Homeland Security Biowatch Program

Program objective

The Bio-Watch program, managed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, is designed to detect aerosolized biological attacks by continuously monitoring the air for specific biological threats using strategically placed air collectors. This federally managed, locally operated system provides early warnings of biological incidents, enabling state and local authorities to respond quickly and effectively, thereby reducing casualties and fatalities. Bio-Watch supports the National Biodefense Strategy and Implementation Plan (2022) by informing decision-making, enhancing preparedness, and providing post-incident support to limit the impacts of biological threats. Operating in over 30 metropolitan areas across 22 states, Bio-Watch protects roughly one-third of the U.S. population and extends its coverage to high-visibility special events. Its core activities include operating air samplers, collecting and analyzing air samples, assisting partners with planning and preparedness through guidance, training, and exercises, and alerting and coordinating response actions upon detection of a threat. The program’s objectives are to maintain a robust bio-detection capability, engage stakeholders in preparedness and response, and establish coordination mechanisms across federal, state, local, and tribal levels to ensure rapid and effective public health responses to bioterrorist attacks. This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is for the performance of field operations--including deploying and maintaining a fleet of air monitoring units, collecting and replacing filters from those units, and transporting filters daily to Bio-Watch laboratories in metropolitan areas identified below. As optional for specific metropolitan areas listed below, field operations further include laboratory operations, such as sample processing, analysis, and results reporting. Eligible recipients of this cooperative agreement are state and local government agencies, regional governmental organizations, public institutions of higher learning, and federally recognized tribal governments.​

As published in the SAM.gov Assistance Listing.

No open or forecasted opportunities are currently posted under this listing. Programs often post notices on an annual cycle — see recently closed opportunities below for timing.

Eligible applicants (program level)

• ✓Tribal
• ✓U.S. Federal Government
• ✓U.S. State Government (including the District of Columbia)
• ✓Department or Agency of a U.S. State Government
• ✓Federally Recognized Indian/Native American/Alaska Native Tribal Government
• ✓Municipality or Township government (inclusive of cities, towns, boroughs (except in Alaska), and villages)
• ✓County Government (inclusive of boroughs in Alaska, parishes and other governmental entities with geographic regional control and authority)
• ✓School District Government
• ✓School District
• ✓Other Local Government Consortium, Regional Organization (Intrastate), or Other Local Government Combination
• ✓Public Housing Authority
• ✓Planning Commission
• ✓Airport Authority
• ✓Port Authority
• ✓Transit Authority
• ✓Water Delivery Authority
• ✓Other Special Disctrict Government
• ✓Local
• ✓State
• ✓Territorial

Eligible recipients are state and local government agencies, regional governmental organizations, public institutions of higher learning, and federally recognized tribal governments.

Intended beneficiaries: State and Local.

Program-level eligibility from SAM.gov. Each funding notice sets its own requirements.

Frequently asked questions