Grant to Implement HIV Prevention, Care and Treatment Activities for Female Sex Workers (FSW) in Anambra State of Nigeria

NOTICE: Bidder’s Questions

• AHNi will accept requests for clarification submitted by email at the following address: gf_advert@ahnigeria.org

• Questions must be received by 5:00 pm West African Time (WAT) on Monday, February 12, 2024.

• Responses to questions will be shared by February 15, 2024

1. Background

The Global Fund Nigeria TB/HIV Reach Impact project (N-THRIP) is a 3-year grant funded by the Global Fund with IHVN being the Principal Recipient and AHNI implementing end-to-end services in Anambra State. The GF N-THRIP is designed to ensure a coordinated and intensive effort to scale up the prevention, identification, and treatment of HIV and TB in both general and key populations in Anambra state.

AHNI’s focus will be on facility and community-based approaches to reach epidemic control, and in addition, ensure improvement in the coverage of pregnant women on ART as well as target KP and AGYW programs. The Project intends to work with local, trusted, and competent community-based organizations (CBOs) to contribute to the scale-up of differentiated HIV/AIDS prevention, care, and treatment services for sex workers.

This announcement is a call for expressions of interest (EOI) for Nigerian KP-Led Community based organizations (CBOs) to join the N-THRIP project in providing tailored HIV prevention services and programming for FSW for up to a 31-month period beginning April 2024. Through this competitive process, AHNI intends to select and provide funding and technical assistance to Organizations which meets the required qualifications.

1. Scope

Goal and Objectives

The objectives of engaging the Community based Organizations are:

1. To provide comprehensive community-based HIV testing & prevention Service Packages for Female Sex Workers in Anambra State in line with national guidelines.
2. To provide enabling environment for sex workers’ programming through promotion of human right, access to justice, legal aid services and reduction of stigma and discrimination

1. Roles and Responsibilities / Scope of Work
2. Human Resource
3. Identify and recruit competent key staff for the implementation of the program deliverables (Program Officer, Finance Officer, and M&E officer).
4. Work with Key adhoc Staff: Case Managers, Community Facilitators, Outreach Workers, mental health facilitators, Peer Educators, social media advocates for provision of HIV Testing and prevention Services for brothel & non-brothel-based sex workers.

• FSW CBO Activity Summary:

• Conduct periodic micro size estimation to map and identify FSW hotspots and Implement evidence based comprehensive programs to increase HIV prevention, testing and case finding.
• Conduct outreaches to FSW hotspots
• Stakeholder engagement process: to identify and collaborate with community stakeholders, influencers, and opinion leaders to advocate for support and ownership of the community intervention.
• Promote, provide educational resources on safe sex practices, and distribute male and female condoms and lubricants.
• Mobilize and conduct targeted Mobile HIV Testing Services focusing on female sex workers.
• Carry out immediate accompanied linkage and referral to prevention as well as treatment for HIV, STI, TB and other services to the one-stop shop, KP friendly health facilities and CART.
• Conduct Adherence Counselling and Partner Notification Services for FSW.
• Liaise with State Gender and Human Rights Response Team, to tackle cases of Human Rights Violations against FSW.
• Collaborate and engage with SACA, SMOH, ministry of Education, ministry of women affairs, ministry of youths, LACA, and other State actors periodically towards serving the overall interest of the FSW in the state of implementation.
• Provide referral for PMTCT services and other services as may be required.

Community Systems strengthening and Monitoring.

• Provide support to community teams and case Managers to ensure quality of data and participate in quarterly data quality assurance meetings.
• Provide regular feedback to FSW community members and participate in engagement with relevant stakeholders.
• Provide community-based HIV services and referrals for FSW and their male partners.

Anticipated Period of Performance

The anticipated period of performance for NTHRIP grant is from April 1, 2024, to October 31, 2026. 

IV. Eligibility Criteria & Selection

To respond to this EOI, an FSW organization must meet all the following minimum eligibility criteria:

• Must be locally registered as an NGO in Nigeria, whether faith-based, community-based or a national NGO.
• Must have demonstrated experience in implementing services (biomedical, behavioral, and/or structural interventions related to HIV) for FSW group.
• Must have current presence including and an office of operation in Anambra State.
• Must disclose any conflict of interest: The applicant’s relationships, associations, activities, and interests should not create a conflict of interest that could prevent full impartiality in implementation of the grant activities.

Any organization that does not meet these minimum eligibility criteria will not be considered.

Applications will undergo a preliminary review for completeness and responsiveness. Incomplete applications, applications judged to be unresponsive to the EOI, and applications submitted after the due date and time will be considered ineligible and will NOT be considered for an award.

Note: Interested FSW NGOs may express their interest as a single NGO or as a “consortium.” Consortiums should select partners to complement the organizational strengths in providing a comprehensive cascade of HIV services to FSW in Anambra. Consortiums are when NGOs and/or community-based organizations (CBOs) team up with other organizations based on their areas of collective strength. If other NGOs are being brought into the consortium, then the strengths of each consortium member need to be detailed in the application. The lead for the consortium should be the lead applicant and as such will assume the overall financial and technical responsibility for any funds received as well as all risk for the funds that are sub-granted to other NGOs in the consortium.

