Request for proposals for Technical Support to Improve Global Health Security Systems Date Issued: August 15, 2025 Questions due: August 22, 2025, 23:59 Eastern Daylight Time Responses Posted: August 27, 2025, 23:59 Eastern Daylight Time Submission Deadline: September 12, 2025, 23:59 Eastern Daylight Time Submission Email:
[email protected] Project Overview: STRIDES Activity in Niger The STRIDES Activity is a key component of the U.S. Governments Global Health Security (GHS) response, aimed at improving disease detection, surveillance, data collection, analysis, and reporting systems in partner countries. STRIDES addresses critical gaps in national and subnational surveillance and diagnostic systems that limit countries ability to prevent, detect, report, and respond effectively to epidemics, pandemics, and emerging infectious disease threats that pose risks to global and U.S. national security. By strengthening these systems and aligning them with international quality and safety standards, STRIDES helps halt outbreaks at their source and supports the delivery of quality, sustainable services through both human and animal health systems. Niger faces significant public health challenges due to emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases, many of which are zoonotic. Recent and recurring threats include COVID-19, viral hepatitis E, dengue, Rift Valley fever, and highly pathogenic avian influenza, which has persisted since 2019. Niger also continues to battle frequent epidemics of meningococcal meningitis, diphtheria, and measles. For example, as of week 29 of 2024, the country reported 3,267 meningitis cases with 252 deaths (7.7% case fatality rate), 2,147 diphtheria cases with 100 deaths (4.7% case fatality rate), and 4,339 measles cases with 20 deaths (0.5% case fatality rate)all representing significant increases compared to the same period in 2023. These public health threats are further compounded by the countrys prolonged humanitarian crisis, where insecurity and the presence of non-state armed groups limit access to basic health services and impede timely outbreak detection and response. Through STRIDES, FHI 360as the implementing partneris leading efforts to strengthen Nigers infectious disease detection and surveillance systems at both national and subnational levels. To support these efforts, the selected contractor will work under the direction and oversight of FHI 360 to help address the countrys challenges in infectious disease detection, reporting, and response. The selected contractor will contribute to enhancing laboratory networks, expanding access to quality diagnostic services, and supporting the development of sustainable surveillance systems that integrate both event-based and indicator-based methods. In addition, the contractor will provide technical assistance to build national and subnational capacity for data collection, analysis, and reporting, ensuring that disease prevention and 3 response decisions are based on timely and actionable information. The contractor will also play a key role in delivering targeted technical and detection support during outbreaks, helping to prevent the spread of disease, strengthen health security, and protect vulnerable communities. Technical Description of work to be performed: Scope of Work The selected contractor(s) will provide technical assistance and capacity-building support to the STRIDES project in Niger. The overall aim is to strengthen national and subnational capacity to detect, prevent, and respond to infectious disease threats through support for laboratory systems, surveillance, multisectoral coordination, and data use for decision-making. IMPORTANT: Applicants MAY offer a proposal and budget for some or all of the objectives below based on their capabilities and experience. Consortium applications for one or all of the objectives below are not encouraged. Applicants wishing to apply for one or more of the objectives MUST clearly indicate the objective(s) for which they are applying. Objective 1: Strengthen detection capacity and systems at the national and sub-national levels for both human and animal laboratory networks, and increase access to quality laboratory services for diseases of public health importance Laboratories Upgrade laboratory facilities and equipment to meet biosafety and biosecurity standards appropriate for the infectious diseases they will test. Support availability and capacity development of laboratory human resources in advanced diagnostic techniques to prepare for and support responses to public health events. Assist in estimating and ensuring provision of reagents, kits, and consumables required for responses to public health events. Strengthen laboratory quality management and assurance systems. Identify potential private sector human and animal laboratory networks to support Priority Zoonotic Diseases (PZD) diagnostics. Conduct feasibility assessments and landscape analyses, including supply chain reviews, to explore the role of the private sector in emergency response activities. Strengthen laboratory specimen referral and transportation systems Apply a cross-sectoral approach to map animal and human health laboratory referral networks for PZD and other public health concerns. Leverage existing specimen transportation networks under the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Livestock to ensure that specimen transportation is timely, safe, and contributes effectively to outbreak control. 4 Support the establishment of additional mechanisms to transport specimens from various locations to the appropriate human and animal health laboratories in a timely manner, especially in the event of a new outbreak requiring diagnosis or confirmation. Tender Link : http://solicitations.fhi360.org/Solicitation.aspx
