1. Quality Improvement Capacity for Impact Project (QICIP) Pre-Review Conference Call Competitive Funding Opportunity Announcement: HRSA-15-021 March 25, 2015 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Health Resources and Services Administration HIV/AIDS Bureau Division of Training and Capacity Development Global Health Systems Branch

2. Agenda  Program Background  Program Purpose  Summary of Funding  Program Requirements and Expectations  Eligibility  Review and Selection Criteria  Applicant Q&A and inconsistencies in the announcement  Q&A

3. Background  Beginning in 2005, the Quality Improvement Center (QIC) improved the quality of HIV clinical services in approximately 15 countries, built capacity for performance measurement to support improvement, demonstrated strengthening of the HIV/AIDS quality improvement infrastructure and documentation systems, monitored implementation of national guidelines, and supported identification of national priorities for policy and planning.  The Quality Improvement Capacity & Impact Project (QICIP) envisions a broadening of the project to include a variety of approaches supported by evidence of effectiveness, with field- based support and a platform for sharing knowledge between and among facilities and countries, and activities to study and improve the application of QI methods in low and middle income countries.

4. The purpose of the QICIP, funded under the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, is to improve the effectiveness, efficiency, patient- centeredness, safety, accessibility, and equity of HIV clinical services through a variety of approaches including by building the capacity of host country health systems and/or host country government agencies responsible for improving performance. Purpose of Quality Improvement Capacity for Impact Project (QICIP)

5. Summary of Funding  This program will provide funding via cooperative agreement during Federal fiscal years 2015 - 2019. Approximately $20,000,000 is expected to be available annually to fund up to 2 recipients. Applicants may apply for a ceiling amount of up to $20,000,000 per year. The period of support is five (5) years.  Start Date: June 1, 2015  Project Period: June 1, 2015 – May 31, 2020  Funding beyond the first year is dependent on: Availability of appropriated funds in subsequent fiscal years Grantee satisfactory performance Decision that funding is in the best interest of the Federal government

6. Program Requirements  Implement evidence-based quality improvement approaches in as many as 20 PEPFAR-supported countries, with support in each country averaging approximately three (3) years.  Develop quality improvements in five (5) or more distinct technical areas, and the improvement approaches need to extend to a minimum of 50 facilities.  Provide significant assistance to country teams seeking to address deficiencies arising from SIMS assessments.

7. Program Requirements  Develop a knowledge management system to facilitate wide use of improvement knowledge.  Produce well documented results including the process of improvement as well as the outcome of improvement.  Actively solicit contributions from other QI programs to the knowledge management system.  Incorporate findings from any research and evaluation activities into the system, as well as useful papers and reports from the peer reviewed and gray literature.

8. Program Requirements  Provide technical leadership on a global scale including through disseminating knowledge of QI approaches, results, and program experiences through publications, web sites, other media, and consultations, and to a limited extent at conferences.  Support the training of health professionals in QI including through asynchronous learning approaches and provide technical leadership for QI training programs, addressing both in-service and pre-service training.  Introduce QI approaches to health care topics and health system components that have not been a traditional focus for such approaches.

9. Program Requirements  Provide support to policy makers in the development of QI strategies and policies.  Introduce QI approaches to health care topics and health system components that have not been a traditional focus for such approaches.  Assume responsibility for implementing planned activities associated with the existing QIC project while advocating for changes that align with the principles set forth in the QICIP.  Provide a level of direct support that will support achievement of optimal and timely results.

10. Program Requirements  Contribute to the development of more cost effective quality improvement programs that are fully institutionalized and sustainable components of health systems.  Implement measures to assure effective performance measurement including developing sustainable capacity for this important aspect of quality improvement.

11.  Eligible Applicants Eligible organizations are US or foreign public or non-profit private entities, including schools of medicine, nursing, public health, management and public administration, and academic health centers, community-based organizations, faith-based organizations, and consortia consisting of such organizations. Eligibility Information

12.  Other Applications that exceed the ceiling amount will be considered non-responsive and will not be considered for funding under this announcement. Any application that fails to satisfy the deadline requirements referenced in Section IV.3 will be considered non-responsive and will not be considered for funding under this announcement. NOTE: Multiple applications from an organization are not allowable.

13. Review and Selection Process Review Criteria  100 points total Need – 10 points Response – 40 points Evaluative Measures – 15 points Impact – 10 points Resources/Capabilities – 20 points Support Requested – 5 points

14. Application Submission Format Requirements  The total size of all uploaded files are not to exceed the equivalent of 80 pages when printed by HRSA.  This 80-page limit includes the abstract, project and budget narratives, attachments, and letters of commitment and support. Standard forms are NOT included in the page limit.  Applications that exceed the specified limits (that exceed the equivalent of 80 pages when printed by HRSA) will be deemed non-compliant. In certain circumstances, they may still be considered, however.