Uganda Health Marketing Group (UHMG)
Request for Applications to Implement AFFORD II Project Supported Interventions
1) HIV Prevention and Care Services
A. Background
Uganda Health Marketing Group (UHMG) is an indigenous-owned and run organization registered as a Non-Governmental Organization operating nationwide and the implementer of AFFORD II project. UHMG works with the private health sector to increase access and utilization of health services and products for HIV/AIDS, malaria prevention and control; family planning, maternal and child health (MCH) awareness and promotion.
In the area of HIV, UHMG has been working through the private sector to implement innovative interventions which include:
- HIV testing and counselling
- HIV behavioural prevention targeting the general population and specific population groups – the Most at Risk Populations (MARPs)
- Care and positive prevention for people living with HIV/AIDS (PHAs)
- Innovative behavioural change communication campaigns targeted to promote: safe sex,
partner reduction, responsible drinking, and addressing structural barriers that increase vulnerability to HIV infection such as socio-economic, cultural issues including gender stereotypes and gender based violence.
B. Proposal Solicitation
Uganda Health Marketing Group is seeking proposals from indigenous civil society organisations and the private sector currently working in the area of HIV to implement innovative interventions in HIV prevention and care services. CSOs are expected to work closely with the UHMG supported Good Life Clinics in implementation of activities. Successful applicants will be awarded sub-grants for a period of eleven months (from November 2011 to September 2011.
The main objective of the sub grant is to provide community interventions to reduce HIV infection among targeted populations and increase access to quality care services including positive prevention. Sub grants should at a minimum include HIV prevention interventions for one of the following target groups:
1) Young un-married people out of school;
2) People in long term/stable relations (married couples including discordant couples);
3) Commercial sex workers;
4) Truckers; and
5) Fisher folk.
HIV/AIDS interventions under this RFA target the following areas:
1) HIV prevention and care services among fisher folk and commercial sex workers for Kalangala districts and adjacent landing sites in Masaka, Mpigi and Wakiso Districts. One organisation will be supported.
2) HIV prevention and care services among Truckers and CSW in west Nile region; Migyera to karuma Highway hot spots; Kasese, Mpondwe and Hima hot spots. Three organisations will be chosen.
3) HIV prevention and care services among young people out of school for West Nile region; Oyam, Nwoya and Amuru districts. Two organizations will be selected – one for each region.
4) HIV prevention and care services among married couples in Wakiso, Lira, Kabale and Kanungu, Soroti and Serere districts. Two CSOs will be selected.
5) HIV prevention and care services working with Boda Boda operator as a target group, their clients and surrounding communities. Five organisations will be selected for each of the districts in west Nile, Jinja and Mbale districts.
6) Support to post test clubs and district PHA forum to provide HIV care, positive prevention through linkages and referrals of clients to private and public sector service providers. 5 organisations will be selected. PHA district forums and post-test clubs are encouraged to apply. Focus districts are Koboko, Kanungu, Lira and Bukomansimbi.
C. Applications should demonstrate:
1) A clear implementation plan with innovative interventions, and sustainability plan, and how the project with link with other existing HIV prevention and care initiatives
2) Indicating how the beneficiaries will be identified and the mode of delivering services to the target beneficiaries;
3) A monitoring component to ensure efficient mechanisms to increase access and utilization/adoption of behaviours which reduce vulnerability to HIV infection;
4) A clear outline of monitoring and evaluation plan (including data collection during activities, storage, processing, dissemination and utilization) of activities with emphasis on ensuring good quality of the prevention interventions for reasonable numbers of individuals. Reporting is expected on a monthly basis given the nature of the contract;
5) Applicants are also expected to show how they will incorporate new emerging HIV prevention interventions such as sexual gender based violence, and creating demand for medical male circumcision in all the intervention areas;
6) A clear strategy to reach vulnerable groups and MARPs with maximum benefits;
7) A financial section indicating: a detailed project budget with explanatory notes and the quarterly disbursement plan; and
8) Proposals which meet these requirements will be transparently reviewed by a selection committee using the above criteria.
9) Funding: The proposal budgeting should be realistic and demonstrate the highest level of cost effectiveness and efficiency in use of budgeted resources. Budget is activity based, and ceilings will be based on project scope.
