UNDP Call for Proposals: Strengthening Procurement and Supply Chain Systems for Public Health Emergency Preparedness in Southeast Asia

This call for proposals by the United Nations Development Programme aims to strengthen procurement and supply chain systems for public health emergency preparedness in Southeast Asia. The region faces persistent threats from infectious disease outbreaks, which are exacerbated by climate change, urbanization, and weak health systems. The COVID-19 pandemic revealed critical vulnerabilities, including insufficient medical stockpiles, fragmented logistics, lack of data interoperability, and human resource gaps. UNDP’s intervention focuses on systemic improvements rather than ad hoc responses, seeking to build resilient supply chains that can handle surges in demand during emergencies. The call invites applications from government agencies, NGOs, private sector, and research institutions with expertise in health logistics and public health. Projects should cover at least two ASEAN countries and align with national health security plans. The total budget per project ranges from USD 1 million to 5 million, with a mandatory 25% co-financing. Activities can include digitalization of inventory management, capacity building for procurement staff, upgrading cold chain infrastructure, and establishing coordination platforms. The deadline is July 20, 2026, providing a 18-month window for proposal development. The call is part of UNDP’s broader strategy to support the ASEAN Health Sector Cooperation and the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being). It also builds on the lessons from previous health emergencies, emphasizing the need for transparent and accountable procurement processes. Applicants must demonstrate experience in supply chain management, with a track record of at least three years and two successful projects. Financial viability is assessed through audited statements, and legal compliance with anti-corruption and environmental standards is mandatory. The evaluation criteria include technical soundness (40%), institutional capacity (30%), financial management (20%), and sustainability (10%). GSLI offers training courses that directly address these criteria, such as Procurement & Supply Chain, Project Management for Development, and Writing Winning Proposals. By incorporating GSLI training into their proposal, organizations can strengthen their capacity building component and show commitment to professional excellence. The overview thus sets the stage for a detailed exploration of the call’s priorities, eligibility, and implementation pathways.

Strategic Overview

This call for proposals by the United Nations Development Programme aims to strengthen procurement and supply chain systems for public health emergency preparedness in Southeast Asia. The region faces persistent threats from infectious disease outbreaks, which are exacerbated by climate change, urbanization, and weak health systems. The COVID-19 pandemic revealed critical vulnerabilities, including insufficient medical stockpiles, fragmented logistics, lack of data interoperability, and human resource gaps. UNDP’s intervention focuses on systemic improvements rather than ad hoc responses, seeking to build resilient supply chains that can handle surges in demand during emergencies. The call invites applications from government agencies, NGOs, private sector, and research institutions with expertise in health logistics and public health. Projects should cover at least two ASEAN countries and align with national health security plans. The total budget per project ranges from USD 1 million to 5 million, with a mandatory 25% co-financing. Activities can include digitalization of inventory management, capacity building for procurement staff, upgrading cold chain infrastructure, and establishing coordination platforms. The deadline is July 20, 2026, providing a 18-month window for proposal development. The call is part of UNDP’s broader strategy to support the ASEAN Health Sector Cooperation and the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being). It also builds on the lessons from previous health emergencies, emphasizing the need for transparent and accountable procurement processes. Applicants must demonstrate experience in supply chain management, with a track record of at least three years and two successful projects. Financial viability is assessed through audited statements, and legal compliance with anti-corruption and environmental standards is mandatory. The evaluation criteria include technical soundness (40%), institutional capacity (30%), financial management (20%), and sustainability (10%). GSLI offers training courses that directly address these criteria, such as Procurement & Supply Chain, Project Management for Development, and Writing Winning Proposals. By incorporating GSLI training into their proposal, organizations can strengthen their capacity building component and show commitment to professional excellence. The overview thus sets the stage for a detailed exploration of the call’s priorities, eligibility, and implementation pathways.

Who is it For?

This call is designed for a diverse range of actors operating in Southeast Asia, including but not limited to: national ministries of health and finance, sub-national health departments, public procurement agencies, international and local NGOs with health logistics expertise, private sector logistics and supply chain firms, academic and research institutions specializing in public health and supply chain management, and multi-lateral development organizations. Eligible entities must be legally registered in one of the ASEAN member states (Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, and Timor-Leste) or have a demonstrated track record of working in the region. UNDP prioritizes proposals that foster local ownership and sustainability, so lead applicants from the region are strongly preferred. Organizations must have at least three years of experience in procurement and supply chain management for public health, with a minimum of two successfully completed projects of similar scale. Financial viability criteria include audited financial statements for the past three years, a stable funding base, and a debt-to-equity ratio below 1.5. Space and infrastructure requirements: applicants must have operational offices in the target country or a clear plan to establish a project management unit within three months of award. Legal compliance includes adherence to anti-terrorism financing laws, anti-corruption statutes, and environmental safeguards. Joint ventures and consortia are welcome, with a lead partner responsible for overall coordination. GSLI training in Procurement & Supply Chain and Project Management for Development can help organizations meet these eligibility requirements by strengthening their institutional capacity and demonstrating commitment to professional standards.

