RFI Malaria Vector Control.pdf

SOLICITATION TYPE:

RFI NUMBER:

PRELIMINARY PROGRAM NAME:

ISSUANCE DATE:

DUE DATE:

Request for Information (RFI)

RFI-7200AA-20-PMIVC

Prevention of Malaria through Vector Control August 16, 2021 September 13, 2021 at 12:00pm ET (Washington, DC)

Dear Interested Party:

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Bureau for Global Health is seeking information, opinions, and recommendations on approaches for the possible implementation of an activity that supports entomological monitoring, indoor residual spraying (IRS), and insecticide-treated mosquito net (ITN) programs and other proven, life-saving malaria vector control interventions with the overall goal of reducing the burden of malaria and accelerating progress towards elimination. This Request for Information (RFI) intends to provide stakeholders an opportunity to review, comment, suggest and enhance areas in the attached statement of work:

Allow stakeholders and interested organizations to provide information and suggestions on a possible future activity

Assess interest and capacity of potential organizations -- especially local and regional ones -- to support a possible future activity

Explore innovative approaches to better collaborate with various partners to meet the Global Health Bureau needs.

This RFI is issued solely for information, market research, and planning purposes. It does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a Request for Application (RFA). This RFI does not commit the U.S.

Government to issue a solicitation. Furthermore, USAID is not at this time seeking proposals or applications.

In accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation 15.209(c), the following clause is incorporated into this RFI:

“FAR 52.215-3 REQUEST FOR INFORMATION OR SOLICITATION FOR PLANNING

PURPOSES (OCT 1997)

(a) The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this solicitation or to otherwise pay for the information solicited except as an allowable cost under other contracts as provided in subsection 31.205-18, Bid and proposal costs, of the Federal Acquisition Regulation.

(b) Although “proposal” and “offeror” are used in this Request for Information (RFI), your response will be treated as information only. It shall not be used as a proposal.

(c) This solicitation is issued for the purpose of gathering information and comments to the draft SOW attached to this document and does not constitute a Request for Proposals.”

(d) Furthermore, this solicitation is issued for market research purposes to identify small business contractors who possess the capabilities to provide services as specified in the draft SOW.

In accordance with FAR 15.201(e), responses to this RFI shall not be portrayed as proposals and will not be accepted by the U.S. Government (USG) to form a binding contract. This RFI is not to be construed as a commitment by the USG to issue any solicitation or ultimately an award on the basis of this RFI, or to pay for any information submitted as a result of this request. Responders are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this RFI. USAID reserves the right to modify the scope and scale of the RFI.

It should be noted that responding to or providing comment on this RFI will not give any advantage to any organization in any subsequent procurement. USAID/Washington will not provide answers to any question submitted in response to this request. You will only receive an electronic confirmation acknowledging receipt of your response, but will not receive individualized feedback on any suggestions.

No basis for claims against the U.S. Government shall arise as a result of a response to this Request for Information or from the Government’s use of such information. Specific questions about this RFI should be directed only to the email address identified below. USAID will not provide answers to any questions submitted in response to this RFI that deal with the specific content, schedule, or details of a future procurement. USAID is not seeking technical or cost proposals at this time; do not submit a full proposal as these will be discarded. Proprietary information should not be sent.

By issuing the draft SOW for comment, USAID/Washington aims to consult with a broad community of public and private sector actors. Your comments are requested to help refine the draft SOW document to ensure clarity, maximum development impact, and coordination with existing and planned USAID and other development partner programs.

All submissions shall be made by the closing date and time noted on page 1 of this RFI. Only submission via email is required; no hard copy delivery will be accepted. E-mail submissions must be sent to PMIVectorControl@usaid.gov.

Interested parties must prepare their submission in English and address the information requested below.

All submissions must include Section I “Cover Page”, and Section II “Responses to Questions/Comments.” Submissions must use only 8.5 inch by 11-inch paper, single-spaced pages and each page numbered consecutively. Interested parties must use Times New Roman font 11 or a similar size type set and be provided in MS Word or PDF format.

