Annex B_RFI no.72048624RFI00002_Thailand HIV (KP-CSO) Leadership.pdf

ANNEX B: REQUEST FOR INFORMATION

Request for Informa�on No.: 72048624RFI00002

Released Date: August 7, 2024

Response Due Date: August 29, 2024 10 a.m. Bangkok �me

Restrict Eligibility: Local Organiza�ons legally registered in Thailand

The United States Agency for Interna�onal Development, Regional Development Mission for Asia (USAID/RDMA) is in the process of gathering informa�on to support the design of the “Thailand HIV Key Popula�on Civil Society Organiza�on (KP-CSO) Leadership” ac�vity.

In par�cular, this Request for Informa�on (RFI) intends to

1. Offer the opportunity for interested individuals and organiza�ons to provide feedback on

Annex A: Concept of the Ac�vity .

2. Seek for responses to the following USAID ques�ons.

a. Per the concept of the ac�vity, what are other aspects/areas that are missing and need to be incorporated in the ac�vity design to ensure that the ac�vity advances HIV epidemic control in Thailand? Why?

b. Under the current Key Popula�on-Led Health Services (KPLHS) model, what will be an approach that could be strengthened to ensure equity and equality of access to HIV services among Key Popula�ons?

c. USAID envisions iden�fying one local organiza�on as the prime recipient to provide organiza�onal capacity building in financial management, program management and technical aspects to other local KP-led organiza�ons (CSOs).

What risks, if any, are associated with this approach? What beneficial results will be obtained from having local Thai organiza�ons receive direct support from another local Thai organiza�on?

3. Indicate if you are interested in submi�ng an applica�on once the No�ce of Funding Opportunity is issued by comple�ng Annex 2: Expression of Interest.

4. Provide USAID/RDMA your organiza�on’s capability statement

This RFI is issued solely for planning purposes and accepts informa�on from all interested organiza�ons. This is not a solicita�on or a request for applica�on. Any applica�on submi�ed in response to this request will not be considered. All comments and ques�ons regarding this RFI should be submi�ed to Ms. Tanapreeyanun Paoluglam, email: tpaoluglam@usaid.gov with the subject line “72048624R0000x Thailand HIV Key Popula�on Civil Society Organiza�on (KP-CSO) Leadership ac�vity” .

Response Submission Guideline

Please submit responses electronically with the �tle “[Name of Your Organiza�on]_72048624RFI0000x Thailand HIV Key Popula�on Civil Society Organiza�on (KP-CSO) Leadership ac�vity” to Ms. Tanapreeyanun Paoluglam, Acquisi�on and Assistance Specialist, at tpaoluglam@usaid.gov . Responses to this RFI will be accepted through the date and �me indicated above.

You will only receive an electronic confirma�on acknowledging receipt of your response, but will not receive individualized feedback on any sugges�ons. No basis for the claims against the U.S. Government shall arise as a result of a response to this request for informa�on or from the Government’s use of such informa�on. Specific ques�ons about this RFI should be directed only to the email addresses iden�fied above.

For the submission, please submit

1. Comments and recommenda�ons to Annex 1: Concept of the Ac�vity no more than five pages. USAID welcomes concise and direct responses to help best inform USAID’s planning and ac�vity design.

2. Your responses to USAID ques�ons.

3. Indicate if you are interested in submi�ng the applica�on in response to this ac�vity design once the solicita�on is issued and provide your capability informa�on submi�ed with the relevant informa�on listed in ANNEX 2: EXPRESSION OF INTEREST.

The feedback on the concept of the ac�vity and responses to USAID ques�ons must be no more than 5 pages . You will only receive an electronic confirma�on acknowledging receipt of your response, but will not receive individualized feedback on any sugges�ons. USAID will use informa�on provided by respondents to inform planning, discussions with stakeholders, and planned future ac�vity designs. Any informa�on submi�ed in response to this no�ce is voluntary. Not responding to this request does not preclude par�cipa�on in any future solicita�on, if any is issued.

mailto:tpaoluglam@usaid.gov mailto:tpaoluglam@usaid.gov

Unique En�ty Iden�fier (UEI) and SAM Registra�on

Applicants must obtain a Unique En�ty Iden�fier (UEI) and register in the System for Award Management (SAM) ( h�ps://sam.gov/ ) in order to be eligible to receive federal assistance, such as grants and coopera�ve agreements. Unless an exemp�on applies (see ADS 303maz), applicants must be registered in SAM prior to submi�ng an applica�on for award for USAID’s considera�on. Recipients must maintain an ac�ve SAM registra�on while they have an ac�ve award. Each applicant (unless the applicant is an individual or en�ty that is exempted from UEI/SAM requirements under 2 CFR 25.110) is required to:

● Provide a valid UEI for the applicant and all proposed sub-recipients;

● Be registered in SAM before submi�ng its applica�on.

