Technical Support to Improve Global Health Security Systems

Location:	District of Columbia
Posted:	Dec 2, 2025
Due:	Jan 9, 2026
Agency:	FHI 360
Type of Government:	State & Local
Category:	R - Professional, Administrative and Management Support Services
Solicitation No:	2025-009-Guatemala_RFP_02
Publication URL:	To access bid details, please log in.

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Request for Proposals

Request for Proposals for Technical Support to Improve Global Health Security

Solicitation Number: 2025-009-Guatemala

To: Prospective Organizations

From: FHI360 STRIDES PROJECT TEAM

Contract Title: Technical Support to Improve Global Health Security Systems

Location: Guatemala

Date Issued: December 3, 2025

Questions Due: December 10, 2025, 23:59 Eastern Daylight Time

Responses Posted: December 15, 2025, 23:59 Eastern Daylight Time

Submission Deadline: January 9, 2026, 23:59 Eastern Daylight Time

Submission Email: STRIDESProcurement@fhi360.org

INTRODUCTION

FHI 360, under the Strengthening Infectious Disease Detection Systems (STRIDES) Activity,

invites qualified organizations to submit proposals to support the implementation of Global

Health Security (GHS) activities in Guatemala. STRIDES is a U.S. Department of State–funded

initiative designed to strengthen national and subnational systems to prevent, detect, and

respond to infectious disease threats in alignment with Guatemala’s Voluntary External

Evaluation (VEE) and Joint External Evaluation (JEE) priorities.

Despite recent progress, Guatemala continues to face significant gaps in early detection,

laboratory biosafety and biosecurity, interoperability of surveillance systems, and multisectoral

coordination. The VEE identified low readiness levels across several International Health

Regulations (IHR) core capacities, with particularly weak scores in laboratory biosafety and

biosecurity (1), workforce surge capacity (1), and points of entry readiness (1). These findings

underscore the urgent need to strengthen detection, data systems, and coordinated outbreak

response mechanisms at both national and subnational levels.

STRIDES seeks to address these critical gaps by providing targeted technical assistance, capacity

building, and system strengthening support in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and

Social Assistance (MSPAS), the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food (MAGA), and the

Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (MARN). The activity emphasizes a One Health

approach, reinforcing linkages between human, animal, and environmental health sectors to

build a more resilient and integrated health security system.

This RFP seeks qualified local and international partners to propose technically sound, feasible,

and sustainable approaches to advance STRIDES’ four key objectives in Guatemala:

1. Strengthen detection capacity and systems for both human and animal laboratory

networks.

2. Develop sustainable, event-based and indicator-based surveillance systems.

3. Enhance data collection, analysis, and reporting for evidence-based decision-making.

4. Provide targeted technical assistance for outbreak detection and response.

Successful applicants will demonstrate proven experience in health system strengthening,

laboratory and biosafety capacity building, surveillance and data interoperability, outbreak

preparedness, or multisectoral coordination in Guatemala or similar contexts. Activities should

build on existing national systems, leverage current initiatives (such as those supported by

PAHO/WHO, COMISCA, CDC, and the Government of Japan), and avoid duplication of ongoing

efforts.

Through this solicitation, STRIDES aims to strengthen Guatemala’s institutional capacity to

detect, investigate, and respond to emerging and endemic infectious diseases—contributing to

regional and global health security and resilience.

Project Overview: STRIDES Activity in Guatemala

Guatemala’s health security landscape is shaped by persistent gaps in disease surveillance,

laboratory systems, biosafety and biosecurity practices, and multisectoral coordination—core

capacities essential for effective implementation of the International Health Regulations. The

country’s most recent Voluntary External Evaluation and Joint External Evaluation revealed

foundational or limited capacity (scores of 1–2) in key technical areas including laboratory

biosafety and biosecurity, workforce surge capacity, and points of entry readiness. These

findings underscore the urgent need for comprehensive system strengthening to prevent,

detect, and respond to public health threats.

