Discovery & Exploration of Emerging Pathogens - Viral Zoonoses (DEEP VZN) Federal Grant Opportunity for Discovery & Exploration of Emerging Pathogens - Viral Zoonoses (DEEP VZN) 7200AA21RFA00005. Posted Nov 17, 2020. Due Jun 17, 2021. US Agency for International Development - USAID Foreign Assistance for Programs Overseas Source: US Federal Contracts Registry https://govtribe.com/opportunity/federal-grant-opportunity/discovery-exploration-of-emerging-pathogens-viral-zoonoses-deep-vzn-7200aa21rfa00005 Through DEEP VZN, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) aims to discover and research uknown viruses with pandemic potential originating in wildlife in Asia, Latin America and Africa. USAID is seeking applications for a cooperative agreement from qualified entities to implement the Discovery & Exploration of Emerging Pathogens – Viral Zoonoses (DEEP VZN) program. DEEP Documents folder: Source: 7200AA21RFA00005 NOFO DEEP VZN - REVISED.pdf https://govtribe.com/file/government-file/7200aa21rfa00005-nofo-deep-vzn-revised-dot-pdf ВАЖНО!!! Page 17 Specifically, DEEP VZN will prioritize coronaviruses, filoviruses, and paramyxoviruses of wildlife origin. (Note: these viruses may be detected in wildlife, livestock, other domestic animals, or humans.) At this time, DEEP VZN will not focus on detection and characterization of previously-unknown groups of viruses (a.k.a. “unknown unknowns”). However, samples collected and archived by DEEP VZN could potentially be tested for unknown unknowns at some later stage or by other partners or institutions. Also note that USAID is not prioritizing influenza viruses for detection and characterization under DEEP VZN because this viral group will be addressed by other USAID projects/partners. Page 19 Focus Countries: DEEP VZN will be implemented in approximately 12 countries that will be determined jointly by the partner and USAID project management team. It is anticipated these countries will be in Africa, Asia, and Latin America in order to improve visibility on unknown viral threats across tropical and sub-tropical regions where risk of emerging zoonotic viruses is highest. As a result, the successful Applicant will be expected to be able to effectively and simultaneously implement activities in all of the regions and countries that are ultimately selected. USAID expects that the bulk of the sampling, detection, and characterization work will be conducted by incountry institutions and staff with technical, operational, administrative, and commodity support provided, as needed, from international partners. Page 20 An illustrative list of initial focus countries for DEEP VZN includes Peru, Senegal and Vietnam. Please note that countries may be added or removed, before or after award, based on the availability of funds and at the discretion of USAID due to changing priorities, policies, or global health events. Page 22 Objective 1: Conduct Sampling in Focus Countries for Unknown Viruses from the Priority Viral Families page 24 Objective 2: Strengthen Detection in Focus Countries for Novel Viruses from the Priority Viral Families USAID expects that most/all novel viruses in the priority families that are detected under Objective 2 will undergo whole genome sequencing and that a high proportion (to be determined) of these novel viruses will be assessed for zoonotic and epidemic/pandemic potential under Objective 3 (viral characterization). Page 25 Objective 3. Strengthen Characterization in Focus Countries of Novel Viruses from the Priority Viral Families (Page 26) While the characterization strategies may include in vitro studies, the project DEEP VZN will not support in vivo animal transmission studies or Gain of Function studies because of the safety risk involved. However, if DEEP VZN identifies novel viruses which are considered high priorities for in vivo animal transmission studies, DEEP VZN may assist the country in exploring options for having samples shipped to and work conducted at regional or global BSL-4 laboratories in partnership with the focus country to include facilitating in-country researcher(s) to work on the additional studies at the regional or global laboratories (when feasible). (Page 26) At a minimum, all novel viruses identified under Objective 2 will undergo phylogenetic analysis and evaluation of host plasticity while some proportion (to be determined) of these novel viruses will be analyzed for evidence of ability to infect and replicate in humans using in vitro tests. Based on analyses for zoonotic and epidemic/pandemic potential, viruses will be ranked by DEEP VZN according to risk and this information made available through in-country and international multisectoral fora so that other partners can update risk analyses (e.g. priority zoonotic diseases), surveillance, risk-reduction interventions, diagnostics, medicines, and vaccines. Information on viruses with zoonotic and epidemic/pandemic potential may also be used to periodically refine the sampling strategy under Objective 1. Page 27 If newly identified viruses are shown to infect and cause pathology in human cell lines and there is interest by other labs (that have appropriate biosafety certification) to conduct additional studies, facilitate dialogue between the requesting lab(s) and the host country (researchers and government) regarding possible transfer of samples; Page 31 DEEP VZN also is expected to coordinate with U.S. Government partner agencies that work on related One Health activities, including the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA), the U.S. Department of Defense/Global Emerging Infections Surveillance (GEIS), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the US Department of Agriculture. These agencies have a long history of supporting surveillance, labs, training, and research related to animal and human infectious diseases, including ones that are zoonotic. DEEP VZN activities must clearly complement and not compete with this programming. Page 36 1. Estimate of Funds Available and Number of Awards Contemplated USAID intends to award one (1) Cooperative Agreement pursuant to this notice of funding opportunity. Subject to funding availability and at the discretion of the Agency, USAID intends to provide up to $125,000,000USD in total USAID funding over a five (5) year period. This Activity will be incrementally funded over the life of the Activity, subject to the availability of funds. However, USAID reserves the right to make more than one award under this NOFO. 2. Start Date and Period of Performance for Federal Awards The anticipated period of performance is five (5) years. The estimated start date will be upon signature of the award, on or around October 1, 2021.