V. Application Instructions

Applications should be no longer than 7 pages, excluding the budget and appendices, and include the following information:

 A. Organizational Background (2 pages maximum)

The applicant should briefly detail the following information in the organizational background section. This information can be presented in a table format if needed.

• Name of the organization.
• Contact person and full address (physical, postal, telephone and email).
• Type of organization (NGO, CBO, or faith-based organization). Indicate if it is a membership organization.
• Current geographical coverage (states, local government areas, wards, communities/hotspots).
• Organizational vision, mission, goal, and objectives.
• A list of current and recently completed HIV/AIDS projects. Please include for each project the technical and geographic areas of focus, the groups served, and numbers reached. Please emphasize any work that you have done related to FSW; HIV/AIDS prevention, care, and treatment activities; human rights; stigma and discrimination; increasing health service access; gender; and gender-based violence.
• Sources and funding levels for the last three years. Indicate if the sources are private/foundation or government (Global Fund, US, Nigeria, other).
• Organizational structure and staffing/membership level.

If applying as a consortium, this information should be provided for the lead applicant/lead consortium member (clearly indicated) as well as each additional member organization in the consortium.

Technical Proposal (5 pages maximum)

Applicants should detail the following in the technical proposal:

•  Technical Approach and Key Activities:

In this section applicants should describe in further detail the specific activities which they will conduct and the proposed approaches to ensure their success for the period of April 1, 2024 to October 31, 2026. Please take note of the following when developing this section:

• While all approaches and activities proposed should fall within the parameters of the AHNI project objectives, applicants are encouraged to propose additional activities and innovative strategies not specifically mentioned in this Call for EOIs which may also address the objectives.
• Applicants are not expected to address every activity under each objective in the SOW. Rather, applicants should focus on those activities and approaches which are most appropriate or applicable considering their current reach, mission, and capacity.
• Applicants are expected to implement in Anambra states.
• Applicants are to reach FSW and their male partners by this program.

• Applicants should organize this section as follows:
• Describe the overall technical approach to conducting activities, including what strategies the Applicant will utilize to ensure success. Where applicable, clearly indicate how strategies will differ based on the population or geographic region.
•  List and describe activities according to the objectives. (Keep in mind applicants are not required to address both objectives and all activities within a specific objective. Applicants are free to target focus on a sub-set of activities.)
•  List key stakeholders and service providers that the Applicant might collaborate with when conducting the activities (e.g., SACAs, clinics etc.).
•  Provide the timeline for when each activity will be implemented.
• Applicants are free to present the information above in narrative or table format.

• Management Approach and Institutional Capabilities

Applicants should include the following in this section:

• A description of the management structure that will ensure the successful implementation of the project.
• Detail on how the applicant can rapidly start-up and launch their proposed activities.
• A description of the staffing structure that will support these activities, including the specific duties for each staff.
• Please include the CVs for senior technical staff who will work on this project as annex.
• Monitoring and Evaluation Plan

Applicants should include the following in this section:

• A description of how the applicant’s monitoring and evaluation (M&E) system will respond to the technical approach.
• A description of how the applicant will use M&E data for continual project improvement.
• Information on the applicant’s current capacity to collect and analyze data; and monitor and evaluate project performance.
• A list of tools that are currently used for M&E.

• Illustrative Budget (no page limit)

Applicants should prepare and submit a proposed budget in accordance with their proposed interventions for the period of April 1, 2024 to October 31, 2026.

 Annexes (no page limit)

The following annexes should be submitted with the application:

1. CVs for senior staff who will work on the project.

2. Certificate of Registration or Incorporation Papers

3. Audited Financial Statements, if available (if no recent audit has been conducted, a revenue and expense statement and balance sheet for previous financial year must be attached)

VII. Application Submission Process and Timeline

Questions on this Call for EOIs may be submitted to gf_advert@ahnigeria.org by 5 pm West African Time (WAT) by February 12, 2024. AHNI will respond by January February 15, 2024.

Completed application packages are due to AHNi by 5:00 pm WAT on February 21 , 2024. Applications must be submitted by email to gf_advert@ahnigeria.org  to be considered. Microsoft Word, Excel (for the budget) and Adobe Acrobat (PDF) files are all acceptable. Please do not include attachments over 15 MB.

In the subject line of the email, please indicate AHNi EOI – [insert name of your organization or consortium]”. Only one application may be submitted per organization or consortium.

Following the EOI review process AHNi may contact applicants with questions to clarify aspects of their applications.

