ALIVE & THRIVE Implementing an Urban Private Sector Model of IYCF Counseling Private Health Facilities in Lagos State, Nigeria Issue Date: July 26, 2018 Anticipated Period Of performance: October 1, 2018 to April 30, 2020 Estimated Budget: NGN18,010,800 Detailed Proposal Submission Date: August 17, 2018 1) INTRODUCTION Alive & Thrive (A&T) is a global initiative to save lives, prevent illness, and ensure healthy growth and development through improved breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices. Good nutrition in the first 1,000 days, from conception to two years of age, is critical to enable all children to lead healthier and more productive lives. A&T is managed by FHI 360 and funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the governments of Canada, Ireland and Madagascar. In Nigeria, Alive & Thrive aims to enhance child health, nutrition and cognitive development outcomes and save lives through a sustainable national program of optimum breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices in children. 2) BACKGROUND The A&T approach is based on the socio-ecological model that recognizes the importance of influential family and community persons and policy makers in changing social norms and behaviors. This approach, which has now been adapted for 2 states in Nigeria (Lagos and Lagos states), resulted in large scale behavior change and rapid impact on IYCF indicators. The approach requires careful coordination across the various program components and continuous adjustments in the interventions based on feedback from field implementation. The four components are: 1) Advocacy among influential leaders and institutions, including policy makers, opinion leaders, and health systems managers to ensure that resources, policies and laws encourage and support IYCF 2) Interpersonal communication (IPC) directly with mothers starting during pregnancy and antenatal health visits and continued up to the child s two years of age; and community mobilization (CM) to build support for mothers through family and community influential 1
persons, e.g. fathers, grandmothers, local health service and medicine providers, and religious, traditional and community leaders and elders 3) Mass communication to reinforce the above by repeatedly reaching the various key audiences through radio, traditional methods, TV advertising, and mobile phones 4) Generation and strategic use of existing or new data throughout the program cycle for supporting advocacy, and to make program decisions on program design and mid-course corrections. A&T is scaling up proven interventions in Nigeria while generating new evidence by testing innovations. One of the innovations is the delivery of an IYCF counseling package for private health facilities. In Nigeria, a substantial number of women attend ANC and delivery services in private facilities (e.g. 56% in Lagos state, DHS 2013), yet there is not a standard package of care provided by private practitioners. Young children are also brought to private facilities for treatment of illnesses but counseling on IYCF that can help recovery from illnesses is not a standard practice. This scope of work is for developing and implementing a standard package of IYCF counseling and support for pregnant women and mothers who use private health facilities in Lagos. Objective of Implementing a Package of IYCF Interventions in Urban Private Health Facilities To document the feasibility of delivering a standardized package of IYCF counseling and support in private health facility located in urban Lagos, with a focus on breastfeeding. A separate external evaluation of this program will generate evidence on the impact of implementing the IYCF package on exclusive breastfeeding practices; the evaluation will recruit pregnant women and follow them up until the child is 6 months of age. The final package of IYCF services is expected to be scaled up through the network of private health facilities and medical/nursing associations in Nigeria. 3) SCOPE OF WORK The selected NGO/firm will design a set of interventions for pregnant women, postpartum women and mothers of infants below 6 months following Baby Friendly guidelines (WHO/UNICEF, BFHI), including an mhealth component to remind mothers about postnatal visits and conduct phone counseling for problem solving to maintain EBF for 6 months. The selected NGO/firm will provide technical assistance and mentoring and coaching to managers, supervisors, ANC providers, birth attendants, and pediatric OPD doctors/nurses to build their capacity to support IYCF practices. From 3 to 5 health facilities will be selected based on a large number of deliveries and high attendance at ANC, child immunization and pediatric OPD services, and willingness to participate in the program. Additional implementation costs for private health facilities such as orientation of health providers, counseling supplies and materials, and record keeping will be provided by the selected NGO/firm. A&T staff will participate in all aspects of the program. The following is a summary of activities to be implemented by the selected NGO/firm. 2
1. Site visits to the selected health facilities to assess the current situation and design approaches, processes and tools for integrating the IYCF package in ANC visits, delivery and postpartum care, and pediatric OPDs. Identify training, supervision, and monitoring needs, select the focal persons from the health facilities who will be responsible for implementation. Develop and execute signed agreements with health facilities. 2. Provide orientations to proprietors, managers and providers in the selected health facilities. Assist with planning and managing facility-based services and follow up activities. Strengthen counseling skills, ensure high quality supervision, oversee record keeping, and guide facility managers in the use of data. 3. Explore mechanisms to engage family members of pregnant women and new mothers. Strengthen post-discharge community outreach processes (through mhealth/other). 4. Develop detailed implementation timelines, and develop and maintain inventories of tools and materials needed to support implementation. Participate in monthly reviews of coverage and quality. 5. Document the process of integration, and approaches used to strengthen the IYCF package of services. The documentation is expected to be used for scaling up in other locations. 