ENTOLOCAL - Request for Information (RFI)_ENG and PT embeded.pdf

SOLICITATION TYPE: REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI)

RFI NUMBER: RFI-720656-2024-EntoLocal PROGRAM NAME: USAID EntoLocal ISSUANCE DATE: July 16, 2024

CLOSING DATE FOR

SUBMISSION OF RESPONSES: August 14, 2024, 17:00 (Maputo Time)

Dear Potential Applicant/Offeror, USAID/Mozambique intends to design a new Activity - USAID EntoLocal - that will contribute to support the National Malaria Control Program and the National Institute of Health in planning and implementing entomological monitoring, and the provision of technical assistance for proven life-saving malaria vector control. This is anticipated to be a five (5) year award 2024 - 2029, with a total estimated value of approximately $15 million.

The purpose of this communication is to obtain industry comment and input on the above-mentioned activity. More specifically, the RFI intends to:

○ Assess the interest of potential organizations in submitting applications/proposals for the new USAID EntoLocal Activity

○ Gain technical and organizational insights in the capacity of potential organizations.

○ Explore innovative approaches to partnering with organizations working in the same area; and

○ Collect inputs to contribute to the improvement of the proposed Program Description

(PD)/Scope of Work (SOW).

Attachment B presents the set of questions to which organizations should respond. Note that this is a RFI and not a Request for Applications (RFA) or a Request for Proposal (RFP). This RFI is NOT a commitment by the U.S. Government 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. Please do not submit a full application or statements in response to this RFI. It should be noted that responding to this RFI will not give any advantage to any organization in the subsequent procurement.

USAID/Mozambique may use feedback and comments from this RFI to develop future programs. If a solicitation is issued for this activity, it is the organization’s responsibility to monitor the sites https://www.grants.gov or www.sam.gov and local newspapers for the release of any further information.

Please submit responses to this RFI to Ayala-Rebeka Brooks at mission-maputo-oaa@usaid.gov no later than the date provided at the top of this RFI. Late submissions will not be accepted. The subject line of the e-mail must read “RFI – USAID/Mozambique EntoLocal Activity.'' Responses can be submitted in English or Portuguese, they must include the organization's name, address, point of contact, phone number and email address. You will receive an electronic confirmation acknowledging receipt of your response. Hard copy responses will not be accepted and are discouraged.

https://www.grants.gov/n http://www.sam.gov/ mailto:mission-maputo-oaa@usaid.gov

Sincerely, Ayla-Rebeka Brooks Supervisory Contracting/Agreement Officer

Attachments

● Attachment A – Proposed Activity

● Attachment B – Response Requirements

● Attachment C - RFI translated in Portuguese.

ATTACHMENT A

I. JUSTIFICATION

Malaria is endemic in Mozambique, and the entire population is at risk of contracting the disease.

Pregnant women and children under five years of age have the greatest risk of developing severe malaria. According to the Ministry of Health unpublished data, in 2023, malaria accounted for approximately 25 percent of all outpatient consultations, with over 13 million cases diagnosed in public health facilities and communities. From 2018 to 2022, the number of reported malaria cases nationwide increased each year, with the exception of 2021 when a slight reduction of cases was observed, likely related to health seeking behavior in the context of the COVID-19 epidemic.

Malaria prevalence among children 6 to 59 months of age remained stable from 2011 to 2018 at around 40 percent.1,2,3 Recent data from the 2022 Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) indicates that malaria prevalence has reduced to 32 percent, nationwide.4 Prevalence varies across the country being higher in the northern and central regions (ranging from 10% in Manica to 55% in Nampula) and lower in the southern region (ranging from 0% in Maputo city to 16% in Inhambane) (2022 DHS Key Indicator Report). In Mozambique, Plasmodium falciparum accounts for 90 percent of all malaria infections, while Plasmodium malariae accounts for 9 percent and Plasmodium ovale for 1 percent.5

In order to address this huge burden of the disease, the National Malaria Control Program (NMCP) implements an integrated set of measures aiming at reducing the transmission of the disease. This includes vector control, chemoprevention and vaccine - along with adequate case management (diagnosis and treatment) of malaria cases. In terms of vector control, the NMCP aims to ensure that all districts with medium to high malaria transmission benefit in a timely manner from at least one vector control intervention (for example, indoor residual spraying or insecticide-treated nets) in accordance with NMCP guidelines. To achieve this objective, the National Malaria Strategic Plan (NMSP) promotes an integrated vector management strategy, including vector surveillance, insecticide resistance management, and insecticide treated nets (ITN) distribution through national mass campaign distribution and antenatal care (ANC) services.

