USAID Request for Proposals: Institutional Capacity Building for Integrated WASH and Health Systems Strengthening in the Sahel

The USAID Request for Proposals (RFP) for Institutional Capacity Building for Integrated WASH and Health Systems Strengthening in the Sahel represents a major strategic funding window for organizations that can demonstrate both technical expertise and proven capacity to build local institutions. With a deadline of July 31, 2026, and a high urgency rating, this RFP calls for proposals that address the severe deficits in water and sanitation infrastructure and health service delivery across the Sahel. The region, encompassing Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, and Niger, is characterized by extreme poverty, climate vulnerability, and political instability, all of which exacerbate poor health outcomes. Over 30 million people lack access to safe drinking water, and under-five mortality rates are among the highest globally, often due to waterborne diseases. The RFP is not merely a call for infrastructure projects; it is a call to strengthen the very institutions that manage, finance, and regulate WASH and health services. USAID seeks proposals that will increase the capacity of national and local governments, civil society, and community structures to plan, implement, and sustain essential services without long-term external support. This means the project must be designed with an explicit theory of change that links capacity building interventions (training, mentoring, systems strengthening) to measurable improvements in service access, quality, and sustainability. The RFP encourages innovative, context-specific approaches that are conflict-sensitive and gender-transformative. Proposals should also integrate climate adaptation and digital health solutions where appropriate. The total estimated funding for this opportunity is expected to be substantial (likely $50-100 million over five years), making it a high-stakes competition. Organizations must invest considerable resources in preparing a compliant and compelling bid. GSLI's suite of short courses can significantly enhance an applicant's capacity to meet the RFP's technical and fiduciary requirements, thereby increasing the likelihood of selection. This overview provides a foundation for a deep dive into the RFP's technical and strategic dimensions.

This opportunity is designed for a diverse array of organizations—including international NGOs (e.g., Mercy Corps, IRC, Oxfam), national NGOs based in Sahelian countries, academic and research institutions with proven field research capacity, private sector firms specializing in WASH engineering and health systems consulting, and public-private consortia that combine local grassroots networks with global technical expertise. USAID particularly encourages applications from local organizations (defined as entities headquartered and primarily led by citizens of the target countries) to promote local ownership and sustainability. Eligible applicants must demonstrate a minimum of five years of direct operational experience in at least two Sahelian countries, with a proven track record of managing USAID or other major donor grants exceeding $5 million. The RFP requires a robust legal registration in the country of operation (NGO license, tax ID, etc.), an established in-country office with full-time staff, and audited financial statements for the last three fiscal years. Additionally, applicants must have a demonstrated capacity for fiduciary management, including internal controls, procurement compliance, and anti-fraud measures. Consortium bids are strongly encouraged, provided the lead organization meets all eligibility criteria and the consortium includes at least one local entity (sub-awardee) with a meaningful role in program design and implementation. The RFP also stipulates that organizations with a history of sanctions, debarment, or unresolved audit findings from any U.S. government agency will be disqualified. Finally, to respond to this RFP, organizations must have an active SAM.gov registration and a Unique Entity ID (UEI), and must maintain current registration in USAID's Partner Portal (WORK with USAID).

USAID's global priorities for this RFP are anchored in the U.S. Global Water Strategy (2022-2027), the Global Health Security Agenda, and the U.S. Strategy to Prevent Conflict and Promote Stability in the Sahel. Key investment KPIs include: (1) increasing the percentage of target population with access to safely managed drinking water by at least 20% over the project lifecycle; (2) reducing the incidence of waterborne diseases (cholera, typhoid) by 15% in targeted health districts; (3) training at least 1,000 health workers and 500 WASH technicians on integrated service delivery and supply chain management; (4) achieving at least 80% of local institutions meeting minimum capacity benchmarks (financial management, M&E, procurement) as measured by standardized organizational capacity assessment tools (OCAT); (5) increasing domestic budget allocations for WASH and health by 10% in at least three target regions; (6) ensuring 50% of sub-grants are managed by local organizations by Year 3; and (7) maintaining a gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) scorecard with at least 40% women in leadership and decision-making roles within partner institutions. The donor prioritizes climate-resilient infrastructure (solar-powered water pumps, flood-proof sanitation facilities), digital health innovations (mobile data collection, telemedicine), and adaptive management approaches that allow real-time course correction based on data. Cross-sectoral integration is paramount—proposals must articulate clear pathways linking WASH improvements to maternal and child health outcomes and pandemic preparedness. Additionally, USAID prioritizes conflict sensitivity and do-no-harm approaches, requiring risk assessments for operating in areas with active insurgency (e.g., Liptako-Gourma region). Alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs 3, 5, 6, 10, 16, and 17) is expected, and proposals should reference the relevant indicators.

