USAID Global Health Security RFP: Strengthening Health Information Systems and M&E Capacity in Partner Countries

The USAID Global Health Security RFP titled 'Strengthening Health Information Systems and M&E Capacity in Partner Countries' is a flagship funding opportunity designed to advance the Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA) 2025. With a deadline of August 30, 2026, this RFP invites applications from organizations capable of implementing comprehensive programs to enhance data-driven disease surveillance, outbreak detection, and response in up to 10 priority countries across sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, and Southeast Asia. The total funding pool is estimated at $150 million, with individual awards ranging from $10 to $25 million over five years. The primary technical focus areas include upgrading electronic health information systems (HIS), training health workers on data quality and use, and building local M&E capacity to monitor health security interventions. The RFP emphasizes interoperability with national platforms such as DHIS2 and OpenMRS, as well as alignment with WHO's Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) strategy. Applicants must demonstrate a proven track record in digital health, epidemiology, and capacity building in low-resource settings. Crucially, the donor requires a consortium approach that includes local partners to ensure sustainability and cultural relevance. The RFP also encourages innovation, including the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning for predictive analytics, and mobile health (mHealth) solutions for community-level data collection. This RFP is strategically significant given the increasing global focus on pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response (PPR) following the COVID-19 pandemic. The U.S. government, through USAID, is prioritizing health systems strengthening as a cornerstone of its foreign assistance, with particular emphasis on data transparency and accountability. The RFP aligns with the U.S. National Biodefense Strategy and the Global Health Security Act of 2019, which mandate measurable improvements in country capacities. Successful applicants will not only contribute to global health security but also position themselves as key partners for future funding cycles. For organizations, this is an opportunity to demonstrate thought leadership in health informatics and capacity development. The RFP's emphasis on M&E reflects a broader donor trend towards results-based management, requiring solid data systems to track progress against indicators such as reduction in time to outbreak detection and improved data completeness. Financially, applicants must prepare competitive budgets that balance innovation with cost-effectiveness, adhering to USAID's regulations on allowable costs and audit requirements. The RFP process includes a mandatory pre-proposal conference in early 2026, followed by a question-and-answer period. USAID will evaluate proposals based on technical approach (40%), organizational experience (30%), management plan (20%), and cost reasonableness (10%). Key evaluation criteria include the clarity of the theory of change, feasibility of the implementation plan, and quality of key personnel. The donor also considers past performance on similar awards, including audit findings and compliance history. To maximize success, applicants should engage with USAID's Global Health Bureau early, seek feedback on concept notes, and build consortia with complementary expertise. GSLI's training courses can strengthen proposal narratives by demonstrating proactive capacity building. For example, including a plan to deliver GSLI's Monitoring & Evaluation course to local partner staff shows commitment to sustainable development. Additionally, the Public Health & Epidemiology course can enhance the technical depth of the proposal's surveillance component. Overall, this RFP represents a multi-year investment in health systems that requires a holistic and collaborative approach.

