USAID Global Health Supply Chain and Procurement Capacity Building Program – Africa Region

This funding call from USAID targets a critical gap in health system strengthening across sub-Saharan Africa: the capacity of supply chains to deliver essential health commodities reliably and efficiently. The program is designed to support local and international organizations in implementing comprehensive capacity building initiatives that improve procurement processes, warehousing, distribution, and inventory management. It is part of USAID's broader Global Health Supply Chain initiative, which has been active for over a decade. The call emphasizes a systems approach, recognizing that supply chain weaknesses stem from a combination of inadequate infrastructure, limited human resources, and weak governance. Therefore, interventions should address multiple components simultaneously. The program is also closely linked to the US President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), the President's Malaria Initiative (PMI), and other major global health programs, ensuring alignment with existing investments. Eligible countries include those in West, East, Central, and Southern Africa, with a focus on fragile states and those with high burdens of HIV, TB, and malaria. The program has a total estimated value of $50 million, with awards expected to range from $5 million to $15 million per grant, over a three-to-five-year period. The deadline is August 1, 2026, giving applicants about a year to prepare. Given the competitive nature, early engagement with USAID missions and development of strong consortia are recommended. GSLI's training programs can help organizations build the necessary skills to manage such a complex award. Furthermore, the program has a strong emphasis on data-driven decision-making. Applicants are expected to propose interventions that leverage technology to improve supply chain visibility, such as electronic logistics management information systems (eLMIS) or radio-frequency identification (RFID). The use of predictive analytics for demand forecasting is also encouraged. The program also prioritizes gender equality and social inclusion (GESI). This means that proposals must analyze how gender dynamics affect supply chain performance and include specific actions to promote women's participation and leadership. For example, training programs should be designed to overcome barriers women face in attending, such as providing childcare or flexible schedules. Additionally, the program aims to build resilience against shocks, such as pandemics or climate-related disruptions. This could involve diversifying suppliers, maintaining buffer stocks, or using alternative transport modes. The geopolitical landscape in Africa is dynamic; applicants should demonstrate understanding of local contexts and ability to adapt. The program also aligns with the African Union's Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure). By investing in supply chains, USAID contributes to economic development and job creation. GSLI can offer strategic advice on how to articulate these linkages in proposals. Finally, the call requires rigorous compliance with US federal regulations, including the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and the USAID Acquisition Regulation (AIDAR). This includes provisions on auditing, procurement integrity, and anti-trafficking. Organizations must have the capacity to manage grants in accordance with these standards. The program also expects adherence to environmental safeguards, such as conducting an Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) for any infrastructure activities. USAID has a zero-tolerance policy for fraud, waste, and abuse, so internal controls and transparency are paramount. The award will be made through a cooperative agreement, meaning USAID will have substantial involvement in implementation. This includes approval of work plans, participation in performance reviews, and collaboration on key decisions. Therefore, applicants must be prepared for close partnership with the donor. GSLI's Grants Management training is specifically designed to help organizations navigate these regulatory requirements, ensuring that they are ready to manage the award effectively. In summary, this call offers a significant opportunity for organizations to contribute to global health while building their own capabilities. With the right preparation and support from GSLI, applicants can position themselves for success.

Strategic Overview

This funding call from USAID targets a critical gap in health system strengthening across sub-Saharan Africa: the capacity of supply chains to deliver essential health commodities reliably and efficiently. The program is designed to support local and international organizations in implementing comprehensive capacity building initiatives that improve procurement processes, warehousing, distribution, and inventory management. It is part of USAID's broader Global Health Supply Chain initiative, which has been active for over a decade. The call emphasizes a systems approach, recognizing that supply chain weaknesses stem from a combination of inadequate infrastructure, limited human resources, and weak governance. Therefore, interventions should address multiple components simultaneously. The program is also closely linked to the US President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), the President's Malaria Initiative (PMI), and other major global health programs, ensuring alignment with existing investments. Eligible countries include those in West, East, Central, and Southern Africa, with a focus on fragile states and those with high burdens of HIV, TB, and malaria. The program has a total estimated value of $50 million, with awards expected to range from $5 million to $15 million per grant, over a three-to-five-year period. The deadline is August 1, 2026, giving applicants about a year to prepare. Given the competitive nature, early engagement with USAID missions and development of strong consortia are recommended. GSLI's training programs can help organizations build the necessary skills to manage such a complex award. Furthermore, the program has a strong emphasis on data-driven decision-making. Applicants are expected to propose interventions that leverage technology to improve supply chain visibility, such as electronic logistics management information systems (eLMIS) or radio-frequency identification (RFID). The use of predictive analytics for demand forecasting is also encouraged. The program also prioritizes gender equality and social inclusion (GESI). This means that proposals must analyze how gender dynamics affect supply chain performance and include specific actions to promote women's participation and leadership. For example, training programs should be designed to overcome barriers women face in attending, such as providing childcare or flexible schedules. Additionally, the program aims to build resilience against shocks, such as pandemics or climate-related disruptions. This could involve diversifying suppliers, maintaining buffer stocks, or using alternative transport modes. The geopolitical landscape in Africa is dynamic; applicants should demonstrate understanding of local contexts and ability to adapt. The program also aligns with the African Union's Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure). By investing in supply chains, USAID contributes to economic development and job creation. GSLI can offer strategic advice on how to articulate these linkages in proposals. Finally, the call requires rigorous compliance with US federal regulations, including the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and the USAID Acquisition Regulation (AIDAR). This includes provisions on auditing, procurement integrity, and anti-trafficking. Organizations must have the capacity to manage grants in accordance with these standards. The program also expects adherence to environmental safeguards, such as conducting an Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) for any infrastructure activities. USAID has a zero-tolerance policy for fraud, waste, and abuse, so internal controls and transparency are paramount. The award will be made through a cooperative agreement, meaning USAID will have substantial involvement in implementation. This includes approval of work plans, participation in performance reviews, and collaboration on key decisions. Therefore, applicants must be prepared for close partnership with the donor. GSLI's Grants Management training is specifically designed to help organizations navigate these regulatory requirements, ensuring that they are ready to manage the award effectively. In summary, this call offers a significant opportunity for organizations to contribute to global health while building their own capabilities. With the right preparation and support from GSLI, applicants can position themselves for success.