1 Ministry of Health - MISAU/Moçambique, Instituto Nacional de Estatística - INE/Moçambique and ICF International. Moçambique Inquérito Demográfico e de Saúde 2011. Calverton, Maryland, USA:

MISA/Moçambique, INE/Moçambique and ICF International. https://dhsprogram.com/publications/publication-fr266-dhs-final-reports.cfm 2 Ministry of Health- MISAU, Instituto Nacional de Estatística - INE, and ICF. 2018. Inquérito de Indicadores de Imunização, Malária e HIV/SIDA em Moçambique - IMASIDA, 2015. Maputo/Moçambique: MISAU/Moçambique, INE, and ICF. https://dhsprogram.com/publications/publication-ais12-ais-final-reports.cfm 3 National Institute of Health - INS e ICF. 2019. Inquérito Nacional sobre Indicadores de Malária em Moçambique 2018. Maputo, Moçambique. Rockville, Maryland, EUA: INS e ICF.https://dhsprogram.com/publications/publication-mis33-mis-final-reports.cfm 4 Instituto Nacional de Estatística (INE), Maputo, Mozambique, and The DHS Program, ICF, Rockville, Maryland, USA. https://dhsprogram.com/publications/publication-PR150-Preliminary-Reports-Key-Indicators-Reports.cfm 5 U.S. President’s Malaria Initiative Mozambique Malaria Operational Plan FY 2024.

Retrieved from www.pmi.gov https://dhsprogram.com/publications/publication-ais12-ais-final-reports.cfm https://dhsprogram.com/publications/publication-mis33-mis-final-reports.cfm https://dhsprogram.com/publications/publication-PR150-Preliminary-Reports-Key-Indicators-Reports.cfm http://www.pmi.gov/

The Government of Mozambique is able to cover approximately one third of the Sector Strategic Plan with domestic funding, with the rest coming from the development partners.6 In the area of malaria, the Global Fund and the President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI) are the primary funders. Prioritization of the interventions is based on sub-national tailoring and stratification of interventions in an effort to maximize cost-effectiveness, while also considering each donor’s limitations and priorities. The procurement of tests and antimalarials are a priority, followed by ITN distribution. Domestic funding is used to support the salary of staff, procurement of medications for the prevention of malaria in pregnancy, transport of some commodities, and some supervision visits. In the area of entomology, there is no formal training in Mozambique and those with advanced knowledge are trained elsewhere (e.g. South Africa, Portugal, Brazil, and the United Kingdom). Many of the government staff working in the area of entomology learned on the job and were trained by the few entomologists in the country.

There are limited resources to maintain the insectary, field laboratories, and procure essential materials for routine interventions. There are also gaps in human resources, with chronic understaffing which does not allow staff to effectively engage in deeper analyses or operational research.

To support the NMCP interventions and in alignment with the PMI objectives of reducing malaria deaths, decreasing malaria illness, and accelerating progress towards elimination, PMI supports entomological monitoring in 25 districts across seven provinces of Mozambique. Of the 25 districts, 9 are directly managed by a USAID vector control centrally-funded mechanism, PMI EVOLVE, in the provinces of Zambézia and Nampula. The remaining 16 districts are managed by the Ministry of Health (MoH) with financial support through PMI Evolve in Cabo Delgado, Niassa, Tete, Sofala, and Manica.

To ensure sustainability of these activities, and in alignment with the USAID's localization efforts, PMI aims to transition from PMI Evolve Activity with a bilateral award to a local entity. This bilateral local mechanism will continue to support and improve entomological monitoring in 25 districts across seven provinces of Zambézia, Nampula, Cabo Delgado, Niassa, Tete, Sofala, and Manica, and could be used to expand or shift to other parts of the country should the epidemiological situation change. These sentinel sites will be managed by the MoH with technical and financial support through the bilateral local mechanism.

PMI’s support for entomological monitoring contributes to broader vector control efforts and aligns with USAID’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.

6Ministerio de Saude. Plano Estrategico do Sector da Saude PESS 2014-2019.

https://www.misau.gov.mz/index.php/planos-estrategicos?download=132:plano-estrategico-do-sector-da-sade- 2014-2019 https://www.misau.gov.mz/index.php/planos-estrategicos?download=132:plano-estrategico-do-sector-da-sade-2014-2019 https://www.misau.gov.mz/index.php/planos-estrategicos?download=132:plano-estrategico-do-sector-da-sade-2014-2019

II. PURPOSE

The purpose of this Activity is to support PMI/Mozambique, NMCP, and the National Institute of Health (INS for its acronym in Portuguese) in planning and implementing entomological monitoring, and the provision of technical assistance for proven life-saving malaria vector control interventions with the overall goal of decreasing malaria related morbidity and mortality. Through PMI support in the last 5-years, over 3 million homes have been sprayed, a provincial insectary has been maintained, INS’s molecular capability and efficiency has been increased to support the analysis of a larger number of samples, and vector behavior, composition, and insecticide susceptibility has been maintained in seven provinces. This Activity will maintain PMI’s contributions and possibly expand the geographic coverage and laboratorial capacity of the area of entomological monitoring depending on availability of funding.

III. DEVELOPMENT HYPOTHESIS

If there is increased information on vector bionomics and strengthened capacity for implementation and management of entomological activities; then malaria surveillance and vector control in Mozambique will improve.

IV. RESULTS FRAMEWORK

There are two intermediate results that aim to strengthen the in-country capacity to conduct vector control surveillance and vector control interventions. High quality vector surveillance activities can be used to assess the quality and impact of vector control interventions and identify changes in vector behavior. In turn, entomological data provides insight as to the appropriateness of selected vector control interventions. These intermediate results will be in alignment with the World Health Organization and the PMI guidelines and best practices.

