Local Research Partner to Support a CPCF Caregiver Survey in the MENA Region - Q&A

Request for Vendor Services Proposal (RFP)
Solicitation Title: Local Research Partner to Support a CPCF
Caregiver Survey in the MENA Region
Solicitation Number: FY27-AT-EAP-10/2026-02
Type of Contract Fixed price
Term of Contract Up to 3 months
Submit Proposal to: Procurementvietnam@fhi360.org
Date of Issue of RFP: Friday, October 16, 2026
Date Questions from Supplier Due: Tuesday, October 20, 2026, by 11AM Amman
time/ 3PM Vietnam time
Date FHI 360 to Respond to Questions Thursday, October 22, 2026, by 1PM Amman
time/ 5PM Vietnam time
Date Proposal Due: Sunday, October 25, 2026, by 1PM Amman time/
5PM Vietnam time
Vendor Announcement On or around October 30, 2026
Approximate Timeframe Contract / November 2026
Purchase Order Issued to Successful
Bidder(s):
Method of Submittal:
Respond via e-mail with attached documents in pdf format. Pricing should be provided in
Excel format unless otherwise specified.
Quote Validity:
The bidder agrees to hold firm the price offer for 60 days from the date specified for
the receipt of offers unless another time is specified in the addendum of the RFP.
Bidders may withdraw offers prior to the closing date.
FHI 360 Terms and Conditions:
FHI 360's Terms and Conditions are listed on our website at: www.fhi360.org/poterms .
1
Request for Proposal
October 2026

About FHI 360
FHI 360 is a nonprofit organization that mobilizes research, resources and relationships so that
people everywhere can access the opportunities they need to lead full, healthy lives. FHI 360 serves
more than 70 countries and all U.S. states and territories. To learn more about FHI 360, please
review our website at www.fhi360.org .
Background
UNICEF Middle East and North Africa (MENA), in collaboration with FHI 360/Alive & Thrive, is
conducting a formative cross-sectional survey on caregiver perceptions, purchasing and use of
commercially produced complementary foods (CPCF) in selected MENA countries (Lebanon, Oman,
Sudan and Tunisia). The study aims to generate standardized evidence on how caregivers select,
purchase and use CPCF; their motivations and barriers related to CPCF use; their understanding and
interpretation of product labels and claims; the role of CPCF in relation to home-prepared foods;
and the main sources of information influencing caregiver feeding and purchasing decisions. The
survey will explore the circumstances in which caregivers use CPCF and home-prepared foods, the
reasons for these choices, and whether CPCF complement or replace home-prepared foods, without
presupposing that one option is always preferred. The findings are expected to complement the
CPCF market and legal analyses by helping to identify how product availability, labelling and
promotion may influence caregiver understanding, purchasing and feeding practices, and to inform
feasible policy and program responses.
Country-level data will be collected through a structured, interviewer-administered questionnaire
among caregivers of children aged 6-23 months attending selected maternal and child health (MCH)
facilities. Approximately 40-50 caregivers whose child has consumed CPCF in the previous 30 days
will be recruited in each country. This is a formative, descriptive survey and that the facility-based
sample is not intended to generate nationally representative estimates.
Objectives of the Assignment
The local research partner will implement the country-level caregiver survey in each selected
country in accordance with the approved study protocol and standard operating procedures (SOPs).
Specifically, the local partner will:
* Coordinate with FHI 360 to identify and confirm 2-3 participating MCH facilities;
* Support required administrative and facility permissions;
* Participate in study training and adapt study materials to local terminology;
* Recruit and screen eligible caregivers according to the study criteria;
* Obtain informed consent and administer approximately 40-50 structured caregiver interviews;
* Ensure completeness, consistency and secure submission of study data; and
* Support fieldwork closure and resolution of data-quality or clarification requests from FHI 360.
Scope of Work
The local research partner will be responsible for country-level study preparation and data collection
activities.
Task 1. Support in obtaining national ethical approval and translating materials
The local partner will identify and secure any necessary national or local ethical approval prior to data
collection and for informing FHI 360 of any related constraints; translate study materials from English or
2
Request for Proposal
October 2026

