USAID Integrated Health Systems Strengthening and M&E Capacity Building RFP

The USAID Integrated Health Systems Strengthening and M&E Capacity Building RFP represents a substantial opportunity for organizations dedicated to improving health outcomes in developing countries. This funding call, with a deadline of July 30, 2026, seeks to support projects that enhance the capacity of health systems to deliver quality services, respond to emergencies, and use evidence for decision-making. The RFP is part of USAID’s broader strategy to promote self-reliance and sustainability, emphasizing local leadership and ownership. The total funding available is expected to be in the tens of millions of dollars, with project durations of up to five years. Eligible applicants include international and local NGOs, private sector firms, academic institutions, and faith-based organizations. The RFP requires a strong focus on monitoring and evaluation, with the expectation that grantees will establish systems that track progress and inform adaptive management. Key technical areas include health workforce development, health information systems, supply chain management, health financing, and community engagement. The overview also highlights the importance of integrating cross-cutting themes such as gender equality, climate resilience, and human rights. Applicants must demonstrate experience in similar scale programs and a clear understanding of USAID’s policies and regulations. This RFP is anticipated to be highly competitive, given the current global emphasis on health system resilience post-pandemic. To stand out, applicants must present a compelling narrative that articulates a clear theory of change, evidence-based interventions, and a sustainable transition plan. The overview serves as a gateway for organizations to assess their fit and begin assembling a team. It is crucial to conduct a thorough analysis of the target country’s health system needs and identify gaps that the proposed project can address. Additionally, applicants should familiarize themselves with USAID’s Procurement Executive for the RFP and the applicable regulations, such as 2 CFR 200 and USAID’s ADS series. The overview underscores the need for a multidisciplinary approach, combining technical expertise in health with skills in M&E, finance, and management. GSLI’s training programs can provide the necessary capacity building in these areas, making organizations more competitive and ready for implementation. Furthermore, the overview emphasizes the importance of partnerships, particularly with local organizations and government entities. USAID values local ownership and encourages applicants to form consortia that include women-led and community-based organizations. The RFP also encourages the use of innovative technologies, such as mobile health (mHealth) platforms and telehealth, to extend reach and improve efficiency. Data security and privacy are critical considerations, especially when handling health information. The overview concludes by urging applicants to start early, engage stakeholders, and leverage existing resources, including GSLI courses, to strengthen their proposal. By doing so, they can increase their chances of success and contribute to lasting improvements in global health.

Strategic Overview

Who is it For?

This RFP is designed for a diverse range of organizations capable of implementing integrated health systems strengthening and M&E capacity building initiatives. Eligible applicants include international and local non-governmental organizations (NGOs), for-profit private sector firms, academic and research institutions, foundations, and public international organizations. USAID strongly encourages applications from local entities in partner countries, women-led organizations, and those representing marginalized or underserved communities. Applicants must demonstrate a proven track record in health systems strengthening, with specific experience in areas such as health workforce development, supply chain management, health financing, health information systems, and quality improvement. Additionally, organizations should have expertise in designing and implementing monitoring and evaluation frameworks, including baseline surveys, routine data collection, data quality assurance, and the use of data for program improvement. The ability to work in complex and resource-limited settings is essential, as the program may target fragile or conflict-affected states. Organizations must also have the financial and operational capacity to manage large-scale grants, including robust internal controls, audit compliance, and procurement systems. USAID prefers applicants with an established presence in the target country or region, but this is not a strict requirement if strong partnerships with local entities are proposed. Joint ventures or consortia are welcome, provided a lead applicant is identified and all partners' roles are clearly defined. The RFP is not open to individuals or unregistered entities.

Priorities

USAID's global health priorities driving this RFP include the achievement of self-reliance and sustainable health outcomes in partner countries. Key investment KPIs focus on strengthening health systems to be resilient, responsive, and capable of delivering quality services, especially in the face of pandemics and other health emergencies. Specific priorities include improving primary health care delivery, expanding access to family planning and reproductive health services, combating infectious diseases (e.g., HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria), and addressing non-communicable diseases. The RFP emphasizes the need for robust M&E systems that enable real-time data use for decision-making, adaptive management, and accountability. Donors seek to support the digital transformation of health information systems, including interoperable electronic health records and mobile health applications. Another critical priority is building the capacity of local organizations and government institutions to lead and sustain health programs, reducing reliance on external assistance. Cross-cutting themes include gender equality, social inclusion, climate-resilient health systems, and community engagement. USAID also prioritizes the integration of health services with other sectors such as nutrition, water and sanitation (WASH), and education, recognizing the social determinants of health. The investment framework requires that all interventions be evidence-based, cost-effective, and aligned with national health strategies. Performance indicators may include coverage of essential health services, reduction in maternal and child mortality, increased use of family planning, and improved disease surveillance. Additionally, USAID expects applicants to demonstrate how their projects will contribute to the Global Health Security Agenda targets, such as achieving the Joint External Evaluation (JEE) scores and meeting International Health Regulations (IHR) requirements. Financial sustainability and local ownership are paramount; thus, proposals should outline a clear transition strategy to local entities by the end of the project.

