USAID RFP: Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Platform for Global Health Security

The USAID RFP for a Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Platform for Global Health Security is a landmark funding opportunity aimed at revolutionizing how health security programs are tracked, assessed, and improved. This five-year solicitation, with a deadline of August 1, 2026, invites qualified organizations to design and operate a comprehensive platform that will generate timely, high-quality data to inform decision-making across USAID's global health security portfolio. The platform is expected to serve multiple stakeholders, including USAID missions, partner governments, implementing partners, and global health bodies like the World Health Organization. Core functions include performance monitoring against GHSA indicators, conducting evaluations and assessments, facilitating learning events, and disseminating evidence-based recommendations. The RFP emphasizes an adaptive management approach, where data is used not only for accountability but also for real-time course correction. The total estimated funding is between $20 and $50 million, reflecting the scope and complexity of the work. Applicants must propose a detailed MEL framework that aligns with USAID's strategic objectives, including ending preventable child and maternal deaths, controlling HIV/AIDS, and combating infectious diseases. The platform must incorporate innovative data collection methods such as mobile surveys, remote sensing, and machine learning, while ensuring data privacy and security. Cross-cutting themes like gender equality, social inclusion, and local capacity building are central. Organizations interested in this opportunity should start immediately to assemble a strong team, form consortia with local partners, and begin developing a technical proposal that demonstrates deep understanding of health security and MEL best practices. GSLI's training courses can significantly strengthen an applicant's capacity in M&E, public health, and project management, thereby enhancing the proposal's competitiveness. This RFP represents a strategic investment in evidence-based global health security. The MEL platform will be instrumental in tracking progress against the Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA) and International Health Regulations (IHR) core capacities. By providing actionable data, the platform will help USAID and its partners identify gaps, allocate resources efficiently, and adapt interventions to changing contexts. The initiative aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and Goal 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). Successful implementation requires a multidisciplinary team with expertise in epidemiology, data science, statistics, evaluation, and capacity building. The platform should not be a mere data repository but an interactive hub that fosters learning and collaboration. For example, it could feature a community of practice for M&E professionals, online dashboards for decision-makers, and a repository of evaluation reports and best practices. The proposal should articulate how the platform will contribute to building local M&E capacity, strengthening health information systems, and promoting data use at all levels. From a funding perspective, this RFP is part of USAID's broader commitment to evidence-based development. The agency has increasingly emphasized M&E as a tool for accountability and learning. This platform is expected to create a standardized approach across multiple country programs, reducing fragmentation and duplication. The donor will be looking for proposals that demonstrate cost-effectiveness, innovation, and scalability. The evaluation criteria will likely include technical approach (40%), past performance (25%), management plan (20%), and budget (15%). Organizations that have previously implemented successful MEL platforms for USAID or other major donors will have an advantage. However, newcomer organizations can compensate by forming strong consortia and by investing in staff training through programs like those offered by GSLI. The deadline of August 1, 2026, requires immediate action. Potential applicants should attend pre-proposal conferences, connect with USAID technical leads, and begin data collection for baseline information. This overview highlights the urgent, strategic nature of the opportunity and the need for a comprehensive, capacity-building approach.

Strategic Overview

Who is it For?

This RFP is targeted at a broad range of organizations capable of designing, implementing, and managing a comprehensive MEL platform for global health security. Eligible applicants include international non-governmental organizations (INGOs), local non-governmental organizations (NGOs), for-profit companies, universities, research institutions, and consortia of multiple entities. The ideal applicant will have demonstrated experience in monitoring and evaluation, health information systems, global health security, capacity building, and data analytics. Specific technical expertise required includes knowledge of the Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA) framework, Joint External Evaluation (JEE) tool, and International Health Regulations (IHR) core capacities. Organizations with a strong field presence in target countries (e.g., countries in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East) are preferred. Additionally, applicants must exhibit experience working with USAID or similar donors, managing multi-year contracts of $10 million or more, and coordinating with host country governments, multilateral organizations (WHO, World Bank), and other implementing partners. The platform's end users include USAID missions, implementing partners, host country ministries of health, and regional health bodies. Therefore, the applicant must have the capacity to engage diverse stakeholders, facilitate learning events, and disseminate findings to inform policy. New organizations or those without substantial MEL experience are encouraged to form consortia with established MEL providers. USAID particularly encourages partnerships with local organizations to strengthen local ownership and sustainability. The RFP also welcomes applications from private sector firms specializing in data science, artificial intelligence, or digital health, provided they can demonstrate adaptation to development contexts. In summary, this opportunity is suited for any entity with the technical, financial, and managerial capacity to deliver a high-profile MEL platform across multiple countries and health security domains.

