The Armed Forces Pest Management Board (AFPMB), an agency of the Department of Defense (DoD), is soliciting pre-proposals for original and innovative research designed to develop new interventions for protection of deployed military personnel from diseases caused by arthropod-borne pathogens and to improve control of bed bugs and filth flies. Diseases of significant concern include Lyme disease, malaria, dengue fever and other arboviruses. The program supports development of: (1) new toxicants or the adaptation of existing toxicants to medically relevant pests; (2) new insecticide application techniques; (3) new personal protection tools that prevent human-vector contact; (4) decision support tools and (5) novel vector surveillance tools that focus on improved control outcomes. Ideally the research would support Advanced Technology Development (see DoD Financial Management Regulation Volume 2B, Chapter 5,DoD RDT&E Budget Activity 3) of new insecticides or improved formulations of existing insecticides for vector control, new technology or enhanced modalities of personal protection from biting arthropods, or improved efficacy and sustainability of equipment for vector surveillance and application of pesticides for vector control in a military operational environment. Research should be product-oriented, consisting of advanced research related to a particular technology or new capability, evaluation of experimental products for military uses, or research directed towards development of an existing prototype product for commercial manufacture. Research should include semi-field or field evaluation of prototype products.Research should not include testing and evaluation of commercial products. Any pesticide end use products described in the proposed research should be destined for registration by the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The research must be primarily applicable to the military, products should be transferable to civilian uses. The program consists of competitive grants open to principal investigators (PIs) from academia, industry, and local or state government agencies. Federal Agencies (including DoD) may apply subject to appropriate regulations.
This BAA is intended to solicit pre-proposals for AFPMB for those parts of development not related to a specific system or hardware procurement in accordance with Title 2, Subtitle A, Chapter II, Part 200 CFR. The purpose of this BAA is to identify the best available science, and as such, there are no set-asides associated with any awards resulting from this BAA. Specific areas of interest are described in the Areas of Interest section of this BAA. This Announcement provides a general description of project areas, including specific areas of interest, general information, evaluation and selection criteria, and proposal preparation instructions. All documentation and or attachments that are required with the submission of a full proposal, if requested, are described in the Mandatory Proposal Forms section of this announcement. Awards are typically made under grants; however, other funding opportunities may be considered.
Background
The Armed Forces Pest Management Board (AFPMB), an agency of the Department of Defense (DoD), is soliciting pre-proposals for original and innovative research designed to develop new interventions for protection of deployed military personnel from diseases caused by arthropod-borne pathogens and to improve control of bed bugs and filth flies. Diseases of significant concern include Lyme disease, malaria, dengue fever and other arboviruses. The program supports development of: (1) new toxicants or the adaptation of existing toxicants to medically relevant pests; (2) new insecticide application techniques; (3) new personal protection tools that prevent human-vector contact; (4) decision support tools and (5) novel vector surveillance tools that focus on improved control outcomes.
Ideally the research would support Advanced Technology Development of new insecticides or improved formulations of existing insecticides for vector control, new technology or enhanced modalities of personal protection from biting arthropods, or improved efficacy and sustainability of equipment for vector surveillance and application of pesticides for vector control in a military operational environment.
Grant Details
The AFPMB contemplates the award of Grants, Cooperative Agreements or other funding mechanisms under this BAA in support of its Deployed Warfighter Protection (DWFP) Research Program mission to develop and validate novel methods to protect deployed United States Military members from threats from medically relevant pests. The purpose of this BAA is to identify the best available science. The AFPMB must approve the release of information pertaining to projects funded by AFPMB. Approval must be sought through the cognizant Grants or Agreements Officer unless otherwise directed.
Eligibility Requirements
Pre-proposals are sought from all eligible sources, including state and local government, educational institutions, nonprofit organizations, and private industry. Generally, this announcement is continuously open; preliminary proposals (pre-proposals) may be submitted and will be evaluated at any time throughout the year. The availability of funds may limit the ability of the U.S. Government to make awards in specific areas; nevertheless, pre-proposals are sought under the BAA for areas consistent with the mission areas identified in Section V of this announcement.
Period of Performance
Awards funded by the DoD require a second tier review and written authorization from the Animal Care and Use Review Office (ACURO) in the U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command (USAMRDC) prior to beginning research involving animals. Therefore, the Project Manager must address all pertinent issues relating to the use of animals in the proposed work effort.
Grant Value
Funding for the proposals submitted under the AFPMB BAA is limited to $300,000 per year for a maximum of three years (i.e. total maximum of $900,000 including all costs). The budget should commensurate with the nature and complexity of the proposed effort.
Place of Performance
This announcement provides a general description of project areas, including specific areas of interest, general information, evaluation and selection criteria, and proposal preparation instructions.