I. Cover Page with Business Information (1 page)

Company profile to include:

Company/organization name and address Affiliate information: parent company, joint venture partners, and potential teaming partners Year the firm was established and number of employees Two points of contact (names, titles, phone numbers and email addresses) DUNS number and CAGE Code, as registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) at http://www.sam.gov/ Small Business designation/status (must correlate with SAM registration):

_____ Small business _____ HUBZone _____ WOSB

_____ 8(a) _____ VOSB

_____ SDVOSB

_____ Small Disadvantaged Business

Whether the firm is a local entity. For the purposes of this section, local entity means an individual, a corporation, a nonprofit organization, or another body of persons that-- (1) is legally organized under the laws of; (2) has as its principal place of business or operations in; (3) is majority owned* by individuals who are citizens or lawful permanent residents of; and (4) managed by* a governing body the majority of who are citizens or lawful permanent residents of; a country receiving assistance from funds appropriated under title III of this Act.

*For purposes of this section, ‘majority owned’ and ‘managed by’ include, without limitation, beneficiary interests and the power, either directly or indirectly, whether exercised or exercisable, to control the election, appointment, or tenure of the organization's managers or a majority of the organization's governing body by any means.

II. Comments/Responses to Questions (5 Page Limit)

Comments and Questions not to exceed five (5) pages will be accepted from all interested parties regarding the Draft Statement of Work (SOW). This is not a formal solicitation Q&A period;

therefore, the government will not be providing responses. All comments and questions will merely serve to inform the government on current market trends and further refine the SOW.

Please ensure that comments are concise and specific to the information within this RFI. While we welcome any comments you may have, we ask that if you choose to respond, that you answer the following questions to assist USAID:

Technical Questions (Please limit responses to 4 pages)

1) Are the four potential objectives described in the draft Statement of Work appropriate to the goal of supporting entomological monitoring, IRS and ITN programs and other malaria vector control interventions with the overall goal of reducing the burden of malaria, specifically with respect to program effectiveness, capacity building, and the development of innovative solutions?

2) Based on your understanding of malaria vector control activities, what do you see as the most pressing emerging threats to effective malaria vector control now and in the next 5 years, and how might you propose to address them?

3) Given the recent advances to data collection and quality, what can be done to further improve data use and data sharing at national, regional and global levels in order to support data-driven decision making?

4) How can USAID partner with local governments, research institutions and other organizations, to mitigate barriers in order to realize sustainable approaches?

5) What models of activity implementation would you propose to consider that could result in an increased country-led, managed, and owned malaria vector control strategy and program that is better integrated across ministries and with other campaigns?

6) What innovative, cost-effective and sustainable approaches would you propose to reach the last 10% of unprotected populations with vector control interventions?

7) How might USAID more effectively engage with private sector entities to establish public private partnerships (as appropriate) or other relationships with the goal of increasing the quality and coverage of malaria vector control activities?

8) What key results should USAID target with malaria vector control activities and how would we measure them?

Organizational Capacity Questions (please limit response to 1 page)

1) Provide a brief summary of organizational core technical and structural capabilities with examples of past experience and achievement including populations served, geographic locations, models of implementation, financial management, organizational capacity, staffing, management information system (MIS) for data, commodity procurement and distribution as well as experience with donor funding, including U.S. government compliance standards.

2) Describe your organization's capacity, previous experience, and results with implementing and providing technical assistance for ITN, IRS, and other vector control interventions as well as entomological monitoring.

a) Please describe how your organization has worked to strengthen provision of and access to vector control interventions.

b) Describe how your organization has strengthened health systems or institutions that support the delivery of high-quality vector control services.

c) Please describe how your organization has contributed to the generation and use of data, evidence and learning to optimize the achievement of key vector control outcomes and inform policies and programs.

The Government will not review any information, including attachments, more than five (5) pages, unless otherwise stated in this section.