● Con�nue to maintain an ac�ve SAM registra�on with current informa�on at all �mes during which it has an ac�ve Federal award or an applica�on or plan under considera�on by a Federal awarding agency.

The registra�on process may take many weeks to complete. Therefore, applicants are encouraged to begin the process early. If an applicant has not fully complied with the requirements above by the �me USAID is ready to make an award, USAID may determine that the applicant is not qualified to receive an award and use that determina�on as a basis for making an award to another applicant.

Applicants can find addi�onal resources for registering in SAM, including a Quick Start Guide and a video, on h�ps://sam.gov/ .

Available Resources for Local Organiza�ons h�ps://workwithusaid.gov is a free resource hub that provides the knowledge and networks for organiza�ons of all kinds to navigate how to partner with USAID. The website is set up to support new partners, exis�ng partners, and USAID staff around the world. The website offers organiza�ons to

● Register your organiza�on in the Partner Directory . The directory allows organiza�ons to create a public-facing profile and to also search the database to connect with others in the development community. USAID hopes this tool will also serve to help organiza�ons more easily forge prime and/or sub-partnerships as they put together proposals to respond to acquisi�on and assistance award solicita�ons.

https://sam.gov/ https://sam.gov/ https://workwithusaid.gov/ https://www.workwithusaid.org/directory

● Take the Pre-Engagement Assessment . Organiza�ons can self-evaluate their readiness to compete for USAID funding using this easy tool.

● Find helpful resources in the library , blog , and a collec�on of FAQs about partnering with USAID.

Thank you for your assistance and interest in USAID programs.

Sincerely, /S/

Ayana Angulo Regional Agreement Officer USAID/RDMA, Regional Office of Acquisi�on and Assistance https://www.workwithusaid.org/pre-engagement https://www.workwithusaid.org/resource-library https://www.workwithusaid.org/blog https://www.workwithusaid.org/faq

ANNEX 1: Concept of the Ac�vity: Thailand HIV Key Popula�on Civil Society Organiza�on (KP-CSO) Leadership ac�vity

Background and Ra�onale:

In 2016, Thailand joined other Member States to commit to the United Na�ons Poli�cal Declara�on on Ending AIDS to end the epidemic by 2030. 1 Since the first reported case of AIDS in 1984, Thailand has established itself as a model for quickly responding to the surges in HIV and controlling the HIV epidemic. 2 As the HIV epidemic shi�ed transmission dynamics from the general popula�on to a more concentrated epidemic, Thailand adapted prac�ces and policies to use as many biomedical advances as possible. This includes Same Day An�retroviral Treatment (SDART), Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP), same day HIV tes�ng, among other strategies to reach those most at risk for HIV infec�on. In 2023, the AIDS Epidemic Model (formerly known as the Asian Epidemic Model) projec�on shows that new HIV infec�ons among men who have sex with men (MSM), male sex workers (MSW), and transgender women (TGW) in Thailand, par�cularly young key popula�ons (KPs), accounted for 67% of total new infec�ons. Of all new infec�ons, 56% occurred among MSM. 3 In 2020, it was also found that half the new HIV infec�ons were in young adults aged 15-24, highligh�ng the urgency to address younger KPs. 4 KPs, specifically MSM, MSW, TGW, and TGSW, par�cularly young KPs, are key drivers of the HIV epidemic in Thailand (UNAIDS, 2022).

In Thailand, KP-led Organiza�ons and Civil Society Organiza�ons (CSOs) are a major catalyst towards ending AIDS by 2030. KP-led organiza�ons 5 , for example, have proven that they are able to iden�fy and access KP at risk. They are able to effec�vely reach and recruit KP clients to access quality HIV and other health related services at the one stop-shop model Key Popula�on-Led Health Services (KPLHS) clinics. KPLHS clinics offer KP-tailored services such as HIV counseling and tes�ng, screening and treatment of sexual transmi�ed infec�ons, tuberculosis, hepa��s C, chemsex 6 , and mental health screening and referral to treatment, same day Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) service, SDART) services, and hormone level measurement in TGW.

To accelerate Thailand's ending AIDS strategy, maximizing and op�mizing the capabili�es of KP-led organiza�ons and CSOs through task shi�ing and task sharing between facility-based and

6 Chemsex’ is the use of drugs before or during planned sexual events to facilitate, enhance, prolong and sustain the experience.