Who is it For?

The program is designed for a diverse array of entities operating in or focusing on the Africa region. Eligible applicants include local and international non-governmental organizations (NGOs) with a track record in health supply chain strengthening; private sector companies (including small and medium enterprises) specializing in logistics, warehousing, or pharmaceutical distribution; academic institutions and research organizations with expertise in supply chain analytics, public health, or capacity building; public health agencies and ministries of health in African countries; and multilateral organizations. Additionally, consortia comprising multiple eligible entities are encouraged, with a lead applicant responsible for overall coordination. The program particularly targets organizations that demonstrate strong local presence and partnerships with African institutions, reflecting USAID's localization agenda. Applicants must show relevant experience in managing complex supply chains in low-resource settings, preferably with a focus on health commodities. They should also exhibit financial management capacity, compliance with US government regulations, and ability to implement gender-sensitive and socially inclusive approaches. For-profit entities must not generate profit from the award, operating on a cost-reimbursable basis. Small businesses and women-owned or minority-owned enterprises are actively encouraged to apply. The program is not open to individuals or for-profit entities seeking profit distribution. Organizations currently under suspension or debarment are ineligible.

Priorities

USAID's global priorities for this program are anchored in its commitment to achieving an AIDS-free generation, ending preventable child and maternal deaths, and protecting communities from infectious diseases. Key investment KPIs include: (1) Improvement in the availability of essential health commodities at service delivery points, measured by stock-out rates and order fulfillment rates; (2) Reduction in procurement lead times and costs through efficient contracting and logistics; (3) Strengthened national procurement and supply chain governance, evidenced by adoption of standardized procedures and performance metrics; (4) Enhanced local capacity for supply chain management, including workforce training and institutionalization of best practices; (5) Increased use of digital supply chain tools for visibility and data-driven decision-making; (6) Advancement of gender equality and women's empowerment in supply chain roles; (7) Sustainability and transition of supply chain functions to local entities by program end. The donor also prioritizes cross-cutting themes such as climate resilience (e.g., reducing supply chain carbon footprint), integration with health systems strengthening, and collaboration with other USG initiatives like PEPFAR and the President's Malaria Initiative. USAID looks for proposals that demonstrate value for money, innovation (e.g., use of drones or blockchain), and strong monitoring and evaluation frameworks that track both output and outcome indicators. Additionally, there is emphasis on building pandemic preparedness and response capacity within supply chains.

Eligibility

To be eligible, organizations must meet rigorous criteria. First, they must be legally registered entities with demonstrated operational presence in at least one African country targeted by the program. They must have at least five years of experience in health supply chain management or related fields. Financial stability is critical: applicants need to submit audited financial statements for the past three years, showing no significant deficits or qualified opinions. They must have an adequate financial management system capable of complying with US federal cost principles, including 2 CFR 200. Additionally, they must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and be registered in SAM.gov. Organizations must have a clear understanding of and capacity to implement USAID's environmental compliance procedures (e.g., Initial Environmental Examination). They also need to have policies in place for fraud prevention, anti-trafficking, and whistleblower protection. In terms of spatial eligibility, the program focuses on sub-Saharan African countries, with emphasis on those with fragile health systems or high disease burden. The applicant's proposed interventions must align with national health strategies and gain endorsement from the relevant ministry of health. For consortia, each member must individually meet eligibility, and the lead must have a formal agreement with partners. Any organization currently debarred, suspended, or otherwise excluded from federal contracts is ineligible. Additionally, applicants must not have any conflicts of interest with USAID or other US government agencies.

Path to Success

To secure this USAID grant, organizations should follow a strategic roadmap integrating GSLI expertise. Step 1: Conduct a comprehensive needs assessment and landscape analysis. This involves identifying specific supply chain gaps in target countries, such as warehousing capacity, logistics data systems, or workforce skills. GSLI can provide toolkits for rapid supply chain assessment and help benchmark against global standards. Step 2: Form a strong consortium with complementary partners. USG strongly encourages partnerships that include local organizations, women-led businesses, and technical specialists. GSLI can assist in partner identification and due diligence, ensuring each member brings unique value. Step 3: Co-design a results-oriented project plan that aligns with USAID's priorities. This should include a theory of change, logical framework, and detailed budget. GSLI's training on USAID proposal development and cost modeling can enhance competitiveness. Step 4: Strengthen institutional capacity for compliance and reporting. USAID requires robust financial management, monitoring and evaluation, and safeguarding policies. GSLI offers specialized courses in Grants Management and Procurement & Supply Chain, which can help organizations meet these requirements. Step 5: Develop a compelling narrative that emphasizes local ownership, sustainability, and innovation. Use evidence from past projects and incorporate lessons learned. GSLI can review and refine proposals before submission. Throughout the process, engage with USAID country missions for alignment. GSLI's advisory services ensure that the application is not only compliant but also strategically positioned to outpace competitors. Post-award, GSLI offers support for capacity development of staff in supply chain and public health, which can be included as a value-add in the proposal.

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Deadline: 2026-08-01

Persona: General

Urgency: Normal