French into local languages, including protocols, questionnaires, presentations, informed consent, etc.; and
prepare all required documentation for ethical approval submission and ensure ethical approval is
obtained. The local partner will work with FHI 360, UNICEF and country partners to confirm the necessary
authorizations required and lead the coordination of securing this. Below is the initial summary of assumed
required authorizations for the local partner's reference.
CountryAssumed required authorizationsLebanonGovernment approval is expected for both studies (the
caregiver perception study mentioned in this RFP and the market analysis mentioned in a separate RFP). Ethics
approval is also expected, but the appropriate national or regional review mechanism remains unclear. UNICEF
Lebanon should confirm the competent ethics committee.OmanRequirements for administrative authorization for
the market analysis are to be confirmed with the Ministry of Health (MoH), building on discussions already held.
The authorization process must be led by an Omani individual or institution, with oversight from FHI 360 and
UNICEF MENA. MoH has provided research submission guidelines and forms, although its explicit request for
ethical approval relates to the caregiver; whether it is also required for the market analysis remains to be
clarified.SudanGovernment approval and national ethics approval are expected for both studies. Confirm the
responsible MoH departments and national ethics committee, whether the two studies can be submitted together,
and the sequence of UNICEF and national reviews. Security and field accessibility should also be reassessed before
data collection.TunisiaGovernment approval through the Ministry of Health is obtained for both studies. Based on
the latest discussions with Tunisian counterparts, ethical approval is likely to be required only for the caregiver
study; requirements for the market analysis remain to be confirmed. Pursuing the approval process through
National Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology (INNTA) is expected to facilitate the procedure.
Task 2. Training and study preparation
The local partner will participate in study training and review the study protocol, participant eligibility
criteria, questionnaire, consent procedures, data-collection tools, confidentiality requirements and relevant
SOPs.
The partner will support adaptation of the questionnaire, participant information sheet and consent
materials to locally appropriate terminology. Any substantive changes to wording, response options or
study procedures must be agreed with FHI 360 before implementation.
Task 3. Site coordination and field preparation
In coordination with FHI 360 and relevant national stakeholders, the local partner will identify and confirm
2-3 high-volume MCH facilities in the selected urban setting.
Sites should be selected based on expected caregiver flow, feasibility of recruitment, accessibility and
required administrative or facility approvals. The local partner will support communication with facility
management, obtain the necessary permissions, and confirm practical arrangements for conducting
interviews in a semi-private setting where feasible.
Task 4. Caregiver recruitment and data collection
Trained data collectors will approach caregivers attending the selected facilities, provide a brief and
neutral explanation of the study, and administer the study eligibility screener. Eligible caregivers who
provide informed consent will complete the structured interviewer-administered questionnaire in the
relevant local language. Interviews will be conducted in a semi-private setting where feasible and are
expected to last approximately 20 minutes.
Recruitment will continue until approximately 40-50 eligible caregivers have completed the questionnaire.
Caregivers screened as non-users of CPCF will not complete the full questionnaire but will be asked the
brief questions specified in the study tool regarding reasons for non-use and potential future use. Trained
data collectors will help caregivers recognize the relevant product categories by using examples or images
of CPCF categories identified through the market analysis.
3
Request for Proposal
October 2026

Task 5. Data quality control and submission
The local partner will conduct regular quality checks during fieldwork to ensure that questionnaires are
complete and correctly coded. The partner will review electronic records for missing or inconsistent
responses and resolve identifiable data-entry or administration errors where possible. Any uncertainty
relating to eligibility, questionnaire administration or interpretation of study procedures should be
referred to FHI 360. Where short open-text responses or field notes are recorded in the local language, the
partner will support translation into English where required.
Task 6. Fieldwork closure
Following completion of data collection, the local partner will provide brief fieldwork notes summarizing
the facilities involved, dates of data collection, number of caregivers screened and interviewed, operational
challenges, deviations from the study protocol and any relevant contextual issues. The partner will also
respond to clarification or data-quality queries from FHI 360 during review and finalization of the country
dataset.
Roles and Responsibilities
Local Research Partner
* Obtain local ethical approval and translate materials
* Implement all in-country study preparation and data collection activities in line with the protocol
and SOPs.
* Coordinate with participating facilities and support required local permissions.
* Ensure that data collectors are appropriately trained and supervised.
* Ensure compliance with informed consent, confidentiality and data-protection procedures.
* Ensure data completeness, accuracy and timely submission.
* Assign a focal point for coordination with FHI 360.
* Flag any operational issues, recruitment challenges or deviations from the agreed methodology.
FHI 360
* Provide the final protocol, questionnaire, consent materials, SOPs and training.
* Review and approve study sites and substantive country-specific adaptations to study materials.
* Provide technical support during data collection.
* Review submitted data and request clarifications as needed.
Expected Deliverables and Indicative Timeline
The local research partner will submit the following deliverables:
Activity Deliverable Estimated Expected
days timeline
Ethical approval submission Obtained ethical approval 3-4 November 2026
and material translation Translated materials
Training and preparation Participation in study training and review of 1 November 2026
protocol, questionnaire, consent procedures
and SOPs
Site coordination and field Confirmation of 2-3 participating MCH 2 November -
preparation facilities, required permissions, field early December
2026
4
Request for Proposal
October 2026