Priorities

USAID's global priorities for this MEL platform revolve around four interrelated pillars: (1) enhancing adaptive management and evidence-based decision-making across the health security portfolio; (2) strengthening country-level capacities to prevent, detect, and respond to infectious disease threats; (3) promoting transparency and accountability through real-time data and performance dashboards; and (4) fostering a culture of continuous learning and knowledge exchange among implementers and partners. Key performance indicators (KPIs) will likely include the percentage of sites achieving target infection prevention and control standards, timeliness of outbreak detection, completeness of surveillance data, and reduction in antimicrobial resistance prevalence. The donor expects the MEL platform to integrate with existing USAID systems (e.g., Development Information Solution - DIS) and align with GHSA measurement frameworks. Investment priorities emphasize cost-effectiveness, scalability, and sustainability. USAID is increasingly focused on localization, so the platform should support sub-national data use and strengthen local M&E capacity. Additionally, the platform must address cross-cutting issues such as gender equality, social inclusion, and human rights. The donor values innovation in data collection methods (e.g., mobile data collection, remote sensing, behavioral data) and analytical approaches (e.g., machine learning for predictive analytics). Finally, evidence generation must be actionable, feeding directly into program design and policy advocacy. Proposals that demonstrate how the MEL platform will generate learning to improve health security outcomes, rather than simply count activities, will gain competitive advantage.

Eligibility

Eligibility for this USAID RFP is governed by standard federal regulations for domestic and foreign organizations. Applicant organizations must be legally registered entities in their country of operation, with the capacity to enter into a binding contract with the U.S. Government. For-profit firms must comply with FAR regulations. Non-profit organizations must have a valid UEI number (Unique Entity Identifier) and be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov). Foreign entities must demonstrate that they are not debarred or suspended. Financial eligibility requires demonstration of sufficient financial management systems to handle large awards (likely $20M+ over 5 years). Audited financial statements for the past three years must be provided, showing a clean opinion and no major audit findings. Spatial eligibility: organizations must have operations or partnership networks in at least three priority countries (as listed in the RFP). No historic funding restrictions apply, but USAID may prioritize organizations with a past performance record of successful MEL work. Corporate legal compliance includes adherence to the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, anti-terrorism laws, and USAID's standard provisions on conflicts of interest, whistleblower protections, and procurement integrity. Organizations must have written policies on ethics, gender equality, and safeguarding. If the organization is a consortium, a lead applicant must be designated with legal authority to contract. The RFP may require a minimum of 5 years of experience in similar-sized MEL projects. Finally, all eligibility documentation must be submitted in English.

Path to Success

To secure this USAID MEL Platform for Global Health Security RFP, organizations should follow a strategic roadmap that integrates GSLI training to strengthen core competencies. Step 1: Pre-RFP Preparation – Immediately conduct a gap analysis of your organization's technical and managerial capabilities against USAID's requirements. Evaluate your MEL expertise, health security knowledge, data management systems, and past performance. Identify gaps, such as insufficient experience in disease surveillance analytics or lack of familiarity with USAID reporting systems. Leverage GSLI's Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) course to upskill your team on state-of-the-art evaluation designs, theory of change development, and data quality assurance. Simultaneously, enroll key staff in GSLI's Public Health & Epidemiology course to deepen understanding of health security metrics, outbreak investigation, and global health regulations. This training ensures your proposal demonstrates technical fluency and credibility. Step 2: Partner and Consortia Building – Form a robust consortium that combines international management experience with local expertise. Reach out to potential partners with complementary strengths: local NGOs for community engagement, universities for research, and private sector firms for technology solutions. Use GSLI's Project Management for Development course to establish a consortium governance structure, communication protocols, and conflict resolution mechanisms. This training helps define roles, responsibilities, and deliverables clearly, which is a key evaluation criterion. Step 3: Develop a Strong Technical Proposal – Design a detailed MEL framework that aligns with USAID's priorities. Outline a phased implementation approach: Phase 1 (Mobilization and System Design), Phase 2 (Pilot in 3-5 countries), Phase 3 (Scale-Up and Full Implementation), Phase 4 (Learning and Adaptation). Include robust data visualization, interoperability with national health information systems, and a capacity building plan for local stakeholders. Ensure your proposal addresses cross-cutting issues like gender, equity, and sustainability. GSLI's Writing Winning Proposals course provides insights on how to structure compelling narratives, articulate value propositions, and respond to evaluation criteria effectively. Step 4: Strengthen Financial and Compliance Capacity – Prepare a detailed budget that aligns with USAID's cost principles. Show cost-effectiveness and value for money. Ensure compliance with all federal regulations, including procurement, travel, and subcontracting policies. GSLI's Financial Management for NGOs and Grants Management courses are invaluable here, covering audit readiness, internal controls, and reporting requirements. Finally, submit a compliant application package on time. Throughout the process, engage with USAID for pre-proposal clarifications and demonstrate your organization's readiness. By integrating GSLI training, you not only build capacity but also signal to USAID your commitment to professional development and excellence.

Recommended GSLI Courses

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

Deadline: 2026-08-01

Persona: General

Urgency: Normal