Regional Approaches for Eradicating Tuberculosis (RAFET) | 72011524RFA00002

Opportunity Information: Apply for 72011524RFA00002

The Regional Approaches for Eradicating Tuberculosis (RAFET) opportunity is a USAID Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) that seeks a single implementing partner to run a Central Asia-focused tuberculosis program through a Cooperative Agreement. The opportunity is administered by USAID’s Kazakhstan platform (USAID-Almaty) and is positioned under the health sector. The listing notes that Amendment No. 01 was issued to answer applicant questions and to incorporate a change into the NOFO, meaning interested applicants need to rely on the amended materials as the controlling guidance for preparing and submitting an application.

This is a discretionary funding opportunity with an intended award instrument of a Cooperative Agreement, which typically signals substantial USAID involvement during implementation compared to a standard grant. In practice, applicants should expect more structured collaboration with USAID on technical direction, work planning, monitoring, and adaptive management throughout the period of performance. USAID indicates it plans to make an award to the applicant or applicants that best meet the objectives described in the NOFO, based on the merit review criteria laid out in the solicitation and contingent on a risk assessment. That combination means strong technical scoring alone may not be sufficient; applicants also need to demonstrate organizational responsibility, sound internal controls, and an ability to manage compliance, fiduciary risk, and program performance in a complex regional environment.

The program focus is tuberculosis eradication using regional approaches in Central Asia. While the short synopsis does not spell out technical components, the title and geographic emphasis imply activities that address cross-border and multi-country TB challenges, such as coordination among national TB programs, alignment of technical policies and protocols, improved case detection and linkage to care across borders, continuity of treatment for mobile populations, and regional learning and data use. A regional approach often also includes strengthening surveillance and information-sharing, improving laboratory networks and diagnostic access, addressing drug-resistant TB through quality treatment and adherence support, and building capacity across institutions so gains are sustained beyond the award period. The NOFO itself (referenced as 72011524RFA00002) would define the specific results framework, required activities, and expected deliverables.

Eligibility for submission is described as effectively broad in the source fields (EligibleApplicants: Unrestricted), but the narrative clarifies that it is restricted to qualified U.S. and non-U.S. organizations, meaning both domestic and international entities can apply as long as they meet USAID’s qualification requirements. This typically includes demonstrating relevant past performance, appropriate technical and operational capacity, and the ability to comply with USAID regulations and reporting expectations. The award is expected to be a single award (ExpectedAwards: 1), which increases competitive pressure and makes consortium teaming, clear governance, and well-defined partner roles especially important for applicants that intend to cover multiple countries or specialized technical areas.

In terms of funding scale and timing, the opportunity lists an award ceiling of $10,000,000 and an original closing date of February 22, 2024. The ceiling indicates the maximum potential funding level under the award, though actual obligated amounts can depend on final negotiations, the proposed approach, and USAID’s funding availability. The solicitation was created on January 22, 2024, and the amendment suggests the agency engaged in a question-and-answer process early in the procurement window. Because amendments can alter requirements, submission instructions, evaluation criteria, or program scope, an applicant would need to review Amendment No. 01 carefully to ensure its technical narrative, budget, and attachments match the updated NOFO directions.

Overall, RAFET is a competitive USAID health award aimed at advancing tuberculosis eradication outcomes through coordinated, multi-country work in Central Asia, funded up to $10 million under a cooperative agreement structure. Applicants are expected to follow the amended NOFO closely, respond to the articulated objectives with a credible regional strategy and implementation plan, and present a strong organizational risk profile that can withstand USAID’s merit review and risk assessment process.

• The Kazakhstan USAID-Almaty in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Regional Approaches for Eradicating Tuberculosis (RAFET)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 98.001.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2024-01-22.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-02-22. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $10,000,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted.

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