USAID Global Health Security and Pandemic Preparedness Capacity Building RFP

The USAID Global Health Security and Pandemic Preparedness Capacity Building RFP is a comprehensive funding call designed to fortify health systems worldwide against emerging infectious disease threats. With a deadline of September 1, 2026 (Normal urgency), this RFP invites organizations to submit proposals that will enhance core capacities under the International Health Regulations (IHR 2005) and the Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA). The award size ranges from $5 million to $25 million per project, over a five-year implementation period. This call is not just about funding; it is a strategic investment in global preparedness, emphasizing early detection, rapid response, and sustainable systems. The RFP targets low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) in sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, Southeast Asia, and Latin America, particularly those with weak health systems or high pandemic risk. USAID expects proposals to be locally led, with at least 20% of the budget allocated to local capacity building. Key technical areas include laboratory diagnostics, disease surveillance, workforce development, emergency operations centers, and antimicrobial resistance containment. The RFP also mandates climate-resilient approaches and gender-responsive programming. Applicants must demonstrate strong financial management, with audited statements and indirect cost rate agreements ready at submission. The evaluation criteria include technical approach (40%), organizational capacity (25%), past performance (20%), and budget efficiency (15%). USAID encourages consortia that include universities, NGOs, and private sector partners. This overview sets the stage for a deep-dive into the strategic value, implementation roadmap, and risk mitigation strategies that follow. It is crucial for applicants to understand the geopolitical stakes: pandemics can reverse development gains, and this RFP is a tool to build resilience. The call is open to international and local entities, but preference is given to those with existing mission presence. Pre-proposal webinars and technical assistance from USAID’s Global Health Bureau are available. The RFP is aligned with the U.S. National Biodefense Strategy and the Global Health Security Agenda’s 2024 targets. To succeed, applicants must articulate clear, evidence-based interventions that can be scaled and sustained. This RFP represents a significant opportunity for organizations to contribute to a safer world while growing their institutional capacity. The scope of work under this RFP is broad but targeted. It tasks implementers with conducting baseline assessments using tools like the JEE or SPAR scores, then developing action plans to address gaps. For example, a project might include building or upgrading reference laboratories to achieve ISO 15189 accreditation, training epidemiologists on Advanced Field Epidemiology, and establishing rapid response teams with hazardous material or biological incident training. The RFP also prioritizes digital health: proposals should include interoperability standards for health information systems. USAID explicitly encourages innovative tools like mobile apps for community health workers to report cases in real time. Another key area is biosafety and biosecurity: ensuring pathogen collections are secure, and staff follow best handling practices. The call aligns with the WHO’s 13th General Programme of Work, particularly its focus on universal health coverage and health emergencies. Community engagement is cross-cutting: projects must involve civil society and private sector in preparedness planning. For instance, pharmacy networks can serve as sentinel surveillance points for influenza-like illness. The RFP also requires a transition plan to national authorities by project end. Funding can be used for procurement of equipment, but fuel and consumables must have a sustainability plan (e.g., budget line for host government contribution). The overview also highlights the need to address AMR: through better stewardship and surveillance of drug-resistant infections. In some countries, projects might need to integrate with existing HIV/TB programs to leverage infrastructure. USAID is particularly concerned about pathogens like Mpox, Marburg, and Nipah virus, so proposals should have a strategy for these. The RFP includes a mandatory 5% of budget for M&E and learning activities. Overall, this RFP offers a comprehensive approach to pandemic preparedness, and applicants must cover multiple sectors to be competitive. This RFP's executive review further contextualizes its role within the broader U.S. foreign policy and development agenda. The U.S. government has committed to ending the acute phase of the COVID-19 pandemic and preventing future ones. This RFP operationalizes that commitment by building sustainable capacity in partner nations. The call emphasizes local ownership, gender equality, and youth engagement as mandatory cross-cutting themes. For example, the project must ensure that women and youth are included in all training and decision-making structures. The RFP also stresses the importance of ethical considerations, such as informed consent for research and data privacy in digital health. In terms of sustainability, projects must result in at least 50% of trained personnel retained within the health system beyond the project period. The RFP introduces a 'sustainability index' scoring criteria in the evaluation. Additionally, climate change is recognized as an accelerator for infectious disease spread; hence, projects must assess climate vulnerabilities of the health system (e.g., floods affecting labs) and propose green solutions (e.g., solar-powered storage). The overview also mentions that USAID will consider projects in fragile and conflict-affected states, but with additional security and risk management requirements. The RFP is part of a larger USG initiative called the 'Pandemic Preparedness and Resilience Fund' (PPRF) which totals $1.7 billion in 2026. The call is divided into two tracks: Track A for countries with JEE scores <3 (lower capacity) and Track B for scores >3 (middle capacity), with different thresholds for interventions. Applicants must clearly state which track they are targeting. This comprehensive overview prepares applicants for the detailed strategic value and implementation roadmap sections that dive deeper into the technical and operational layers of the proposal.