Drugs associated with chemsex are methamphetamine, GHB/GBL, mephedrone, cocaine and ketamine.

5 Pengnonyang S, Ramautarsing RA, Janyam S, Chaisalee T, Chanlearn P, Vannakit R, Phanuphak P, Phanuphak N. Certification of lay providers to deliver key population-led HIV services in Thailand's National Healthcare System: lessons learned. J Int AIDS Soc.

2022 Jul;25(7):e25965. doi: 10.1002/jia2.25965. PMID: 35879833; PMCID: PMC9314781.

4 UNAIDS 2022. Putting Young Key Populations First: HIV and Young People in Key Populations in the Asia Pacific Region 2022 .

3 Brown T, Peerapatanapokin W, Siripong N, Puckett R. The AIDS Epidemic Model 2023 for Estimating HIV Trends and Transmission Dynamics in Asian Epidemic Settings. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr. 2024 Jan 1;95(1S):e13-e23. doi:

10.1097/QAI.0000000000003319. Epub 2024 Jan 4. PMID: 38180846; PMCID: PMC10769178.

2 Siraprapasiri T, Ongwangdee S, Benjarattanaporn P, Peerapatanapokin W, Sharma M. The impact of Thailand's public health response to the HIV epidemic 1984-2015: understanding the ingredients of success. J Virus Erad. 2016 Nov 28;2(Suppl 4):7-14.

PMID: 28275444; PMCID: PMC5337415.

1 2016 United Nations Political Declaration on Ending AIDS sets world on the Fast-Track to end the epidemic by 2030 https://www.unaids.org/sites/default/files/media_asset/2022-HIV-young-people-key-populations-asia-pacific_en.pdf https://www.unaids.org/en/resources/presscentre/pressreleaseandstatementarchive/2016/june/20160608_PS_HLM_PoliticalDeclaration

KP-led organiza�ons and CSOs is a promising approach with evidence-based data under published interna�onal journals. 7 , 8 , 9

The Thai Government is gradually increasing Na�onal Health Security Office (NHSO) investments by suppor�ng KPLHS through a Thai Government preven�on fund under the universal health coverage (UHC) ini�a�ve. This funding support is to promote reach-recruit, test, and refer;

integrate the PrEP program into KPLHS; and other health related services that are primarily delivered by the public sectors. In addi�on, it is an�cipated that hormone therapy for transgender people will be included in UHC benefits for KP clients in the near future.

Evidence has shown KP led organiza�ons and CSOs in Thailand are key contributors to the last milestone of the HIV epidemic by suppor�ng KP clients to access HIV services; however, there are s�ll remaining key challenges to prevent KP-led organiza�ons and CSOs to reduce HIV incidence among KPs.

For example, KP- led organiza�ons and CSOs are not allowed to provide a comprehensive HIV service package to KP clients as part of the na�onal HIV response system. There is no systemic approach to building the capacity of community health workers to perform HIV services. There is a lack of innova�ve approaches for HIV preven�on and treatment cascade to reach the last mile clients including young KPs and KP late presenters who do not want to approach facili�es or community based organiza�ons for HIV services.

In addi�on, there are exis�ng structural barriers to achieve the 95-95-95, and 10-10-10 targets par�cularly with respect to the s�gma and discrimina�on towards the KP living with HIV; lack of representa�ve en�ty for KP- led organiza�ons and CSOs to raise concerns and advocate for HIV-related policy changes at na�onal and provincial level; limited capacity of KP- led organiza�ons and CSOs to diversify funding sources with mixed financial methods for their sustainability.

[Note:

95-95-95 is the Joint United Na�ons Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) targets launched in 2014. The aim was to diagnose 95% of all HIV-posi�ve individuals, provide an�retroviral therapy

9 A comparison of attitudes and knowledge of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) between hospital and Key Population Led Health Service providers: Lessons for Thailand’s Universal Health Coverage implementation Rayanakorn A, Chautrakarn S, Intawong K, Chariyalertsak C, Khemngern P, et al. (2022) A comparison of attitudes and knowledge of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) between hospital and Key Population Led Health Service providers: Lessons for Thailand’s Universal Health Coverage implementation. PLOS ONE 17(5): e0268407. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0268407