As one of the United States’ closest neighbors, Guatemala plays a critical role in regional health

security. Strengthening Guatemala’s national systems for infectious disease detection and

response not only safeguards its population but also reduces cross-border transmission risks in

Central America. Despite notable progress through previous USAID- and partner-supported

programs, such as Proyecto Salud y Nutrición (PSN), FAO, and Breakthrough ACTION, the 2025

foreign assistance review led to the termination of key Global Health Security (GHS) activities,

leaving important gaps in capacity and coordination.

In response, the STRIDES Activity, funded by the U.S. Department of State, aims to restore

momentum and advance Guatemala’s national health security priorities. STRIDES aligns with

national strategies of the Ministry of Health and Social Assistance, the Ministry of Agriculture,

Livestock, and Food and the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources to build resilient,

interoperable systems under the existing One Health framework that integrates human,

animal, and environmental health.

The STRIDES Activity focuses on operationalizing sustainable systems that enhance national and

subnational capacities to prevent, detect, and respond to zoonotic and emerging infectious

diseases. The activity builds on prior investments and coordinates with existing efforts led by

CDC through COMISCA and APHL, and the Government of Japan, to avoid duplication and

ensure alignment with Guatemala’s VEE priorities.

Through this RFP, FHI 360 seeks qualified local and international organizations to implement

technical assistance and capacity-building activities that directly contribute to four STRIDES

objectives in Guatemala:

1. Strengthen detection capacity and laboratory systems at the national and subnational

levels for both human and animal health networks, improving biosafety, diagnostic

quality, and access to essential laboratory services.

2. Develop sustainable surveillance systems by integrating event-based and indicator-

based surveillance approaches to detect and report public health threats rapidly and

accurately.

3. Enhance data management and interoperability to improve data sharing and analysis

across human, animal, and environmental health sectors, supporting evidence-based

public health decision-making.

4. Provide targeted outbreak detection and response support, including strengthening

rapid response teams, conducting tabletop simulation exercises, and improving logistics

and supply chain coordination during emergencies.

Applicants may propose to implement one or more of the above objectives based on their

technical expertise, institutional capacity, and geographic reach. FHI 360 anticipates awarding

one or more agreements to partners demonstrating strong alignment with STRIDES’ technical

priorities, the Government of Guatemala’s national health security plans, and the One Health

approach.

By improving laboratory capacity, surveillance integration, and outbreak response systems,

STRIDES will help Guatemala build a more resilient, coordinated, and sustainable foundation for

health security—protecting both national and regional populations from infectious disease

threats.

Technical Description of the Work to Be Performed

Scope of Work

In collaboration with the Government of Guatemala, the Ministry of Health and Social

Assistance, the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food and the Ministry of Environment and

Natural Resources, as well as key multisectoral partners, academia, and international

stakeholders, the STRIDES Activity will provide targeted technical assistance to enhance

Guatemala’s capacity to prevent, detect, and respond to zoonotic and emerging infectious

disease threats.

Building on Guatemala’s Voluntary External Evaluation and Joint External Evaluation findings,

STRIDES will address critical weaknesses in laboratory biosafety and biosecurity, interoperability

of disease surveillance systems, data management, and outbreak response coordination. These

efforts will reinforce national systems and strengthen linkages between human, animal, and

environmental health sectors in line with the existing One Health approach.

The Activity will coordinate closely with existing national frameworks—including the emerging

National Health Security Action Plan—and with international partners to ensure

complementarity, avoid duplication, and maximize synergies across ongoing GHS initiatives.

STRIDES will work through national and subnational government systems to strengthen

capacity, ensure sustainability, and promote local ownership.

STRIDES will also engage faith-based organizations, civil society groups, academic institutions,

and private sector actors to leverage local expertise and resources. Activities may include

technical assistance, training, limited procurement of laboratory and outbreak response

commodities, and capacity strengthening in biosafety, surveillance, and data interoperability.

