Homeland Security Biowatch Program

 

The BioWatch program is a federally managed, locally operated early warning system that is designed to detect the intentional release of select aerosolized biological agents. The BioWatch programs mission is to deploy, sustain, and maintain a national 24x7x365 operational ability to detect, and respond to a bioterrorist event in metropolitan areas across the country. The DHS Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction (CWMD) 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 biodetection 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 address 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.

Active 97.091 Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction, Department of Homeland Security B - Project Grants; I - Use of Property, Facilities, and Equipment Fiscal Year 2016 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 that 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 that 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 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.
Fiscal Year 2019 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 2020 Fiscal year 2020: BioWatch through their Federal, State, and local partners successfully collected and tested more than 225,000 samples for the presence of biological agents in 32 major metropolitan cities (jurisdictions). Additionally, the BioWatch Program supported the following: * 27 local special events * 5 BioWatch National Conference Calls (BWNCC) * 1 BAR notification (Chicago) * 4 Drills * 63 BioWatch local exercises * Local notification drills: 44 * Local BAC exercises (primary local call): 14 * Local environmental sampling exercises: 5
Fiscal Year 2021 FY21: The BioWatch program, through their Federal, state, and local partners, collected and tested more than 230,000 samples for the presence of biological agents in over 30 major metropolitan areas ("jurisdictions"). * The BioWatch Program Office responded to 8 BioWatch Actionable Results (BARs) and developed After-Action Report/Improvement Plans for each BAR. * BioWatch jurisdictions completed 80 local exercises/drills/trainings in addition to 7 techmical laboratory or national conference calls with DHS and federal interagency personne. * The BioWatch Program Office supported 32 special event deployments for events such as festivals, fairs, award ceremonies, concerts, major sporting events, and political conventions. * Over 100 BioWatch 101/201 trainings were delivered to local stakeholders, federal interagency partners, and DHS staff.
Fiscal Year 2022 Fiscal Year 2022: The BioWatch program, through their Federal, state, and local partners, collected and tested more than 230,000 samples for the presence of biological agents in over 30 major metropolitan areas (“jurisdictions”). Additionally: • The BioWatch Program Office responded to 2 BioWatch Actionable Results (BARs) and developed After-Action Report/Improvement Plans for each BAR. • BioWatch jurisdictions completed 92 local exercises/drills/trainings in addition to 5 technical laboratory or national conference calls with DHS and federal interagency personnel. • The BioWatch Program Office supported 56 special event deployments for events such as festivals, fairs, award ceremonies, concerts, major sporting events, and political conventions. • Over 175 BioWatch 101/201 trainings were delivered to local stakeholders, federal interagency partners, and DHS staff. Homeland Security Appropriations Act 2023, Section Div. F, Public Law 117-328
Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2023, Title IV, Research Development, Training, Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office, Federal Assistance, Section Div. F, Public Law 117-328, Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act 6 US Code, and 591 note, construing 592-596 to cover chemical and biological responsibilities. 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. State and local governments. May be required by the U.S. Statute, regulation, or program guidance. Preapplication coordination is required. An environmental impact assessment is required for this listing. 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. Preapplication coordination is required. 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. 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. Applications or plans are reviewed by DHS program and administrative staff, concerns negotiated with the applicant, and award processed. Contact the headquarters or regional location, as appropriate for application deadlines The range of approval depends on the type of project to be funded. Not applicable. 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. Earmark or as identified in the funding opportunity announcement or program guidance. 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. Performance Reports: Requirements are identified in the Terms and Conditions of the award. Not applicable. 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. Statutory formula is not applicable to this assistance listing.

Matching requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.

MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing. Specified in the funding opportunity announcement. See program announcement. None/Not specified. Theresa Gallagher
245 Murray Lane, SW, Mail Stop 0115
Washington, DC 20528 USA
Theresa.Gallagher@hq.dhs.gov
Phone: 202-923-0693 http://www.dhs.gov 70-0800-0-1-999 (Cooperative Agreements) FY 22$31,085,005.00; FY 23 est $33,473,835.00; FY 24 est $35,473,000.00; - Specified in the announcement. 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. Not applicable.