SCOPE OF WORK: 3-MONTH SHORT-TERM DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO (DRC) VACCINES CONSULTANCY – FUNDING CONTINGENT
Congo
International – Consultancies /
Consultant (STTA, TOR, SOW, EOI) /
On-site
Results for Development (R4D) is a leading non-profit global development partner. We collaborate with change agents around the world — government officials, civil society leaders and social innovators — to create strong systems that support healthy, educated people. We help our partners move from knowing their goal to knowing how to reach it. We combine global expertise in health, education and nutrition with analytic rigor, practical support for decision-making and implementation and access to peer problem-solving networks. Together with our partners, we build self-sustaining systems that serve everyone and deliver lasting results. Then we share what we learn so others can achieve results for development, too.
We have a unique and vibrant culture at R4D. Diversity, equity and inclusion are at the heart of our work environment and help advance our mission. Diversity—of ideas, identities, perspectives and backgrounds—is vital to who we are and what we do. We seek people who embrace these values and will help reinforce them. Our work culture is collaborative, creative and entrepreneurial. We operate based on trust and respect. Teams across the organization frequently collaborate on programmatic work and support each other in continuously building a better R4D.
1. Overview
1.1 Results for Development Institute (R4D):
Results for Development (R4D) is a leading non-profit global development partner. We collaborate with change agents around the world — government officials, civil society leaders and social innovators — to create strong systems that support healthy, educated people. We help our partners move from knowing their goal to knowing how to reach it. We combine global expertise in health, education and nutrition with analytic rigor, practical support for decision-making and implementation and access to peer problem-solving networks. Together with our partners, we build self-sustaining systems that serve everyone and deliver lasting results. Then we share what we learn so others can achieve results for development, too. www.R4D.org
1.2 R4D Program Overview:
This consultancy will collaboratively lead the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in-country component of a three-month scoping study that R4D will carry out to understand the last-mile effects of recent US government (USG) funding cuts on immunization service delivery. See more about the funding contingent study below.
R4D’s funding-contingent assessment seeks to generate rapid, actionable insights on the impacts of recent USG (e.g., USAID, CDC, others) funding cuts on last-mile vaccine delivery in four countries. Specifically, the assessment will document how these funding reductions are affecting health system functionality at the sub-national level with a focus on the facility and district levels (and national-level insights for critical context), with an emphasis on:
- Vaccinators and other frontline healthcare workers
- Sub-national vaccine supply chain performance
- Vaccination session disruptions
- Management information systems (MIS) and data use
- Planning, coordination, and prioritization, and decision-making among national and subnational actors
Learning Questions: Potential learning questions for this assessment include:
- How are vaccinators and other frontline health workers affected by funding?
- What vaccine supply chain issues are emerging at the facility and district levels?
- How are fixed-site and outreach vaccination sessions being maintained or reduced, and which populations are at increased risk of being missed?
- What gaps have newly emerged in the collection and use of immunization data?
- How are district and national actors adjusting planning, budgeting, and coordination to respond to new financial constraints?
Note that this 3-month rapid assessment will focus on collecting qualitative insights across a range of service-delivery archetypes and is not meant to be a comprehensive study of service delivery. Data collection will naturally be constrained by time and budget limitations.
1.3 Contractor Activities and Deliverables
R4D is seeking a Contractor to co-lead the DRC in-country component of the rapid 3-month assessment described above, which is currently funding contingent. Working closely with the R4D technical team, the Contractor would be responsible for informing the design for the DRC activities, carrying out these activities (whether individually or as part of a team), sharing back data collected and synthesizing key results. The Contractor would be expected to conduct regular check-ins with R4D to confirm status of workplan implementation and troubleshoot any issues throughout the duration of the project
Month 1: Project Kickoff:
Revise and confirm project workplan
Orient National and Regional stakeholders in DRC to project goals and data collection plan; secure any necessary permissions for conducting rapid assessment
Advise R4D on region selection for DRC, focusing on 2- US government supported regions, ensuring appropriate data collection plans balance desired service delivery archetypes, feasibility, safety, etc.
