BioWatch Program: 2014-2015

 

The BioWatch Program is a cornerstone of the Department of Homeland SecurityÂ’s (DHS) comprehensive strategy for countering biological terrorism. The BioWatch Program is an early warning system that is designed to detect the intentional release of select aerosolized biological agents. The BioWatch ProgramÂ’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.The BioWatch Evaluation Program (BWEP) will be conducted under the BioWatch Quality Assurance Program effective April 1, 2013. This program will consist of independent external audits (Quality Assurance) by Signature Science and internal audits (Quality Control) by BioWatch Systems Program Office field personnel. This approach will initially be conducted with a focus on adherence to the BioWatch Field Operations Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), Version 1.3 and will eventually evolve to encompass the Field Operations Quality Assurance Program Plan (QAPP). In order to ensure a robust QA / QC program the jurisdictions may be subject to a QA external audit and a QC internal audit during the same cooperative agreement cycle (year).

Deleted 10/30/2015 (Archived.) DHS-2014-OHA-BIOWATCH Agency: Department of Homeland Security
Office: Office of Procurement Operations - Grants Division Cooperative Agreement 27 State and Local Governments must be invited by DHS to apply. DHS will invite governmental organizations to apply for continuation funding under this FOA. In addition, as part of ongoing improvements in the BioWatch Program, DHS may evaluate requests for some direct support of laboratories that analyze samples collected under the Program. If necessary, this FOA will also award an unspecified number of supplemental awards to current recipients in the event of emergencies, Special Events with National Significance, and limited alterations to current recipients to ensure a secure and resilient nation with the capabilities to thwart terrorist attacks. 09/30/2015 This program does not have cost sharing or matching requirements. Sean Lilly
Grants Specialist
Phone 202-447-5869 sean.lilly@dhs.gov $29,000,000.00 Awards range from $178,220.00 to $4,500,000.00