Data Collection Firm - Ethiopia DMPA Value Proposition Study

Location:	District of Columbia
Posted:	Dec 18, 2025
Due:	Jan 21, 2026
Agency:	FHI 360
Type of Government:	State & Local
Category:	66 - Instruments and Laboratory Equipment 70 - General Purpose Information Technology Equipment (including software). B - Special Studies and Analyses - Not R&D R - Professional, Administrative and Management Support Services
Solicitation No:	2025-DMPA-001_RFQ_02
Publication URL:	To access bid details, please log in.

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Request for Quotes (RFQ)

Solicitation Title:

Solicitation Number:

Submit Questions and Proposal to:

Date of Issue of RFQ:

Date Questions from Supplier Due:

Date Answers due from FHI 360:

Date Proposal Due:

Data Collection Period

Anticipated total Period of Performance:

Approximate Timeframe Vendor Agreement

Issued to Successful Candidate(s):

Data Collection Firm – Ethiopia DMPA Value

Proposition Study

2025-DMPA-001

Grace Cooney (GCooney@fhi360.org)

Wednesday, December 17, 2025

Monday, January 5, 2026

Friday, January 9, 2026

Wednesday, January 21, 2026, by 5pm ET

12 months

24 months

March 2026

Method of Submittal:

Respond via e-mail with attached document in MS Word / pdf format.

Quote Validity:

The vendor agrees to hold the prices in its offer firm for 60 days from the date specified for the receipt

of offers unless another time is specified in the addendum of the RFQ.

I. Background

FHI 360 is a global organization that mobilizes research, resources and relationships so people

everywhere have access to the opportunities they need to lead full and healthy lives. With

collaborations in over 60 countries, we work directly with local leaders to advance social and economic

equity, improve health and well-being, respond to humanitarian crises and strengthen community

resilience. We share data-driven insights and scalable tools that expand access and equity so

communities can effectively address complex challenges, respond to shocks and achieve thriving

futures. To learn more, visit fhi360.org.

FHI 360, in partnership with The Ethiopian Ministry of Health, are undertaking a ‘value proposition’

study comparing three injectable contraceptive options in Ethiopia. A ‘value proposition’ explains why a

customer should choose a product or service by explaining what differentiates it and why it is the best

choice on the market.

Depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) contraceptive injectables are available as:

(1) provider-administered intramuscular injection (PA DMPA-IM);

(2) provider-administered subcutaneous injection (PA DMPA-SC); and

Request for Proposal

December 2025

(3) subcutaneous DMPA-SC self-injection (SI).

Provider administration (PA) is when facility-based staff (e.g., nurses, midwives) or community health

workers (CHWs) administer contraceptive injections to clients regardless of the location of the service

(e.g., facilities, communities). Self-injection (SI) is when clients or non-health care workers (e.g.,

partners, family members) are trained to give themselves/clients injections regardless of the location of

service. After being trained to self-inject, additional dose(s) of DMPA-SC may be dispensed to self-

injecting clients to take away for future use (advanced provision).

Self-injection (SI) of DMPA-SC has clear advantages over provider-administered (PA) injections, such as

higher continuation rates. While DMPA-IM may cost about 20 cents (USD) less per dose, the costs of

provider administration mean that, under certain conditions, DMPA-IM is less cost-effective. However,

despite the advantages of SI, the uptake has been low due to a variety of supply and demand reasons

including supply chain issues (stock outs, understocking, and imminent expiration which is conducive for

PA but not advanced provision of DMPA-SC for SI), lack of provider training on how to train clients to

self-inject, low community awareness, and client fear of SI. Low uptake of SI undermines potential cost-

effectiveness gains.

Ethiopia DMPA-SC and self-injection context:

Ethiopia’s Ministry of Health (MOH) has recently developed a National Self-Care Guideline and an

Introduction and Scale-up Plan for DMPA-SC Self-injection (2025-2030). The MOH is highly motivated to

diversify its family planning (FP) method mix and enhance FP access, especially to address the high

unmet need among young people and in rural areas. They view DMPA-SC SI as a key strategy to achieve

these goals and are committed to leveraging learnings from a 2021 pilot study and other initiatives to

introduce and scale up DMPA-SC SI.

Twelve study sites have been tentatively selected in collaboration with the MOH and other study

partners. The names of the study sites will be shared upon award of the contract, but the sites’ facility

type, region, and approximate location are provided in the table below.

