Polio Surveillance and Lab Assessment Consultant

Location:	District of Columbia
Posted:	Apr 29, 2026
Due:	May 5, 2026
Agency:	FHI 360
Type of Government:	State & Local
Category:	Q - Medical Services
Solicitation No:	FY26-103433-STRIDES-Niger-Consultant-RFP-001_Consultant_02
Publication URL:	To access bid details, please log in.

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Request for Consultant Services Proposal (RFP)

Solicitation Title:

Solicitation Number:

Submit Questions and Proposal to:

Date of Issue of RFP:

Date Questions Due:

Date Answers due from FHI 360:

Date Proposal Due:

Approximate Date Consultant Contract

issued to Successful Candidate(s):

STRIDES NIGER: Polio Surveillance and Lab

Assessment Consultant

FY26-103433-STRIDES-NIGER-Consultant-RFP-001

STRIDESProcurement@fhi360.org

Friday 24 April 2026

Tuesday 28 April 2026, by 5:00 PM EDT

Thursday 30 April 2026

Tuesday May 5, 2026, by 11:59 PM EDT

Late May, 2026

Method of Submittal:

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

The Consultant agrees to hold the prices in its offer firm for 90 days from the date specified

for the receipt of offers, unless another time is specified in the addendum of the RFP.

Contract Term: Early May – Mid - July 2026

Project Background

The STRIDES program (Strengthening Infectious Disease Detection Systems), funded by the U.S.

Department of State, supports countries to strengthen surveillance systems and laboratory networks

critical to global health security (GHS) and polio eradication. As part of its polio portfolio, STRIDES is

supporting efforts to improve the quality and performance of Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP) surveillance

and ecological surveillance (ES) systems in alignment with Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI)

standards.

Additionally, STRIDES prioritizes strengthening detection capacity and laboratory systems for priority

pathogens, including polio while expanding access to quality laboratory services for diseases of public

health importance. A critical component of polio surveillance is ensuring that stool and ecological samples

are collected, handled, transported, and received at designated laboratories in accordance with GPEI

protocols.

Despite ongoing partner support, persistent gaps remain in AFP case detection, investigation, specimen

collection and transport, ES functionality, reporting pathways, and data quality in select geographic areas.

A rapid, multi-partner surveillance system and laboratory assessment are required to identify root causes

of underperformance and inform targeted, evidence-based interventions in priority departments and

within the laboratory network. This assessment will directly support STRIDES’ objective to strengthen

surveillance systems and strengthen detection capacity and laboratory systems to improve early detection

of poliovirus transmission.

Consultant Solicitation 1

April 2026

Objective & Purpose of Consultancy

To conduct rapid, multi-partner assessments of polio surveillance and sample transportation systems (AFP,

ES) to identify operational, systemic, and performance gaps and develop prioritized, actionable

recommendations for surveillance strengthening in high-risk, underperforming departments.

In coordination with STRIDES lab officers and the National Polio Eradication Program, conduct a rapid

assessment of laboratory operations including direct diagnostic feasibility, quality management system,

sample management, quality and referral pathways, biosafety and biosecurity practices, and reverse cold

chain in line with GPEI and other global standards (such as ISO, CLSI and U.S. CDC).

Scope of Work

The consultant will undertake the following tasks:

Task 1: Inception and Planning

• Review relevant background documents, including GPEI surveillance protocols, national

surveillance guidelines, prior assessments, and available surveillance performance data.

• Conduct mapping of existing polio laboratory and surveillance systems, including

partners/national health actors, networks, data flows, and ongoing initiatives.

• Develop a concise assessment action plan, including methodology, tools, and timeline.

• Collaborate with STRIDES and key actors (e.g., CGPP, GPEI partners, Ministry of Health, U.S.

Embassy) to refine assessment scope and approach.

Task 2: Desk Review (Surveillance and Lab)

• Conduct a desk review of AFP and ES surveillance data to identify trends, gaps, and

underperforming geographic areas.

• Analyze key indicators including case detection rates, timeliness of investigation, specimen

adequacy, sample transport timeliness, ES sampling timeliness and enterovirus rates, and data

completeness.

• Support the identification of priority areas for field assessment based on data and stakeholder

consultation.

• Review available laboratory data and records on sample receipt, including:

o Stool adequacy and condition upon arrival.

o Timeliness of sample transport.

o Completeness and accuracy of accompanying documentation.

• Identify trends, bottlenecks, and inconsistencies affecting all components of laboratory

operations including sample quality and performance.

Task 3: Field-Based Assessment and Stakeholder Consultations

• Conduct field visits to selected high-priority, poor-performing areas.

• Undertake structured interviews with disease surveillance and polio lab actors, including

government health officials, implementing partners, health facility staff, and community

informants.

• Observe and assess surveillance processes in practice, including:

o AFP case detection, reporting, and investigation workflows

Consultant Solicitation 2

April 2026

o Specimen collection, handling, and reverse cold chain systems

o Ecological surveillance site functionality and sampling procedures

o ES sample collection, timing and handling

o Data recording, reporting tools, and information flow pathways

o Documentation, labeling, cold chain management, and chain-of-custody procedures

Task 4: Systems and Process Review

• Conduct rapid reviews of surveillance tools, monitoring logs, supervision records, and transport

workflows.

