing technical assistance to the national Ministry of Health and Public Hygiene (MSHPCMU) to sustain and expand a comprehensive package of HIV services.

10) Which government ministry is identified as central to long-term sustainability?

The national Ministry of Health and Public Hygiene (MSHPCMU) is identified as the entity expected to sustain and expand the comprehensive package of HIV prevention, care, and ART services over time, supported by recipient-provided technical assistance.

11) What is meant by a "gradual transition" in this opportunity?

The described transition starts with ensuring services are delivered at high quality and at scale, then progressively embedding capabilities, processes, and responsibilities within national structures so services can be maintained with less external support.

12) What delivery model does the opportunity describe (facility-based, community-based, or both)?

It describes a combined approach that includes both facility-based and community-based strategies across the HIV service continuum.

13) What are examples of facility-based activities mentioned?

Facility-based elements typically include strengthening clinical HIV testing and linkage, ART initiation and continuation, routine monitoring and follow-up, and quality improvement within health facilities delivering HIV services.

14) What are examples of community-based activities mentioned?

Community-based elements commonly include reaching people outside traditional clinical settings, supporting adherence and retention through community follow-up, addressing barriers such as stigma and access challenges, and improving referral pathways between community touchpoints and clinical care.

15) What outcomes is the combined facility and community approach intended to improve?

The combined model is intended to improve outcomes across the full HIV service continuum by making services more accessible, keeping people engaged in care, and ensuring treatment is delivered consistently and effectively.

16) What is a key deliverable expected by the end of the project period?

A key deliverable is the ability to generate and use strong program data to demonstrate improved quality of HIV prevention, care, and treatment services in Cote d'Ivoire.

17) What are the expectations related to data, monitoring, and evaluation?

Recipients are expected not only to provide services, but also to collect, analyze, and evaluate program data to show measurable improvements and to support decision-making. This emphasis also supports sustainability by strengthening information systems, performance monitoring routines, and staff capacity for evidence-based program management.

18) How much funding is anticipated for Year 1?

CDC indicates an approximate total funding level of $25,000,000 for Year 1, contingent on the availability of funds.

19) How many awards are anticipated?

The notice anticipates four awards.

20) What does it mean that the Award Ceiling for Year 1 is listed as "0 (none)"?

As described in the provided information, this typically signals that CDC is not specifying a maximum cap per award in the posting, rather than indicating that no funds will be awarded.

21) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is described as unrestricted (open to any type of entity), subject to any additional clarifications in the full notice.

22) What is the assistance listing (CFDA) number and activity category?

The activity category is Health, under CFDA/Assistance Listing 93.067.

23) When was the opportunity posted and when did it close?

The opportunity was posted in late January 2023, with an original closing date in late March 2023.

24) How were applications required to be submitted?

Applications were required to be submitted electronically.

25) What was the application submission deadline time zone and cut-off time?

Applications were due by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on the due date.

26) What does "avoid gaps in service" mean in the context of this award?

It means the award is structured to maintain ongoing clinical and community services for people already enrolled in HIV care, support, and ART, so service delivery remains stable while the program also works to expand coverage.

27) How does the opportunity connect to earlier CDC/PEPFAR investments?

The award is designed to build directly on earlier CDC/PEPFAR investments in Cote d'Ivoire, supporting continuity for existing clients and leveraging prior work to strengthen systems and expand service access.

28) What role do local indigenous organizations play in implementation?

The opportunity emphasizes working through and strengthening local indigenous organizations, particularly early in the project, as part of the broader focus on sustainability and local ownership.

29) What is the long-term vision for who carries the HIV response forward?

The long-term direction is for capabilities, processes, and responsibilities to be increasingly embedded within national structures, with technical assistance supporting the MSHPCMU to sustain and expand comprehensive HIV prevention, care, and ART services with reduced external support over time.