USAID Request for Proposals: Integrated WASH and Health Systems Strengthening in the Sahel Region

This USAID Request for Proposals (RFP) is a landmark opportunity to implement integrated Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) and health systems strengthening initiatives across the Sahel region. The Sahel, a belt of semi-arid land south of the Sahara Desert, faces compounding crises: climate change-induced droughts, rapid population growth, persistent poverty, and violent extremism. These factors severely undermine access to safe water and sanitation, while health systems are overwhelmed and underfunded. USAID's strategic response aligns with the U.S. Global Water Strategy and the Global Health Security Agenda, emphasizing sustainability, community resilience, and cross-sectoral integration. The RFP seeks proposals that deliver measurable outcomes in WASH access, health facility strengthening, disease surveillance, and behavior change. Funding is expected to be substantial, potentially reaching $50 million over five years. The deadline for submissions is August 1, 2026, allowing sufficient time for consortium formation and detailed proposal development. Organizations that succeed will demonstrate deep technical expertise, robust management systems, and a commitment to local ownership. GSLI's suite of professional courses, from WASH to grants management, are designed to bridge skill gaps and enhance proposal competitiveness. By investing in GSLI training, organizations can ensure their teams are equipped with the latest best practices in integrated WASH-health programming, financial management, and monitoring & evaluation. This overview underscores the strategic importance of the RFP and the need for thorough preparation. The RFP is structured to encourage innovative approaches that address the root causes of poor WASH and health outcomes. USAID prioritizes partnerships that bring together diverse expertise, including engineering, public health, social behavior change, and governance. The agency emphasizes evidence-based interventions, requiring proposals to reference successful models from the Sahel or similar contexts. Key technical areas include: assessment of existing water sources and sanitation infrastructure, design of climate-resilient systems, hygiene promotion using mobile technology, and integration of nutrition-sensitive WASH. Health systems components include supporting primary health care facilities with WASH infrastructure, training health workers in infection prevention and control (IPC), and strengthening disease surveillance networks. Cross-cutting themes of gender equality, social inclusion, and environmental sustainability must be embedded throughout. USAID also encourages the use of digital finance for tariff collection and performance-based financing to incentivize results. The RFP demands a detailed sustainability plan, including exit strategies that transfer management to local authorities and communities. Organizations must be prepared to operate in challenging security contexts, with robust risk management and duty of care protocols. This overview provides a comprehensive snapshot of the opportunity, emphasizing the need for meticulous proposal preparation and the value of GSLI training in enhancing organizational capacity to meet these demands.

Strategic Overview

This USAID Request for Proposals (RFP) is a landmark opportunity to implement integrated Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) and health systems strengthening initiatives across the Sahel region. The Sahel, a belt of semi-arid land south of the Sahara Desert, faces compounding crises: climate change-induced droughts, rapid population growth, persistent poverty, and violent extremism. These factors severely undermine access to safe water and sanitation, while health systems are overwhelmed and underfunded. USAID's strategic response aligns with the U.S. Global Water Strategy and the Global Health Security Agenda, emphasizing sustainability, community resilience, and cross-sectoral integration. The RFP seeks proposals that deliver measurable outcomes in WASH access, health facility strengthening, disease surveillance, and behavior change. Funding is expected to be substantial, potentially reaching $50 million over five years. The deadline for submissions is August 1, 2026, allowing sufficient time for consortium formation and detailed proposal development. Organizations that succeed will demonstrate deep technical expertise, robust management systems, and a commitment to local ownership. GSLI's suite of professional courses, from WASH to grants management, are designed to bridge skill gaps and enhance proposal competitiveness. By investing in GSLI training, organizations can ensure their teams are equipped with the latest best practices in integrated WASH-health programming, financial management, and monitoring & evaluation. This overview underscores the strategic importance of the RFP and the need for thorough preparation. The RFP is structured to encourage innovative approaches that address the root causes of poor WASH and health outcomes. USAID prioritizes partnerships that bring together diverse expertise, including engineering, public health, social behavior change, and governance. The agency emphasizes evidence-based interventions, requiring proposals to reference successful models from the Sahel or similar contexts. Key technical areas include: assessment of existing water sources and sanitation infrastructure, design of climate-resilient systems, hygiene promotion using mobile technology, and integration of nutrition-sensitive WASH. Health systems components include supporting primary health care facilities with WASH infrastructure, training health workers in infection prevention and control (IPC), and strengthening disease surveillance networks. Cross-cutting themes of gender equality, social inclusion, and environmental sustainability must be embedded throughout. USAID also encourages the use of digital finance for tariff collection and performance-based financing to incentivize results. The RFP demands a detailed sustainability plan, including exit strategies that transfer management to local authorities and communities. Organizations must be prepared to operate in challenging security contexts, with robust risk management and duty of care protocols. This overview provides a comprehensive snapshot of the opportunity, emphasizing the need for meticulous proposal preparation and the value of GSLI training in enhancing organizational capacity to meet these demands.

Who is it For?

