SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The sole source award seeks to advance HIV and TB epidemic control in Ukraine with activities to include enhancing integrated HIV service delivery, improving ART initiation and retention, and strengthening the national laboratory system to respond to emerging pathogens. The sole source award will also support surveillance and response to pandemic, novel influenza, and other infectious disease threats in Ukraine.

PHC of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine is the only entity that can carry out this work, as it is the lead national public health institution. It has the legislative responsibility to coordinate, implement, and monitor the country's public health programs, including HIV prevention, care, and treatment. As the central authority in Ukraine's public health system, PHC has legal and regulatory authority over national HIV policies, guidelines, and surveillance ( printed page 53252) systems. In addition, PHC has the designated responsibility to lead influenza surveillance, to support health service delivery, and to oversee the national coordination of surveillance, preparedness, prevention, and response activities for health threats and public health emergencies. This sole source award is also expected to support the recipient to improve or maintain capacity to conduct seasonal influenza surveillance and detect and respond to pandemic and novel influenza. The award is intended to enhance capacity to detect and respond to novel influenza viruses, such as highly pathogenic avian influenza, as well as to identify outbreaks of severe respiratory illness syndrome and other infectious disease threats through both epidemiologic and virologic detection. These activities supports strengthening connections between national institutions, especially National Influenza Centers, to fully participate in data sharing and maintain capacity to share specimens, as well as clinical and epidemiologic data related to influenza circulation.

Summary of the Award

Recipient: Public Health Center of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine.

Purpose of the award: The purpose of this award is to strengthen the local government to lead and take ownership of the national HIV and TB response and address emerging public health emergencies. The award will also support surveillance and response for pandemic, novel influenza, and other infectious disease threats in Ukraine.

Authority: This program is authorized under Public Law 108-25 (the United States Leadership Against HIV AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria Act of 2003) [22 U.S.C. 7601, et seq.] and Public Law 110-293 (the Tom Lantos and Henry J. Hyde United States Global Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Reauthorization Act of 2008), Public Law 113-56 (PEPFAR Stewardship and Oversight Act of 2013), and Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 242I).

Period of performance: September 30, 2026, through September 29, 2031.

91 FR 53251