Provide R4D feedback on R4D-drafted data collection tools and key informant interview templates for use across 3-4 countries, translate data collection tool to French or appropriate local language, and adapt tools for DRC context
Plan logistics and data collection for month 2, identifying districts and health facilities to be visited during 1-week trips to each focal region
Conduct regular check-ins with R4D to confirm status of workplan implementation and troubleshoot any issues throughout the duration of the project
Deliverables:
3-month assessment workplan
Meeting notes from stakeholder engagement meetings
Key Informant Interview guides / data tools for DRC data collection
Visitation plan for 2 regions
Expected Deliverable Completion Date:
June 30, 2025
Month 2: Data Collection
Supervise and/or conduct 2 1-week rapid assessment trips to 2 focal regions in DRC
Perform and/or supervise and record (only with consent) key informant interviews of district staff, health facility staff, and community health workers
Where the opportunity arises, collect anecdotal qualitative insights through informal communication channels such as WhatsApp
Share data and preliminary findings as data comes into R4D on a rolling basis
Begin to synthesize findings for each region
Conduct regular check-ins with R4D to confirm status of workplan implementation and troubleshoot any issues throughout the duration of the project
Deliverables:
Interview recordings and visitation notes, translated to English
Memo of preliminary findings for each of 2 regions in English
High level feedback / revisions on R4D’s draft country methodology plan, including map of primary and secondary data resources for data collection
Expected Deliverable Completion Date:
July 31, 2025
Final synthesis and report writing
Draft brief report to share findings for DRC, in English; share with R4D for one round of feedback
Finalize report
Provide DRC-specific input and feedback on R4D cross-country synthesis
Conduct any phone or in person follow-ups with interested government stakeholders
Deliverables:
Brief report (less than 10 pages) to share findings for DRC, in English
Expected Deliverable Completion Date:
August 30, 2025
1.4 Standards
The Contractor shall abide by all local and international standards. In particular, the Contractor shall act with the upmost professionalism, both when engaging with the R4D team and external stakeholders.
1.5 Administrative and Other Misc. Requirements
The Contractor will be expected to regularly meet with R4D Market Shaping Practice, and anticipate a minimum of 1-hour virtual check-ins on a weekly basis to discuss progress and troubleshoot any challenges.
1.6 Deliverable and Proposed Payment Schedule
Proposal should include a proposed deliverable-based payment schedule.
2. Offer Requirements
Responses should be concise and contain the following:
Profile and Capabilities:
1. Please provide background information about yourself and/or company and the services that you provide. (maximum 1 page)
Brief business history or company profile
Primary location (legal residency if individual)
Company or corporate name if applicable
Disclose anything that can be construed as a conflict of interest between R4D and the Offeror
2. Short narrative or other information about your specialized experience and capabilities as it relates to this RFP, including experience working with non-profit organizations. (maximum 1 page)
3. Project plan: detailed narrative summary articulating how you will complete the 3-month scope of work and ensure that deliverables are completed. Please note how you/your company will engage with key stakeholders(maximum 1 page)
4. Past performance:
a. Provide a brief summary or narrative description of 2-3 recent contract engagements relevant or similar to the requested work (maximum 1-2 paragraphs per engagement)
b. Provide a work sample you believe is indicative of the approach and technical requirements of this opportunity.
c. Provide at least 3 client references, including company, contact name, phone number, and email address for which you have provided services similar to those requested herein. R4D reserves the right to contact the references.
d. Indicate whether your business has been the subject of a lawsuit for services rendered. Provide general explanation of the case.
5. Proposed personnel:
a. List the team member(s) who will provide the requested services and provide a brief resume for each. If multiple, specify which will be the project lead.
b. Indicate if you will use sub-contractors for any of the work. It is not necessary to name sub-contractors but you may if you feel it will assist R4D in evaluating your offer.
Cost Proposal:
Please provide an estimated total cost to deliver the requested work, including estimates for travel to conduct 2 weeks of qualitative data collection in DRC. To assist with evaluating competing offers, respondents may detail their expected level of effort and fully loaded labor rates under each of the tasks to be performed. If using the labor rate method of price calculation the contractor must include all supplies, services, overheads and profit in the loaded labor rates. In discussion with the finalist, R4D will issue either a firm fixed price or labor hour contract.
