USAID Opportunity: Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Platform for Health Systems Strengthening in the Sahel

USAID is seeking applications for a Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Platform for Health Systems Strengthening in the Sahel (Burkina Faso, Niger, Mali, Chad, Mauritania). This cooperative agreement, valued at up to $50 million over five years (2026-2031), aims to improve health outcomes by strengthening the evidence base for decision-making. The platform will support USAID's health programs in the region by collecting, analyzing, and disseminating data on key health indicators. The solicitation is part of USAID's commitment to the Global Health Security Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals. The deadline for applications is July 10, 2026, and the opportunity is highly urgent given the persistent health crises in the Sahel, including high maternal and child mortality, infectious disease outbreaks, and weak health systems. The MEL platform must be designed to serve multiple stakeholders, including USAID, national ministries of health, local implementing partners, and community health workers. It should provide real-time data dashboards, support rigorous evaluations, and facilitate learning and adaptation. The awardee will be expected to build local capacity, with a significant portion of the budget allocated to local sub-awardees. Key components include a central data repository, mobile data collection tools, data visualization software, and a learning agenda. The platform must adhere to USAID's data privacy and security standards. Eligible applicants include US-based and international NGOs, universities, for-profit entities (working on a not-for-profit basis), and local organizations. Applicants must demonstrate experience in health systems strengthening, M&E, and working in fragile contexts. They must have a physical presence in at least one target country and audited financial statements showing $5 million annual revenue. The selection will prioritize technical approach, organizational capacity, and cost effectiveness. GSLI recommends that applicants enroll key staff in its 'Monitoring & Evaluation' and 'Financial Management for NGOs' short courses to strengthen their proposals and demonstrate commitment to capacity building. The Sahel context poses unique challenges, including insecurity, climate shocks, and weak governance. The MEL platform must be resilient to these challenges, with contingency plans for remote data collection and security protocols. The awardee should also integrate gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) across all activities, ensuring that data is disaggregated and that marginalized groups are heard. The learning agenda should explore questions around health system bottlenecks and effective interventions. In summary, this is a strategic opportunity for organizations with a strong track record in health systems and M&E. The MEL platform will be a critical tool for improving health outcomes in the Sahel and for demonstrating accountability to US taxpayers. GSLI stands ready to support applicants with targeted training that enhances their competitive edge. For more information, visit the URL: https://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/opportunities/mel-health-systems-sahel-2026

Strategic Overview

USAID is seeking applications for a Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Platform for Health Systems Strengthening in the Sahel (Burkina Faso, Niger, Mali, Chad, Mauritania). This cooperative agreement, valued at up to $50 million over five years (2026-2031), aims to improve health outcomes by strengthening the evidence base for decision-making. The platform will support USAID's health programs in the region by collecting, analyzing, and disseminating data on key health indicators. The solicitation is part of USAID's commitment to the Global Health Security Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals. The deadline for applications is July 10, 2026, and the opportunity is highly urgent given the persistent health crises in the Sahel, including high maternal and child mortality, infectious disease outbreaks, and weak health systems. The MEL platform must be designed to serve multiple stakeholders, including USAID, national ministries of health, local implementing partners, and community health workers. It should provide real-time data dashboards, support rigorous evaluations, and facilitate learning and adaptation. The awardee will be expected to build local capacity, with a significant portion of the budget allocated to local sub-awardees. Key components include a central data repository, mobile data collection tools, data visualization software, and a learning agenda. The platform must adhere to USAID's data privacy and security standards. Eligible applicants include US-based and international NGOs, universities, for-profit entities (working on a not-for-profit basis), and local organizations. Applicants must demonstrate experience in health systems strengthening, M&E, and working in fragile contexts. They must have a physical presence in at least one target country and audited financial statements showing $5 million annual revenue. The selection will prioritize technical approach, organizational capacity, and cost effectiveness. GSLI recommends that applicants enroll key staff in its 'Monitoring & Evaluation' and 'Financial Management for NGOs' short courses to strengthen their proposals and demonstrate commitment to capacity building. The Sahel context poses unique challenges, including insecurity, climate shocks, and weak governance. The MEL platform must be resilient to these challenges, with contingency plans for remote data collection and security protocols. The awardee should also integrate gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) across all activities, ensuring that data is disaggregated and that marginalized groups are heard. The learning agenda should explore questions around health system bottlenecks and effective interventions. In summary, this is a strategic opportunity for organizations with a strong track record in health systems and M&E. The MEL platform will be a critical tool for improving health outcomes in the Sahel and for demonstrating accountability to US taxpayers. GSLI stands ready to support applicants with targeted training that enhances their competitive edge. For more information, visit the URL: https://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/opportunities/mel-health-systems-sahel-2026

Who is it For?

This opportunity is designed for a wide range of organizations with demonstrated expertise in health systems strengthening, monitoring and evaluation, and operations in fragile or conflict-affected states. Eligible applicants include international non-governmental organizations (INGOs), local civil society organizations (CSOs), universities, research institutions, private sector firms, and consortia thereof. US-based organizations may apply but must demonstrate a strong track record of working in the Sahel and a commitment to building local capacity. USAID strongly encourages applications from local partners in the Sahel, particularly those based in Burkina Faso, Niger, Mali, Chad, and Mauritania. Organizations with prior USAID funding, especially under the Global Health Security Agenda or similar health system strengthening programs, will have an advantage. Applicants must have a minimum of five years of experience in at least two of the following areas: health information systems, MEL, epidemiology, public health, or capacity building. Financial stability is crucial; applicants must demonstrate annual revenues of at least $5 million for the past three years and have an established presence in the region. For-profit entities must be willing to forgo profit (i.e., work on a not-for-profit basis) if selected. Additionally, organizations must have a valid UEI (Unique Entity Identifier) and be registered in SAM.gov. The lead applicant must have a physical office in at least one Sahel country; temporary field offices are not sufficient. Sub-awards to local organizations are expected to constitute at least 30% of the total budget. Joint ventures or consortia are welcome, but the prime must demonstrate the capacity to manage a complex, multi-country program across five countries with diverse languages (French, Arabic, local languages). Experience with USAID's Collaborating, Learning, and Adapting (CLA) framework is highly desirable.

