NOFO Addendum 72062025RFA00005 - Amendment 1.pdf

January 15, 2025

Subject: Amendment Number 01: Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) APS

Addendum Number: 72062025RFA00005

Program Title: USAID/Nigeria Global Health Activities (GHS)

Ladies and Gentlemen:

The purpose of Amendment Number 01 to NOFO APS Addendum Number: 72062025RFA00005 is to provide formal responses to all the questions received by the due date indicated in the NOFO

Please note that all responses to the questions as provided herein are hereby incorporated as part of NOFO APS Addendum Number: 72062025RFA00005.

All other terms and conditions of the NOFO, as amended, remains unchanged and in full force and effect.

Sincerely, Caraline DiNunzio Agreement Officer

Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) APS Addendum Number: 72062025RFA00005 NOFO Questions and Answers

USAID Nigeria Global Health Activities (GHS)

GENERAL NOFO QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

1. Can the application be submitted by a coalition of local organizations, institutions, and/or consultants?

USAID Answer: USAID does not favor any specific consortium (coalition) model. USAID expects an interested local Nigerian organization to select its consortium member as deemed necessary to implement the activities under the NOFO.

2. If yes, can the coalition consist of researchers or their institutions?

USAID Answer: The consortium may include any type of organization or consultant at the discretion of the prime partner (lead organization).

3. Are there any specific fiduciary requirements of the applicant organization(s) to take note of?

USAID Answer: There are not any specific fiduciary requirements at this Phase of the process.

4. On page 19 there is reference to, and requirements for an “Introduction Slide” under section III.A. Further down the page, under the heading “The slide deck should include the following sections” there is reference to a “Cover Slide”. Please confirm the requirements for the “Introduction Slide” described above apply for the “Cover Slide” referenced in this section, exclusive of the 20-slide limit.

USAID Answer: Yes, the information listed in Section III.A (page 9) for the “Introduction Slide” is intended for the “Cover Slide.” Additionally, USAID confirms that the Cover Slide(s) (same as the Introduction Slide) may be up to two slides and is not included in the 20-slide limit.

5. Will government entities be allowed to participate as partners at any and all levels in the activities under this program? If so, could you clarify the expected roles and parameters of their involvement to ensure alignment with program objectives?

USAID Answer: Yes, government entities and agencies are eligible as consortium members. Decisions regarding partnerships are at the discretion of each applicant.

However, please note that some partnerships with government entities will require additional approvals.

6. We note that the award ceiling for Activity 1 is $12,500,00 and $20,000,000 for Activity 2.

Could you please clarify if this will be issued as a single award or multiple awards per

Activity? If these will be multiple awards, what is the anticipated number of awards per Activity?

USAID Answer: Each Activity will be awarded as a single award. Therefore, there will be one award per Activity, therefore, two separate awards, one valued at $12.5 million and the other $20 million.

7. Could you please clarify if the project duration is 5 years as indicated in the initial APS? Is the award ceiling stated for each Activity in the Addendum only for year 1?

USAID Answer: Yes, each activity is anticipated to be awarded for five (5) years. The ceiling amounts are the Total Estimated Amount (TEA) over a five year period.

8. For both activities 1 and 2, how does USAID view the results and sustainability of these interventions - what are the expected key performance indicators (KPIs) for measuring the success of this grant?

USAID Answer: These will be co-created with USAID and the Government of Nigeria after the successful applicants have been selected.

9. How will USAID assess the impact of these interventions? Can partners explore operational assessment or impact assessment as part of activity submissions or would USAID assess impact through a separate mechanism?

USAID Answer: These will be co-created with USAID and the Government of Nigeria after the successful applicants have been selected.

QUESTIONS FOR ACTIVITY 1: USAID NIGERIA GLOBAL HEALTH SECURITY COORDINATION AND

RESPONSE ACTIVITY, APS ADDENDUM NO. 72062025RFA00005

1. In recent times Nigeria has battled with ongoing outbreaks and though we are focused on strengthening the system:

a. Is there any specific funding set aside for outbreak response or are we leveraging funds from this activity for response activities as they may occur?

USAID Answer: USAID anticipates leveraging funds from this activity for response activities, as applicable to this award. Applicants are expected to demonstrate how this activity will contribute to outbreak response when it occurs.

b. How do we respond to outbreaks such as Lassa fever that are seasonal and may occur outside the geographic locations specified in the NOFO?

USAID Answer: Applicants are expected to describe how this activity will respond to geographies outside the focus areas during major outbreaks. USAID/Nigeria may change the geographic coverage of this activity in order to respond to GON requests, and/or the United States Government’s current and future plans and priorities as public health threats emerge.

QUESTIONS FOR ACTIVITY 2: USAID NIGERIA GLOBAL HEALTH SECURITY CAPACITIES

STRENGTHENING ACTIVITY, APS ADDENDUM NO. 72062025RFA00005

1. Considering most of the biosafety and biosecurity systems driven by the government have challenges and gaps:

a. how does USAID expect its partners to engage?

USAID Answer: The applicant must demonstrate how engagement with the Government of Nigeria (GoN) can be achieved, sustained and impactful. USAID will provide an opportunity to plan and coordinate with the GoN through a co-creation process after awarding the successful applicant.

b. Technical assistance and support, or embedding structures to strengthen the lab system? Is refurbishment of lab infrastructure allowed?

USAID Answer: Applicants may determine the approach that best suits their technical approach; however, applicants must be able to demonstrate how technical assistance, support, embedded structures, or refurbishment of lab infrastructure are able to help achieve the intended objectives for Activity 2.

c. We would appreciate some guidance on how that aspect of the activity is to be implemented.

USAID Answer: Applicants are encouraged to provide their own innovative approach. Through this approach, applicants must demonstrate how they will implement the activity to achieve the stated objectives and results.

2. We note the sub-national focus for Activity 2 is in 7 states. Could you please clarify if an applicant is expected to implement the project in all the 7 states?

USAID Answer: Yes, applicants are expected to demonstrate how they are able to implement the project in all of the seven (7) states. USAID/Nigeria will work with the successful applicant after award as the geographic coverage of this activity may change in order to respond to GON requests, and/or the United States Government’s current and future plans and priorities as public health threats emerge.

3. Leveraging on the current laboratory infrastructure available in the Country and the need to strengthen Biosafety and Biosecurity, some selected zonal and state public health reference Laboratories may require infrastructural upgrades, would the proposed grant include infrastructural, and equipment upgrades to improve detection, storage, and management of highly infectious pathogens, or would USAID cater for selected priority facilities using other mechanisms?

USAID Answer: Infrastructure upgrades are not anticipated under this award;

construction will not be permitted under this award. Applicants may incorporate equipment purchases or upgrades as part of their technical approach, if applicable.

Refurbishment may be proposed but will be evaluated by USAID to determine if it constitutes construction activities. It is at the discretion of the applicant to determine the best approach to achieve the stated objectives of this activity.

4. With the proposed grant implementation in Lagos, Kano, Adamawa, Enugu, Plateau, Kebbi, and Akwa Ibom states some GHS activities may require leveraging of primary, secondary, and tertiary health facilities at the subnational level. However, based on cost and implementation efficiencies, it may be necessary to seek USAID guidance on the scope of community and health facilities coverage within the selected states.

USAID Answer: After award, at the co-creation stage, this will be addressed and any need for USAID guidance will be discussed.