USAID RFP: Strengthening Monitoring and Evaluation Systems for Health Security in Sub-Saharan Africa

This USAID RFP titled 'Strengthening Monitoring and Evaluation Systems for Health Security in Sub-Saharan Africa' is a flagship opportunity aimed at bolstering the capacity of health systems to effectively monitor, evaluate, and respond to infectious disease threats. The call for proposals, released in 2026, reflects a strategic shift by USAID to invest in data-driven decision-making as a cornerstone of health security. With a deadline of July 1, 2026, the RFP carries high urgency, urging organizations to expedite their preparation. The funding seeks to support projects that design and implement comprehensive M&E frameworks for health security programs, including surveillance, laboratory services, emergency operations, and workforce development. The geographic focus is Sub-Saharan Africa, a region disproportionately affected by outbreaks such as Ebola, cholera, and COVID-19, where weak M&E systems often hinder effective response. The RFP emphasizes interoperability with national health information systems like DHIS2, integration of digital health technologies, and alignment with International Health Regulations (IHR) monitoring and evaluation framework. Applicants are expected to demonstrate a deep understanding of the local context, including socio-cultural and political factors that influence data collection and use. The donor is particularly interested in projects that incorporate a learning agenda—systematic use of evidence to adapt interventions and influence policy. Additionally, the RFP requires a strong focus on gender and social inclusion, ensuring that M&E systems capture disparities and that marginalized populations are reached. This overview underscores the need for applicants to articulate a clear Theory of Change linking M&E activities to improved health security outcomes, such as faster outbreak detection and reduced morbidity and mortality. The total estimated funding for this RFP is expected to be substantial, with individual awards ranging from $5 million to $15 million over a 3-5 year period. The donor anticipates funding multiple awards across different sub-regions. To be competitive, applicants must present a technically sound proposal, a well-structured budget with cost share, and a documented track record of managing similar USAID projects. This opportunity is ideal for organizations with strong M&E expertise, local presence, and commitment to capacity building. GSLI's portfolio of short courses in M&E, Public Health, Project Management, and Financial Management provides the essential skills to meet these requirements. By leveraging these courses, organizations can enhance their proposal's credibility and demonstrate institutional readiness.

Strategic Overview

Who is it For?

This RFP is designed for a diverse range of eligible entities including international non-governmental organizations (INGOs), local non-governmental organizations (LNGOs), for-profit firms with development expertise, academic and research institutions, public international organizations (PIOs), and private sector entities with a track record in health security and monitoring & evaluation. Specifically, USAID seeks applicants that have operational presence in Sub-Saharan Africa, preferably with established relationships with ministries of health and local stakeholders. Organizations must demonstrate at least five years of experience in designing and implementing M&E systems for health programs, particularly in infectious disease surveillance, outbreak response, or health systems strengthening. Financial eligibility requires an average annual budget of at least $5 million over the past three years and sound fiscal management as evidenced by audited financial statements. For local organizations, USAID encourages consortia or partnerships with international counterparts to strengthen capacity. Additionally, applicants must be registered and in good standing in their country of origin and in the target country, with no debarment records. Academic institutions should have dedicated research ethics boards and prior USAID cooperative agreement experience. The RFP also welcomes organizations that can demonstrate innovative approaches using mobile health technologies, GIS, or AI for real-time data analytics. Ultimately, the ideal applicant is one that combines technical M&E expertise with deep contextual knowledge and a commitment to strengthening local systems.

