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

The USAID RFP for Monitoring & Evaluation for Health Systems Strengthening in Sub-Saharan Africa is a landmark opportunity for organizations dedicated to improving health outcomes through robust data systems. This call anticipates significant investment to establish or upgrade M&E frameworks across multiple countries in the region, focusing on enhancing data quality, timeliness, and use for decision-making. The RFP is part of USAID's broader strategy to strengthen health systems resilience, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, which highlighted critical gaps in health information systems. Successful implementation will support progress toward Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). The scope includes designing centralized data platforms, training health workers, conducting surveys, and performing evaluations. With a high urgency due to the 2026 deadline, organizations must act swiftly to prepare competitive proposals. GSLI's training in M&E and Project Management for Development offers a distinct advantage, equipping teams with the skills to design and manage such complex projects. This overview provides a comprehensive look at the opportunity, from strategic context to practical implementation, helping stakeholders understand the requirements and benefits. The RFP's general target persona means that a wide array of organizations, from international NGOs to local community-based organizations, can apply, provided they meet eligibility criteria. The focus on Sub-Saharan Africa implies a need for cultural sensitivity and local partnerships. The funding is expected to be substantial, with multi-year awards enabling long-term impact. The overview sets the stage for detailed analysis in subsequent sections. In addition to the core M&E activities, the RFP emphasizes innovation and sustainability. Proposers are encouraged to incorporate cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence, mobile health (mHealth), and geographic information systems (GIS) to enhance data collection and analysis. For example, using SMS-based surveys for remote areas or drone imagery for health facility mapping can increase efficiency. Sustainability is another key theme: M&E systems should be designed to be maintained by local institutions after the project ends, requiring capacity building and knowledge transfer. The RFP also stresses the importance of gender and equity, ensuring data disaggregation by sex, age, and other social determinants. Moreover, the project must align with national health strategies and leverage existing systems to avoid duplication. The overview underscores the need for a holistic approach that integrates M&E with other health system components such as financing, governance, and service delivery. Organizations must demonstrate an understanding of the local health landscape, including disease burdens, health worker distribution, and infrastructure challenges. The RFP is not just about counting numbers but about fostering a culture of evidence-informed policymaking. The overview concludes by emphasizing that this opportunity is both a challenge and a chance to make a lasting impact on health systems in Sub-Saharan Africa. The high urgency of this RFP (deadline July 20, 2026) requires immediate action. Potential applicants should begin assembling teams, conducting partner outreach, and refining their technical approach without delay. USAID expects proposals to be comprehensive, addressing all elements of the RFP including technical approach, management plan, key personnel, and budget. The evaluation criteria typically include technical merit (40%), past performance (30%), and cost (30%). Therefore, organizations must carefully balance innovation with feasibility. The overview serves as a call to action for organizations with relevant experience to leverage GSLI's training resources to strengthen their proposals. By doing so, they can differentiate themselves in a competitive field and increase their chances of award. The following sections delve into the strategic value, implementation roadmap, and risk mitigation strategies, providing a complete guide for prospective bidders.

