RFI-72012124RFI00002 _Ukraine_Mental Health_Activity FINAL 3.29.24.pdf

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION

Subject: Request for Information No. 72012124RFI00002

USAID/Ukraine Flagship Mental Health Activity

Issuance Date: Mar 29, 2024

Response Date: April 12, 2024 at 17:00 Kyiv Local Time

Issued by: USAID/Ukraine

Issuing Contracting Officer: Jessica R. Faber

Response to: kyivrcohealth@usaid.gov

Attachments: A. RFI Response Instructions B. RFI Questions

I. Purpose

USAID/Ukraine is designing a new flagship mental health (MH) activity for implementation in Ukraine. We are seeking information and input from interested stakeholders, US entities, and non-US organizations, including local Ukrainian organizations, to inform this MH activity. This information will be used to make planning decisions and may inform activity design to improve development outcomes.

This Request for Information (RFI) is issued solely for information gathering purposes and is published in accordance with FAR Part 10 and FAR 15.201(e). Responses to this request for information are not binding on the U.S. Government, do not obligate USAID to issue a solicitation, nor do they commit USAID to pay any costs incurred in the preparation and submission of comments.

II. Brief Description

Ukraine’s mental health system was outdated, focused largely on institutional care, and at a breaking point before the war. As Ukraine enters its third year of unjustified war, the impact on the country, communities, and individuals is increasingly more devastating and complex. The war significantly damaged Ukraine’s healthcare infrastructure while increasing the population’s need mailto:kyivrcohealth@usaid.gov

USAID/Ukraine Mental Health Activity Request for Information 72012124RFI00002 for mental health and psychosocial support services (MHPSS). Estimates indicate that almost half the population, including five million veterans, need MHPSS.

Investing in the MHPSS is crucial for Ukraine’s economic future. Mental health is directly linked to the ability to build human capital, incentivize Ukrainians abroad to return to their homeland, and to bolster the Ukrainian economy’s recovery and future growth.

In recognition of this immense and critical need, there is a resounding call for action and response. This includes an updated draft National Mental Health (MH) Action Plan for 2024-2026, the introduction of mental health at the Primary Health Care level and its integration into the Program of Medical Guarantees, and greater coordination efforts. Efforts include the creation of coordination structures under the Cabinet of Ministers, the InterMinisterial Coordination Council on MH led by the Prime-Minister, and the National Coordination Center on MH.

Over a five-year period, USAID’s Flagship Mental Health Activity will aim to support the Government of Ukraine in accelerating development of a modern, evidence-informed, integrated mental health system at all levels. This system will foster enhanced accountability, efficiency, and transparency to effectively address the evolving mental health challenges faced by Ukrainians amidst Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine, and during its recovery.

The system and services to be supported will cater to the diverse needs of Ukrainian individuals.

It will facilitate their journeys towards psychological recovery and improved resilience, as well as contribute to Ukraine’s broader economic recovery. Through strategic interventions and collaborative efforts, USAID/Ukraine seeks to bolster the accessibility and quality of mental health services across all levels of care. Concurrently, USAID/Ukraine will invest in education, professional development, and will diversify a qualified mental health workforce.

This activity endeavors to collaborate with local stakeholders and institutions to shape and refine mental health policies, regulations, and strategies. The goal is to ensure that local stakeholders and institutions are responsive to the dynamic needs of Ukraine’s population and conducive to fostering resilience and recovery during and in the aftermath of war. By advancing these objectives, USAID/Ukraine aims to create a sustainable framework that addresses immediate mental health needs and creates the foundation for a resilient and flourishing society in Ukraine.

III. Requested Information:

Through this RFI, USAID seeks to enhance the design of this new flagship activity. This RFI does not constitute a solicitation or funding opportunity and is issued solely for information gathering and planning purposes. Responses to this RFI are not considered proposals or applications and will in no way be deemed to form any binding agreement with the issuing authority.

Respondents will receive an electronic confirmation acknowledging response receipt and will not receive individualized feedback on any suggestions. Questions regarding this announcement will not be answered.

USAID/Ukraine acknowledges that responding to this RFI requires time and effort. Submitted RFI responses are crucial for the design of the final activity. We appreciate your support!

Thank you for your cooperation and interest in USAID/Ukraine health programming.

Sincerely, Jessica R. Faber Contracting and Agreement Officer USAID/Ukraine

Attachment A: RFI Response Instructions

I. General Submission Instructions

Please submit electronic comments, which must be written in English, to the email address listed on page 1 of this RFI. Comments will only be accepted by these means and are due no later than 17:00 Kyiv local time on April 12, 2024. Be sure the email subject line reads “Ukraine Flagship Mental Health Activity.” Only electronic submissions will be accepted. Only one submission will be accepted per organization.

USAID/Ukraine welcomes general feedback and specific responses to the questions contained in Attachment B. When responding to the questions, please be sure to note the exact number of the question you are responding to, along with the subsection, if any (i.e. Question 2.b.)

