Inactive

Introduction The purpose of this Request for Information (RFI) is to conduct market research to gauge the interest and capabilities of industry from qualified local, regional and international organiz... Introduction The purpose of this Request for Information (RFI) is to conduct market research to gauge the interest and capabilities of industry from qualified local, regional and international organizations that are interested in working in condom programming in Eswatini to provide information on their work and capacity to support the Eswatini Ministry of Health’s National Condom Program, as described below. This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes. This does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) nor does it obligate the U.S. Government (USG) to issue an RFP in the future. This RFI does not commit USAID to fund any supply or service whatsoever. Further, USAID is not seeking proposals through this RFI. In accordance with FAR 15.201(e), responses to this RFI are not offers and cannot be accepted by USAID to form a binding contract. If a funding opportunity is released in the form of a RFP, it may be synopsized in, but not limited to, beta.SAM.gov (under Contract Opportunities); local Eswatini and/or South African newspapers and USAID/Southern Africa social media or website. It is the potential responder’s responsibility to monitor the above forums for the release of any further information. Responses to this RFI are strictly voluntary and respondents are advised that USAID will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred as a result of an organization’s response to this RFI. All costs associated with responding to this RFI will be solely at the interested party’s expense. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future RFP, if any is issued. It should also be noted that responding to or providing comments in response to this RFI will not give any advantage to any organization in any subsequent procurement action. The Kingdom of Eswatini Government Condom Program Overview The goal of the Eswatini Condom Program in the next five years (as articulated in the National Condom Strategy 2018 to 2022[1]) is to improve access to quality and affordable male and female condoms for all sexually active individuals to contribute to the prevention of HIV, other Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), and of unintended pregnancies. The National Condom Program is led by the Kingdom of Eswatini Ministry of Health (MOH) under the Sexual and Reproductive Health Unit (SRHU). It is part of the Family Planning Program and is supported by a technical working group comprising of other government departments, civil society organizations, private sector and development partners which support the condom program with planning, coordination, quantification, implementation, monitoring and evaluation. Currently, 90 percent of public sector condoms are procured with funding provided by the USG through its President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) program, and the remainder by the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF). PEPFAR-procured condoms are distributed by the Central Medical Stores (CMS) and a USG-funded effort implemented by Population Service International (PSI). CMS distributes to health facilities, and some civil society partners, which distribute them to target populations. PSI distributes condoms to retail outlets, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and other partners. The MOH’s vision is to assume responsibility for procurement of public sector condoms, and to centralize all condom storage in the national-level CMS. Condom promotion is currently unstructured and largely driven by partners. The two structured and consistent approaches to condom promotion are provided through health facilities in consultation rooms mainly as part of family planning and through the category branding for young people. The United States Agency for International Development (USAID)/Southern Africa supporting PEPFAR in Eswatini intends to consolidate its support for condom promotion resources to coordinate and target promotion of condom-use. In order to facilitate widespread use and access, free government-supported condoms make up 90 percent of the market share, with the remaining 10 percent supplied by the commercial sector. To ensure sustainability of condom distribution and access in Eswatini, there is a need to increase the commercial sector market share for those willing to buy condoms and target the free condoms to those unable to afford them. USAID’s support to the Eswatini National Condom Program USAID/Southern Africa (USAID/SA) will continue its support for Eswatini’s National Condom Strategy and is committed to continue the shift towards a more sustainable, equitable, and market-based approach that will improve access to male and female condoms and lubricants. USAID/SA support will aim to improve coordination, increase commodity security, increase demand and access, and improve correct and consistent utilization of condoms, with a particular focus on youth and males. USAID/SA will continue to work closely with the Eswatini Government and civil society on forecasting and distribution and promotion strategies. USG PEPFAR future support to Eswatini Government’s Condom Program is envisioned to include the following activities: Continued procurement of condoms for the public sector. Support for forecasting and quantification for condom procurements. Support for the full integration of public sector condoms into the Central Medical Stores. Strengthen the Government of Eswatini MOH stewardship for the National Condom Program Support a market development approach to optimize the targeted provision of free condoms and lubricants, and encourage private and commercial sectors to expand marketing and distributing condoms and lubricants as well as developing innovative solutions to increasing condom use; Establish a sustainable distribution and tracking system for the free condoms; and Develop an attractive condom promotion and demand creation strategy through on-going understanding of current condom use, perceived availability, and preference among consumers. USAID’s Envisioned Future Activities Building on the previous PEPFAR work highlighted above, this RFI seeks to gather information from local, regional and international organizations with interest in and capacity to provide support in the following areas: Strengthen the MOH stewardship, leadership, management and coordination of the condom program including data collection, analysis and utilization; Support the national condom distribution system for public sector (free) condoms from national to non-health facility sub regional levels and outlets Support promotion for targeted free condoms including category branding, using evidence Facilitate market access for commercial and private condom sector Requested information The objective of the RFI is to obtain information on potential local, regional and international organizations that are interested and have the capability to support USAID/Southern Africa’s contribution to the Kingdom of Eswatini Government’s Condom Program by facilitating access and demand for public sector (free distribution) condoms and facilitate market access for the commercial condom sector. Interested organizations should submit a Corporate Capability Statement that addresses the below-listed core competencies and experience (as relates to USAID’s Envisioned Future Activities listed above); corporate/company data; facilities or office locations; and contact information. Under the Corporate Capability Statement, interested organizations should briefly describe their qualifications, skills and capacity to assemble an adequate team to address the areas below: Experience in promotion and distribution of condoms and/or other related commodities or products including experience working with host governments to develop or improve distribution systems; Types of commodities and products distributed; Annual volume of commodities or products distributed; Description of distribution at national and sub-national to the last mile; and Capacity of the institution to distribute at national and sub-national level. Please do not submit a proposal or resumes as they will be discarded. Responses will be held confidential. Proprietary information should not be sent. Organizations will receive an electronic confirmation acknowledging receipt of your response. USAID will not provide responses to any questions or comments submitted in response to this request. USAID reserves the right to retain and utilize the submitted information for its planning purposes. Information provided in response to this RFI must not exceed five pages. It must be submitted in writing in Microsoft Word or Adobe Portable Document Format (pdf), using 12-point size font, and sent electronically to jramanitrera@usaid.gov with a copy to asathekge@usaid.gov, no later than 8:00 a.m., Pretoria time on February 18, 2020. Please reference the e-mail with the subject title “Response to the RFI-674-20-00002 for USAID/Southern Africa Support to the Kingdom of Eswatini Government Condom Program led by the Ministry of Health”. Telephone calls, postal mail and hand-carried documents will not be accepted. Thank you for your interest in USAID/Southern Africa programs. [1] https://www.infocenter.nercha.org.sz/sites/default/files/THE%20NATIONAL%20CONDOM%20STRATEGY%202018-2022%20-%2022%20January%202018.pdf