3. Evaluation Process and Schedule
3.1 Schedule of Activities
Activity and Completion Date
Issue RFP before April 15, 2025
RFP Responses due April 29, 2025, but given priority review if submitted before April 22.
Evaluation of Responses (including interviewing shortlisted candidates) no later than May 15, 2025
Award Contract anticipated May 30, 2025
Contract Start-up/Implementation anticipated June 1, 2025
3.2 Evaluation Criteria
Demonstrated technical experience in conducting data collection within
Match of Services Proposed with R4D Requirements
Pricing/Cost of Services Proposed
Customer References
Alternative Approaches (as applicable)
Additional Capabilities (desired by not required): experience in the MNCH market and/or supply chain, existing relationships with key stakeholders in the MNCH sector. .
4. Communications Regarding this RFP
Offerors must submit an offer to this RFP no later than 12:00 midnight ET on April 29, 2025.
Offeror’s response to this RFP, in the whole, in part or by reference, may be incorporated into any resulting contractual agreement at the sole discretion of R4D to ensure that all representations made by the Offeror are legally binding.
5. General Information
5.1 Proprietary Information
All information contained in this RFP is proprietary. It is for the sole use of the Offeror in connection with bid response preparation and is not to be used by Offeror for any other purpose or revealed or disclosed in any manner to any other individuals and/or company without specific written permission from R4D.
5.2 Procurement Protocol
R4D reserves the right to make all decisions regarding this RFP, including the right to reject any and all proposals received in response to this RFP. Offeror understands that the issuance of this RFP does not create any obligation on the part of R4D to enter into any contract or to undertake any other obligation with respect to the requirements referred to herein.
5.3 Addendum
In the event that any modification to this RFP becomes necessary, Offeror will be notified via email.
5.4 Notification of Supplier Selection
Offerors will be notified via email of the results of the selection process.
5.5 RFP Response Preparation Cost
All costs incurred by Offeror in the preparation of its response to this RFP, and any oral presentations requested, shall be wholly absorbed by the Offeror.
5.6 Confidentiality/Proprietary Information
Materials submitted by Offeror in response to the RFP that are considered confidential/proprietary must be clearly marked as such at the time of submission.
5.7 Contract Terms and Conditions
Engagement with selected Offeror will be based on R4D’s standard terms and conditions. It shall constitute the written agreement between Offeror and R4D and shall not be binding until fully executed and delivered by both parties.
5.8 No Publicity
No publicity or news release pertaining to this RFP, responses to this RFP, or the award of any contract related to this bid document may be released without R4D’s prior written approval.
5.9 Accuracy of Information
This RFP and other bid documents furnished by R4D may include errors, omissions, or deficiencies and the accuracy and completeness of such documents is not guaranteed. In the event of such errors, omissions, or deficiencies are discovered by Offeror, it shall promptly notify R4D in writing. Corrected information will be provided to all Offerors.
5.10 Alternative Solutions
Offeror(s) who wish to submit an alternative proposal in addition to the requested FRP response are invited to do so. Alternative solutions must be clearly marked as such and state whether they are exclusive or inclusive of the requested FRP requirements.
5.11Third Party Services/Products
Offeror must clearly identify any third-party product(s) or service(s) that is a part of its RFP response.
5.12 Offeror’s Response
A clear and complete response must be provided for each element of the RFP. Any response which deviates from the stated requirements must be noted and underlined.
6. Minority and Women Owned and Small Business Enterprises
R4D has been and continues to be a strong advocate of diversifying its supplier base and increasing our volume of business with minority, women owned and small business enterprises. Indicate whether or not your company has a MWBE certification by an accredited certification body (i.e. National Minority Development Council, Small Business Administration, Women’s Business Enterprise National Council, etc.). If certified, provide name of certifying agency and date your current certification expires.
Results for Development is an EOE/M/F/Vet/Disabled/Affirmative Action Employer committed to fostering
and nurturing an energetic, collaborative and diverse workforce. R4D provides market-competitive salaries and comprehensive employee benefits.