6. Complete reporting requirements as specified under deliverables below. 7. Work with A&T to identify existing tools such as mentoring and coaching checklists, supervisory checklists, monitoring tools, counseling tools, education materials for working mothers and mobile phone messages. Printing/reproduction of these materials will be included in the budget of the contractor 4) PROPOSAL PREPARATION A&T is presently seeking an agency who will facilitate private health facilities in Lagos to implement the globally recommended IYCF services for ensuring early initiation and exclusive breastfeeding for six months. The project will be rigorously evaluated by an external agency. The agency will work closely with A&T and the external evaluation agency selected by A&T. Overall technical approval and quality assurance will be provided by A&T/Nigeria. Time Line The implementation of a fully operational, locally adapted, pilot tested and streamlined model of IYCF services in private health facilities in Lagos will be implemented for a minimum period of 12 months, with an additional 4-months provided for initial scoping, pilot testing, and completion of staff orientations; and 2 months for documentation and wrap up. This scope of work is for a total of 18 months. 3
5) EXPECTED DELIVERABLES (DATES TO BE FINALIZED) No. Deliverable Date of Submission 1. Inception Report, with a review of current community platforms, use of mobile phones, and links with PHC services where fathers can be engaged; and Implementation Plan with a GANTT chart for the duration of the project 2. Letters of Agreement with LGAs, PHCs and CBOs with listing of joint activities 3. Report of assessments of community and PHC worker knowledge and motivation, and opportunities to engage fathers; results of pre-testing implementation approach with details of processes tested; revised and finalized after A&T feedback 4. Training/Orientation Materials, and Monitoring Guidelines including data review processes; revised and finalized after A&T feedback 5. List of Tools and Materials to be provided, including draft copies of the tools and materials; revised and finalized after incorporating A&T feedback 6. Progress Reports, with data on process indicators, coverage from routine service records and assessments; changes made in processes and tools; and stakeholder feedback October 20, 2018 November 1, 2018 January 10, 2019 February 1, 2019 March 1, 2019 May 15, 2019 July 15, 2019 October 15, 2019 January 20, 2020 7. Draft Final Report in word and power point, final versions of materials and tools; revised and finalized after A&T feedback 8. Report on Final Dissemination of Lessons Learned, including intervention design and implementation March 20, 2020 March 30, 2020 6) PROPOSED TEAM: EXPERTISE AND EXPERIENCES OF TEAM MEMBERS The NGO/firm is expected to identify the structure and composition of its team, which will be assigned to complete this scope of work; list the main components of the assignment, the key expert responsible and proposed technical and support staff along with their curriculum vitae (CVs)- please refer to table 1. The firm should highlight similar assignments completed by the proposed team members. 4
Team Composition and Tasks Assigned (Please provide the details using the table below) Name of staff Area of expertise Position assigned for No. of days of input Task Assigned Level of Effort The project will be undertaken over an 18-month period. This timeframe will cover the preliminary assessments, design and adaptation, implementation and monitoring processes. The NGO/firm will propose the major outputs at different stages along with the tentative schedule for undertaking the task. The assignment requires the assigned team to be based in the selected project LGAs for this assignment. 7) TECHNICAL PROPOSAL SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS The technical proposal should have the following sections which will be rated independently. A. Capability and Experience Statements: 1. Timeline outlining the steps of the preparatory and implementation process for integrating IYCF services in ANC, delivery care, and paediatric OPD services 2. Interventions and protocols for IYCF services; examples of tools and materials to be used 3. Team Composition and Tasks Assigned table including key personnel to be deployed for the tasks (brief resumes of the study team members and their responsibilities, estimated time allotted for each major activity). 4. Work plan of the project implementation to mentor and facilitate private health facilities services including proposed time frames and outputs/deliverables 5. Brief background of the organization/team members including related past experiences in working with the IYCF services. B. Budget: Content of the Financial Proposal As part of the proposal, the NGO/firm is expected to provide a clear presentation of the budget required to undertake the project activities separately. The budget breakdown should include costs of assessments, design, stakeholder consultations, development and piloting of tools and processes, orientation sessions, data reviews, personnel costs, and all other necessary administrative costs. The budget breakdown should fulfil the following requirements: All proposed budget must be submitted in local currency (NGN) and in the format provided by FHI. 5
It must be developed and prepared in the excel sheet template provided by FHI with formulas included. Detailed budget breakdown (daily fees of the personnel, duration to be spent by the personnel, and estimated costs for all activities proposed in the application with a unit cost and quantity included). A detail budget narrative should describe and justify the cost assumptions for each category and line item in the budget spreadsheet. The budget should be broken down by labor costs (please identify personnel who will perform the work), include fringe benefit costs in accordance to your company s compensation policies, travel costs, supplies, any other direct costs necessary to perform a category of work, and indirect costs. (Use attached budget template). In the cost proposal, please provide the best value and indicate how cost efficiencies are being obtained. If included, indirect costs must be clearly stated including the basis on which they will be applied. Indirect costs are administrative expenses related to overall general operations