8 Rapeeporn Wongkanya, Tippawan Pankam, Shauna Wolf, Supanit Pattanachaiwit, Jureeporn Jantarapakde, Supabhorn Pengnongyang, Prasopsuk Thapwong, Apichat Udomjirasirichot, Yutthana Churattanakraisri, Nanthika Prawepray, Apiluk Paksornsit, Thidadaow Sitthipau, Sarayut Petchaithong, Raruay Jitsakulchaidejt, Somboon Nookhai, Cheewanan Lertpiriyasuwat, Sumet Ongwandee, Praphan Phanuphak, Nittaya Phanuphak, HIV rapid diagnostic testing by lay providers in a key population-led health service programme in Thailand, Journal of Virus Eradication, Volume 4, Issue 1, 2018, Pages 12-15, ISSN 2055-6640, https://doi.org/10.1016/S2055-6640(20)30235-1.

7 Pengnonyang S, Ramautarsing RA, Janyam S, Chaisalee T, Chanlearn P, Vannakit R, Phanuphak P, Phanuphak N. Certification of lay providers to deliver key population-led HIV services in Thailand's National Healthcare System: lessons learned. J Int AIDS Soc.

2022 Jul;25(7):e25965. doi: 10.1002/jia2.25965. PMID: 35879833; PMCID: PMC9314781.

https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0268407 https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0268407 https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0268407

(ART) for 95% of those diagnosed and achieve viral suppression for 95% of those treated by 2030.

10-10-10 targets are the global targets that by 2025 less than 10% of countries should have puni�ve legal and policy environments that deny or limit access to services, less than 10% of people living with HIV and key popula�ons will experience s�gma and discrimina�on, and less than 10% of women, girls, people living with HIV, and key popula�ons will experience gender inequality and violence.

To ensure con�nua�on of HIV service provision implemented by KP- led organiza�ons and CSOs, suppor�ng innova�ve and inclusive approaches for preven�on and treatment cascade to approach the last-miles clients and young KPs, ins�tu�onalizing KP-led organiza�ons and CSOs to represent their community for policy changes, integra�ng KP led organiza�ons and CSOs into the na�onal HIV response as a primary health care for KPs, and promo�ng diversified funding sources to KP- led organiza�ons and CSOs through mixed financial methods are examples of cri�cal elements that will contribute to Thailand’s ending AIDS strategy by 2030.

Alignment with 5*3 PEPFAR Strategy 10

Under the leadership of Global AIDS Coordinator, Ambassador Nkengasong, PEPFAR has embarked on an ambi�ous 5*3 strategy which is the newest PEPFAR strategy, released on December 1, 2022, clearly outlines the program's purpose to “accelerate the response to end the HIV/AIDS pandemic as a public health threat by 2030, while sustainably strengthening public health systems. The strategy specifies five priority areas that are supported by three enabling environment elements in order to achieve an AIDS-free genera�on. The five pillars of the PEPFAR strategy include enhancing health equity for priority popula�ons, sustaining the response, strengthening public health system and health security, leveraging transforma�ve partnership, and following the science. Strengthening and empowering the five pillars are three enabling environment components: community leadership, innova�on and leading with data.

● Aligning with the 5*3 strategy, par�cularly the ‘Sustaining the Response’ and ‘Follow the Science’ pillars, Community leadership, Innova�on and Leading with Data as enabling environment components, the Thailand HIV Key Popula�on Civil Society Organiza�on (CSO) Leadership ac�vity aims to enhance local partner capacity to lead innova�ve approaches for the HIV preven�on and treatment cascade to:

○ reach-recruit-test-treat-prevent-retain ac�vi�es

○ foster KP-led organiza�on and CSO sustainability through increased diversifica�on of funding sources through implemen�ng a mixed financial method

○ ins�tu�onalize KP- led organiza�ons and CSOs as a collec�ve voice to advocate for policy changes at all levels, 10 https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/PEPFAR-Strategic-Direction_FINAL.pdf

○ accelerate the achievements of the 10-10-10 targets to improve structural barriers experienced by KPs, and

○ facilitate and support the integra�on of KP- led organiza�ons and CSOs as KP primary health care providers under the na�onal HIV response.

Overview of Proposed Interven�on:

The Office of Public Health (OPH), United States Agency for Interna�onal Development Regional Development Mission for Asia (RDMA) aims to accelerate PEPFAR and Thailand’s ending AIDS strategy by strengthening the community leadership of local KP- led organiza�ons and CSOs' technical and organiza�onal capabili�es to deliver high quality HIV and other health services.

Goal and objec�ves:

The ac�vity aims to achieve and sustain HIV epidemic control by reaching KP clients through the following objec�ves:

1) Local implemen�ng partners have increased capacity to introduce and implement innova�ve and inclusive approaches for HIV preven�on and treatment cascade among KP clients to accelerate the ending AIDS strategy.