This RFP is tailored for a diverse range of organizations including international non-governmental organizations (INGOs), local civil society organizations (CSOs), private sector firms specializing in WASH infrastructure and health services, academic institutions with research capacity, and multilateral consortia. Applicants must have a minimum of five years of demonstrable experience in implementing integrated WASH and health programs in fragile or conflict-affected settings, with specific preference for those with a track record in the Sahel region. USAID encourages partnerships that leverage complementary strengths—for instance, an INGO may lead on technical WASH interventions while a local health organization manages community outreach and capacity building. Eligible organizations must be legally registered in a country that is a recipient of U.S. foreign assistance, or in the United States. They must have sound financial management systems, including audited financial statements for the past three years, and demonstrate ability to meet USAID's stringent compliance requirements. Furthermore, organizations must commit to cross-cutting principles such as gender equality, social inclusion, and environmental sustainability. The RFP specifically targets entities that can operate in insecure environments, manage sub-grants to local partners, and coordinate with national health and water ministries. Consortia are strongly encouraged to include local partners to ensure sustainability and local ownership. Organizations with prior USAID funding are at an advantage but not required. All applicants must register in SAM.gov and have a valid UEI number.

Priorities

The donor's overarching priority is to achieve measurable improvements in health outcomes through sustainable WASH services and strengthened health systems. Key performance indicators include reduction in under-five mortality due to diarrheal diseases, increased percentage of population using safely managed drinking water and sanitation services, and improved health facility capacity to deliver integrated primary care. Specific investment KPIs include: (1) at least 500,000 people gaining access to basic water services; (2) at least 300,000 people gaining access to basic sanitation; (3) at least 100 health facilities upgraded with WASH infrastructure and infection prevention control protocols; (4) trained health workers in disease surveillance and outbreak response; and (5) establishment of community-based monitoring systems for water quality and health indicators. The initiative emphasizes sustainability through local ownership, capacity building of government institutions, and innovative financing mechanisms such as micro-loans for household sanitation. Gender and social inclusion are central; at least 50% of beneficiaries should be women and girls, and interventions must address specific needs of marginalized groups. Climate resilience is also a priority, requiring designs that consider water scarcity and extreme weather events. Finally, USAID values data-driven decision-making and requires robust monitoring and evaluation frameworks with real-time data collection and adaptive management. Proposals that demonstrate integration across WASH, health, nutrition, and education sectors will be viewed favorably.

Eligibility

Comprehensive eligibility criteria: (1) Legal status: Organizations must be legally registered in the United States or in a country eligible to receive U.S. foreign assistance, with a valid Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and active SAM.gov registration. (2) Financial capacity: Applicants must submit audited financial statements for the last three fiscal years, demonstrating annual revenues of at least $5 million (or equivalent). They must have an internal control environment compliant with 2 CFR 200 (Uniform Guidance). (3) Technical expertise: At least five years of experience in implementing WASH and health systems strengthening projects valued over $2 million annually. Teams must include qualified WASH engineers, public health specialists, M&E experts, and financial managers. (4) Past performance: Provide at least three references from previous donors for similar projects, with evidence of meeting targets and compliance. (5) Local presence: Organizations must have an established office in one of the target Sahel countries or a partnership agreement with a local entity. (6) Security: Applicants must demonstrate ability to operate in volatile security contexts, including security protocols, evacuation plans, and insurance. (7) Environmental compliance: Compliance with USAID's environmental procedures (22 CFR 216) is required; initial environmental examination must be included. (8) Sub-recipient management: Must have policies for managing sub-awards, including capacity assessments and anti-terrorism screening. (9) Gender policy: Applicants must have a gender equality policy and show how gender will be mainstreamed. (10) Exclusion criteria: Organizations debarred, suspended, or otherwise disqualified by the U.S. government are ineligible. Full compliance with the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and USAID's Anti-Terrorism Certification is mandatory.

Path to Success

To maximize chances of winning this USAID RFP, organizations should follow a strategic roadmap that integrates GSLI's targeted training courses. Step 1: Pre-Proposal Capacity Assessment and Training Investment. Before writing the proposal, conduct a rigorous gap analysis of your team's competencies in WASH technical design, public health, project management, financial management, and M&E. Enroll key personnel in GSLI's 'Writing Winning Proposals' and 'Grants Management' courses to fine-tune proposal development skills. Simultaneously, have your finance team complete 'Financial Management for NGOs' to ensure compliance with USAID's stringent budgeting and reporting requirements. Step 2: Consortium Building and Local Partnership Development. Forge strategic alliances with local organizations that have deep community ties and government relationships. GSLI's 'Project Management for Development' course can help consortium partners align their workflows, communication protocols, and reporting structures. Ensure that the consortium includes a mix of technical WASH experts, health practitioners, and M&E specialists. Draft a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that outlines roles, responsibilities, and cost-sharing. Step 3: Technical Design and Innovation. Develop an integrated intervention model that links WASH infrastructure with health system strengthening. Use GSLI's 'WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene)' and 'Public Health & Epidemiology' courses to ensure evidence-based approaches. Incorporate innovative elements such as solar-powered water pumps, rainwater harvesting, and community-led total sanitation (CLTS). Design a phased implementation approach that starts with rapid needs assessment, followed by infrastructure construction, capacity building, and behavior change communication. Step 4: Robust Proposal Writing and Compliance Review. Assemble a dedicated proposal team that includes a lead writer, technical experts, and a compliance officer. Use the GSLI 'Writing Winning Proposals' course modules on USAID formatting, logic model development, and cost narrative. Ensure full compliance with all RFP requirements, including attachments such as the technical approach, past performance references, key personnel CVs, and detailed budget. Submit the proposal well before the deadline and conduct a final compliance check using a checklist derived from GSLI's 'Grants Management' course. By following this roadmap and leveraging GSLI's training, organizations will significantly enhance their competitive edge.

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Deadline: 2026-08-01

Persona: General

Urgency: Normal