USAID Integrated Health Systems Strengthening Activity – Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Support for Pandemic Preparedness

The USAID Integrated Health Systems Strengthening Activity – Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Support for Pandemic Preparedness is a pivotal initiative designed to address the systemic vulnerabilities exposed by recent global health crises. Operating under the authority of the USAID Bureau for Global Health, this activity seeks to establish robust, resilient, and localized health systems capable of early detection and rapid response to infectious disease threats. The strategic focus is on shifting from traditional, donor-driven monitoring to sustainable, host-country-led MEL systems. This transition is critical for ensuring that global health security investments yield long-term, systemic benefits rather than temporary, project-dependent outcomes. In the current geopolitical landscape, health security is increasingly recognized as a fundamental component of national security and economic stability. This activity recognizes that weak health systems in any part of the world pose a threat to global health security. Therefore, the solicitation emphasizes the integration of the 'One Health' approach, which recognizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health. By capturing and analyzing data across these sectors, the activity aims to provide a holistic view of disease transmission dynamics, enabling proactive interventions before outbreaks escalate into pandemics. Bidding organizations must demonstrate a deep understanding of this integrated paradigm and propose practical, data-driven solutions to operationalize it. Furthermore, the activity is a direct reflection of USAID's commitment to localization. The agency's strategy mandates that local actors must be at the center of design, implementation, and evaluation. For MEL support, this means that the successful implementer will not merely collect data for USAID reporting but will actively build the capacity of local institutions to generate, analyze, and use data for their own decision-making. This requires a sophisticated approach to capacity building, one that moves away from ad-hoc training workshops and toward institutional mentoring, systems strengthening, and the co-creation of digital health solutions. GSLI's comprehensive training programs are uniquely positioned to support this transition, providing local partners with the technical and managerial credentials required to assume leadership of these vital systems.

Strategic Overview

The USAID Integrated Health Systems Strengthening Activity – Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Support for Pandemic Preparedness is a pivotal initiative designed to address the systemic vulnerabilities exposed by recent global health crises. Operating under the authority of the USAID Bureau for Global Health, this activity seeks to establish robust, resilient, and localized health systems capable of early detection and rapid response to infectious disease threats. The strategic focus is on shifting from traditional, donor-driven monitoring to sustainable, host-country-led MEL systems. This transition is critical for ensuring that global health security investments yield long-term, systemic benefits rather than temporary, project-dependent outcomes. In the current geopolitical landscape, health security is increasingly recognized as a fundamental component of national security and economic stability. This activity recognizes that weak health systems in any part of the world pose a threat to global health security. Therefore, the solicitation emphasizes the integration of the 'One Health' approach, which recognizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health. By capturing and analyzing data across these sectors, the activity aims to provide a holistic view of disease transmission dynamics, enabling proactive interventions before outbreaks escalate into pandemics. Bidding organizations must demonstrate a deep understanding of this integrated paradigm and propose practical, data-driven solutions to operationalize it. Furthermore, the activity is a direct reflection of USAID's commitment to localization. The agency's strategy mandates that local actors must be at the center of design, implementation, and evaluation. For MEL support, this means that the successful implementer will not merely collect data for USAID reporting but will actively build the capacity of local institutions to generate, analyze, and use data for their own decision-making. This requires a sophisticated approach to capacity building, one that moves away from ad-hoc training workshops and toward institutional mentoring, systems strengthening, and the co-creation of digital health solutions. GSLI's comprehensive training programs are uniquely positioned to support this transition, providing local partners with the technical and managerial credentials required to assume leadership of these vital systems.

Who is it For?

This funding opportunity is specifically designed for a diverse consortium of high-capacity implementers, including international and local non-governmental organizations (NGOs), civil society organizations (CSOs), academic institutions, private sector firms, and specialized health informatics entities. Given USAID's aggressive localization mandate, prime contractors must demonstrate a proven track record of equitable partnerships with local entities, including host-country ministries of health, national public health institutes, and community-based organizations. Eligible organizations must possess deep technical expertise in global health security, epidemiology, digital health systems (such as DHIS2), and advanced qualitative and quantitative evaluation methodologies. Furthermore, applicants must exhibit the administrative and financial maturity required to manage complex, multi-year USAID cooperative agreements or contracts, including robust internal controls, compliance with 2 CFR 200, and the ability to manage sub-grantees in challenging, low-resource environments.

Priorities

USAID's investment priorities for this activity are deeply rooted in the U.S. Government's Global Health Security Strategy and the localization agenda. The primary objective is to strengthen host-country capacity to prevent, detect, and respond to infectious disease threats. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) focus on the institutionalization of the Joint External Evaluation (JEE) indicators, the timeliness and accuracy of disease surveillance reporting, the integration of climate-resilient health systems, and the operationalization of the 'One Health' approach. Additionally, USAID is prioritizing the transition of MEL systems to local ownership, meaning that successful bids must demonstrate how they will build sustainable, local capacity rather than creating parallel, donor-dependent monitoring structures. The integration of Collaborating, Learning, and Adapting (CLA) practices is paramount, ensuring that data generated through MEL activities is actively used to refine health policies and implementation strategies in real-time.

Eligibility

To qualify for this high-priority USAID opportunity, applicant organizations must undergo a rigorous multi-dimensional audit. Financially, organizations must possess a Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA) or demonstrate the capacity to establish one, alongside audited financial statements that prove compliance with 2 CFR 200 and USAID's Non-U.S. Organization Pre-Award Survey (NUPAS) guidelines. Legally, prime applicants must be registered in SAM.gov and possess an active Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) at the time of submission. Spatially and geographically, the activity targets USAID priority countries across Sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, and Latin America, requiring applicants to demonstrate established operational footprints or formalized partnerships within these regions. Furthermore, organizations must comply with USAID Geographic Code 937, which governs the procurement of commodities and services, ensuring that all supply chain activities align with federal regulations.

Path to Success

Achieving success in securing and executing this USAID activity requires a highly strategic, phased approach that integrates GSLI's elite capacity-building frameworks. Step 1: Formulate a high-impact, localized consortium. Bidders must identify and formalize partnerships with key local organizations, ensuring that the proposal reflects a co-designed, locally-led approach that aligns with USAID's localization targets. Utilizing GSLI's 'Writing Winning Proposals' methodology, the consortium can articulate a compelling, unified vision. Step 2: Design a cutting-edge, CLA-driven MEL framework. The technical proposal must feature an innovative MEL plan that integrates advanced digital health tools, predictive analytics, and real-time data visualization. This step directly leverages GSLI's 'Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E)' and 'Public Health & Epidemiology' curricula, ensuring the proposed methodology is scientifically rigorous and operationally feasible. Step 3: Establish a robust compliance and financial architecture. To pass the stringent pre-award surveys, the prime and sub-grantees must align their financial and procurement systems with USAID regulations. GSLI's 'Financial Management for NGOs' and 'Grants Management' courses provide the precise tools needed to build compliant, transparent systems that mitigate financial risk. Step 4: Implement a continuous capacity-building and transition plan. The proposal must outline a clear roadmap for transferring technical and managerial ownership to local partners. By embedding GSLI's 'Project Management for Development' principles, the project team can ensure that milestones are met on time, within budget, and with maximum sustainable impact.

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Deadline: 2026-07-31

Persona: General

Urgency: Normal