Strategic Overview

Who is it For?

This RFP targets a diverse range of organizations capable of implementing large-scale capacity-building programs in Global Health Security and Pandemic Preparedness. Eligible applicants include international and local non-governmental organizations (NGOs), for-profit companies (subject to limited profit allowances), academic and research institutions, foundations, and public international organizations (PIOs). USAID strongly encourages partnerships with local entities in target countries to ensure sustainability and cultural relevance. For example, consortia may include a U.S.-based NGO lead with sub-awards to local health ministries, community-based organizations, and private laboratories. Recipients must demonstrate expertise in at least one core GHS area: disease surveillance, laboratory strengthening, workforce development, emergency management, or infection prevention and control. Historically, USAID has funded projects in sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, and Southeast Asia, with a focus on countries with fragile health systems or emerging pandemic threats. Applicants should have presence or proposed partnerships in priority countries such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Nigeria, India, Bangladesh, and Indonesia. Additionally, organizations must possess strong financial management systems, as USAID requires adherence to 2 CFR 200 (Uniform Guidance) and will conduct pre-award surveys. Small and local organizations may be eligible for simplified application procedures under USAID's localization agenda. The RFP also welcomes applications from groups representing women, youth, and marginalized populations, aligning with USAID’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) objectives. Importantly, organizations with past USAID awards must demonstrate a clear performance record, free from debarment or significant compliance issues. The lead organization must have at least 5 years of experience in international health projects with budgets exceeding $1 million annually. The RFP explicitly excludes political parties, government agencies (unless designated as implementing partners), and entities involved in abortion-related activities (consistent with the Helms Amendment).

Priorities

USAID's global priorities for this RFP are anchored in the Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA) 2024 targets, which aim to achieve measurable improvements in IHR core capacities in at least 50 partner countries by 2027. The key investment KPIs include: (1) Increased percentage of targeted health districts with functional rapid response teams (target: 80% in year 3); (2) Reduction in time from disease detection to laboratory confirmation (target: <48 hours); (3) Enhanced biosafety level-3 laboratory capacity with at least 2 per country; (4) Number of health workers trained on the One Health approach (target: 5,000 annually); (5) Percentage of priority zoonotic pathogens under surveillance (target: 90%); (6) Compliance with antimicrobial stewardship programs in 10 major hospitals per country. USAID prioritizes interventions that address cross-border disease dynamics, such as the Mpox and Marburg virus outbreaks, using a readiness index. Moreover, the donor emphasizes digital health innovations, including electronic Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (eIDSR) platforms, to improve real-time data analytics. Gender-sensitive indicators, such as proportion of female laboratory technicians trained (target: 40%), are mandatory. The RFP also aligns with the World Bank's Pandemic Fund priorities, encouraging co-investments. Environmental sustainability is a cross-cutting priority, requiring climate-resilient health infrastructure and green procurement. USAID expects proposals to integrate behavioral science insights to boost community trust and uptake of vaccines and diagnostics. Long-term sustainability is a key metric, with 20% of project costs allocated to local institutional capacity building. Proposals must articulate how they will transition ownership to national health systems by the end of the grant cycle. Furthermore, USAID prioritizes innovation in diagnostics, such as portable PCR machines for remote areas, and genetic sequencing for variant tracking. Each proposal must include a logical framework with SMART targets for each KPI, with quarterly reporting to USAID missions. The RFP includes a mandatory pre-proposal webinar where USAID will clarify these priorities. Additionally, applicants must reference the latest U.S. National Biodefense Strategy and USAID’s Policy on Pandemic Preparedness and Response (2023).