• Assess barriers across key domains, including:

o Systemic and policy-related constraints

o Operational and logistical challenges (e.g., transport, cold chain)

o Workforce capacity and performance issues

o Data management and reporting inefficiencies

• Evaluate systems and workflows for domestic and international sample transport, including:

o Reverse cold chain management (ice packs, cold boxes, temperature control)

o Transport routes, timelines, and coordination mechanisms

o Biosafety and biosecurity compliance

o Constraints related to logistics, infrastructure, or security

• Identify key risks affecting timeliness and integrity of samples.

Task 5: Analysis and Recommendations

• Synthesize findings to identify root causes of surveillance gaps

• Complete a SWOT analysis on expanding lab capabilities to include polio direct detection

• Develop prioritized, practical activities and tasks tailored to surveillance improvements in high-

risk areas

• Propose specific national surveillance strengthening interventions aligned with STRIDES scope

and role

• Validate preliminary findings and recommendations with STRIDES and key national health actors

Level of effort/ Deliverables

Tasks

Deliverable

Dates of

service

Estimated level of effort Deliverable

Level of effort in days payments

Inception Report and Defined methodology Due within 7

2 days

10%

Assessment Plan

and workplan,

days of

collection of tools,

contract

surveillance and lab

start

systems mapping, and

stakeholder

engagement plan

Consultant Solicitation 3

April 2026

Desk Review

Field-Based

Assessment and

Stakeholder

Consultations

And

Systems and Process

Review

Draft Rapid

Assessment Report

(Analysis and

Recommendations)

Final Assessment

Report and

Prioritized Action

Plan

Analysis of AFP and ES

performance data

Identification of

priority areas and key

gaps in lab and

surveillance

Complete 1 or 2 field

visits and multi-

stakeholder

interviews

Document

observations of

surveillance and lab

processes including

sample transport

Summary of field

findings, system gaps,

and preliminary

recommendations

Incorporating

stakeholder feedback

Includes actionable,

county-specific

recommendations

and analyses

Final report to be

completed in French

and English

Due within

15 days of

contract

start

Due within

21 days of

contract

start

Due within

35 days of

contract

start

Due within

45 days of

contract

start

Total:

7 days

12 days

15 days

8 days

44 days

15%

30%

100%

Period of Performance:

Early May 2026 to Mid- July 2026

Location of Work and travel requirement:

• Location: Niger

• Travel expectations vary based on the candidate’s location.

o Candidates based in Niger should anticipate approximately 20–30% in-country travel,

including travel to one or two polio high-risk areas based on initial findings and in

consultation with STRIDES HQ.

o Candidates based outside Niger, i.e., regionally- or internationally-based (should not

have travel restrictions to Niger) are expected to undertake international travel to Niger

as required;

Consultant Solicitation 4

April 2026

Level of Effort and Reporting

The consultant will work under the technical supervision of the STRIDES Polio Technical Team. Regular

check-ins will be conducted to ensure alignment with STRIDES objectives and stakeholder expectations.

The consultant is responsible for delivering all outputs within the agreed 45-day period under a firm fixed

price arrangement.

Eligibility Requirements

The consultant must meet the following minimum eligibility requirements:

• Demonstrated legal authorization and ability to work in Niger, including the ability to travel to

field locations with appropriate security awareness and compliance with local regulations.

• Availability to complete the full scope of work within the 45-day period of performance.

• Ability to operate effectively in complex, humanitarian, and resource-constrained settings.

• Proven ability to engage and coordinate with multiple actors, including Ministry of Health

officials, implementing partners, and international organizations (e.g., GPEI partners).

• Strong written and verbal communication skills in French and English, with the ability to produce

high-quality technical reports.

• No conflicts of interest which would impair the consultant’s objectivity in conducting an

independent surveillance system assessment.

Experience

• Minimum of 6 years of progressively responsible experience in polio eradication, public health

surveillance, epidemiology, or a closely related global health field.

• Demonstrated experience supporting AFP surveillance, ecological surveillance, polio laboratory

systems, or integrated disease surveillance systems, preferably aligned with GPEI standards.

• Proven track record conducting assessments, evaluations, or surveillance system reviews,

including field-based data collection, lab system reviews and stakeholder interviews.

• Experience working in fragile, conflict-affected, or humanitarian settings, preferably in Niger

and/or sub-Saharan Africa.

• Familiarity with surveillance data systems, GPEI and Global Polio Lab Network protocols and

global standards, reporting pathways, and sample collection and transport processes, including

reverse cold chain considerations.

Education

• Advanced degree (Master’s or higher) in Public Health, Epidemiology, Global Health, Medicine,

or a related field is required

Preferred Qualifications:

• Prior experience working with or alongside GPEI partners, Ministries of Health, or U.S.

Government-funded programs.

• Strong analytical skills with the ability to translate findings into practical, actionable

recommendations.

Consultant Solicitation 5

April 2026

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

Polio Surveillance and Lab Assessment Consultant

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