All work will be implemented under the technical leadership of FHI 360, in partnership with

MSPAS, MAGA, and MARN, ensuring that activities align with Guatemala’s national priorities

and contribute to sustainable improvements in health security and epidemic preparedness.

Global Health Security (GHS) Objectives

STRIDES seeks qualified contractor(s) to implement activities that advance the following four

Global Health Security objectives in Guatemala:

1. Strengthen detection capacity and laboratory systems for both human and animal

health networks, expanding access to quality diagnostic services and improving

biosafety, biosecurity, and quality assurance systems.

2. Develop sustainable surveillance systems that integrate event-based and indicator-

based surveillance to detect, report, and respond to public health threats in a timely

manner.

3. Enhance data collection, analysis, and reporting by improving interoperability and use

of laboratory and surveillance information systems to support evidence-based decision-

making.

4. Provide targeted outbreak assistance, including support for multisectoral rapid

response teams, tabletop simulation exercises, and limited procurement of essential

outbreak response commodities.

STRIDES will emphasize sustainable, system-level interventions that reduce the risk and impact

of zoonotic and emerging infectious diseases through early detection, notification, and

coordinated response. Two overarching results are anticipated:

1. Reduced risks and impacts of infectious disease threats in Guatemala.

2. Functional systems for early warning, detection, reporting, and coordinated outbreak

response.

Expected Results by JEE Technical Area

Zoonotic Disease and One Health Coordination:

• Strengthened surveillance for priority zoonotic and emerging infectious diseases within

both human and animal health sectors.

• Improved multisectoral coordination between MSPAS, MAGA, and MARN, with regular

joint analysis and information-sharing.

• Enhanced field epidemiology and laboratory capacity among national and subnational

health and veterinary officers.

• Operationalized community-level and cross-sectoral surveillance mechanisms linked to

national systems.

• Evidence-based decision-making supported by interoperable data systems and real-time

analytics.

• Functional and trained multisectoral rapid response teams at the national and

departmental levels.

• Improved cross-border surveillance and response coordination, especially at points of

entry.

• Increased community preparedness and awareness through effective risk

communication and evidence-based public health messaging.

National Laboratory Systems:

• Strengthened diagnostic capacity, biosafety, and biosecurity within the National Health

Laboratory (Dirección del Laboratorio Nacional de Salud - DLNS) and MAGA laboratories.

• Standardized laboratory protocols and implementation of external quality assurance

systems for high-priority pathogens.

• Improved equipment maintenance, calibration, and management of laboratory supplies

and reagents.

• Enhanced specimen transport networks and quality management systems at all levels.

• Expanded interoperability between laboratory and surveillance systems for timely data

sharing and outbreak notification.

Surveillance and Data Systems:

• Integrated event-based and indicator-based surveillance systems linking human, animal,

and environmental sectors.

• Updated standard operating procedures (SOPs), job aids, and case definitions for

priority diseases and public health events.

• Strengthened capacity of surveillance officers and data analysts in data visualization,

epidemiologic analysis, and use of decision-support tools (e.g., DHIS2, Power BI).

• Developed and implemented national GHS dashboards for real-time alerts, case trends,

and outbreak monitoring.

• Strengthened interoperability between MSPAS, MAGA, and MARN data systems,

building upon prior Data.Fi project efforts.

Outbreak Detection and Response:

• Established and trained rapid response teams equipped for field investigation and

containment activities.

• Conducted national and departmental tabletop simulation exercises aligned with IHR

standards to test response protocols.

• Strengthened supply chain coordination for outbreak response, including logistics for

PPE, diagnostics, and treatment supplies.

This is the opportunity summary page. It provides an overview of this opportunity and a preview of the attached documentation.

Technical Support to Improve Global Health Security Systems - Guatemala

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