Priorities

UNDP’s global priorities for this call derive from its Strategic Plan 2022-2025, which emphasizes resilience, inclusive governance, and sustainable development. Specific investment KPIs include: (1) improved availability of essential medicines and health commodities in public health emergencies by at least 30% in target areas; (2) reduction in average procurement lead time by 20% within 18 months; (3) increase in the use of digital supply chain tools (e.g., electronic logistics management information systems) by 50% of health facilities; (4) at least 40% of supply chain workforce trained on emergency preparedness; and (5) establishment of multi-sectoral coordination mechanisms in at least 75% of target districts. The donor also prioritizes gender-sensitive supply chains—ensuring that women and marginalized groups have equal access to health products and that procurement processes consider gender-based needs. Environmental sustainability is another key priority: proposals must include strategies to reduce waste, promote green procurement (e.g., eco-friendly packaging), and minimize carbon footprint of logistics operations. Financial KPIs require that at least 80% of project funds be directly used for programmatic activities, with administrative costs capped at 10%. Additionally, UNDP expects co-financing or in-kind contributions of at least 25% of total budget to demonstrate ownership. The call supports the ASEAN Health Sector Cooperation framework and the Regional Framework for Public Health Emergencies. Proposals should align with national health security action plans and not duplicate existing efforts. GSLI’s training in WASH and Public Health & Epidemiology can help applicants design interventions that address broader determinants of health and resilience.

Eligibility

Comprehensive eligibility criteria span financial, spatial, and corporate legal dimensions. Financially, organizations must submit a budget narrative and detailed cost breakdown, with total project cost between USD 1 million and USD 5 million. Co-financing of at least 25% is mandatory, documented through letters of commitment from partners or own funds. Applicants must provide evidence of a functioning bank account and no history of bankruptcy. Audited financial statements for the last three years are required, showing positive net assets and liquidity ratio above 1.2. Spatially, projects must be implemented in at least two ASEAN countries or cover a minimum population of 500,000 across contiguous areas. Infrastructure readiness requires that applicants have existing warehousing or distribution networks, or a detailed plan to establish them within the first quarter. Legal eligibility: applicants must be a legal entity—non-profit, for-profit, or academic—with registration in the country of operation. Foreign entities must have a memorandum of understanding with a local partner or a designated in-country representative. Compliance with UNDP’s Vendor Eligibility Policy, including no evidence of fraud, corruption, or human rights violations, is mandatory. Organizations must have a safeguarding policy and a gender equality policy in place. Additionally, they must agree to UNDP’s audit and evaluation rights, and to the UN Supplier Code of Conduct. Proposals from entities that have been suspended or debarred by the UN or other multilateral donors are automatically disqualified. GSLI recommends that applicants lacking certain eligibility criteria (e.g., procurement policies) take relevant courses such as Grants Management and Financial Management for NGOs to strengthen their governance structures before submission.

Path to Success

To succeed in this UNDP call for proposals, organizations should follow a strategic roadmap that integrates GSLI training for capacity building. Step 1: Build a Strong Consortium and Contextual Understanding. Begin by identifying local partners, including government health departments, logistics providers, and community organizations. Conduct a rapid assessment of existing supply chain gaps in target countries, using WHO and World Bank data. GSLI’s course in Public Health & Epidemiology provides foundational knowledge on disease patterns and emergency response, enabling you to articulate a compelling needs assessment. Step 2: Design a Data-Driven, Multiphase Implementation Plan. Leverage GSLI’s Project Management for Development training to structure your approach into three phases: (a) assessment and digitalization (months 1-6), (b) capacity building and infrastructure upgrades (months 7-18), and (c) monitoring, evaluation, and sustainability (months 19-24). Each phase must have clear deliverables, milestones, and KPIs aligned with UNDP’s priorities such as lead time reduction and gender equity. Step 3: Strengthen Financial and Compliance Frameworks. Attend GSLI’s Financial Management for NGOs and Grants Management courses to develop robust budgeting, internal controls, and reporting systems. UNDP requires transparent financial management, so your proposal should include a detailed audit trail, anti-corruption measures, and a risk management plan. Use GSLI’s training to design a procurement manual that complies with UN standards. Step 4: Differentiate with Monitoring & Evaluation and Innovation. Enroll in GSLI’s Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) course to create a logical framework with baseline data, output indicators (e.g., number trained), outcome indicators (e.g., reduced stockouts), and impact indicators (e.g., mortality reduction). Incorporate innovative solutions like blockchain for traceability or AI for demand forecasting, and highlight how your team’s expertise (enhanced by GSLI) ensures success. Finally, write a compelling narrative that connects your proposal to SDGs 3, 9, and 16, and emphasize your capacity to scale and sustain results. GSLI’s Writing Winning Proposals course can refine your submission for maximum clarity and impact.

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Deadline: 2026-07-20

Persona: General

Urgency: Normal