Eligibility

Eligibility for this RFP requires meticulous financial, spatial, and corporate legal audits to ensure compliance with USG regulations. Financial audit: All applicants must submit audited financial statements for the last three fiscal years, prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) or International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). The audit must be conducted by an independent CPA firm registered with the AICPA. USAID requires that the organization's annual indirect cost rate is negotiated with a cognizant agency or prepared using de minimis rate (10% of MTDC) if no rate exists. The organization must demonstrate sufficient liquidity ratio (current assets/current liabilities ≥ 1.2) and debt-to-equity ratio ≤ 1.0. For profit applicants may charge a reasonable fee, capped at 7% of total project costs. Foreign entities must provide evidence of registration under the U.S. Foreign Registration Act (FARA) if they engage in political activities. Spatial audit: The applicant must identify a physical presence (office, laboratory, or warehouse) in the target country or a registered branch. Documentation includes lease agreements, local business licenses, and tax registration certificates. If no presence, the organization must submit a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with a local partner who provides the spatial footprint. Projects in conflict zones require additional security clearance and a risk mitigation plan approved by USAID’s Office of Security. Corporate legal audit: The organization must be legally incorporated as a non-profit or for-profit entity in its home country, with articles of incorporation and bylaws. It must not be listed on any U.S. government suspension or debarment list (SAM.gov). The organization must have a valid DUNS number (or Unique Entity ID) and current registration in SAM.gov, with its CAGE code. The applicant must also have a physical address in the U.S. for international entities if they intend to receive funds via U.S. bank accounts. Partnership audits: For consortia, a lead partner must be designated, and a memorandum of understanding detailing roles, financial flows, and governance signed by all partners. Each partner must provide its own eligibility documents exceeding a $250,000 sub-award. Sub-recipients with prior USG awards must submit a performance evaluation. Additionally, organizations with past USAID cost disallowances must disclose and explain corrective actions. The RFP includes a mandatory pre-proposal registration process via the USAID portal to validate UEI and SAM status before submission. Evidence of compliance with the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) and anti-terrorism clauses is required. Environmental compliance includes completing an Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) under 22 CFR 216. No eligibility appeals are considered post-deadline.

Path to Success

To win this USAID Global Health Security and Pandemic Preparedness RFP, organizations must follow a strategic roadmap that integrates GSLI’s expert training and consultancy services. Step 1: Pre-Proposal Positioning (Months 1-3). Begin by conducting a thorough self-assessment against USAID’s eligibility and priority criteria. GSLI’s 'Public Health & Epidemiology' course will equip your team with cutting-edge knowledge on disease surveillance, outbreak investigation, and One Health approaches. Simultaneously, enroll in 'Financial Management for NGOs' to ensure your financial documents meet USAID’s 2 CFR 200 standards, including indirect cost rate negotiation and audit readiness. GSLI’s instructors, who have managed over $50M in USG grants, will guide you in setting up compliant accounting systems. Register for the USAID pre-proposal webinar and use GSLI’s template to map your organizational strengths to the RFP’s KPIs. Identify target countries and start forming consortia with local entities; GSLI’s 'Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E)' course will help you design a results framework that aligns with USAID’s indicator reference sheets. Step 2: Technical Proposal Development (Months 3-5). Develop your technical approach, ensuring it addresses all five priority areas. Use GSLI’s 'Writing Winning Proposals' course, which includes modules on USAID’s logical framework approach, sustainability planning, and risk mitigation. The course provides examples of past successful proposals that secured $10M+ awards. Draft detailed implementation plan with timelines, staffing plans with clear division of labor, and local capacity building strategies. Incorporate behavior change communication and gender mainstreaming, using GSLI templates. Simultaneously, complete the IEE and other compliance forms. Use GSLI’s network of subject matter experts to review your proposal draft for technical gaps. Step 3: Budget and Compliance Preparation (Months 5-7). Prepare a compliant budget using GSLI’s cost-build calculator, which automatically applies the de minimis indirect cost rate, fringe benefits, and inflation factors. Ensure all costs are reasonable, allocable, and allowable. GSLI’s course on USG grant regulations covers cost principles and prohibitions (e.g., no construction or entertainment costs). Conduct a mock pre-award survey with GSLI’s former USAID auditors to identify compliance gaps. Step 4: Submission and Post-Award Transition (Month 7-9). Submit via the designated portal (www.grants.gov or USAID’s Development Experience Clearinghouse) with all attachments. GSLI’s final review service will check for common errors (e.g., missing SAM registration, expired UEI). After submission, immediately begin preparing for negotiations. GSLI offers a post-award bootcamp that trains your team on AOR/COR interactions, reporting schedules, and compliance milestones. Throughout, GSLI’s mentorship provides continuous support, including access to donor intelligence reports and shared learning from previous awardees. By leveraging GSLI’s four-course suite, your organization will not only submit a technically sound proposal but also demonstrate enhanced institutional capacity, which is often a deciding factor for USAID.

Recommended GSLI Courses

Public Health & Epidemiology
Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E)
Financial Management for NGOs
Writing Winning Proposals

Deadline: 2026-09-01

Persona: General

Urgency: Normal