Intermediate Result (IR) 1: Increased information on vector bionomics (local vector population and insecticide resistance profiles) - Support to entomological sites should increase access to quality information on the vectors responsible for transmitting malaria. Because the different Anopheles species present in Mozambique do not all transmit malaria nor behave the same, knowing where malaria vectors are present, their behavior, density, and insecticide susceptibility is needed to identify appropriate and targeted vector control strategies. Entomological surveillance also helps us understand changes in the vector bionomics due to environmental, climatic, or anthropological factors (e.g. human behavior, rice farming). Seasonal and spatial trends also allow for the optimization in selecting the appropriate timing for deployment of vector control tools. This Activity should provide technical assistance to ensure quality of entomological activities and analysis, ensuring that activities reflect the latest evidence.

Sub-Intermediate Result (IR) 1.1: Improved technical skills of field, laboratory, and surveillance staff in entomological surveillance- To increase the availability of vector bionomics in Mozambique all staff responsible for the collection and analysis of samples must have the technical knowledge to accomplish their task. Adequately trained staff also contributes to the availability of high quality data, which is in turn needed for appropriate interpretation and decision making. The activity should improve the collection and laboratorial analysis of entomological monitoring data.

Illustrative activities:

● Second staff to support INS to ensure effective operation for the molecular surveillance laboratory and insectary.

● Strengthen capacity (skills and knowledge) within the NMCP, INS, and at the provinces to implement high quality entomological surveillance and monitoring activities through training, supervision, and mentoring.

● Develop or review training materials for NMCP and INS and support staff capacity to train and provide technical support to new staff and provincial staff.

● Conduct a baseline assessment to identify technical areas that require additional training or refreshers. For example, periodic quality assurance and control to ensure field collectors are identifying correctly and that labs are identifying correct species via PCR.

● Review insectary standard operating procedures (SOPs) and provide feedback as applicable.

● Support the development of SOP for species confirmation of Anopheles stephensi.

● Train staff in the identification of emerging threat Anopheles stephensi and reporting.

● Partner with local universities in any internship, operational research, or other educational opportunities to promote pathways for youth in entomological surveillance, and vector control.

Sub-Intermediate Result (IR) 1.2: Improved availability of equipment and supplies to support entomological surveillance- Technical knowledge is necessary but not sufficient to increase availability of entomological information. The Activity should support the government to ensure the availability of adequate and functional equipment, and relevant SOPs for the collection of samples and subsequent laboratorial analysis.

Illustrative activities:

● Procure reagents necessary for INS to ensure effective operation for the molecular surveillance laboratory and insectary.

● Procure materials necessary for the NMCP entomology laboratories and insectaries.

● Support the transition from PCR-based morphological confirmation to next generation tools.

● Develop a management system to track the inventory of consumables, project stockout dates and inform procurement schedules.

● Maintenance of Anopheles s.p. resistant and susceptible strain colonies.

● Support the maintenance of key insectaries, complementing other USG investments (i.e., G2Gs, Global Fund).

Intermediate Result (IR) 2: Strengthened capacity for implementation and management of entomological activities. Entomological surveillance is an integral component of malaria prevention strategies, providing the necessary information to design and implement targeted interventions, monitor the effectiveness of control measures, and contribute to the overall goal of reducing malaria transmission and burden.

Sub-Intermediate Result (IR) 2.1: Improved capacity for analysis of entomological data- Appropriately analyzing and interpreting entomological data is important to ensure the latest evidence and country context guide malaria control strategies. The Activity will support the timely analysis of entomological data and incorporate epidemiological and climate data.

Illustrative activities:

● Second a senior entomologist to the NMCP to provide technical support in analysis and interpretation of information.

● Contribute to the improvements and use of the NMCP’s integrated malaria information storage system.

● Conduct data review and data quality meetings to a frequency established in collaboration with the NMCP and INS.

● Training of laboratory staff on analysis of next generation sequencing data.

Sub-Intermediate Result (IR) 2.2: Improved use of entomological information for decision making- To maintain quality vector control interventions for malaria programmatic and technical decisions should be based on the most recent data. The Activity will support the NMCP, INS, and relevant partners on the translation of entomological data for decision makers, according to the audience’s knowledge level.

Malaria vector information should guide decisions in Mozambique and could also influence donors, current, and future collaborators on their decision making. As a result, exchanging information within the country and key-collaborators is beneficial.

Illustrative activities:

● Develop and maintain partnerships within Mozambique, with bordering countries, and with international collaborators.

● Support the interpretation of entomological data to contribute to Mozambique’s body of knowledge as it pertains to vector control.

● Support relevant technical working groups and GRM to disseminate information and contribute to decision making.

● Map current entomological activities in the country, operational research, and collaborators to identify potential gaps in programming and resources needed to fill those gaps.

● Support NMCP and INS staff in the development of manuscripts and encourage attendance to key conferences and events that foster learning and information exchange in the field of entomology.