Strategic Overview

The USAID RFP for Monitoring & Evaluation for Health Systems Strengthening in Sub-Saharan Africa is a landmark opportunity for organizations dedicated to improving health outcomes through robust data systems. This call anticipates significant investment to establish or upgrade M&E frameworks across multiple countries in the region, focusing on enhancing data quality, timeliness, and use for decision-making. The RFP is part of USAID's broader strategy to strengthen health systems resilience, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, which highlighted critical gaps in health information systems. Successful implementation will support progress toward Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). The scope includes designing centralized data platforms, training health workers, conducting surveys, and performing evaluations. With a high urgency due to the 2026 deadline, organizations must act swiftly to prepare competitive proposals. GSLI's training in M&E and Project Management for Development offers a distinct advantage, equipping teams with the skills to design and manage such complex projects. This overview provides a comprehensive look at the opportunity, from strategic context to practical implementation, helping stakeholders understand the requirements and benefits. The RFP's general target persona means that a wide array of organizations, from international NGOs to local community-based organizations, can apply, provided they meet eligibility criteria. The focus on Sub-Saharan Africa implies a need for cultural sensitivity and local partnerships. The funding is expected to be substantial, with multi-year awards enabling long-term impact. The overview sets the stage for detailed analysis in subsequent sections. In addition to the core M&E activities, the RFP emphasizes innovation and sustainability. Proposers are encouraged to incorporate cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence, mobile health (mHealth), and geographic information systems (GIS) to enhance data collection and analysis. For example, using SMS-based surveys for remote areas or drone imagery for health facility mapping can increase efficiency. Sustainability is another key theme: M&E systems should be designed to be maintained by local institutions after the project ends, requiring capacity building and knowledge transfer. The RFP also stresses the importance of gender and equity, ensuring data disaggregation by sex, age, and other social determinants. Moreover, the project must align with national health strategies and leverage existing systems to avoid duplication. The overview underscores the need for a holistic approach that integrates M&E with other health system components such as financing, governance, and service delivery. Organizations must demonstrate an understanding of the local health landscape, including disease burdens, health worker distribution, and infrastructure challenges. The RFP is not just about counting numbers but about fostering a culture of evidence-informed policymaking. The overview concludes by emphasizing that this opportunity is both a challenge and a chance to make a lasting impact on health systems in Sub-Saharan Africa. The high urgency of this RFP (deadline July 20, 2026) requires immediate action. Potential applicants should begin assembling teams, conducting partner outreach, and refining their technical approach without delay. USAID expects proposals to be comprehensive, addressing all elements of the RFP including technical approach, management plan, key personnel, and budget. The evaluation criteria typically include technical merit (40%), past performance (30%), and cost (30%). Therefore, organizations must carefully balance innovation with feasibility. The overview serves as a call to action for organizations with relevant experience to leverage GSLI's training resources to strengthen their proposals. By doing so, they can differentiate themselves in a competitive field and increase their chances of award. The following sections delve into the strategic value, implementation roadmap, and risk mitigation strategies, providing a complete guide for prospective bidders.

Who is it For?

This opportunity is designed for a broad range of organizations operating in or with substantial experience in Sub-Saharan Africa. Primary targets include international non-governmental organizations (INGOs) with a proven track record in health systems strengthening and M&E, local civil society organizations (CSOs) that have deep community ties and understanding of regional health challenges, and academic or research institutions capable of conducting rigorous evaluations. Additionally, for-profit firms specializing in health consulting, data analytics, or technology-enabled M&E solutions are eligible if they align with USAID's non-profit objectives. The RFP also welcomes consortia that combine technical expertise with local presence, as this enhances sustainability and ownership. Organizations must demonstrate prior experience managing large-scale M&E contracts of similar magnitude, preferably with USAID or other major donors. They should have a robust financial management system, a track record of compliance with U.S. government regulations, and the ability to mobilize quickly. Given the high urgency, USAID favors organizations with pre-existing operational capacity in the target region, including offices, staff, and partnerships. Local organizations are particularly encouraged to apply as prime or sub-recipients to promote local capacity building. The target persona 'General' indicates that the RFP is open to all qualified entities, but preference may be given to those showing strong local engagement and innovation in M&E approaches, such as use of mobile data collection, real-time dashboards, and community-based monitoring.