II. Cover Page

Please be sure to include a cover page (one page only) when submitting your comments. The following information will be helpful for USAID/Ukraine when contextualizing responses:

1. Name of Organization

2. Address

3. Nationality of Organization (Registration)

4. Organization Type (i.e. private sector, public sector, NGO, educational institution, other)

5. Website

6. Point of Contact (POC) with Name, Email, and Phone Number

7. SAM Registration Number (if applicable)

8. Sector and Technical Focus (you may select more than one from the options below)

• Health, MHPSS, Democracy and Governance, Humanitarian Assistance, Veterans, Gender-based Violence, youth, Research and Policy, Education, Social Services, Economic Development, Human Rights, Other (describe)

9. Location of Work in Ukraine and/or Geographic Presence

• Countries in which your organization is currently working

• Countries where your organization is legally and formally registered

• Location of work in Ukraine, if any, including selection of oblast, national level, etc.

10. Ukraine MHPSS TWG Registration, if applicable

11. Organization’s Past History of Implementing Activities funded by the United States

Government

12. Organization’s Past History of Implementing Activities funded by any Government

13. Engagement and Previous Project Experience with the Government of Ukraine

14. Relevant Projects

• List up to five (5) projects separately and include the project name, summary (no more than three (3) lines), and the estimated dollar amount of the award

[END OF ATTACHMENT A]

ATTACHMENT B: RFI QUESTIONS

1. Assessing Existing Resources and Capacities:

a. What resources, including humanitarian, such as facilities, programs, initiatives, trained professionals, or support networks, are currently available across different regions and populations for mental health support in Ukraine?

2. Understanding Community Needs

a. What are the most pressing mental health needs within the communities you serve and how do they vary across different demographic groups or geographic regions?

b. What are the primary socio-economic, cultural, institutional or other barriers or challenges faced by individuals seeking mental health support in Ukraine?

c. Are there specific groups or communities that face unique challenges in accessing mental health services and what efforts can be proposed to address mental health stigma?

3. Understanding Deinstitutionalization and Community-based Services

a. Describe how institutionalization practices fit into the Ukrainian mental health system and how that impacts system functioning.

b. What are the challenges to transitioning the mental health system model to more community-based and out-patient services?

c. As the Ukrainian mental health system transitions away from institutionalized care, toward more community-based and out-patient care, what building blocks could this activity support to guard against potential gaps that might emerge?

4. Exploring Solutions

a. What are the most impactful approaches this activity can support to address the shortage of qualified mental health workers and increase accessibility to integrated community-based and other levels of MH/ MHPSS support for Ukrainians? Please focus on approaches that are in line with USAID’s locally-led development principles.

b. Are there effective models or strategies from other countries that Ukraine could potentially adopt to strengthen its mental health system?

c. Acknowledging that economic recovery is intertwined with mental health outcomes, https://www.usaid.gov/localization#:%7E:text=USAID%20defines%20localization%20as%20the,is%20responsive%20to%20local%20communities.

what approaches that maximize progress in both areas?

6. Collaborative Approach:

a. Which stakeholders, including national and local actors (e.g., groups, organizations, people serving in certain roles, etc.), or existing or planned structures, processes and initiatives should USAID collaborate and coordinate with to accelerate results?

b. Which groups are often left out?

7. Scalability, Sustainability & Adaptability:

a. Have you seen any effective approaches that have a high potential to scale well?

Please explain why they would scale well and adapt well to other areas, segments of the Ukrainian population, geographies and circumstances.

b. Are there any barriers that would need to be addressed to ensure successful scaling?

c. How can partners leverage USG investments in mental health services and support at the community/outpatient service delivery level to provide improved service provision as Government of Ukraine health facilities develop capacity, sufficient staff, physical locations, and linkages with private practices?

d. What types of approaches should be implemented to build on recent efforts by the Government of Ukraine, USAID, and others, including as ad hoc services and programs implemented in response to the current crisis toward more sustainable, community level service provision, outpatient care, including those that can eventually be integrated into government services? For example, how can the activity capitalize on the skills currently embedded in humanitarian assistance partner programs and support continuity of services so there is no gap in access?

8. Improve mental health policies, regulations, and strategies to respond to the country’s needs.

a. How can new legislation, regulations, or standards be strengthened or developed to better address the mental health needs of the population and improve access to services?

b. In what ways can monitoring and evaluation systems be enhanced to better track and respond to the mental health needs of the country?

9. Enhancing Mental Health Workforce Competencies

a. How can USAID effectively define, quantify, and optimize mental health cadres to ensure a skilled workforce?

b. What steps are needed to improve the quality and standardization of mental health education and training, including in higher education, continuing education, and on-the-job training?

c. What strategies, including integration into various types of training, accountability structures, etc., can be used to ensure the workforce delivers safe and ethical services and other supports? Please focus on strategies that are in line with locally-led and inclusive development approaches.

d. In what ways do you think the humanitarian protection/MHPSS workforce can be leveraged or integrated into a future MH/MHPSS workforce?

[END OF ATTACHMENT B]

[END OF RFI NO. 72012124RFI00002]

II. Brief Description