Rapid Laboratory sample quality and transport systems consultant
| Location: | District of Columbia |
|---|---|
| Posted: | Apr 10, 2026 |
| Due: | Apr 21, 2026 |
| Agency: | FHI 360 |
| Type of Government: | State & Local |
| Category: |
|
| Solicitation No: | FY26-103433-STRIDES-SOUTH-SUDAN-Consultant-RFP-005_Consultant_02 |
| Publication URL: | To access bid details, please log in. |
Rapid Laboratory sample quality and transport systems consultant
RFP No.: FY26-103433-STRIDES-SOUTH-SUDAN-Consultant-RFP-005_Consultant_02
Issue date: 8 Apr, 2026
Closing date: 21 Apr, 2026
Solicitation file(s):
FY26-103433-STRIDES-SOUTH-SUDAN-Consultant-RFP-002.pdf
(260 KB)
Attachment Preview
Request for Consultant Services Proposal (RFP)
Solicitation Title:
Solicitation Number:
Submit Questions and Proposal to:
Date of Issue of RFP:
Date Questions from Supplier Due:
Date Answers due from FHI 360:
Date Proposal Due:
Approximate Timeframe Consultant
Agreement Issued to Successful
Candidate(s):
STRIDES SOUTH SUDAN: Rapid Laboratory
sample quality and transport systems
consultant
FY26-103433-STRIDES-SOUTH-SUDAN-
Consultant-RFP-002
STRIDESProcurement@fhi360.org
Thursday, 9 April 2026
Monday, 13 April 2026, by 5:00PM EST
Wednesday, 15 April 2026
Tuesday, 21 April 2026, by 11:59PM EST
Early 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: Estimated Early May – Late June/July 2026
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 essential for global health security (GHS) and polio eradication. For GHS,
STRIDES prioritizes strengthening detection capacity and laboratory systems for priority
pathogens, including zoonotic diseases at national and subnational levels across human and
animal health laboratories, while expanding access to quality laboratory services for
diseases of public health importance. A critical component of polio surveillance is ensuring
that stool and environmental samples are collected, handled, transported, and received at
Consultation Solicitation
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April 2026
designated laboratories in accordance with Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI)
protocols.
In many settings, including fragile and resource-constrained contexts such as South Sudan,
challenges persist in laboratory diagnostic capability, quality management system,
maintaining sample integrity, adhering to biosafety and biosecurity standards, and ensuring
timely transport through an effective reverse cold chain. These challenges can compromise
sample adequacy, delay laboratory confirmation, and weaken early detection of poliovirus
transmission. STRIDES will therefore conduct a rapid mapping, desk-based assessment to
identify operational gaps in laboratory operations including diagnostic functionality, quality
management system (i.e. organization and management, staff capacity, equipment, supply
chain system, laboratory information management system), sample management, quality
and referral pathways, biosafety and biosecurity practices, environmental surveillance (ES)
procedures, and transport systems to inform targeted improvements and capacity
strengthening.
Objective & Purpose of Consultancy
The STRengthening Infectious disease DEtection Systems (STRIDES) Activity is seeking
Rapid Laboratory sample quality and transport systems consultant to conduct mapping and
a rapid desk-based assessment of laboratory operations including diagnostic functionality,
quality management system, sample management, quality and referral pathways, biosafety
and biosecurity practices, environmental surveillance procedures, and reverse cold chain
and transport systems to identify operational gaps affecting the adequacy, timeliness, and
completeness of samples arriving at laboratories including the polio laboratory, in line with
GPEI and other global standards (such as ISO, CLSI and U.S. CDC).
Note:
• All aspects of the laboratory quality management system should be addressed i.e.
diagnostic functionality, organization and management, staff capacity, equipment,
facility, biosafety, biosecurity, sample management, supply chain system, laboratory
information management system.
• For GHS, STRIDES will implement activities in laboratories supported by non-
governmental organizations (NGOs), the private sector, faith-based organizations
(FBOs), and other USG-funded entities.
For Polio, samples are NOT processed by anyone except WHO certified labs for polio.