Region

Facility Type Located in or around:

Addis Ababa City Administration

Amhara

Oromia

Sidama

South Ethiopia

Tigray

Health Center

Health Post

Hospital

Health Center

Addis Ketema Sub City

Akaki Kality Sub City

Bahir Dar Town

North Wollo Zone

Shaggar City

West Arsi Zone

Hawassa City Administration

Central Sidama Zone

Wolaita Zone

Gamo Zone

Mekelle Zone

Study Overview

The study includes three complementary components: a cohort study, a resource-requirements

assessment, and quarterly site assessments.

Request for Proposal

December 2025

FHI 360 will implement a 12-month longitudinal cohort study of injectable users (DMPA-IM, PA DMPA-

SC and DMPA-SC SI) in the 12 selected facility catchment areas to compare continuation rates, method

switching, user satisfaction, and how different products and administration methods impact the

resources required, such as users’ out-of-pocket expenditures and opportunity costs. User satisfaction

will include experiences with side effects, including contraceptive induced menstrual changes and

injection site pain, quality of care (measured using the Method Information Index) and reproductive

empowerment (measured using the Reproductive Empowerment Scale).

Based on preliminary sample size calculations, we will need around 300 eligible DMPA users (aged 15-49

years) in each injectable modality (900 total) to compare continuation rates between the DMPA-IM and

PA DMPA-SC as compared to DMPA-SC SI. In each site, approximately half of the users should be

recruited from health extension workers (HEWs) to allow comparison of outcomes across facility-based

and community-based service provision.

For the cohort study, we will conduct brief interviews every three months with new and continuing

DMPA-IM, PA DMPA-SC and DMPA-SC SI clients. We will attempt to follow up with all client participants

over the 12-month period even if they discontinue using DMPA or FP all together to document why they

discontinued using DMPA, and if they resume FP and which method they choose over the follow-up

period. We will also ask clients why they chose the method (including availability of their method of

choice), and what they would have chosen if their method was not available today (i.e., would they have

selected DMPA IM, PA DMPA-SC, DMPA-SC SI or a different FP method, or no method at all). For those

who selected DMPA-IM or PA DMPA-SC, we will ask them why they did not choose SI, and what they

would want or need to feel comfortable with SI (in front of the provider and on their own).

To compare the resources required to offer each contraceptive injectable option we will conduct a

resource requirements study in the same facilities and catchment areas. The resource requirement

study will consider a whole-of-society perspective, including costs at the community (client), provider,

facility, and health system levels. Data for this component will be collected using a mix of tools, including

interviewing samples of family planning facility-based providers (e.g., nurses, midwives) and health

extension workers (HEWs) to measure providers’ experiences and the time they spend providing DMPA-

IM or DMPA-SC (either PA, supervised SI by clients, or supplying DMPA-SC to clients for later SI). We will

also identify the supplies and infrastructure used to support injectable services by product and location

(facility or community) through site assessments.

We plan to conduct approximately 20 group discussions with injectable providers (half with facility-

based providers and half with HEWs) to measure the resources required to provide the three injectable

options to new and continuing clients (separately) and to gauge attitudes toward provision of each

method. Each group discussion will include approximately 6-10 providers.

As part of the study, we will carry out quarterly site assessments in the selected facilities to track DMPA

stock and other implementation factors to contextualize the study findings.

Study Summary:

The measures and data collection methods anticipated for clients and providers are outlined in Table 1.

Table 1

Respondents/

Perspectives

DMPA clients

Measures

Method continuation, method switching, experiences with

side effects, including contraceptive induced menstrual

changes and injection site pain, quality of care (measured

using the Method Information Index) and reproductive

Data collection method

In person interviews every three months

with new and continuing DMPA-IM, PA

DMPA-SC and DMPA-SC SI clients over a 12-

month period (even if they discontinue

Request for Proposal

December 2025

Respondents/

Perspectives

DMPA

providers/

facilities

Measures

empowerment (measured using the Reproductive

Empowerment Scale); out-of-pocket expenditures and

opportunity costs related to obtaining method

Attitudes toward providing injectable options; costs

required to offer each contraceptive injectable option

Facility level implementation resources (e.g., current stock

levels of each option, number of trained providers, etc.)

Data collection method

using DMPA or FP). Questionnaires will be

programmed in Kobo collect or similar

software.

Quarterly site assessments using structured

form

Structured group discussions with samples

of facility-based providers (e.g., nurses,

midwives) and community health workers

to measure providers’ experiences and time

they spend providing DMPA.

