2012dhapp-baa 12-002 mod 2.pdf

The purpose of this modification is to incorporate the following:

1. Request concept papers for Bolivia, Belize, Dominican Republic, and Caribbean Regional as described below by 02 April 2012 for first round consideration:

Bolivia:

HVOP/HVCT/OHSS $85,000

Proposals are requested to work with the Bolivian Armed Forces in the strategic and operational planning and implementation of HIV prevention activities with military members and their families. The overall goal is to focus on the drivers of the epidemic specific to the military and address knowledge, attitudes and practices related to HIV prevention. Activities for HIV prevention and risk reduction should target recruits, enlisted, officer groups and their dependents as well as the specific demands associated with their military service and outreach interventions. The TBD partner will provide training and technical assistance using evidence based interventions in areas such as increasing consistent and correct use of condoms (including minimizing the stigma surrounding accessing condoms), promoting condom negotiation skills with partners, decreasing sexual risk behavior, mitigating the influence of alcohol on sexual risk taking behavior, improving knowledge and attitudes about testing, decreasing HIV-related stigma, decreasing gender-based discrimination and violence, and addressing the influence of mental health factors on risk behaviors. TBD partner activities will also include provision of HIV testing and pre/post-counseling services at military bases using HIV rapid test kits and promoting partner reduction by communicating the risks associated with overlapping or concurrent sexual partnerships.

The TBD partner will work with the military in the diagnosis, treatment, and tracking of STIs with STI awareness incorporated into prevention activities and integration into existing medical health services and routine medical care for military personnel. In conjunction with DHAPP, the TBD partner will work with the Bolivian Armed Forces on the periodic revision/development and implementation of a military specific HIV/AIDS policy addressing issues such as HIV testing, retention and promotion of identified HIV positive individuals as needed. Policies and protocols will also address systems and institutional strengthening to address issues related to access and availability of prevention, care, treatment and support programs, strengthening military commitment to support HIV positive members and HIV programs, and incorporation of HIV prevention education within curricula of various military academic institutions to promote an environment that reduces stigma and discrimination of

PLHIV.

The TBD partner will incorporate a capacity building model of increased military ownership and program sustainability over time, and demonstrate program monitoring and evaluation (M&E) throughout implementation of activities related to HIV prevention, testing & counseling and health systems strengthening with adequate supervision as needed. Data and information must be collected on a systematic basis to effectively monitor and evaluate program activities and contribute to future planning.

Belize:

HVCT - $40,000

HBHC - $20,000

A recent BBSS revealed that HIV testing and the provision of posttest counseling are key focal areas in the BDF. Proposals which address strategies to improve the provision of posttest counseling with HIV negative subjects and to improve Prevention with Positives (PwP) using novel technologies and implementation strategies are requested along with an evaluation to test its efficacy. Structural issues should be addressed regarding proposed implementation plans.

Proposals should directly complement DHAPP’s work in PwP. Implementing partners should include key personnel with a successful record of conducting scientific endeavors with uniformed services, a record of successful experience with dual ethics review processes, experience in conducting mixed methods protocols with and capacity building of military personnel in the region.

Dominican Republic:

HVCT - $90,000

HBHC - $100,000

A recent BBSS revealed that HIV testing and the provision of posttest counseling are key focal areas in the FFAA. Proposals which address strategies to improve the provision of posttest counseling with HIV negative subjects and to improve Prevention with Positives (PwP) using novel technologies and implementation strategies are requested along with an evaluation to test its efficacy. Structural issues should be addressed regarding proposed implementation plans.

Proposals should directly complement DHAPP’s work in PwP. Implementing partners should include key personnel with a successful record of conducting scientific endeavors with uniformed services, a record of successful experience with dual ethics review processes, and experience in conducting mixed methods protocols with military personnel in the region. In addition, secondary analysis of survey data should be addressed.

Caribbean Regional:

HVSI - $100,000

Strategic information is a key component of providing HIV prevention programs with population-specific risk factors. In each Defence Force, the implementing partner will assist with the collection, analysis, and dissemination of results for mixed methods endeavors aimed at informing HIV prevention programming. Proposals should align with DHAPP’s strategic information efforts. Implementing partners should include key personnel with a successful record of conducting scientific endeavors with uniformed services, a record of successful experience with dual ethics review processes, experience in conducting mixed methods protocols with and capacity building of military personnel in the region.