Priorities

USAID's overarching priorities for this RFP are threefold: (1) Strengthen health security M&E capacities in Sub-Saharan Africa to achieve measurable outcomes under the Global Health Security Agenda targets; (2) Enhance data-driven decision-making for outbreak detection and response; and (3) Foster sustainability and local ownership of M&E systems beyond the project lifecycle. Specifically, the donor prioritizes investments that address key performance indicators such as reduction in time from outbreak detection to response, increase in the number of health facilities with functional M&E systems, and improvement in data quality scores. USAID also emphasizes interoperability with national health information systems (e.g., DHIS2) and alignment with International Health Regulations (IHR) monitoring and evaluation framework. Another key priority is the integration of gender and social inclusion in M&E, ensuring that data is disaggregated by sex, age, and vulnerability. The donor expects grantees to prioritize capacity building of local M&E professionals through training and mentorship programs. Additionally, USAID is keen on innovative uses of technology, such as artificial intelligence for predictive analytics and geospatial mapping for disease surveillance. The investment KPIs also include cost-effectiveness, with a target of at least 90% of M&E activities directly benefitting local health systems. Finally, the RFP calls for a strong learning agenda, where findings are systematically used to adapt programming and influence policy at national and regional levels.

Eligibility

Comprehensive eligibility criteria include: (1) Financial audits: Applicants must have undergone an external financial audit within the last three years, with no material weaknesses or significant non-compliance issues. The audit must be conducted by an independent certified public accountant (CPA) or equivalent, and the applicant must provide audit reports with management letters. Budgets should reflect at least 15% cost share or co-financing from non-USG sources to demonstrate commitment. (2) Spatial audit: The applicant must demonstrate a physical operational presence in at least one target country in Sub-Saharan Africa, with a registered office, permanent staff, and ability to access remote or conflict-affected areas. If no physical presence, a detailed plan for establishing a country office within 90 days of award is required. (3) Corporate legal audit: The applicant must provide certificates of incorporation, articles of association, tax registration, and proof of good standing with relevant regulatory bodies (e.g., NGO bureau in country). For consortia, a memorandum of understanding (MOU) or partnership agreement outlining roles, responsibilities, and legal liability must be submitted. Additionally, the applicant must have a valid SAM.gov registration (CAGE code) and no active exclusions on the SAM.gov exclusion list. For foreign organizations, proof of U.S. registration with the IRS (if applicable) and compliance with USAID's foreign organization regulations is required. Special consideration is given to organizations that have a demonstrable track record of managing USAID awards of similar magnitude (e.g., $2-10 million). Finally, the applicant must confirm adherence to USAID's standard provisions on terrorism, trafficking, and child labor.

Path to Success

To secure this USAID RFP, a strategic 4-step roadmap integrating GSLI capacity building is recommended. Step 1: Pre-Proposal Capacity Assessment & GSLI Course Enrollment. Before drafting, conduct a gap analysis of your organization’s M&E, financial management, and project management expertise. Enroll key staff in GSLI's 'Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E)' and 'Project Management for Development' short courses to fill identified gaps and earn certificates that can be cited in the proposal as evidence of organizational capacity. These courses provide practical skills in logical framework design, indicator selection, data quality assurance, and risk management, directly aligning with USAID M&E requirements. Step 2: Technical Design and Partnership Formation. Design a robust M&E system that integrates interoperable digital tools (e.g., DHIS2, OpenMRS) and incorporates a learning agenda. Form a consortium with local partners to ensure grassroots access and sustainability. Include a detailed cost share plan (at least 15%) and a risk mitigation framework. Use GSLI's 'Writing Winning Proposals' course to craft compelling narratives with clear Theory of Change and measurable KPIs. Step 3: Proposal Development and Compliance Review. Assemble a writing team to produce the technical and cost volumes. Leverage GSLI's 'Grants Management' course to ensure compliance with USAID's cost principles (2 CFR 200), including indirect cost rate allocation, allowable costs, and audit requirements. Perform a pre-submission compliance checklist covering SAM.gov registration, DUNS number, and certifications (e.g., Anti-Terrorism, Trafficking in Persons). Step 4: Post-Award Capacity Building. If awarded, build on GSLI training to institutionalize M&E best practices among local partners. Use 'Financial Management for NGOs' and 'Procurement & Supply Chain' courses to strengthen operational systems. Continuously align with USAID's collaboration, learning, and adaptation (CLA) principles. This roadmap ensures a competitive edge by demonstrating institutional readiness and adherence to donor standards.

Recommended GSLI Courses

Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E)
Public Health & Epidemiology
Writing Winning Proposals

Deadline: 2026-07-01

Persona: General

Urgency: Normal