V. GEOGRAPHIC AND POPULATION TARGETING

The NMCP and the INS will receive support at the central level, in Maputo City and Marracuene, respectively. Technical and logistic support will also be provided to all five of the NMCP insectaries (in the provinces of Zambezia, Nampula, Cabo Delgado, Gaza, and Maputo), to four entomology labs (in the provinces of Tete, Manica, Niassa, and Inhambane), and to the INS insectary and laboratory. However, the insectaries of Zambezia and Nampula will receive greater attention given they are located in high malaria burden areas and received significant investments from PMI. The proposed geographic coverage is similar to coverage under PMI Evolve, as described previously, allowing for the transition from a central international partner to a local Mozambican organization. This new Activity will also allow for greater flexibility in providing technical assistance to the insectaries managed by the GRM and adjust to the fluctuating donor landscape in the area of vector control and entomology. While interventions are planned to take place in the above-mentioned provinces, the mechanism will be open to shift, should the NMCP change its laboratory and insectary locations or structure.

The technical assistance for continued quality vector control interventions will benefit the Mozambican population, but specifically pregnant women and children under 5 years of age who are at highest risk for malaria. Nonetheless, the activities supported under this project focus on support to insectaries, laboratories, and technical staff.

VI. RISKS AND ASSUMPTIONS

For this activity to achieve the results, purpose and goal articulated in the results framework, USAID makes several critical programmatic assumptions.

● USAID assumes that a local organization will be able to absorb the responsibilities described in this activity, including international procurements.

● USAID assumes that implementing activities through a local organization will be more cost-effective and also strengthen the capacity of local organizations and government.

● Through working with a local organization, USAID assumes there are adequate technical advisors in- country for the local organization to hire. In the event additional technical assistance is needed, it will be provided through PMI HQ technical support, when needed.

● The Global Fund will continue to invest in infrastructure of the insectaries.

● The GRM will have adequate staffing for and interest in entomological activities.

VII. ADAPTIVE MANAGEMENT

Recognizing the highly dynamic environments in which vector surveillance occurs, these strategies will emphasize supporting NMCP’s resilience and a commitment to agile implementation guided by adaptive management and learning.

The activity will monitor all risks and threats to implementation (as detailed in the table above). On a quarterly basis, the project will review implementation progress and discuss any necessary programmatic adjustments. The activity will also practice adaptive management in regard to Anopheles stephensi, a malaria vector invasive species in the continent. If the species is identified in Mozambique, the activity can adjust to support the NMCP on their response to An. stephensi. Finally, a crisis modifier will be included in the contract to allow for a dedicated funding line for the project to be able to pivot and undertake in-scope but unanticipated activities following an unforeseen natural or human-made disaster, such as the need to scale up entomological monitoring following a cyclone or flooding.

VIII. ALIGNMENT

EntoLocal aligns with various USAID policies and strategies, PMI’s mission and with GRM health sector priorities.

USAID is embarking on an ambitious reform to be more responsive to the needs and priorities of local actors and ensure the Agency’s work puts local actors in the lead, strengthens local systems, and is responsive to local communities. The localization agenda calls for increasing the number of local partners, both non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and public institutions. USAID/Mozambique aims to advance the localization agenda as well as augment national ownership of programs. USAID posits that by encouraging a local organization to lead in the technical area of entomology along with the government, national capacity for and ownership of entomological activities and vector control will be reinforced.

The implementation of this Activity by a local organization will contribute to USAID/Mozambique’s Country Development Cooperation Strategy (CDCS) Development Objective (DO) 1 Healthier and Better Educated Mozambicans, particularly IR 1.1, Quality of Health and Education Services Improved, and IR 1.3, Resilient Health and Education Systems Strengthened. The proposed G2G results framework (IRs 1–

2) will support DO 1 IR 1.1 by improving the quality of vector control services delivered by the GRM.

Activities under IR 1–2 will focus on appropriate and quality malaria interventions. The proposed Activity results framework will also contribute to USAID’s Integrated Health Office Preventing Child and Maternal Deaths (IHO/PCMD) strategy objectives 1–3. IHO/PCMD objective 1: “increase utilization of quality health services”, objective 2 “improved quality of health services” and objective 3 “strengthen health systems” are supported by the Activity results framework IR 1-2 and corresponding sub-IRs.

The NMCP’s objectives on vector control are included in their National Malaria Strategic Plan (NMSP).

The Government of Mozambique aims to ensure that all districts with medium to high transmission benefit in a timely manner from at least one vector control intervention and additionally from chemoprevention and/or vaccination where applicable. To achieve their objective, the NMSP promotes an integrated vector management strategy, including vector surveillance, insecticide resistance management, and ITN distribution through national mass campaign distribution and antenatal care services. The Global Fund (GF) supports Mozambique with the procurement of ITNs and IRS in southern Mozambique. PMI through this Activity will complement Government of Mozambique and GF investment’s by achieving IR1 and IR2. Contributions on entomological surveillance to guide decision making related to vector control strategies.

This activity also aligns with PMI’s objectives of reducing malaria mortality and morbidity in PMI partner countries. PMI has five strategic focus areas: reaching the unreached, strengthening community health systems, keeping malaria services resilient, investing locally, and innovating and leading. Investing in a local organization aligns with PMI’s focus area four, Invest Locally, which aims to partner with countries and their organizations to lead, implement, and fund malaria programs.

INS G2G, TBD, Government to Government agreement: the agreement is under development and is expected to provide funding directly to INS to support the areas of malaria parasitology, malaria entomology, community mortality surveillance, and global health security. Entomology support will complement support provided by this Activity.