arrangements and locally adapted study
materials
Caregiver recruitment and Completed questionnaires for approximately 4-5 January 2027
data collection (at least two 40-50 eligible caregivers, including
data collectors)* screening and informed consent
Data quality control and Complete and quality-checked electronic 1-2 January-early
submission dataset and associated field documentation February 2027
Fieldwork closure Brief fieldwork notes and resolution of 1 Early February
clarification requests from the central team 2027
Total All deliverables submitted and validated 12-15 days
*The exact distribution of days may be adjusted depending on caregiver flow, facility access, local approval
requirements and the time required to reach the target sample.
Reporting Arrangements
The local partner will report to the designated FHI 360 focal point and participate in a pre-fieldwork
briefing and a post-fieldwork debrief. During data collection, the local partner will maintain regular
communication with FHI 360 and promptly report any significant issues affecting facility access,
recruitment, consent procedures, data quality or adherence to the study protocol. FHI 360 will coordinate
review inputs from relevant stakeholders, including UNICEF MENA regional and country offices (as
appropriate), and provide consolidated feedback on draft deliverables.
Desired Expertise
The local partner should demonstrate:
* Proven experience in nutrition, public health, maternal and child health, survey research or related
fields;
* Experience conducting structured interviews or facility-based surveys;
* Capacity to recruit, train and supervise data collectors;
* Ability to work in the relevant local language(s) and English;
* Familiarity with informed consent, confidentiality and secure research data management;
* Strong attention to detail and ability to follow standardized study procedures.
Ethical and Operational Considerations
* The study involves human participants and may begin only after the required ethical and
administrative approvals have been obtained. Regional ethical approval will be sought through the
relevant UNICEF mechanism, with additional national or local clearance obtained where required.
* Participation will be voluntary and informed consent must be obtained before the interview begins.
* Participants may decline to answer any question or discontinue participation at any time.
* No names or other direct identifiers will be recorded in the study dataset. Each participant will be
assigned a unique Study ID.
* Interviews should be conducted in a semi-private setting where feasible, and all study data must be
stored and transferred securely in accordance with UNICEF/FHI 360 data-protection requirements.
* Data collectors should maintain neutrality, avoid judgmental language and should not provide
clinical advice.
Submission Requirements
To be considered, bidders must provide the following:
1. Presentation of the organization/consultant: full name, address, email, telephone number, name of
the authorized representative, and a copy of the company's business license. Information on and
5
Request for Proposal
October 2026

