Request for Proposal (RFP) No. SOL-OAA-15-000124 - Food Aid Quality Review Phase III Implementation

Request for Proposal (RFP) No. SOL-OAA-15-000124
FOOD AID QUALITY REVIEW PHASE III

For almost fifty years, USAID has provided micronutrient enriched or fortified, processed foods and basic commodities to vulnerable, food-insecure populations.  These commodities assist food insecure populations by providing for their nutritional needs. Many of these commodities are enriched or fortified.  Over the course of these years, the demographics and health status of these beneficiary populations have changed.  In the light of these changes and of the recommendations proposed during previous review, USAID took the initiative to implement the recommendations in the latest report, issued in 2011. A number of the recommendations have been carried out, but there are still important recommendations on products, programming and processes that must be completed.

The principal objectives of this contract is to conclude the implementation of the Food Aid Quality Review (FAQR) recommendations for changes in products, programming, and processes in order to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of food aid. This work assumes a variety of forms, including, but not limited to the following:

1. Research into the cost effectiveness of new food products and completing ongoing research on these new food products
2. Testing for acceptability and efficacy of new food products and new formulations of existing products and new technologies for producing improved products
3. Undertaking comparative studies on packaging and delivery (both logistical and nutritional) methodologies and technologies
4. Planning and holding consultative and expert meetings
5. Undertaking literature and research reviews related to food-based delivery of micronutrients in the environments where food aid is required
6. Assessing implementation mechanisms and the cost/benefit analysis of field tools for monitoring and evaluation so that partners can have improved tools for calculating the cost effectiveness of food and food interventions, including specialized foods

In particular, this final phase of the FAQR will use a participatory approach through consultative processes to solicit input from stakeholders early on as the SOW is rolled out.

For almost fifty years, USAID has provided micronutrient enriched or fortified, processed foods and basic commodities to vulnerable, food-insecure populations.  These commodities assist food insecure populations by providing for their nutritional needs. Many of these commodities are enriched or fortified.  Over the course of these years, the demographics and health status of these beneficiary populations have changed.  In the light of these changes and of the recommendations proposed during previous review, USAID took the initiative to implement the recommendations in the latest report, issued in 2011. A number of the recommendations have been carried out, but there are still important recommendations on products, programming and processes that must be completed.

The principal objectives of this contract is to conclude the implementation of the Food Aid Quality Review (FAQR) recommendations for changes in products, programming, and processes in order to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of food aid. This work assumes a variety of forms, including, but not limited to the following:

1. Research into the cost effectiveness of new food products and completing ongoing research on these new food products
2. Testing for acceptability and efficacy of new food products and new formulations of existing products and new technologies for producing improved products
3. Undertaking comparative studies on packaging and delivery (both logistical and nutritional) methodologies and technologies
4. Planning and holding consultative and expert meetings
5. Undertaking literature and research reviews related to food-based delivery of micronutrients in the environments where food aid is required
6. Assessing implementation mechanisms and the cost/benefit analysis of field tools for monitoring and evaluation so that partners can have improved tools for calculating the cost effectiveness of food and food interventions, including specialized foods

In particular, this final phase of the FAQR will use a participatory approach through consultative processes to solicit input from stakeholders early on as the SOW is rolled out.