Strategic Overview

The USAID Global Health Security RFP titled 'Strengthening Health Information Systems and M&E Capacity in Partner Countries' is a flagship funding opportunity designed to advance the Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA) 2025. With a deadline of August 30, 2026, this RFP invites applications from organizations capable of implementing comprehensive programs to enhance data-driven disease surveillance, outbreak detection, and response in up to 10 priority countries across sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, and Southeast Asia. The total funding pool is estimated at $150 million, with individual awards ranging from $10 to $25 million over five years. The primary technical focus areas include upgrading electronic health information systems (HIS), training health workers on data quality and use, and building local M&E capacity to monitor health security interventions. The RFP emphasizes interoperability with national platforms such as DHIS2 and OpenMRS, as well as alignment with WHO's Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) strategy. Applicants must demonstrate a proven track record in digital health, epidemiology, and capacity building in low-resource settings. Crucially, the donor requires a consortium approach that includes local partners to ensure sustainability and cultural relevance. The RFP also encourages innovation, including the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning for predictive analytics, and mobile health (mHealth) solutions for community-level data collection. This RFP is strategically significant given the increasing global focus on pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response (PPR) following the COVID-19 pandemic. The U.S. government, through USAID, is prioritizing health systems strengthening as a cornerstone of its foreign assistance, with particular emphasis on data transparency and accountability. The RFP aligns with the U.S. National Biodefense Strategy and the Global Health Security Act of 2019, which mandate measurable improvements in country capacities. Successful applicants will not only contribute to global health security but also position themselves as key partners for future funding cycles. For organizations, this is an opportunity to demonstrate thought leadership in health informatics and capacity development. The RFP's emphasis on M&E reflects a broader donor trend towards results-based management, requiring solid data systems to track progress against indicators such as reduction in time to outbreak detection and improved data completeness. Financially, applicants must prepare competitive budgets that balance innovation with cost-effectiveness, adhering to USAID's regulations on allowable costs and audit requirements. The RFP process includes a mandatory pre-proposal conference in early 2026, followed by a question-and-answer period. USAID will evaluate proposals based on technical approach (40%), organizational experience (30%), management plan (20%), and cost reasonableness (10%). Key evaluation criteria include the clarity of the theory of change, feasibility of the implementation plan, and quality of key personnel. The donor also considers past performance on similar awards, including audit findings and compliance history. To maximize success, applicants should engage with USAID's Global Health Bureau early, seek feedback on concept notes, and build consortia with complementary expertise. GSLI's training courses can strengthen proposal narratives by demonstrating proactive capacity building. For example, including a plan to deliver GSLI's Monitoring & Evaluation course to local partner staff shows commitment to sustainable development. Additionally, the Public Health & Epidemiology course can enhance the technical depth of the proposal's surveillance component. Overall, this RFP represents a multi-year investment in health systems that requires a holistic and collaborative approach.

Who is it For?

This opportunity is designed for a diverse range of organizations including international non-governmental organizations (INGOs), local civil society organizations (CSOs), universities, research institutions, and private sector entities specializing in health informatics, epidemiology, and capacity development. Eligible applicants must have a minimum organizational budget of $5 million annually for the past three years, with at least 50% of programming focused on health systems strengthening, HIS, or M&E in low- and middle-income countries. USAID prioritizes organizations with established field presence in target countries, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, and Southeast Asia. Applicants must demonstrate experience in managing awards of similar scale (e.g., $10-25 million) and complexity, including multi-country consortia. Key personnel requirements include a Chief of Party with at least 10 years of experience in HIS/M&E, a Senior Data Scientist with expertise in advanced analytics and machine learning for health data, and a Capacity Building Lead with a track record of training government staff in developing countries. Local partners must be included to ensure sustainability and community engagement. Private sector applicants should highlight corporate social responsibility (CSR) alignment and innovative technology solutions such as mobile health (mHealth) platforms or cloud-based data warehouses. Universities are encouraged to submit applied research proposals that generate evidence-based best practices. Faith-based organizations are eligible as long as they adhere to USAID's non-discrimination policies. Overall, the ideal applicant is a consortium leader with a balanced mix of technical expertise, on-the-ground presence, and financial stability.

Priorities

USAID's global priorities for this RFP center on three pillars: (1) Strengthening data systems for disease surveillance and outbreak response; (2) Enhancing M&E frameworks for global health security programs; and (3) Building local capacity for sustainable health information management. Key investment KPIs include: a 20% reduction in time from data collection to reporting; a 15% increase in the completeness and timeliness of routine health data; and the training of at least 500 health workers in partner countries on data quality assurance and use of digital tools. USAID emphasizes interoperability of HIS with national and global systems, such as DHIS2 and WHO's Global Health Observatory. Specific technical focus areas include antimicrobial resistance (AMR) surveillance, immunization coverage monitoring, and electronic Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (eIDSR). The donor expects proposals to incorporate cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence for predictive analytics and geospatial mapping for resource allocation. Additionally, USAID prioritizes gender-responsive data collection, ensuring disaggregation by sex, age, and disability. Environmental sustainability is also implicit, with expectations to minimize paper-based systems in favor of digital platforms. The funding mechanism is designed to transition to local ownership, so applicants must include exit strategies and sustainability plans beyond the project period. Cross-cutting priorities include integration with national health sector plans and alignment with the Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA) targets. USAID will favor proposals that demonstrate scalability, cost-effectiveness, and innovation in data visualization for decision-making at subnational levels.