Eligibility

Eligibility for this RFP is comprehensive, requiring organizations to meet financial, spatial, and corporate legal criteria. Financially, applicants must have an annual budget that reflects the capacity to manage grants of this magnitude, typically in the range of $5 million to $50 million, and demonstrate prior audit reports with no material weaknesses or significant findings. The organization must have a documented financial management system that complies with international accounting standards (e.g., GAAP or IFRS) and USAID’s specific requirements, including the use of the Automated Directives System (ADS) for grant management. Cost-sharing or matching funds are not mandatory but are considered favorably, especially if they represent local contributions. Spatially, the organization must be legally registered in the country of operation or as a U.S. entity with a physical presence in the target region. Expatriate organizations must have a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with a local partner that clearly defines the division of responsibilities for implementation, financial management, and M&E. Corporate legal eligibility requires the organization to be a non-profit or for-profit entity with a valid tax identification number (TIN) and registration with relevant government authorities (e.g., NGO Bureau, Registrar of Companies). The organization must have a clear governance structure, including a board of directors, conflict of interest policy, and whistleblower protection mechanisms. Additionally, applicants must not be debarred, suspended, or otherwise excluded from federal procurement and non-procurement programs. For organizations based in the U.S., they must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov) and have a valid DUNS number or Unique Entity ID (UEI). Foreign organizations must ensure compliance with USAID’s Foreign Organization Registration requirements. The RFP also requires that key personnel, such as the Chief of Party and M&E Director, have relevant advanced degrees (e.g., MPH, MSc) and at least 10 years of experience in health systems strengthening. Lastly, the organization must have a track record of successful implementation of at least two similar grants from USAID or other major donors in the past five years.

Path to Success

To secure this USAID RFP, organizations must follow a strategic roadmap that integrates GSLI’s training programs to enhance proposal competitiveness and implementation capacity. Step 1: Understand the Donor Requirements and Context – Begin by conducting a thorough analysis of USAID’s priorities, the target country’s health system gaps, and the RFP’s technical specifications. Leverage GSLI’s ‘Writing Winning Proposals’ course to learn how to structure responsive narratives and align with donor language. Step 2: Build a Strong Consortium – Identify and partner with local organizations, including women-led and community-based entities, to ensure contextual relevance and local buy-in. Use GSLI’s ‘Project Management for Development’ course to streamline consortium governance, risk sharing, and coordination mechanisms. Step 3: Develop a Robust Technical Approach – Design an evidence-based intervention that addresses health systems pillars such as human resources for health, health financing, service delivery, and M&E. Incorporate GSLI’s ‘Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E)’ course to create a comprehensive M&E plan with baseline data, indicators, and data use strategies. Also, integrate cross-cutting themes like gender and climate resilience. Step 4: Strengthen Financial and Compliance Capacity – Ensure your organization has the necessary financial systems and audit readiness. GSLI’s ‘Financial Management for NGOs’ and ‘Grants Management’ courses provide training on budget development, internal controls, and USAID compliance requirements. Step 5: Craft a Compelling Proposal – Write a clear, concise, and impactful proposal that highlights your organization’s experience, technical approach, and value proposition. Use GSLI’s ‘Writing Winning Proposals’ course to refine your language and address evaluation criteria. Step 6: Prepare for Due Diligence – Be ready for pre-award surveys and negotiations. GSLI’s ‘Procurement & Supply Chain’ course can help demonstrate your procurement capacity. Additionally, consider cross-selling GSLI short courses to your consortium partners to build collective capacity. For instance, the ‘WASH’ course can be relevant if the health program includes water and sanitation components, and the ‘Public Health & Epidemiology’ course strengthens disease surveillance skills. Ultimately, success hinges on a well-coordinated approach that combines technical excellence, local ownership, and robust M&E, all supported by continuous learning through GSLI’s trainings.

Recommended GSLI Courses

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

Deadline: 2026-07-30

Persona: General

Urgency: Normal