2) KP- led organiza�ons and CSOs deliver high quality HIV services and other health related service provision to KP clients at highest risk, including hard to reach, last mile clients and young KPs.

3) Enhanced leadership capacity of KP- led organiza�ons and CSOs to provide technical assistance to other CSOs for HIV program coverage by leveraging resources of both domes�c and interna�onal donors.

4) Established and opera�onalized KP-led organiza�ons and CSOs as professional ins�tu�ons to advocate for evidence-based policy changes to foster an enabling environment for KP-led organiza�ons and CSOs.

5) KP-led organiza�ons and CSOs access diversified funding sources to promote sustainability.

Geographic scope

The geographic focus of this ac�vity will be in Thailand. Currently, USAID has been implemented in seven provinces which have the highest HIV burden: Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, Phitsanulok, Ubonratchathani, Bangkok, Chonburi, and Song Khla. These regions together aim to create program coverage of high burden provinces. Proposed new addi�onal sites will be considered based on the epidemiological data, exis�ng strong collabora�on among local and stakeholders both government and civil society, and poten�al CSOs to implement the ac�vi�es.

Ac�vity Period of Performance: FY 2025-2030

Total Es�mated budget : USD $35,000,000

Restrict Eligibility : Eligibility is restricted to local organiza�ons. Only local organiza�ons as defined below are eligible for the award. USAID defines a “local en�ty” as an individual, a corpora�on, a nonprofit organiza�on, or another body of persons that:

(1) Is legally organized under the laws of; and

(2) Has as its principal place of business or opera�ons in; and

(A) Is majority owned by individuals who are ci�zens or lawful permanent residents of; and

(B) managed by a governing body the majority of who are ci�zens or lawful permanent residents of the country receiving assistance.

For purposes of this defini�on, ‘majority owned’ and ‘managed by’ include, without limita�on, beneficiary interests and the power, either directly or indirectly, whether exercised or exercisable, to control the elec�on, appointment, or tenure of the organiza�on's managers or a majority of the organiza�on's governing body by any means.

USAID welcomes applica�ons from organiza�ons that have not previously received financial assistance from USAID.

[END OF ANNEX 1: Concept of the Ac�vity]

ANNEX 2: EXPRESSION OF INTEREST

RFI/EOI-USAID/RDMA: Thailand HIV Key Popula�on Civil Society Organiza�on (KP-CSO)

Leadership ac�vity:

1. GENERAL INFORMATION:

Name of the Organiza�on:

Address:

Unique En�ty Iden�fier Number (UEI Number):

2. CONTACT PERSON:

Name, Posi�on, Email:

3. EXPRESSION OF INTEREST:

YES: My organiza�on is interested in applying for this opportunity NO: My organiza�on is NOT interested in applying for this opportunity

Please provide brief informa�on that describes your organiza�on’s capability in implemen�ng ac�vi�es to achieve the objec�ves of Thailand HIV Key Popula�on Civil Society Organiza�on (KP-CSO) Leadership ac�vity.

Addi�onally, please provide a brief descrip�on on your past performance per the following details.

ORGANIZATIONAL CAPABILITIES:

● Past experience working in this subject area and working with relevant stakeholders.

● Types of relevant ac�vi�es and programs your organiza�on has experience with.

(Respondents are encouraged to provide hyperlinks to websites, ac�vity documents, and/or evidence-based research and studies regarding the effec�veness of these ac�vi�es.)

● Dura�on of past projects

● Dollar value of each project

● Funding source or donor name

● Informa�on on the popula�ons reached in projects

● Include whether your organiza�on issued grants/sub-grants or contracts/subcontracts to other en��es

● Does your organiza�on have experience building the capacity of KP-led organiza�ons or other CSOs?

● What is your organiza�on’s annual opera�ng expense budget?

No Project Name

Project Brief Descrip�on (incl.

Informa�on on relevancy to this RFI ac�vity

Dura�on of the past project

Total Value in US$ or

THB

Funder/D onor

Reference links (if any)

No. of KPs reached in the past projects

Whether your organiza� on issued grants/su b-grants or contracts /subcontr acts to other en��es [Y/N]

Does your organiza� on have experienc e building the capacity of KP-led organiza� ons or other CSOs?

Your organiza� on’s annual opera�ng expense budget

[END OF ANNEX 2: EXPRESSION OF INTEREST]

[END OF REQUEST FOR INFORMATION]