Eligibility

Eligibility is strictly limited to organizations that meet specific financial, spatial, and legal criteria. Financially, applicants must have a stable track record with audited financial statements for the prior three fiscal years, showing no material weaknesses or significant findings. The organization must have a minimum of $5 million in annual revenue for the past three years and a debt-to-equity ratio of less than 0.5. USAID requires evidence of indirect cost rate negotiation (NICRA) or a waiver. Spatially, the applicant must have a physical presence in at least one target country, with a registered office and ability to operate under local laws. For consortia, the lead partner must have a physical presence in the U.S. if seeking direct funding, though exceptions may apply for host-country organizations. Legally, the organization must be legally registered in the country of operation, have a valid DUNS number, and be registered in SAM.gov with no active exclusions under the Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System (FAPIIS). USAID also requires compliance with its Anti-Terrorism Certification and non-profit status if applicable. NGOs must provide bylaws, board list, and tax-exempt determination letters. Private sector firms must demonstrate corporate registration and good standing with state authorities. Additionally, applicants must have a clear policy on conflict of interest and ethical conduct. Past performance must demonstrate successful completion of at least two USAID or other donor-funded projects of similar scope and size without significant cost overruns or compliance issues. Foreign organizations must not be subject to sanctions or embargoes by the U.S. government. All applicants must submit a comprehensive organizational capability statement outlining their governance structure, safeguarding policies, and data protection protocols.

Path to Success

Step 1: Strategic Positioning and Consortium Building (Months 1-3) - Begin by conducting a rapid landscape analysis of target countries to identify high-priority health systems gaps and align with USAID mission requests. Form a consortium comprising a lead organization with strong financial management, a technical partner specializing in digital health (e.g., DHIS2 implementation), and a local research institution with community ties. Register on SAM.gov and obtain a DUNS number if not already done. Attend USAID pre-proposal conferences and engage with USAID's Global Health Bureau for clarifications. Step 2: Proposal Co-Design and Technical Approach (Months 3-6) - Develop a theory of change linking HIS strengthening to improved outbreak detection and response. Integrate GSLI's Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) and Project Management for Development courses to demonstrate staff competency. Draft the technical narrative using a results framework with SMART indicators, such as 'increase in proportion of health facilities submitting timely data from 60% to 85%'. Incorporate a phased implementation plan with Year 1 focusing on baseline assessments and system integration. Step 3: Cost-Budget and Compliance Engineering (Months 6-8) - Build a detailed budget using USAID's SF-424A template, including direct costs (salaries, equipment, training) and indirect costs with a negotiated NICRA rate. Ensure cost realism and reasonableness by benchmarking against similar awards. Include a 10% contingency for currency fluctuations or political instability. Verify compliance with 2 CFR 200 by establishing internal controls for procurement, travel, and sub-award monitoring. Step 4: Submission and Post-Award Readiness (Months 8-9) - Submit the proposal via grants.gov before the deadline, ensuring all attachments (key personnel CVs, letters of commitment, past performance references) are complete. Prepare for a pre-award survey by USAID by organizing organizational policies (fiscal, HR, safeguarding). Enroll staff in GSLI's Grants Management and Financial Management for NGOs courses to strengthen fiduciary capacity. Post-award, promptly assign a project management unit and initiate kick-off activities. Cross-sell GSLI courses to consortium partners to enhance overall project capacity: e.g., 'WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene)' for environmental health linkages, 'Public Health & Epidemiology' for surveillance staff, and 'Writing Winning Proposals' for sustainability planning.

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Deadline: 2026-08-30

Persona: General

Urgency: Normal