PMI Evolve, 2022–2025, Abt. Associates: supports the implementation of entomological monitoring activities and provides technical assistance. Until the calendar year 2023, PMI Evolve also supported the implementation of indoor residual spraying. All activities are implemented in alignment with the National Vector Control Strategy.

Malaria Capacity Strengthening (MCAPS), 2022-2027, Medical Care Development, Inc. (MCD Global Health): Funded by PMI, MCAPS supports Mozambique’s NMCP to reduce malaria mortality, which accounts for 42 percent of deaths among children less than five-years old in Mozambique. MCAPS aims to improve the provision of quality malaria services at all levels of the health system covering all districts

(57) in the provinces of Manica, Zambezia, and Zambézia. The PMI MCAPS Program will achieve this goal through technical assistance, capacity building and innovative approaches, such as integrated support supervision and on-the-job training.

Integrated Social Behavior Change Communication (SBCC), 2019-2025, PIRCOM: PIRCOM aims to increase the reach, recall, and quality of priority health messages by developing an integrated health SBCC package, in which messages will be disseminated by faith leaders and community radios.

Commodities for Health: Ensuring Guaranteed Access and Reliability (CHEGAR), 2021–2026: partner with local private transportation companies and medical facilities at the community, district and provincial levels to develop a more effective and efficient transportation system for getting medical commodities to patients, particularly those in rural areas where people are often at more risk for poor health outcomes. Activities include developing and implementing seasonality risk mitigation plans, conducting assessments of transportation routes, frequencies, and distribution processes and tools. The program will also develop a two tiered system for routine and emergency deliveries,so that urgent deliveries make it to patients in time.

Fighting Malaria with Social and Behavioral Change (FMSBC), 2022–2027, Johns Hopkins University:

supports the implementation of the national social and behavioral change (SBC) strategy, which aims to promote uptake of key malaria prevention and treatment interventions. Activities include support to community radio programming, interpersonal communication activities, and activities related to capacity-building of community structures for malaria social and behavioral change. FMSBC aims to conduct formative research to guide SBC strategies and increase technical and managerial capacities at the central and provincial levels.

Global Health Supply Chain Procurement and Supply Management Project (GHSC-PSM), 2016–2024, Chemonics International inc: supports the availability of essential health supplies by strengthening the public health commodities supply chain and creating a more supportive environment for commodity security. Supports the procurement of commodities, product selection, forecasting, supply planning, procurement, central level distribution, inventory management and warehousing, and logistics management information systems. GHSC-PSM also provides technical assistance for the improvement of service delivery of key case management interventions. GHSC-PSM supports the areas of malaria, family planning, tuberculosis, nutrition, HIV, and maternal child health.

IX. GENDER AND SOCIAL INCLUSION

In the planning of this Activity the design team completed a Gender and Social Inclusion analysis to inform current and future PMI programming in Mozambique. The analysis consisted of a desk review that drew from national statistics, studies related to health services in Mozambique, and reports from institutions working on Malaria elimination. The analysis provides broad recommendations to address social inclusion and equity issues related to malaria Activities in Mozambique and includes an action plan specific to the EntoLocal activity.

Gender: This Activity’s interventions will focus on entomological surveillance, technical assistance, and laboratory capacity strengthening. PMI views gender equality and female empowerment as development goals, as well as approaches that accelerate vector control. Under this Activity the project will mainstream gender across its operations, including in advocacy, staffing considerations, intervention planning, and research with the incorporation of gender into the monitoring and learning. The project will be targeting the health sector and research staff, interventions will still be considerate of meaningful female and youth participation and safety. Gender based violence is a risk for employees of the project, rather than beneficiaries themselves, and policies will be put in place to advocate for participation and safety. The Activity will advocate for the hiring and participation of women at all levels of the program and from government counterpart institutions; advocate for the inclusion of women in professional development opportunities such as trainings and internships; and will have a Code of Conduct and Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse policy in place, including a reporting mechanism.

Youth: Considering the interventions do not target the general Mozambican population, but acknowledging many young Mozambicans struggle with transitioning from adolescence into adulthood and pursuing their aspirations, this Activity will advocate for the inclusion of youth whenever possible.

Youth could be included through this Activity through internship and mentor opportunities; and project staff members could lecture at schools about their various career paths.

Disabilities: With respect to people with disabilities, USAID and the Activity will ensure equitable access to resources and services provided taking into consideration potential barriers that impact their staff and collaborators, including discrimination. Efforts will be put into place to ensure people with disabilities have equal opportunities for employment and professional development.

LESSONS LEARNED

PMI investments in routine surveillance have been important in assessing the performance of vector control interventions and ensuring the NMCP makes evidence-based decisions. Using a central mechanism provided access to vector control experts, particularly in IRS implementation. Central mechanisms and international organizations are costly and in the current constrained resource environment USAID has needed to identify ways to maintain data driven interventions in a cost-effective way. Since the establishment of PMI/Mozambique in 2007 a central mechanism has supported vector control and entomological surveillance in the country, strengthening the technical knowledge of Mozambicans in this subject area. As a result, the activity will have the opportunity to recruit experienced local staff to support the proposed Activity. One of the ways PMI/Mozambique seeks to accomplish this is through G2G agreements and partnering with local organizations. In the last 6-years, the PMI Vector Link and PMI Evolve projects have strengthened the knowledge and skills of the NMCP, INS, and provincial staff. Even under the central mechanisms, procurement and import of reagents were a challenge. Early procurement and continuous communication with the relevant government agencies facilitate the importation of commodities.