Priorities

USAID's global priorities for this RFP are centered on strengthening health systems to achieve sustainable, equitable health outcomes in Sub-Saharan Africa. Key investment KPIs include improvements in maternal and child health, reduction of HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria burden, and enhanced pandemic preparedness. The donor emphasizes the use of data for decision-making, demanding M&E systems that produce timely, high-quality evidence to inform program adaptations. Specific priority areas include: (1) Health governance and leadership, ensuring that M&E data is used at all levels from community to national; (2) Health financing, tracking efficiency and equity of resource allocation; (3) Human resources for health, monitoring workforce distribution and performance; (4) Service delivery, measuring coverage and quality of essential health services; (5) Health information systems, strengthening digital infrastructure for data integration. Additionally, USAID prioritizes cross-cutting themes such as gender equality, youth engagement, and climate resilience. The RFP requires bidders to align with the U.S. Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA) and the Global Health Strategy 2025-2030. KPIs will include process indicators (e.g., number of facilities reporting data), outcome indicators (e.g., immunization coverage rates), and impact indicators (e.g., reduction in disease incidence). The M&E framework must incorporate both quantitative and qualitative methods, with a strong emphasis on participatory approaches involving beneficiaries and local stakeholders. USAID also expects innovation in data visualization and predictive analytics to facilitate real-time monitoring. Ultimately, the goal is to create a learning health system that continuously improves based on evidence.

Eligibility

Eligibility for this USAID RFP extends to a wide range of entities, including non-profit organizations, for-profit firms (with appropriate justification), universities, and research institutions. All applicants must be legally registered under applicable laws of their country of operation and have a valid Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and SAM.gov registration (for U.S. entities or those receiving U.S. funds). Financial audits require a clean record of compliance with 2 CFR 200 (Uniform Guidance) and no debarment or suspension from federal programs. Spatial audits: Organizations must demonstrate a physical presence or partnership network in Sub-Saharan Africa, with the capacity to operate in multiple countries. Capital audits: Adequate financial liquidity to manage upfront costs, as USAID typically reimburses expenses; a minimum annual operating budget of $5 million may be required. Additionally, organizations must have at least 5 years of documented experience in health systems strengthening and M&E in developing countries. Key personnel requirements: A Chief of Party with 10+ years of M&E experience and a Master's degree; an M&E Director with 8+ years; and a Data Management Specialist with 5+ years. Local organizations are exempt from certain U.S.-based requirements but must still meet registration and audit standards. The RFP prohibits applications from entities owned or controlled by governments that are ineligible for U.S. assistance. Teaming arrangements are allowed, but a lead applicant must be identified. All proposals must be submitted in English, with budgets in U.S. dollars. Failure to meet any of these criteria may result in immediate disqualification.

Path to Success

To secure this USAID RFP, organizations must follow a strategic roadmap that integrates GSLI training to strengthen capacity. Step 1: Conduct a rapid self-assessment of your organization's M&E and health systems expertise using GSLI's Monitoring & Evaluation course to identify gaps. This 4-week online course covers indicator selection, data quality assurance, and evaluation design, directly applicable to the RFP. Step 2: Assemble a cross-disciplinary team with skills in health, data, finance, and logistics. Enroll team members in GSLI's Project Management for Development course to ensure a unified approach to planning, risk management, and stakeholder engagement. This training will help you create a detailed work plan and logical framework that aligns with USAID's priorities. Step 3: Develop a consortium if needed. Use GSLI's network from its short courses to connect with potential partners, especially local organizations with on-the-ground presence. The consortium should define clear roles, with a lead organization responsible for overall coordination. Step 4: Craft a compelling proposal that emphasizes innovation, sustainability, and local ownership. Leverage GSLI's Writing Winning Proposals and Grants Management courses to structure a budget-compliant, results-oriented application. The proposal must include a robust M&E plan with baseline data, performance indicators, and a learning agenda. Additionally, incorporate cross-selling of GSLI short courses as capacity-building components: for instance, propose to train local staff in WASH and Public Health to address multisectoral determinants of health. This not only strengthens the proposal but also demonstrates a commitment to local capacity building. Finally, submit the proposal well before the July 2026 deadline to allow for revisions. Post-submission, engage GSLI for coaching on negotiation and contract compliance. This integrated approach increases the likelihood of award by showcasing deep expertise, strong partnerships, and a sustainable capacity-building framework.

Recommended GSLI Courses

Deadline: 2026-07-20

Persona: General

Urgency: Normal