Surveillance Systems Assessment Consultant

Location:	District of Columbia
Posted:	Apr 10, 2026
Due:	Apr 21, 2026
Agency:	FHI 360
Type of Government:	State & Local
Category:	63 - Alarm, Signal, and Detection Systems
Solicitation No:	FY26-103433-STRIDES-South Sudan-Consultant-RFP-004_Consultant_02
Publication URL:	To access bid details, please log in.

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Request for Consultant Services Proposal (RFP)

Solicitation Title:

STRIDES South Sudan Surveillance System

Assessment Consultant

Solicitation Number:

FY26-103433-STRIDES-South Sudan-Consultant-RFP-

001

Submit Proposal and Questions to:

STRIDESProcurement@fhi360.org

Date of Issue of RFP:

Friday, 10 April 2026

Date Questions Due:

Monday, 13 April 2026, by 5:00PM EST

Date FHI 360 Responds to Questions: Wednesday, 15 April 2026

Date Proposal Due:

Tuesday, 21 April 2026, by 11:59PM EST

Approximate Date Consultant Contract

Issued to Successful Candidate(s):

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 critical to global

health security 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

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

standards.

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 assessment is required to identify

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

counties. This assessment will directly support STRIDES’ objective to strengthen surveillance

systems and improve early detection of poliovirus transmission.

Objective & Purpose of Consultancy:

The STRengthening Infectious Disease DEtection Systems (STRIDES) Activity is seeking a

Surveillance Systems Assessment consultant to conduct a rapid, multi-partner assessment of AFP

and environmental surveillance systems to identify operational, systemic, and performance gaps

and develop prioritized, actionable recommendations for surveillance strengthening in high-risk,

underperforming counties. The consultant will work closely with the STRIDES project leadership

and technical teams, Government of South Sudan counterparts, and technical partners to ensure

alignment with agreed upon surveillance activities.

The purpose of this assignment is to provide high-level technical advice and strategic direction to

FHI 360 STRIDES on the integration of polio eradication and surveillance best practices into

broader infectious-disease detection and response systems.

Consultant Solicitation

April 2026

Scope of Work:

The consultant will work under the direction of STRIDES HQ and South Sudan leadership to support

the following surveillance systems assessment activities:

Task 1: Inception and Planning

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

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

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

• Collaborate with STRIDES and key stakeholders (e.g., CGPP, GPEI partners, Ministry of

Health, U.S. Embassy) to refine assessment scope and approach.

Task 2: Surveillance Data Desk Review

• 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, ES sampling consistency, and data completeness.

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

stakeholder consultation.

Task 3: Field-Based Assessment and Stakeholder Consultations

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

• Undertake structured interviews with surveillance stakeholders, 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

o Specimen collection, handling, and reverse cold chain systems

o Environmental surveillance site functionality and sampling procedures

o Data recording, reporting tools, and information flow pathways

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

Task 5: Analysis and Recommendations

• Synthesize findings to identify root causes of surveillance gaps.

• Develop prioritized, practical recommendations tailored to high-risk counties.

• Propose targeted surveillance strengthening interventions aligned with STRIDES scope and

partner roles.

• Validate preliminary findings and recommendations with STRIDES and key stakeholders.

Consultant Solicitation

April 2026

Milestones

Deliverable

Inception Report

and Assessment

Plan

Methodology, tools,

workplan, and

stakeholder engagement

plan

Surveillance Data Analysis of AFP and ES

Desk Review

performance data

Summary

Identification of priority

counties and key gaps

Dates of

service

Estimated level

of effort Level of

effort in days

Due within

7 days of

contract

start

2 days

Due within

15 days of

contract

start

10 days

Deliverable

payments

10%

30%

Draft Rapid

Summary of field findings, Due within 20 days

30%

Assessment

system gaps, and

35 days of

Report

preliminary

contract

recommendations

start

Final Assessment Incorporating stakeholder Due within 10 days

30%

Report and

feedback

45 days of

Prioritized Action

contract

Plan

start

Includes actionable,

county-specific

surveillance strengthening

recommendations

Total Estimated

LoE

Period of Performance:

Early May 2026 to Late June/July 2026

Location and Travel Requirements:

• Location: South Sudan, in and outside of Juba

42 Days

Consultant Solicitation

April 2026

Qualifications:

The consultant must meet the following minimum eligibility requirements:

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

Health, Medicine, or a related field is required

• Years of experience: Minimum of 6 years of progressively responsible experience in polio

eradication, public health surveillance, epidemiology, or a closely related global health

field.

• Language: Strong written and verbal communication skills in English, with the ability to

produce high-quality technical reports.

• Specific experience in:

1. Demonstrated experience supporting AFP surveillance, environmental surveillance,

or integrated disease surveillance systems, preferably aligned with Global Polio

Eradication Initiative (GPEI) standards.

2. Proven track record conducting assessments, evaluations, or surveillance system

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

3. Experience working in fragile, conflict-affected, or humanitarian settings, preferably

in sub-Saharan Africa and/or South Sudan.

4. Familiarity with surveillance data systems, reporting pathways, and sample

collection and transport processes, including reverse cold chain considerations

• Preferred qualifications:

1. Prior experience working with or alongside GPEI partners, Ministries of Health, or

U.S. Government-funded programs.

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

recommendations.

3. Experience applying surveillance standards in low-resource settings similar to

South Sudan, where health system constraints and surveillance gaps are well

documented

Evaluation Criteria:

Proposals will be evaluated in accordance with the following criteria:

• Award will be based upon best value (a combination of qualifications and proposed daily

rate).

• Payment will be based upon Level of Effort (LOE) with reimbursement for approved related

budgeted expenses.

Applicants are also welcome to submit their CV into FHI 360’s global consultant database for

future consideration outside of this RFP: Consult@FHI360

Required documentation:

• Completed USAID1420 Biodata Form

• CV with country experience listed and updated to no less than 3 months prior to

submission of proposal

• Cover letter (letter shall summarize the consultant’s qualifications and explain why they

should be added to the pool as well as rate of pay).

• Written response addressing the needs listed in the SOW.

• Estimated budget, in Excel format, to complete the work as indicated in this RFP.

Consultant Solicitation

April 2026

FHI 360 Disclaimers

• FHI 360 may perform a background check on any selected Consultant candidates.

• FHI 360 may cancel the solicitation and not award

• FHI 360 may reject any or all responses received

• Issuance of the solicitation does not constitute an award commitment by FHI 360

• FHI 360 reserves the right to disqualify any offer based on failure of the offeror to follow

solicitation instructions

• FHI 360 will not compensate any offeror for responding to solicitation

• FHI 360 reserves the right to issue award based on initial evaluation of offers 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’s consultant terms and conditions can be found here.

Consultant Solicitation

April 2026

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

Surveillance Systems Assessment Consultant

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See also