Rapid Response Funds As part of the activity, a Rapid Response Fund (RRF) will be established to enable the recipient to respond efficiently and effectively to rapid-onset natural and/or man-made disasters in the activity’s target geographic districts. The purpose of the RRF is to quickly respond to, or mitigate, natural emergencies or crisis originated emergencies, which can lead to the outbreak of disease and acute shortage of critical malaria commodities.

Given the potential for known and unknown risks to project implementation, the RRF will be a dedicated line item of $500,000 in the activity budget which, with an estimated $100,000 annually. Rapid Response Funds will only be allocated if the need arises. Project use of RRF will be agreed to in principle by USAID through a detailed concept note, and written approval by the Agreement Officer will be required prior to use of funds for activities not foreseen in the annual work plan. All activities funded by RRF will be reported on a quarterly basis and should be included in annual performance reports.

Collaborating, Learning and Adapting (CLA)

This activity is expected to contribute to USAID/Mozambique’s commitment to a multi-faceted Collaborating, Learning and Adapting (CLA) approach to development. The CLA approach is based on the understanding that development efforts yield more effective results if they are coordinated and collaborative, test promising, new approaches in a continuous yet also rapid, targeted search for generating improvements and efficiencies, and build on what works and eliminate what doesn’t. CLA creates the conditions for fostering broader development success by:

● Collaborating: Facilitating collaboration internally and with external stakeholders to promote increasingly local-led development (e.g., enhancing existing stakeholder engagement into learning platforms and substantially coordinating with other USG or other complementary activities to ensure complementarity and reduce overlap, while also facilitating learning among activities to reduce the collective cost while enhancing shared results faster). The recipient is expected to collaborate with other USAID implementing partners, with the GRM, and with USAID staff as directed by their AOR. Also, the recipient must participate in partners’ meetings organized by USAID, and report to USAID as requested on the ways in which they are coordinating with other IPs and with the GRM.

● Learning: Generating and feeding new learning, innovations, and performance information back into the system to inform program management, design, USG- GRM policy dialogue opportunities and funding allocations; (e.g., creating pauses for reflection within the activity implementation scheme, engaging stakeholders for shared ‘learning moments’, conducting analytical review of existing and/or new evidence that may support or contradict common understanding);

● Adapting: Translating learning (from within the implementation experience or external sources) and considering changing conditions, along the lines of the risks, assumptions and game changers, into strategic and programmatic adjustments (e.g., adjusting workplans to account for contextual shifts or tacit learning from a team’s experience, from previous implementation’ experience, while clearly and explicitly capturing and sharing the rationale for adjustments along the way).

ATTACHMENT B

Response Requirements

USAID/Mozambique seeks to collect feedback on the questions listed below in relation to this Request for Information (RFI). When preparing your responses, please ensure comments are concise and specific to the question asked.

A. Response Format (1 Page Limit)

● Cover page: not to exceed one (1) page, that includes.

1. Organization name and address, including point of contact name and contact information.

2. Organization type (e.g., non-governmental organization, social enterprise, civil society organization, U.S. small business, local organization, local established organization, international organization)

● Answers: when preparing your responses, please ensure comments are concise and specific to the question asked.

B. Submission Instructions

● Please send responses to this RFI via email to the address listed on the cover page by the closing date listed. Please ensure that you are using 12 pt and Calibri font.

● USAID values concise and issue-specific comments.

● Responses can be submitted in Portuguese. Please number each page consecutively and please relate your responses to each question included in this RFI.

● Please be reminded that you will only receive an electronic confirmation acknowledging receipt of your response. No feedback or debrief will be provided on comments received. Phone calls or hard copy responses will not be accepted.

C. QUESTIONS

Organizational & Governance

1. Where is your headquarters located and in which provinces have you operated, or you are operating?

2. Briefly describe your organization's experience in implementing health and malaria projects and how many projects in health and malaria that your organization has managed as the main recipient.

Partnerships/Collaboration

1. Does your organization have any established partnerships with actors in the malaria, vector control, or entomology space (NGOs, civil society, private sector, international agencies)? Please list the most relevant ones and describe the level of engagement and challenges.

2. Does your organization have an established partnership with any government body? Please list the most relevant ones, naming the specific departments.

3. What is your experience in integrating and/or leading consortiums to implement health, HIV, TB projects?

4. Has your organization coordinated and/or led a Steering Committee, Technical Working Groups, or high-level forum with government, donors, private sector, and civil society involvement?

Financial Capacity/Management

1. How is your organization funded and what is the maximum amount of funding your organization has managed, in the past 10 years, either through a single or combined projects? Please present this in a table with information regarding the donor (may include USG, other donor governments, UN, universities, private foundations or grants from NGOs), funding level, period, purpose of the project.