Sincerely, Ms. Patricia Bradley Branch Chief, M/OAA/GH/ID USAID/Washington

Patricia Elena Bradley (affiliate)

Digitally signed by Patricia Elena Bradley (affiliate) Date: 2021.08.12 19:32:43 -04'00'

Attachment 1: Draft Scope of Work

C.1. PREVENTION OF MALARIA THROUGH VECTOR CONTROL

C.1.1 PURPOSE

The purpose of this contract is to support the U.S. President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI), as well as U.S.

Agency for International Development (USAID) Missions and Bureaus with malaria programs, in planning and implementing entomological monitoring, indoor residual spraying (IRS) and insecticide-treated mosquito net (ITN) programs and other proven, life-saving malaria vector control interventions with the overall goal of ending malaria in Africa, as well as other USAID priority regions worldwide, and with an emphasis on strengthening health systems and building capacity.

C.1.2 BACKGROUND

Malaria prevention and control remains a major U.S. foreign assistance objective of the U.S. Government (USG). When it was launched in 2005, the goal of the PMI was to reduce malaria-related mortality by 50 percent across 15 high-burden countries in sub-Saharan Africa through a rapid scale-up of four proven and highly effective malaria prevention and treatment measures: ITNs; IRS; accurate diagnosis and prompt treatment with artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs); and intermittent preventive treatment of pregnant women (IPTp). PMI is an interagency initiative led by the USAID and implemented together with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

With the passage of the Tom Lantos and Henry J. Hyde Global Leadership against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Act in 2008, PMI developed a USG Malaria Strategy for 2009–2014.

Consistent with this strategy and the increase in annual appropriations supporting PMI, four new countries in sub-Saharan Africa and one regional program in the Greater Mekong Subregion of Southeast Asia were added in 2011. PMI’s Strategy for 2015-2020 took into account the progress achieved to date and the new challenges that have arisen. Additional funding in 2017 allowed PMI to add programs in Cameroon, Côte D'Ivoire, and Sierra Leone, and expand the program in Burkina Faso. PMI’s new 2021- 2026 Strategy continues to strive towards the vision of a world without malaria and maintains the goal of working with PMI partner countries to further reduce malaria deaths, substantially decrease malaria illness, and accelerate progress toward elimination. The new strategy has five strategic focus areas, namely: achieve and sustain effective interventions with a focus on the last mile; strengthen community and rural health systems; improve data use and data-driven decision making; support countries to lead, implement, manage, and fund malaria programs; and lead and innovate to end malaria faster.

Activities to be implemented under this contract align with the goal of the PMI Strategy 2021-2026. It is also in line with the goals articulated in the Roll Back Malaria Partnership's Action and Investment to Defeat Malaria 2016-2030 and World Health Organization's Global Technical Strategy for Malaria 2016- 2030.

USAID’s support for vector control fully aligns with the U.S. Government’s vision of ending preventable child and maternal deaths, as children under five years of age and pregnant women are at highest risk for malaria and other vector-borne diseases. The activities envisioned under this contract also support USAID’s vision of combating infectious disease, health system strengthening and local capacity building, and research and innovation.

PMI, in partnership with National Malaria Control Programs (NMCPs) and in support of country-level strategic plans, is providing technical, managerial, and commodity support for integrated vector control including, but not limited, to entomological monitoring, IRS and ITNs. PMI is committed to continuing to support NMCPs in achieving universal access to and use of appropriate malaria vector control interventions by populations at risk of malaria, while simultaneously expanding the capacity of NMCPs and local partners to plan, execute, and monitor malaria vector control programs. PMI has been a global leader in supporting countries to implement vector control activities: 310 million people have been protected by IRS and 500 million ITNs have been distributed since 20001.

Malaria continues to cause sickness and death, with an estimated 229 million malaria cases and 409,000 malaria deaths worldwide in 2019. More than two thirds of these deaths were children under five years old and 94 percent of all deaths occurred in sub-Saharan Africa. Both IRS and ITNs have been proven to be cost-effective, life-saving interventions in the fight against malaria in nearly all transmission settings.

In more limited settings, larviciding has also proven to be effective in reducing malaria transmission.

Furthermore, new vector control tools are on the horizon which should complement existing interventions.