Complete eligibility audits require a multi-faceted review covering legal, financial, spatial, and corporate dimensions. First, legal and regulatory compliance: the applicant must submit a certificate of incorporation or equivalent legal registration in the country of operation (or for international organizations, in home country plus registration in each target country). Tax compliance certificates, labor law clearances, and any required permissions to operate in conflict-affected zones (e.g., security clearance from local authorities) must be attached. Second, financial health: applicants must provide audited financial statements (balance sheet, income statement, cash flow, notes) for the three most recent fiscal years, prepared by an independent certified public accountant in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) or US GAAP. The auditors must be recognized by the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) or the American Institute of CPAs. Key ratios will be evaluated: current ratio above 1.2, debt-to-equity below 0.5, and net surplus (profit) in at least two of the last three years. A positive recommendation from the auditor (unqualified opinion) is required; any qualification must be explained with a remediation plan. Third, spatial audit: the applicant must demonstrate operational footprint in at least two of the five Sahelian countries, with a physical office that has a registered address, fixed phone line, and at least three full-time staff (one being a local national). Supporting documents include lease agreements, staff contracts, and utility bills. For consortia, the lead must have operated in the region for at least three years. Fourth, corporate governance: the applicant must submit organizational chart, board of directors listing with bios, and conflict of interest policy. Any history of litigation, arbitration, or debarment must be disclosed. USAID conducts pre-award surveys (e.g., Non-USAID Organization Pre-Award Survey (NUPAS)) to verify eligibility. Finally, the applicant must certify compliance with US federal regulations on anti-terrorism, anti-trafficking, and non-discrimination. Failure to meet any of these criteria will result in disqualification.

Strategic Roadmap to Winning the USAID Sahel WASH-Health RFP with GSLI Integration: Step 1: Pre-Proposal Readiness & Gap Analysis (Months 1-2) Conduct a rigorous internal audit of your organization's capacity against the RFP's eligibility criteria. Use USAID's NUPAS template as a checklist. Identify gaps in financial management (e.g., current ratio, audit qualifications), M&E systems (lack of real-time data platforms), or WASH-specific technical expertise. Simultaneously, register for GSLI's 'WASH in Health Systems Strengthening' (2-week online, 40 hours) and 'Advanced Financial Management for USAID Grants' (1-week intensive, 20 hours). These courses will address common weaknesses such as cost allocation, indirect cost rate negotiation, and M&E indicator frameworks aligned with the RFP's KPIs. By completing these courses before the proposal writing phase (Step 2), your team will be proficient in the technical language and compliance requirements, making your proposal more credible. Additionally, GSLI's 'Writing Winning Proposals for USAID' (3-day workshop) will coach your team on how to structure the technical approach in alignment with the RFP's evaluation criteria. Outcome: A readiness scorecard with a quantifiable capacity improvement plan, plus GSLI certificates that strengthen the 'Organizational Capacity' section of your proposal. Step 2: Strategic Consortium Building & Local Partner Engagement (Month 3) Identify and formalize partnerships with local NGOs, research institutes, and health ministries in target Sahelian countries. Use GSLI's 'Public Health & Epidemiology' short course to train your local partners on disease surveillance data collection—this will be a differentiator in the proposal's 'Health Systems Strengthening' component. Also, ensure your consortium's lead M&E officer takes GSLI's 'Monitoring & Evaluation for Development' (2-week online) to design a robust performance management plan. Draft a memorandum of understanding (MoU) outlining roles, sub-award budgets, and reporting lines. Leverage your own staff's newly acquired skills from GSLI to conduct a joint capacity assessment of local partners using the Organizational Capacity Assessment Tool (OCAT). This assessment will be attached to the proposal as evidence of your consortium's readiness. Outcome: A legally binding consortium agreement with at least one local lead partner, supported by comprehensive capacity assessments and training records from GSLI. Step 3: Proposal Development with Embedded GSLI Capacity Building Plan (Months 4-5) Develop the full technical proposal (narrative, logical framework, budget, M&E plan, risk matrix). Crucially, include a dedicated 'Capacity Building' annex that details how your consortium will use GSLI courses to strengthen local institutions throughout the five-year project. For instance, propose that 100 local health workers will receive GSLI's 'Procurement & Supply Chain' certification (Level 1, online), while 50 community WASH committees will complete 'Financial Management for NGOs' to manage water point tariffs. Budget these training costs as a separate line item under 'Local Capacity Building.' Use GSLI's 'Fundraising & Resource Mobilization' course to design a sustainability plan that trains local governments in budget advocacy for WASH and health. Ensure the proposal's narrative explicitly references the SDGs and includes a gender transformative approach. GSLI's 'Public Health & Epidemiology' provides the knowledge to design a rigorous baseline survey and disease surveillance component. Step 2's consortium training activities should be documented in the proposal's 'Past Performance' section. Outcome: A proposal that not only meets the RFP's technical requirements but also demonstrates institutional experience in training and capacity building, with GSLI as a designated training provider—an explicit competitive advantage. Step 4: Post-Submission Engagement & Award Mobilization (Month 6 onwards) After submission, utilize GSLI's 'Grants Management' course to set up the project's financial and compliance systems in advance of potential award. If shortlisted, be prepared for a pre-award survey; GSLI's 'Financial Management for USAID Grants' will have already covered the key documentation required (cost allocation plan, internal controls policy). Subsequently, integrate GSLI courses into the project's Year 1 work plan as part of the inception phase. This demonstrates to USAID your commitment to continuous learning and adaptive management. Outcome: A smooth post-award transition with trained personnel, compliant systems, and an articulated capacity building pathway for local partners, enhancing the project's sustainability and maximizing the likelihood of success.