2. Is your organization registered in SAM7? If yes, please provide the UEI.

3. What controls, policies and procedures does your organization have in place to ensure transparency and accountability.

4. Do you have internal systems for subgrants management/ subcontract other organizations to implement this activity?

Organizational Capacity

1. Does your organization have written policies and practices on procurement of goods and services, property records management, and asset inventory management? Does your organization carry out actions "directly or indirectly" to strengthen the capacity of subcontracted organizations?

2. Does your organization have experience with international procurements? If so, briefly describe the general categories of items procured internationally.

3. How many full-time staff members and/or volunteers does your organization currently have?

What is the maximum number of staff your organization has managed (organizational and project wise)?

Grants Management

1. Does your organization have experience in subcontracting other organizations to implement projects?

2. Does your organization have written policies and practices on procurement of goods and services, property records management, and asset inventory management?

3. Does your organization carry out actions "directly or indirectly" to strengthen the capacity of subcontracted organizations?

HR Management

1. How many full-time staff members and/or volunteers does your organization currently have?

2. What is the maximum number of staff your organization has managed (organizational and project wise)?

Technical Component

1. In what area(s) do you consider your organization to be an expert in?

2. How would your organization leverage its technical capacity in other areas to support an Activity focused on entomology?

3. If your organization does not have the technical expertise to design or implement all aspects of the award (as detailed in the project description), how would your organization address this issue?

4. Is there any innovation and collaboration your organization proposes to achieve the proposed two results?

5. For the Intermediate Results being proposed for each Result, is there something that is not being considered? What works well and what needs to be improved? If so, please provide the recommendations per intermediate result.

7 System for Award Management (www.sam.gov)

Other

1. What other comments or recommendations would you like to share with USAID regarding any anticipated solicitation for this requirement?

2. Please provide information that your organization deems important for USAID/Mozambique to consider for this new activity.

3. What innovations should USAID consider for this requirement?

(Attachment C)

TIPO DE PEDIDO: PEDIDO DE INFORMAÇÕES (RFI)

NÚMERO DA RFI: RFI-720656-2024-EntoLocal NOME DO PROGRAMA: USAID EntoLocal DATA DE EMISSÃO: 16 de Julho de 2024

DATA-LIMITE PARA

APRESENTAÇÃO DE RESPOSTAS: 14 de Agosto de 2024, 17:00 (hora de Maputo)

Caro potencial candidato/ofertante, A USAID/Moçambique pretende conceber uma nova actividade - USAID EntoLocal - que contribuirá para apoiar o Programa Nacional de Controlo da Malária e o Instituto Nacional de Saúde na planificação e implementação da monitorização entomológica, e na prestação de assistência técnica para medidas comprovadas de controlo do vector da malária que salvam vidas. Prevê-se que este seja um projecto de cinco (5) anos, de 2024 a 2029, com um valor total de até 15 milhões de dólares.

O objectivo da presente comunicação é obter comentários e contributos do sector sobre a Actividade acima referida. Mais especificamente, a RFI tem os seguintes objectivos:

○ Avaliar o interesse de potenciais organizações em apresentar candidaturas/propostas para a nova Actividade EntoLocal da USAID

○ Obter conhecimentos técnicos e organizacionais sobre a capacidade das potenciais organizações;

○ Explorar abordagens inovadoras para estabelecer parcerias com organizações que trabalham na mesma área; e

○ Recolher contributos que contribuam para melhorar a descrição do programa (DP)/âmbito de trabalho (SOW) proposto.

O Anexo B apresenta o conjunto de perguntas às quais as organizações devem responder. Note que se trata de uma RFI e não de um pedido de candidaturas (RFA) ou de um pedido de propostas (RFP). Esta RFI não deve ser interpretada como um compromisso do Governo dos EUA para emitir qualquer solicitação ou, em última análise, uma adjudicação com base nesta RFI, ou para pagar por qualquer informação apresentada como resultado deste pedido. Por favor, não apresente uma candidatura completa ou declarações em resposta a este RFI. É de notar que a resposta a este RFI não dará qualquer vantagem a qualquer organização na aquisição subsequente.

A USAID/Moçambique pode usar o feedback e os comentários deste RFI para desenvolver programas futuros. Se uma solicitação for emitida para esta Actividade, é da responsabilidade da organização monitorizar os sites https://www.grants.gov ou www.sam.gov e os jornais locais para a divulgação de qualquer informação adicional.

As respostas ao presente RFI devem ser enviadas para Patrice Lopez, através do endereço eletrónico mission-maputo-oaa@usaid.gov, o mais tardar até à data indicada na parte superior do presente RFI. Não serão aceites envios tardios. O assunto do e-mail deve ser "RFI - USAID/Moçambique EntoLocal Activity".

As respostas podem ser enviadas em inglês ou português e devem incluir o nome da organização, https://www.grants.gov/n endereço, ponto de contacto, número de telefone e endereço de e-mail. Receberá uma confirmação eletrónica a acusar a receção da sua resposta. As respostas em papel não serão aceites e são desaconselhadas.