The financial and technical contributions of PMI over the past fifteen years have been a major catalyst in the remarkable progress that has been achieved to date. Together with our partners, PMI has helped save

7.6 million lives and prevent 1.5 billion malaria infections since 2000.

C.1.3 OBJECTIVES

The four main objectives of this contract are as follows:

Objective 1: Implement and provide technical assistance for implementation of proven, life-saving vector control interventions for malaria, utilizing an integrated approach to vector control and ensuring that implementation reflects the latest evidence and country experiences for malaria.

Objective 2: Support the collection and analysis of entomological monitoring data, as well as epidemiological, climate and other data as relevant, to inform, monitor and evaluate strategic deployment of vector control interventions for malaria.

Objective 3: Strengthen the capacity of local governments, partners and research institutions at various levels to lead, manage, and monitor proven, life-saving vector control interventions for malaria in order to increase sustainability and locally-driven approaches and ensure that effective interventions are implemented by those closest to the people served.

Objective 4: Support innovation in vector control interventions for malaria control, including piloting of promising novel tools or modifications to interventions that have received World Health Organization (WHO) recommendation for malaria control or promising products with a strong evidence base to be considered by WHO for recommendation, and ensure that evidence informs and refines vector control-related policies and guidelines at global and national levels.

C.1.4 STATEMENT OF WORK

(a) General

The contractor also shall provide, as requested, vector control-related commodities procurement (excluding ITNs) and logistical services; planning, organization, management, and implementation of

1 PMI Annual Report, April 2021. https://d1u4sg1s9ptc4z.cloudfront.net/uploads/2021/06/PMI-15th- Annual-Report.pdf

IRS, ITN and any newly recommended interventions and integrated malaria vector control programs;

monitoring and evaluation to inform strategic deployment of interventions (including entomological and epidemiological data collection); environmental impact assessments and compliance and monitoring assessments (as needed); and technical assistance and capacity building to host country institutions (both governmental and non-governmental) to implement effective malaria vector control programs.

Activity requirements will include assistance with the procurement, distribution and storage of vector control commodities, logistical support, training and technical assistance, monitoring, evaluation, and other activities required for effective vector control programs.

(b) Contractor’s Roles

The Contractor shall work in collaboration with NMCPs, host country governments, PMI and other local stakeholders to design, implement, and technically assist in any or all elements of malaria vector control activities.

(c) Description of Functional Activities and Tasks

USAID anticipates a need for services related to IRS, ITNs, entomological monitoring, and other newly recommended interventions and integrated malaria vector control services in up to 27 PMI focus countries (see: https://www.pmi.gov/where-we-work/) and one USAID-supported program. In each country that implements IRS, the number of targeted houses to spray per country will likely range from approximately 50,000 to 1,500,000 houses each year. ITN-related activities may include technical assistance for ITN distribution, ITN-related monitoring and evaluation, including ITN durability monitoring, as well as direct distribution of ITNs via mass campaigns and continuous distribution channels. Other vector control activities, such as larviciding, may be requested by select countries. Entomological monitoring is the backbone of an integrated vector control strategy. Monitoring and evaluating entomological parameters answer specific questions to inform programmatic decision making. Given the large investments PMI and other partners are making in IRS, ITNs, and other vector control tools and the changing landscape with regard to insecticide resistance, entomological monitoring is imperative. Furthermore, operational research may be needed to address specific questions, in line with PMI research priorities and policy.

The Contractor must be prepared to implement IRS, ITN and other vector control activities, as well as entomological monitoring, in multiple countries simultaneously within four months after award of contract, and provide technical support to countries on short notice. Contractor performance shall be evaluated against the measures of performance established in this contract and targets established in annual country-level work plans.

The Contractor shall support all elements of IRS, ITNs (excluding ITN procurement), other vector control tools, including but not limited to the following four objectives:

(1) Objective 1: Direct implementation of, and/or technical assistance for implementation of proven, life-saving vector control interventions for malaria utilizing an integrated approach to vector control.