and are shared among projects and/or functions. Examples include executive oversight, accounting, grants management, legal expenses, utilities, and facility maintenance. In so far as possible, identifiable (allocable) costs should be noted and justified in the proposal as direct costs, including those for dedicated ongoing project management, facilities and support. To the extent that indirect costs are applicable, they are subject to the following limits: 0% for government agencies and other private foundations. up to 10% for U.S. universities and other academic institutions Up to 15% for all other non-u.s. academic institutions and all private voluntary and nongovernment organizations, regardless of location, and for-profit organizations. Indirect cost rates (and the limitations) apply both to the primary applicant organization and any subgrantees and/or sub-contractors that are part of the proposal. If the organization has lower indirect rates, the lower rates should be used. Please include VAT and any applicable taxes into the cost proposal as FHI SOLUTIONS is not VAT or tax exempt. C. Three references for past performance, including contact information for each. The references should be for past funding agencies for whom similar work was done. D. The email address where Alive & Thrive may send a confirmation of receipt of your submission. 6
8) CRITERIA FOR EVALUATION A&T Nigeria will assign a team composed of leadership and technical staff to evaluate the proposals submitted by bidders. This team will evaluate the bidding documents based on the criteria set below. Selection shall be based on the following weighted categories: Content Point out of 100% Capability and Experience, including proposed key Personnel and technical 60 Points proposal Understanding of the ToR and overall quality of the technical proposal 10 Strategy for integration of IYCF services into ANC, delivery and pediatric OPD services including conducting data reviews to identify and address gaps, approach for mentoring private health facilities managers and 25 service providers, and documentation of lessons learned, in line with objectives and time frame for deliverables Qualification, adequacy and composition of required expertise and 15 experience of the personnel proposed to implement the project Previous experience in similar work including years of experience, capability of the NGO/firm (management, technical and financial capacity), sample 10 outputs Completeness and appropriateness of the budget 20 Points References and Past Performance 20 Points Total 100% NOTE: FHI SOLUTIONS will not compensate the company for its preparation of response to this RFP nor is the issuing of this RFP a guarantee that FHI SOLUTIONS will award a contract. 9) ANTICIPATED CONTRACTUAL MECHANISMS FHI anticipates issuing a firm fixed-price purchase order. The purchase orders will be issued in local currency (NGN) to the responsive offer that is selected as the highest scorer on a best value basis. Once an award is issued, it will include a schedule of fixed price payments based on completion of deliverables in the scope of work. 10) APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS AND DEADLINE Responses to this RFP should be submitted by email to Patience Kwada at pkwada@fhi360.org and Jack McLaughlin at jmclaughlin@fhi360.org no later than August 17, 2018 at 5 p.m. Abuja, Nigeria time. Any explanation desired by a prospective offeror regarding the meaning or interpretation of this solicitation must be requested in writing only. Questions should be submitted by email to Patience Kwada at pkwada@fhi360.org and Jack McLaughlin at jmclaughlin@fhi360.org no later than August 6, 2018 by 5 p.m. Abuja, Nigeria time. The proposal document should include: 7
- Letter of interest: a cover letter with a maximum of one page introducing the NGO/consulting firm with an expression of interest to carry out the work as described in this ToR. - Technical proposal: should include, but not limited to, understanding of the ToR with critical reflection on the activities, father s engagement approach (should be detailed with clear presentation), tentative work plan, proposed team qualification and experience. - Financial proposal: The NGO firm should submit a separate financial proposal, which indicates the budget item, unit cost and total cost and adequate justification to the proposed budget. Budget must be in the format provided by FHI and be accompanied by a budget narrative. Please follow the instructions carefully. Proposals which do not follow these instructions may not be reviewed. Offers received after this date and time may not be accepted for consideration. Withdrawal of Proposals Proposals may be withdrawn by written notice, email or facsimile received at any time before award. False Statements in Offer Offerors must provide full, accurate and complete information as required by this solicitation and its attachments. Proposals become property of FHI SOLUTIONS. DISCLAIMERS AND FHI SOLUTIONS PROTECTION CLAUSES FHI SOLUTIONS may cancel the solicitation and not make an award FHI SOLUTIONS may reject any or all responses received Issuance of a solicitation does not constitute an award commitment by FHI Solutions FHI SOLUTIONS reserves the right to disqualify any offer based on offeror failure to follow solicitation instructions FHI SOLUTIONS will not compensate offers for response to solicitation FHI SOLUTIONS reserves the right to issue an award based on initial evaluation of offers without further discussion FHI SOLUTIONS may choose to award only part of the activities in the solicitation, or issue multiple awards based on the solicitation activities FHI SOLUTIONS may request from short-listed offerors a second or third round of either oral presentation or written response to a more specific and detailed scope of work that is based on a general scope of work in the original RFP. 8
FHI SOLUTIONS has the right to rescind an RFP, or rescind an award prior to the signing of a subcontract due to any unforeseen changes in the direction of FHI SOLUTIONS s client, be it funding or programmatic. FHI SOLUTIONS reserves the right to waive minor proposal deficiencies that can be corrected prior to award determination to promote competition FHI SOLUTIONS will be contacting offerors to confirm contact person, address and that bid was submitted for this solicitation. END OF RFP****** 9