Com os melhores cumprimentos, Ayala-Rebeka Brooks Oficial Supervisor de Acordos/Contractos

Anexos

● Anexo A - Actividade proposta

● Anexo B - Requisitos de resposta

ANEXO A

I. JUSTIFICAÇÃO

A malária é endémica em Moçambique e toda a população está em risco de contrair a doença. As mulheres grávidas e as crianças com menos de cinco anos de idade têm o maior risco de desenvolver malária grave. De acordo com os dados não publicados do Ministério da Saúde, em 2023, a malária representou aproximadamente 25% de todas as consultas externas, com mais de 13 milhões de casos diagnosticados nas unidades sanitárias públicas e nas comunidades. De 2018 a 2022, o número de casos de malária notificados em todo o país aumentou a cada ano, com exceção de 2021, quando se observou uma ligeira redução de casos, provavelmente relacionada com o comportamento de procura de saúde no contexto da epidemia de COVID-19.

A prevalência da malária entre crianças dos 6 aos 59 meses de idade manteve-se estável entre 2011 e 2018, em cerca de 40 por cento.8,9,10 Dados recentes do Inquérito Demográfico e de Saúde (IDS) de 2022 indicam que a prevalência da malária diminuiu para 32%, a nível nacional.11 A prevalência varia em todo o país, sendo mais elevada nas regiões norte e centro (variando de 10% em Manica a 55% em Nampula) e mais baixa na região sul (variando de 0% na cidade de Maputo a 16% em Inhambane) (2022 IDS Relatório de Indicadores Chave). Em Moçambique, o Plasmodium falciparum é responsável por 90% de todas as infecções por malária, enquanto o Plasmodium malariae é responsável por 9% e o Plasmodium ovale por 1%.12

Para fazer face a este enorme fardo da doença, o Programa Nacional de Controlo da Malária (PNMC) implementa um conjunto integrado de medidas destinadas a reduzir a transmissão da doença. Estas medidas incluem o controlo dos vectores, a quimioprevenção e a vacinação - juntamente com uma gestão adequada dos casos de malária (diagnóstico e tratamento). Em termos de controlo de vectores, o PNCM visa garantir que todos os distritos com transmissão média a elevada da malária beneficiem atempadamente de pelo menos uma intervenção de controlo de vectores (por exemplo, Pulverização Intra-Domiciliar ou redes mosquiteiras tratadas com inseticida), de acordo com as directrizes do PNCM.

8 Ministério da Saúde - MISAU/Moçambique, Instituto Nacional de Estatística - INE/Moçambique e ICF International. Moçambique Inquérito Demográfico e de Saúde 2011. Calverton, Maryland, EUA:

MISA/Moçambique, INE/Moçambique e ICF International. https://dhsprogram.com/publications/publication-fr266-dhs-final-reports.cfm 9 Ministério da Saúde - MISAU, Instituto Nacional de Estatística - INE, e ICF. 2018. Inquérito de Indicadores de Imunização, Malária e HIV/SIDA em Moçambique - IMASIDA, 2015. Maputo/Moçambique: MISAU/Moçambique, INE, e ICF. https://dhsprogram.com/publications/publication-ais12-ais-final-reports.cfm 10 Instituto Nacional de Saúde - INS e ICF. 2019. Inquérito Nacional sobre Indicadores de Malária em Moçambique 2018. Maputo, Moçambique. Rockville, Maryland, EUA: INS e ICF.https://dhsprogram.com/publications/publication-mis33-mis-final-reports.cfm 11 Instituto Nacional de Estatística (INE), Maputo, Moçambique, e The DHS Program, ICF, Rockville, Maryland, EUA.

https://dhsprogram.com/publications/publication-PR150-Preliminary-Reports-Key-Indicators-Reports.cfm 12 Iniciativa do Presidente dos EUA contra a Malária Plano Operacional da Malária em Moçambique para o ano fiscal de 2024.

Obtido em www.pmi.gov https://dhsprogram.com/publications/publication-ais12-ais-final-reports.cfm https://dhsprogram.com/publications/publication-mis33-mis-final-reports.cfm https://dhsprogram.com/publications/publication-PR150-Preliminary-Reports-Key-Indicators-Reports.cfm

Para atingir este objectivo, o Plano Estratégico Nacional para a Malária (PENM) promove uma estratégia integrada de gestão de vectores, incluindo a vigilância de vectores, a gestão da resistência aos insecticidas e a distribuição de redes mosquiteiras tratadas com insecticidas (RTI) através de campanhas nacionais de distribuição em massa e de serviços de cuidados pré-natais (CPN).

O Governo de Moçambique consegue cobrir aproximadamente um terço do Plano Estratégico Sectorial com financiamento interno, sendo o remanescente e proveniente dos parceiros de desenvolvimento.13 No domínio da malária, o Fundo Global (FG) e a Iniciativa Presidencial contra a Malária (PMI) são os principais financiadores. A definição de prioridades das intervenções baseia-se na adaptação e estratificação subnacional das intervenções, num esforço para maximizar a relação custo-eficácia, tendo simultaneamente em conta as limitações e prioridades de cada doador. A aquisição de testes e de medicamentos antimaláricos é uma prioridade, seguida da distribuição de RTI. O financiamento interno é utilizado para apoiar o salário de recursos humanos, a aquisição de medicamentos para a prevenção da malária na gravidez, o transporte de alguns produtos de malária e algumas visitas de supervisão.