DISCLAIMERS

1. Applicants will not be reimbursed for the cost incurred in preparation and submission of an application. All preparation and submission costs are at the applicant’s expense.
   1. AHNi may cancel EOI and not award.
   1. AHNi may reject any or all responses received.
   1. Issuance of EOI does not constitute award commitment by AHNi.
   1. AHNi reserves the right to disqualify any offer based on applicant’s failure to follow EOI instructions
   1. AHNi reserves the right to independently negotiate with any applicant, or to issue award based on initial evaluation of offers without further discussion.
   1. AHNi may choose to award only part of the activities in the EOI, or issue multiple awards based on the solicitation activities.
   1. AHNi reserves the right to check an applicant’s donor references; and
   1. AHNi reserves the right to waive minor application deficiencies that can be corrected prior to award determination to promote competition.

CALL FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST NOT AN OFFER

This call for EOI represents only a definition of requirements. It is merely an invitation for submission of applications and does not legally obligate AHNi to accept any of the submitted applications in whole or in part, nor is AHNi obligated to select the lowest priced application. AHNi has no contractual obligations with any applicants based upon issuance of this call for EOI. It is not an offer to contract. Only the execution of a written award shall obligate AHNi, in accordance with the terms and conditions contained in such award.

DISCUSSIONS AND AWARD

AHNi reserves the right to seek clarifications, enter discussions or negotiations, or to make award on initial submissions without discussions or negotiations of any kind. AHNi reserves the right to exclude any applicant from further consideration at any time, including after discussions or negotiations have been entered.

FALSE STATEMENTS IN OFFER

Applicants must provide full, accurate and complete information as required by this call for EOI. At any time that AHNi determines that an applicant has provided false statements in the EOI, AHNi may reject the EOI without further consideration. The language version of this call for EOI and any resulting award shall govern, and all notices pursuant to the provisions of this call for EOI and any resulting award shall be in English.

RESERVED RIGHTS

• All call for EOI responses become the property of AHNi, AHNi reserves the right in its sole discretion to disqualify any offer based on applicant failure to follow solicitation instructions

• AHNi reserves the right to waive any deviations by applicants from the requirements of this call for EOI that in AHNi opinion are considered not to be material defects requiring rejection or disqualification; or where such a waiver will promote increased competition

• Extend the time for submission of all call for EOI responses after notification to all applicants

• Terminate or modify the call for EOI process at any time and re-issue the call for EOI

• AHNi reserves the right to issue an award based on the initial evaluation of offers without discussion

• Award only part of the activities in the call for EOI or issue multiple awards based on call for EOI activities.

• At the conclusion of the evaluation process, any selected organization will be required to complete a Financial Pre-Award Assessment in order for AHNi to ascertain that the organization has the capacity to perform successfully under the terms and conditions of the proposed grant. As part of the Pre-Award Assessment process the firm will also be requested to submit their incorporated papers, certificate of registration and/or Tax ID number (TIN), audit reports and/or financial statements. Applicants may be asked to submit additional documentation to illustrate that the organization has the financial capacity to implement the grant. Site visits may be conducted by AHNi staff to evaluate the organization in these areas.

CERTIFICATION OF INDEPENDENT PRICE DETERMINATION

(a) The applicant certifies that–

1) The prices in this EOI have been arrived at independently, without, for the purpose of restricting competition, any consultation, communication, or agreement with any other applicant, including but not limited to subsidiaries or other entities in which applicant has any ownership or other interests, or any competitor relating to (i) those prices, (ii) the intention to submit an offer, or (iii) the methods or factors used to calculate the prices offered; 2) The prices in this application have not been and will not be knowingly disclosed by the applicant, directly or indirectly, to any other applicant, including but not limited to subsidiaries or other entities in which applicant has any ownership or other interests, or any competitor before bid opening (in the case of a sealed bid solicitation) or contract award (in the case of a negotiated or competitive call for EOI) unless otherwise required by law; and

3) No attempt has been made or will be made by the applicant to induce any other concern or individual to submit or not to apply for the purpose of restricting competition or influencing the competitive environment.

(b) Each signature on the application (if any) is a certification by the signatory that the signatory–

1)   Is the person in the applicant’s organization responsible for determining the prices being offered in this application, and that the signatory has not participated and will not participate in any action contrary to subparagraphs (a)(1) through (a)(3) above; or

2)      Has been authorized, in writing, to act as agent for the principals of the applicant in certifying that those principals have not participated and will not participate in any action contrary to subparagraphs (a)(1) through (a)(3) above.

3)     As an authorized agent, does certify that the principals of the applicant have not participated, and will not participate, in any action contrary to subparagraphs (a)(1) through (a)(3) above.

4)   As an agent, has not personally participated, and will not participate, in any action contrary to subparagraphs (a)(1) through (a)(3) above.

(c)   Applicant understands and agrees that:

1) violation of this certification will result in immediate disqualification from this call for EOI without recourse and may result in disqualification from future solicitations; and

2) discovery of any violation after award to the applicant will result in the termination of the award for default.

WITHDRAWALS OF EXPRESSIONS OF INTERESTS

Applicants may withdraw EOIs by written notice via email received at any time before award. EOIs may be withdrawn in person by an applicant or his/her authorized representative if the representative’s identity is made known and the representative signs a receipt for the proposal before award.