Scope of Work
The consultant will undertake the following tasks:
Task 1: Inception and Planning
• Conduct mapping of existing human and animal laboratory and surveillance systems,
including partners/stakeholders, networks, data flows, and ongoing initiatives
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related to GHS and GPEI.
• Review key and relevant documentation including GHS and GPEI laboratory and
surveillance protocols, national guidelines, prior assessments, and standard
operating procedures (SOPs) related to laboratory operations including diagnostic
functionality, quality management system, sample management (collection,
handling, and transport), and biosafety and biosecurity practices.
• Develop a concise assessment plan, including methodology, key indicators, and data
sources.
• Align with STRIDES and key partners/stakeholders on scope, priority areas, and
available data sources.
Task 2: Desk Review of Laboratory Operations, Quality Management System, Sample
Quality and Laboratory Reception Data
• For GHS, review available laboratory data and records on laboratory operations
including diagnostic functionality, quality management system, sample management
(collection, handling, and transport), and biosafety and biosecurity practices.
• For polio, 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: Review of Sample Collection, Handling, and Documentation Practices
• Assess current practices and protocols for:
o Sample collection and handling for high-priority pathogens, including those
of zoonotic origin.
o Acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) stool sample collection and handling.
o Environmental surveillance (ES) sample collection and consistency.
o Documentation, labeling, and chain-of-custody procedures.
• Identify gaps in adherence to global standards and GPEI protocols.
Task 4: Assessment of Reverse Cold Chain and Transport Systems
• Evaluate systems and workflows for domestic and international sample transport,
including:
o Reverse cold chain management (ice packs, cold boxes, temperature control).
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o Transport routes, timelines, and coordination mechanisms.
o Constraints related to logistics, infrastructure, or security.
• Identify key risks affecting timeliness and integrity of samples.
Task 5: Biosafety, Biosecurity and Environmental Surveillance (ES) Procedures
Review
• Review biosafety and biosecurity practices related to sample handling, packaging,
and transport.
• Assess compliance with biosafety and biosecurity standards in line with global and
polio laboratory requirements.
• Review ES site procedures, sampling techniques, and operational consistency.
Task 6: Analysis and Recommendations
• Synthesize findings to identify systemic, operational, and capacity-related gaps.
• Develop prioritized, actionable recommendations, including:
o Targeted refresher trainings (e.g., diagnostic, quality management system,
sample collection, cold chain, biosafety and biosecurity).
o Corrective actions to improve all components of laboratory operations
including sample quality and transport efficiency.
o Identification of counties or sites requiring enhanced diagnostic capacity,
quality management system, biosafety, biosecurity, or ES support.
• Validate findings and recommendations with STRIDES and key
partners/stakeholders.
Level of effort/ Deliverable
Milestones
Deliverable
Inception
Report and
Assessment
Plan
Methodology, tools,
workplan, and stakeholder
engagement plan
Dates of
service
Estimated
level of
effort Level
of effort in
days
Deliverable
payments
Due
within 7
days of
contract
start
2 days
10%
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Desk Review
Summary
Draft Rapid
Assessment
Report
Final
Assessment
Report and
Prioritized
Action Plan
Analysis of all components of
laboratory operations
including diagnostic capacity,
quality management system,
sample quality data and
transport performance
Identification of key trends
and preliminary gaps
Due
within 15
days of
contract
start
10 days
Consolidated findings across
all components of laboratory
operations including
diagnostic capacity, quality
management system, sample
quality, biosafety and
biosecurity, ES procedures,
and transport systems
Due
within 35
days of
contract
start
20 days
Preliminary
recommendations and
priority areas for
intervention
Incorporating stakeholder
feedback Includes training
priorities, corrective actions,
and geographic targeting
Due
within 45
days of
contract
start
10 days
30%
30%
30%
Total
Estimated LoE
42 Days
Period of Performance:
Early May 2026 to Late June/July 2026
Location of Work and travel requirement:
• South Sudan,
• Travel: Travel expectations vary based on the candidate’s location.
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This is the opportunity summary page. It provides an overview of this opportunity and a preview of the attached documentation.
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