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Homeland Security Biowatch Program
The BioWatch Program?s mission is to deploy, sustain, and maintain a national 24x7x365 operational ability to detect, and
The DHS Office of Health Affairs (OHA) administers the BioWatch program and is currently engaged in advanced development, test, evaluation and operations to improve sampling technologies, collection procedures, sample analysis, and develop and implement a next generation BioWatch system.
The Biowatch Program and PPD-8 share the following elements.
? First, in accordance with the National Preparedness Goal , the Biowatch program provides a comprehensive strategy for countering biological terrorism.
? Next, following the National Preparedness System and the BioWatch Program is a federally managed, locally operated early warning operational capability designed to enhance national preparedness.
The program provides an early warning system that detects the release of a select biological agent that may pose a danger to the public health in select jurisdictions.
? Biowatch, in accordance with the National Planning Frameworks and Federal Interagency Operational Plans, acts as an early warning system which enhances the security of jurisdictions by providing the needed time to execute their comprehensive concept of operations plans to counter biological terrorism.
In addition, the BioWatch Program provides advice and guidance to jurisdictions to develop biological preparedness programs that properly addresses the needed mitigation plans that reduces the negative impacts to a biological attack.
The Biowatch Program is a critical part of an ongoing national effort to build and sustain preparedness which helps the United States maintain momentum through targeted jurisdictional planning that highlights preventative actions necessary to allow for a proper and timely response and begin the process to recovery from a biological agent release.
To provide funding and/or property for the conduct of operations and other related activities intended to identify, counter, or respond to biological and chemical threats.
The Department of Homeland Security has three primary missions: Prevent terrorist attacks within the United States, reduce America's vulnerability to terrorism and minimize the damage from potential attacks and natural disasters.
Program Accomplishments
Fiscal Year 2016: The BioWatch Program?s mission provided and maintained a continuous bio-terrorism air monitoring system in metropolitan areas and coordinated with state and local public health communities to prepare for and respond to a bioterrorist event. This mission was accomplished by serving as an early warning system which enhanced the security of jurisdictions by providing the needed time to execute their comprehensive concept of operations plans to counter biological terrorism. The Biowatch Program is a critical part of an ongoing national effort to build and sustain preparedness which helps the United States to maintain momentum through targeted jurisdictional planning that highlights preventative actions necessary to allow for a proper and timely response and begin the process to recovery from a biological agent release. Fiscal Year 2017: The BioWatch Program?s mission is to provide and maintain a continuous bio-terrorism air monitoring system in metropolitan areas and coordinate with state and local public health communities to prepare for and respond to a bioterrorist event. This mission is accomplished by serving as an early warning system which enhances the security of jurisdictions by providing the needed time to execute their comprehensive concept of operations plans to counter biological terrorism. The Biowatch Program is a critical part of an ongoing national effort to build and sustain preparedness which helps the United States to maintain momentum through targeted jurisdictional planning that highlights preventative actions necessary to allow for a proper and timely response and begin the process to recovery from a biological agent release. Fiscal Year 2018: The BioWatch Program?s mission is to provide and maintain a continuous bio-terrorism air monitoring system in metropolitan areas and coordinate with state and local public health communities to prepare for and respond to a bioterrorist event. This mission is accomplished by serving as an early warning system which enhances the security of jurisdictions by providing the needed time to execute their comprehensive concept of operations plans to counter biological terrorism. The Biowatch Program is a critical part of an ongoing national effort to build and sustain preparedness which helps the United States to maintain momentum through targeted jurisdictional planning that highlights preventative actions necessary to allow for a proper and timely response and begin the process to recovery from a biological agent release.
Uses and Use Restrictions
Financial and nonfinancial assistance may be provided for the following: salaries, materials and supplies, equipment, travel, publication costs, subcontractor and supporting costs required for technical and other activities necessary to achieve the objective.
Restrictions on use of funds will be identified in the funding opportunity announcement, program guidance, and award provisions.
See program announcement.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
Generally, State and local governments or as specified by U.S.
Appropriation Statute.
Specific applicant eligibility will be identified in the funding opportunity announcement and program guidance.
Beneficiary Eligibility
State and local governments.
Credentials/Documentation
May be required by the U.S. Statute, regulation, or program guidance. 2 CFR 200, Subpart E - Cost Principles applies to this program.
Aplication and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
Preapplication coordination is required.
An environmental impact assessment is 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.
Application Procedures
2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program. An application (SF-424, Budget, program or project narrative and assurances) must be submitted that outlines the implementation of the project and expenditure of funds in response to the project identified through the announcement.
Award Procedures
Applications or plans are reviewed by DHS program and administrative staff, concerns negotiated with the applicant, and award processed.
Deadlines
Contact the headquarters or regional office, as appropriate, for application deadlines.
Authorization
Homeland Security Act of 2002, Public Law 107-296, 6 U.S.C 188(b)(1)(c).
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
The range of approval depends on the type of project to be funded.
Appeals
Not Applicable.
Renewals
Contingent upon future Congressional funding. Renewal of an award to increase funding or extend the period of performance is at the sole discretion of the Department of Homeland Security.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
Statutory formulas are not applicable to this program. This program has no matching requirements. This program does not have MOE requirements.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Specified in the funding opportunity announcement. See the following for information on how assistance is awarded/released: See program announcement.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
Requirements identified in the terms and conditions of the award.
Financial reports submission are identified in the Terms and Conditions of the award.
Program and progress reports must be submitted and are identified in the Terms and Conditions of the award.
Financial reports submission are identified in the Terms and Conditions of the award.
Requirements are identified in the Terms and Conditions of the award.
Audits
In accordance with the provisions of 2 CFR 200, Subpart F - Audit Requirements, non-Federal entities that expend financial assistance of $750,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Non-Federal entities that expend less than $750,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in 2 CFR 200.503.
Records
Financial records, supporting documentation and all other records to validate the performance of the grant or cooperative agreement must be retained for 3 years from the date the final financial status report is submitted to the DHS.
Financial Information
Account Identification
70-0800-0-1-999.
Obigations
(Salaries) FY 16 $17,000,000; FY 17 est $29,000,000; and FY 18 est $29,000,000
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
Specified in the announcement.
Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature
OMB Circulars Nos., A-21 Cost Principles for Educational Institutions, A-87 Cost Principles for State, Local and Indian Tribal Governments, A-102 Grants and Cooperative Agreements with State and Local Governments, A-110, Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Other Agreements with Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals and Nonprofit Organizations, and A-133 Audits of States, Local Governments, and Nonprofit Organizations, in addition to program regulations, guidelines, DHS policy and procedures.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
None.
Headquarters Office
DHS, Office of Procurement Operations, Office of Health Affairs 245 Murray Lane, SW, Mail Stop 0115, Washington, District of Columbia 20528 Phone: (202) 447-5589
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
Earmark or as identified in the funding opportunity announcement or program guidance.
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