Priorities

USAID's global priorities for health systems strengthening include advancing Universal Health Coverage (UHC), achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), and strengthening global health security. In the Sahel, specific priorities include: (1) Improving disease surveillance and response systems to detect and contain outbreaks (e.g., cholera, measles, dengue, and Ebola); (2) Reducing maternal and child mortality by increasing access to quality antenatal care, skilled birth attendance, and immunization; (3) Combating HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria with a focus on prevention, treatment, and adherence; (4) Strengthening health workforce capacity through training and supportive supervision; (5) Enhancing health information systems for data-driven decision-making at all levels; (6) Promoting community health and demand for services; (7) Integrating gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) across all interventions. Key performance indicators (KPIs) include: reduction in under-five mortality rate (by at least 20% over five years); increase in institutional delivery rate (by 15% in target areas); 90% of health facilities reporting complete and timely data; at least 80% of health workers trained showing improved competencies; and at least 50% of local partner organizations achieving sustainable capacity (as measured by organizational capacity assessments). The MEL platform must produce annual performance reports, baseline and endline evaluations, and quarterly learning briefs. The donor expects real-time data visualization dashboards that are accessible to national ministries of health and other stakeholders. Additionally, USAID emphasizes the importance of adaptive management: the MEL platform should identify bottlenecks and recommend course corrections within 30 days of data collection. There is also a strong focus on local ownership; the platform should eventually be transitioned to a host-country institution by the end of the project period. Cross-cutting priorities include climate resilience, conflict sensitivity, and digital health innovation.

Eligibility

Eligibility criteria are comprehensive and designed to ensure that only capable organizations with strong financial and operational integrity are considered. (1) Financial Audit: Applicants must submit audited financial statements for the last three fiscal years, demonstrating annual revenues of at least $5 million. The audit must be conducted by an independent certified public accountant. For local organizations with lower revenues, a consolidated audit of the consortium is acceptable if the lead entity meets the threshold. (2) Spatial Audit: The applicant must have a physical operational presence (office, staff, and bank account) in at least one of the five target Sahel countries (Burkina Faso, Niger, Mali, Chad, Mauritania) for at least two years prior to application. Proof of registration with local authorities and a valid tax clearance certificate are required. (3) Corporate Legal Audit: The organization must be legally registered in its home country and in each Sahel country where it operates. For consortia, a memorandum of understanding or letter of intent signed by all partners is required. (4) Experience: The applicant must have implemented at least two projects of similar scale (budget > $10 million) in the last ten years, with at least one in a fragile or conflict-affected setting. The projects must have involved health systems strengthening and MEL components. (5) Capacity: The applicant must have at least 50 full-time equivalent staff, with at least 20 based in the Sahel region. Key personnel must include a Chief of Party with 10+ years of experience in health systems, a MEL Director with 8+ years of experience in health M&E, and a Health Information Systems Specialist with 5+ years of experience. (6) Compliance: The applicant must have a valid UEI number, be registered in SAM.gov with current representations and certifications, and have no active exclusions or debarments. Additionally, the applicant must comply with USAID's Policy on Prohibition of Assistance to Foreign Terrorist Organizations, Anti-Terrorism Certification, and standard terms for cooperative agreements. Local organizations are encouraged to apply as prime but can also participate as sub-awardees. Any organization with a conflict of interest (e.g., current USAID contractors developing the solicitation) is ineligible.

Path to Success

To secure this opportunity, follow a strategic roadmap that integrates GSLI training for capacity building. Step 1: Pre-Proposal Capacity Building (Now - March 2026). Enroll key personnel in GSLI's 'Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E)' short course to design a robust MEL framework tailored to the Sahel context. Simultaneously, take the 'Financial Management for NGOs' course to ensure compliance with USAID's stringent financial reporting requirements. These courses will help your team understand how to set up data collection systems that meet USAID's CLA standards and how to manage budgets across five countries. Step 2: Partnership Formation (March - April 2026). Identify and formalize partnerships with local organizations in each target country. Use GSLI's 'Project Management for Development' course to build your consortium's capacity for coordinated implementation. Draft memoranda of understanding that outline roles, responsibilities, and the flow of funds. Ensure that at least 30% of the budget is allocated to local sub-awardees. Step 3: Technical Design and Drafting (April - June 2026). Develop a detailed technical proposal that incorporates the MEL platform architecture, including data visualization dashboards, mobile data collection tools, and feedback loops. GSLI's 'Writing Winning Proposals' course will be invaluable here, helping you articulate a compelling narrative that aligns with USAID's priorities. Also, leverage the 'Public Health & Epidemiology' course to design evidence-based interventions for disease surveillance. Step 4: Final Review and Submission (June - July 2026). Conduct a thorough compliance check using GSLI's 'Grants Management' course as a guide to ensure all forms, certifications, and budgets are complete. Submit the proposal before the deadline. Post-submission, engage in debriefing with USAID to clarify any questions. Throughout the process, maintain strong communication with your partners and use GSLI's 'Fundraising & Resource Mobilization' course to develop sustainability plans for the MEL platform beyond the grant period.

Recommended GSLI Courses

Deadline: 2026-07-10

Persona: General

Urgency: Normal