The overall timeline for the project is as follows:

2025 2026

2027

Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4

Research co-design with MOH & partners X X

Protocol development & approval

Data collection team selection, onboarding

Data collection team training

Data collection

XXXX

Data analysis

XXXXX

Manuscript development, dissemination

XXX

II. Scope of Work

The vendor will be responsible for all coordination and logistical tasks related to the planning,

scheduling, and relationship-building necessary for successful completion of the data collection in

Ethiopia, including ethical and administrative approvals; data collection, management and transfer; and

local dissemination. The vendor must have staffing capacity to perform work in English and appropriate

local languages, including: Amharic, Oromiffa, Sidama, Tigrigna, and Wolaitattuwa.

Specific responsibilities and tasks of the vendor:

• Provide input into the protocol, consent/assent forms, data collection tools, and other study

materials provided by FHI 360. The following data collection tools are anticipated:

o Cohort enrollment/baseline survey

o Cohort follow up survey

o Resource requirements group discussion guide

o Facility/intervention monitoring form

• Complete safeguarding self assessment provided by FHI 360

• Obtain the necessary approvals (IRBs, MOH, etc.) and introductions and make the necessary

payment of related fees/expenses

• Translate and contextualize questionnaires, protocols, and study documents, as needed—which

may include Microsoft Word documents, Microsoft Excel spreadsheets (e.g., for use with Kobo

Collect), PowerPoint presentations, or other formats.

• Obtain tablets for electronic data collection that are capable of being password protected and

have wireless internet capability. Tablets must be obtained, programmed and tested prior to

initiating training—renting or purchasing tablets should be proposed based on best value.

Request for Proposal

December 2025

• Arrange for and host data collector training, including adequate space, materials and equipment

(e.g., projector), transportation (if needed), and refreshments. FHI 360 will support

development of training presentations in English.

o The training should last at least 5 days and include adequate time to pilot each data

collection tool and adjust the instruments. Enough time should be allowed between

training and fieldwork to address any major changes needed to the instruments or

substantive gaps in quality/need for re-training.

• Print documents for training and data collection and procure any other materials necessary, e.g.,

identification materials for data collectors, bags, pens, etc.

• Provide participant reimbursement or appropriate tokens of appreciation and refreshments as

needed and in alignment the approved protocol. Budget should specify proposed

reimbursements based on vendor’s experiences on recent assignments and based on best

practices for ethical research.

• Hire and supervise data collectors who are fluent in English and appropriate working

language(s).

o Vendor should propose a staffing plan that outlines the number of teams of data

collectors and supervisors and total numbers of staff and the expected number of

interviews per data collector per day. The staffing plan should be adequate to field the

surveys with clients, the group discussions with providers, and obtain facility level

implementation data within the overall timeline.

o All study staff must complete appropriate ethics training that covers principles of human

subject research protections, informed consent, and participant safeguarding. FHI 360

can provide free online resources in English that meet the requirements.

• During enrollment, post required participant safeguarding posters in each included facility. FHI

360 will provide PDF versions of posters that vendor should have printed.

• During enrollment and quarterly thereafter, capture implementation data (e.g., DMPA stock,

number of providers, etc.) for each facility included in the study using tool provided by FHI 360

team.

o It is anticipated that the vendor will conduct quarterly phone calls to local

implementation partners to complete questionnaire and capture implementation

concerns including stocking issues, staff shortages etc. Data collection teams may

follow-up in facilities during fieldwork visits to complete cohort follow up surveys, as

needed.

• Enroll new or continuing DMPA users who are 15-49 years old into the study. Enrollment will

occur after they receive their method of choice from selected facilities or by HEWs. Enrollment

will occur on a rolling basis until approximately 300 users per formulation/modality (900 total

users) are enrolled—approximately half of the samples should receive community-based

services (from HEWs). Each client will be followed for 12 months.

o Providers will read a brief recruitment script to clients to gain permission to hear more

about study. Data collectors will need to be available to follow up with clients to provide

more information on the study and complete enrollment.

o Obtain written informed consent/assent from all participants and provide contact

information for study staff, local service referrals, if requested, and reporting of any

safeguarding violations. A waiver of parental consent will be requested for participants

less than the age of majority.

o Administer a questionnaire to cohort participants using a tablet to measure their Family

Planning method use and experiences at enrollment and approximately every 3 months

for 12 months (each participant will complete a total of 5 questionnaires).

o Track and follow up all participants to minimize loss to follow up.

Request for Proposal

December 2025

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

Data Collection Firm - Ethiopia DMPA Value Proposition Study

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See also