Building and Improving Integrated Laboratory Capacity and Quality Services in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) under the President's Emerg…

The Award Ceiling for Year 1 is 0 (none). CDC anticipates an Approximate Total Fiscal Year Funding amount of $3,500,000 for Year 1, subject to the availability of funds. To achieve the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS) 95-95-95 targets in DRC, laboratory and diagnostic networksmust be established and operationalized; therefore, this NOFO aims to access quality assured diagnostics and laboratory serviceswhich are criticalto the effective diagnosis, treatment, and management of HIV and other HIV-related diseases, including TB.PEPFAR DRC-supported laboratory and integrated diagnostic network strengthening effortshave led to improved access to quality diagnostic and client monitoring services; however, efforts are needed to improve viral load (VL) coverage and suppression and to increaselaboratory capacity. The PEPFAR DRC strategy includes continuous quality improvement (CQI) and strengthening the laboratory capacity within the country to reduce HIV/AIDS impact as a public health threat by 2030.This NOFO will focus on building laboratory capacity and improving the provision of HIVtesting activities in all PEPFAR-supported health zones in DRC. Activities will include the implementation of the rapid test continuous quality improvement (RT-CQI) program, scaling up of HIV VL and Infant Virologic Testing/Early Infant Diagnosis (IVT/EID) testing and strengthening of HIV/AIDS diagnostics capacity and quality management system (QMS). Applicants should have knowledgeof PEPFAR regulations and the abilityto work in the DRC context and maintain a presence in-country to meet the needs described in this NOFO.