Illustrative tasks may include, but are not limited to:

i. Supporting implementation of all operational aspects related to vector control program execution. This may include:

Implementing, in collaboration with host country governments and other local partners, effective IRS, ITN and other integrated vector control programs (e.g. IRS, ITNs, larval source management in recommended settings). This may include selection of cost-effective, appropriate insecticides and other vector control products; training and hiring of personnel to implement activities, with a focus on gender integration and diversity, equity and inclusion; and timely application to maximize protection during transmission seasons.

Providing operational management support (i.e. field supervision, operations planning, and day-to-day implementation management), and establishment of efficient operations structures and systems.

Establishing robust monitoring and evaluation systems to collect routine project implementation data, ensuring accuracy of data collection and entry process through comprehensive trainings and supervision, using standardized procedures to minimize errors and facilitate timely reporting.

Engaging host country governments and other stakeholders in the analysis and discussion of these data in a timely and collaborative manner.

ii. Technical assistance and planning support for targeting and deployment of vector control activities using an integrated approach. This may include:

Providing technical leadership and assistance through expert consultancies, short and long term technical assistance, and training to host governments and non-governmental partners on designing, refining, and implementing effective vector control programs. Technical assistance and planning support must be based upon best practices as defined by WHO guidelines, PMI Technical Guidance, and lessons learned from other countries. Such technical assistance should, to every extent possible, maximize the use of the growing cadre of local entomologists and vector control experts who have been trained over the past fifteen years.

Advising PMI, USAID, and host country programs on applying an integrated approach to vector control (e.g., how best to target and deploy vector control interventions, based on existing entomological and epidemiological data, in a strategic and integrated manner to ensure activities are complementary and appropriate). Customizing technical consultations and program support to meet evolving country needs at varying stages of malaria vector control implementation.

iii. Ensuring the safe and judicious use of insecticides and other vector control products, including conducting environmental assessments, ensuring adherence to best practices, safe and appropriate waste disposal and monitoring of activities. This may include:

Ensuring activities comply with all USG environmental regulations in accordance with 22 CFR 216; following the procedures set forth in the Initial Environmental Evaluation (IEE), Integrated Vector Management for Malaria Vector Control PEA; and adhering to global best practices for environmental compliance (e.g., the PMI IRS Best Management Practices Manual). Ensuring activities adhere to safer use action plans to reduce environmental risk, including the safe and appropriate disposal of vector control waste, such as IRS insecticides.

Preparing environmental assessments or amending existing environmental documentation (including country-level Supplemental Environmental Assessments, as needed) to describe country-level activities, conditions and regulations.

Conducting routine environmental compliance monitoring according to an approved Environmental Mitigation and Monitoring Plans (EMMP) and document observations and corrective actions in annual Environmental Mitigation and Monitoring Reports (EMMRs) EMMRs. Collaborating with Ministries of Health, Environment, Agriculture, and other Ministries as appropriate, local non-governmental organizations, and other partners in this monitoring of vector control operations.

iv. Strengthen the capacity of NMCPs, vector control personnel, and other relevant institutions in the managerial, technical, supervisory, and evaluative functions related to implementation and management of IRS, ITN distribution, and other malaria vector control activities. This may include:

Improving the technical and programmatic skills and capacity of NMCP staff and health personnel (at all levels) and other relevant institutions through short- and long-term technical assistance, training, mentoring, and supportive supervision.

Establishing partnerships with local institutions to implement activities to the greatest extent possible, linking them with NMCPs and other national and regional partners to strengthen collaboration among local stakeholders.

Establishing (as needed), participating in, and providing technical feedback to country-level vector control advisory committees, or equivalent bodies to ensure country-level vector control data is disseminated and analyzed and country-level policies and procedures reflect the latest global guidance.

Developing capacity assessments and capacity building action plans, as requested, to ensure capacity building activities, gaps, and progress are documented and analyzed on a regular basis.

v. Promoting gender equality across all facets of planning and implementation and collaborating with local governments to help build capacity and institutionalize the role of gender equality in malaria vector control activities. This may include:

Increasing women’s participation in malaria vector control activities by ensuring that women receive equitable protection (e.g., promoting representation in all forums regardless of gender, protecting pregnant women from exposure to insecticides, ensuring pregnancy is not grounds for termination of employment, providing gender-specific facilities within operational sites).