professional references for at least three of the most recent and relevant projects should be
provided.
2. A detailed workplan including the proposed approach to facility coordination and
questionnaire administration, data collection procedures/implementation, data
protection, etc.
3. Team qualifications: CVs of proposed team members, including roles and level of effort, relevant
experience, and declaration on the Conflict of Interest with Breast-milk substitutes, CPCF
manufacturers and distributors.
4. A financial proposal: A&T requests interested bidders to provide quotations with a detailed cost
breakdown. Quotation must include all associated costs including but not limited to fees and taxes,
etc. Bidders can use their own budget templates. Please include VAT in the price quote as FHI 360
is not VAT exempt.
Bidders are not required to submit a workplan and budget proposal for completing the CPCF Caregiver
Survey in all four countries (Lebanon, Oman, Sudan and Tunisia). They can submit a proposal for one
country or more, depending on their capacity. If a proposal is submitted for more than one country, budget
lines should be specified for each country.
Submission Instructions and Deadline
Responses to this RFP should be submitted to Procurementvietnam@fhi360.org by 5PM Vietnam time/
1PM Amman time on Sunday, October 25, 2026. Proposals received after this date and time may not
be accepted and may be considered non-responsive.
FHI 360 will acknowledge receipt of your submission by email. Proposals must be submitted in electronic
format using Microsoft Office-compatible software.
Any questions or requests for clarification need to be submitted in writing to
Procurementvietnam@fhi360.org by 3PM Vietnam time/11AM Amman time on Tuesday, October 20,
2026. Inquiries and answers to inquiries will be shared with all applicants. No telephone inquiries will
be answered.
All email correspondence should reference "CPCF Caregiver Survey" in the subject line.
Bidders may withdraw proposals by written notice via email received at any time before award. Proposals
may be withdrawn in person by a bidder or his/her authorized representative, if the representative's
identity is made known and the representative signs a receipt for the proposal before award.
FHI 360 may contact bidders to confirm contact person, address, quote amount and to confirm that the
proposal was submitted for this solicitation.
Evaluation Process and Criteria
Quotations will be evaluated and ranked by a committee according to the price quotation
information provided. Only bidders able to provide all the requirements listed above will be
considered.
Selection shall be based on the following weighted categories:
1. Financial: 30
2. Technical/Implementation qualification (including qualified staff, local access
and availability to complete the work within the agreed timeline): 50
3. Relevant experience: 20
6
Request for Proposal
October 2026

NOTE: FHI 360 will not compensate the company/consultant for its preparation of response to this RFP nor is
the issuing of this RFP a guarantee that FHI 360 will award a contract.
Contract Mechanism
FHI 360 anticipates issuing a firm fixed price contract to the responsive bidder or whose quote meets the
above requirements and offers a competitive price. Once an award is issued, it will include a fixed price
payment based on completion of the scope of work and verification of the quality and quantity of delivered
products.
Contract details and payment terms will be discussed in the final award documentation.
All prospective bidders must comply with the safeguarding policies of our organization. Any violations of
the policies may result in immediate contract termination without liability for the organization.
FHI 360 Disclaimers
This RFQ/RFP represents only a definition of the requirements. It is merely an invitation for submission of
quotes and does not legally obligate FHI 360 to accept any of the submitted quotes in whole or in part, nor
is FHI 360 obligated to select the lowest-priced quote. FHI 360 reserves the right to negotiate with any or
all vendors, both with respect to price, cost, and/scope of services. FHI 360 has no contractual obligations
with any vendors based upon the issuance of this RFQ/RFP. This is not an offer to contract. Only the
execution of a written award shall obligate FHI 360 in accordance with the terms and conditions contained
in such an award.
* Proposals received become the property of FHI 360.
* FHI 360 may cancel the solicitation and not award.
* FHI 360 may reject any or all responses received.
* Issuance of solicitation does not constitute award commitment by FHI 360.
* FHI 360 reserves the right to disqualify any proposal based on the bidder's failure to follow
solicitation instructions.
* FHI 360 will not compensate bidders for responses to this solicitation.
* FHI 360 reserves the right to issue an award based on initial evaluation of proposals without
further discussion.
* FHI 360 may choose to award only part of the activities in the solicitation or issue multiple
awards based on the solicitation activities.
* FHI 360 reserves the right to waive minor proposal deficiencies that can be corrected prior to
award determination to promote competition.
* FHI 360 may request from short-listed bidders 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 RFQ/RFP.
* FHI 360 has the right to rescind an RFQ/RFP or rescind an award prior to the signing of an award
due to any unforeseen changes in the direction of FHI 360's client, be it funding or programmatic.
* FHI 360 will be contacting all bidders to confirm contact person, address, and that quote was
submitted for this solicitation.
* FHI 360 may perform a background check on any selected Consultant candidates.
* FHI 360's consultant and company terms and conditions can be found here.
7
Request for Proposal
October 2026