Facilitating appropriate training of project and host country government staff on gender integration in the context of vector control programs in each country.

iv. Directly implementing or supporting local partners and community-based platforms in implementing social and behavior change (SBC) and mobilization activities for vector control programs at multiple levels as appropriate. This may include:

Implementing or supporting SBC approaches, including door-to-door community mobilization, mass media, dissemination of informational materials, and/or other tools as appropriate to ensure that community members are supportive of vector control activities being implemented in their communities. Engagement with national, regional, district and local leadership to ensure country-level involvement, awareness and participation in implementation of SBC and mobilization activities, which could include utilization of community-based local organizations.

Developing, adapting, and/or disseminating informational materials and tools related to the prevention of malaria and successful deployment of malaria vector control interventions.

Liaising with other SBC partners in-country to ensure appropriate messaging for interventions based on implementation type (i.e. interventions implemented alone, or integrated messaging for a combination of activities being implemented together, such as IRS and ITNs).

v. Establish a cost-effective global procurement mechanism for insecticides and insecticide-based products (with the exception of ITNs) and execute all logistical aspects related to procurement, distribution and storage of IRS and other related malaria vector control commodities. This may include:

Procuring quality-assured insecticides and related malaria vector control commodities (exclusive of ITNs), such as larvicides, entomological supplies, spray pumps, and protective equipment, and developing supply chain mechanisms that promote timely receipt, safe transport and storage and distribution of all malaria vector control commodities (inclusive of ITNs, as requested).This could include utilization of small businesses for procurement of locally available supplies as a cost-saving measure, if appropriate. Commodities will be managed using best practices to reduce environmental risk during transport and storage.

Establishing robust inventory management and logistics systems, which include adequate safeguards to prevent leakage of vector control commodities.

(2) Objective 2: Support the collection and analysis of data to inform strategic deployment of vector control interventions for malaria. This may include:

i. Implement, or provide technical assistance to support the implementation of, vector control monitoring activities (including entomological monitoring) to guide the deployment and assess the effect of IRS, ITNs, and other malaria vector control interventions. This may include:

Collecting and analyzing and/or providing support for the collection and analysis of entomological monitoring data (such as insecticide susceptibility, vector behavior, and net durability monitoring data, as well as support for molecular and lab work) to measure the quality and impact and inform deployment of malaria vector control activities.

Collecting and analyzing epidemiological data, as requested, to monitor and inform vector control activities (e.g. compilation and analysis of routine HMIS data in targeted areas to determine impact of interventions).

Supporting integration of vector control data into national health management information systems (HMIS) as part of a holistic approach to share and harmonize data with national systems.

Supporting training and technical support, utilizing local and regional institutions and laboratories and south-to-south approaches, whenever possible.

ii. Support/update country-level insecticide resistance management, IRS, ITN, or integrated vector control strategies. This may include:

Developing, updating, or supporting the NMCP or local partners to develop or update country-level insecticide resistance management, IRS, ITN, or integrated vector control strategies that reflect the latest entomological and epidemiological data in-country and are consistent with global and/or USAID technical guidance, including the Global Plan for Insecticide Resistance Management (GPIRM), PMI Technical Guidance, and best practices. Ensuring country-level strategies are appropriate and actionable, and facilitating their successful implementation as appropriate.

iii. Build the capacity of NMCPs and local institutions to collect, analyze, and use data for strategic malaria vector control decision-making or leverage existing institutions. This may include:

Providing technical assistance, training, and mentoring of NMCPs and local institutions to develop their capacity to collect high quality and timely data, conduct higher level data analyses, and use country-level data for decision-making. Ensuring host country governments have access to the necessary data to make decisions, and are trained on how to properly assess the data for decision-making.

(3) Objective 3: Strengthen the capacity of host countries and local partners to plan, design, implement, and monitor proven, life-saving vector control interventions for malaria to foster sustainability and local ownership. This may include:

Increasing technical skills and capability among host country staff (at the national, provincial, district, health facility, and community level) and other relevant institutions through short- and long-term technical assistance, mentoring and other approaches.

Strengthening capacity for increased south-to-south technical assistance.

Strengthening relevant local institutions in the areas of organizational capacity development and management (financial, administrative, technology, human resources, data, etc.).

Partnering with local institutions.

Training NMCP and local partners on key elements of successful IRS campaigns, including proper budgeting, financial and logistical planning as well as timelines for procurement, environmental compliance, and M&E.

Training NMCP and local partners on best practices for ITN continuous and mass distribution, including quantification, microplanning, logistics, warehousing, waste management and M&E (including utilizing third-party logistics, where appropriate).

Providing technical assistance and training to local institutions, host-country government personnel, and other partners to support the collection, analysis and use of data for decision-making as well as abstract and manuscript writing.

(4) Objective 4: Support innovation in vector control interventions for malaria control, including piloting of promising novel tools or modifications to interventions that have received WHO recommendation for malaria control or promising products with a strong evidence base to be considered by WHO for recommendation, and ensure that the latest evidence and country experiences inform vector control-related policies and guidelines. This may include:

i. Conduct operational research or program evaluation for the scale up of promising new tools or new methods/approaches to existing tools. This may include:

Piloting the scale-up of promising approaches, tools and technologies to enhance existing vector control efforts, including outdoor prevention tools, as they are available.

As determined with PMI, providing entomological and epidemiological support to gather evidence for new vector control interventions or modification of existing interventions. Activities will involve local research institutions, as applicable.

ii. Provide global technical leadership for IRS, ITNs and other aspects of malaria vector control, including supporting the development of sound vector control recommendations. This may include:

Assisting national, regional and global partners with development of guidelines, policy input, and documentation of best practices on malaria vector control, and ensuring that country-level experience is fed back to guide normative discussions.

Participating in and leading global forums (e.g. RBM Vector Control Working Group, Alliance for Malaria Prevention, Innovation to Impact (I2I), etc.) to advance technical discussion and development of evidence-based vector control policies and guidance that reflect evolving country-level data and needs.

iii. Knowledge creation and sharing through dissemination of best practices and lessons learned. This may include:

Disseminating program data, innovations, best practices and other appropriate data or lessons learned to other partners or international institutions for global reporting.

iv. Development and deployment of cost savings approaches. This may include:

Assessing cost-effectiveness of existing approaches and recommending innovative or novel approaches to achieve cost savings in the implementation of IRS, ITNs and integrated vector control programs.

v. Cultivate public-private partnerships. This may include:

Actively engaging with private sector entities to establish public private partnerships (as appropriate) with the goal of increasing the quality and coverage of malaria vector control activities globally.

C.1.6 RESULTS

The Contractor must plan, implement and document a monitoring and evaluation component which will establish the effectiveness of the activity and document the results achieved.

Illustrative indicators include the following:

Number of houses sprayed Percentage of houses targeted for spraying that were sprayed Number of people residing in houses sprayed (people protected by IRS, disaggregated by sex, children under five years) Number of people trained in IRS implementation (disaggregated by sex) Number of ITNs distributed (purchased by USG and other donors, disaggregated by distribution channel)) Proportion of people with access to a net that used it the previous night Proportion of population protected by an appropriate vector control intervention Number of people trained in entomological monitoring (disaggregated by sex) Assessment of local vector susceptibility to insecticides or larvicides, on at least an annual basis Determination of quality of IRS and ITNs Number of countries with a plan developed for monitoring and managing insecticide resistance

Number of people protected from vector-borne diseases (excluding malaria) through application of larviciding, personal mosquito repellents, and other vector control tools.

Number of people reached by community mobilization activities aimed at preventing malaria.

In some cases, where monitoring and evaluation mechanisms exist or there are other implementing partners collecting such information, the Contractors shall be responsible for gathering this information only.

The Contractor shall collaborate with the COR on the development of other proposed indicators that will demonstrate project success, such as indicators measuring efforts in capacity building and social and behavior change.

[END OF DRAFT SCOPE OF WORK]