D. Essential requirements:
This call for applications is requesting responses from indigenous organizations to deliver HIV interventions in the areas identified in section B. Organisations that apply to implement the sub-grants shall be required to demonstrate that they:
1) Are fully registered under the laws of Uganda, and operating in one of the UHMG priority districts
2) Are registered with the NGO board or district authority
3) Have basic leadership and governance structures and effective financial management systems;
4) Have at least 3 years experience of implementing community based HIV prevention interventions among the these specific target population and
5) Be recommended by at least two references. One of them should be the district health office
E. Submission of proposals:
The Applications must be prepared in MS Word and typed in Times New Roman 12 font size. Budgets must be prepared in MS Excel
Submission procedure: Completed applications must be submitted in three hard copies (one original and two copies) together with a readable soft copy on a CD or USB flash drive in a sealed envelope by registered mail, private courier service, or hand-delivery to UHMG Kampala office P.O. Box 4553, Plot 20-21, 27-28 Martyrs’ Crescent Ntinda, Kampala-Uganda. Tel: 0312 244700. An acknowledgment receipt will be issued to applicant. Late applications will not be accepted.
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS: 4:00 pm November 10th 2011
F. Proposal Evaluation
Only proposals that meet the initial eligibility criteria shall be evaluated indicated in the RFA. CSOs shall be selected on a competitive and transparent basis in line with UHMG’s policies for procurement of services. Selection will be based on technical capacity and innovativeness to achieve deliverables at a reasonable and acceptable cost using ethically and morally acceptable strategies.
Oral and written discussion may be carried out between UHMG and the Applicants where needed regarding cost, technical, and contractual terms and conditions. The final decision will be made by the evaluation committee.
Applications will be evaluated by an evaluation committee on the basis of the criteria outlined below.
1) Technical design (50 points):
a) Application demonstrates understanding of the target population and their HIV prevention and care needs and challenges, and the underlying behavioural, structural and biomedical needs and challenges
b) Application states clear objectives and describes clear, convincing strategies for reaching each of the stated objectives. In particular, Application explains why the proposed strategies will lead to results
c) Application describes the nature of strategic partnerships with the public sector and other private service providers to maximize opportunities and enhance utilization of services.
2) Implementation Plan (10 points):
Application shows a clear and logical activity plan, with realistic time line, connected to expected outcomes and results. The implementation plan shows synergies and collaboration with the district health authorities.
3) Sustainability Plan (10 points):
The sustainability plan is clear and creative, convincing and realistic, and draws on innovative ways to engage public and private partners as well as communities. Sustainability plan demonstrates how the results and achievement attained will continue after the end of the contract.
4) Monitoring &Evaluation (M&E) Plan (15 points):
a) Application has a clear and logical M&E plan including an indicator table with quarterly targets.
b) M&E plan has a clear rationale for the proposed targets.
c) M&E plan includes the use of HMIS and monthly and complete reporting through HMIS to the district health authorities.
5) Management Plan (15 points):
The management plan includes a clear description of how the activities will be implemented, what human, financial and other resource management structure and approach will be used and why, and which staff is proposed for implementation. The proposed staffs are well qualified to do the identified jobs.
Contact:
For more information regarding the RFA contact Dr. Julian Atim or Wilberforce Musolo on 0312 244700 or Email: jatim@uhmg.org; wmusolo@uhmg.org
2) Maternal and Child Health Services
A. Background
Uganda Health Marketing Group (UHMG) is an indigenous-owned and run organization registered as a Non-Governmental Organization operating nationwide and the implementer of AFFORD II project. UHMG works with the private health sector to increase access and utilization of health services and products for HIV/AIDS, malaria prevention and control; family planning, maternal and child health (MCH) awareness and promotion.
Maternal & Child Health Interventions: UHMG MCH intervention areas include:
- Maternal services; Antenatal care (guide community members to access ANC services, deliver from health facilities and attend postnatal clinics).
- Child health services; Infant and young child nutrition, assessment and management of malnutrition, management of malaria and diarrhoea prevention/management in under fives following the new ACT and ORT policy guidelines as well demand creation for immunisation services and other preventive services.
- Family planning services; demand creation for modern family planning services amongst women and men of reproductive age as well as supply chain management of family planning commodities.
Targeted behaviours include: For maternal health services support appropriate and timely health seeking behaviour for ANC services by pregnant women from qualified health personnel, delivering from health facilities and attending post natal clinics. With regard to child Health, targeted behaviours include; Caretakers understanding and practicing proper infant and young child feeding, immunisation, and diarrhoea prevention through safe drinking water, proper hygiene and sanitation, undertaking malaria prevention through use of LLINs. Early recognition of acute fevers, respiratory infections and diarrhoea as well as timely referral to health facility for management is another area of focus for provision of services for integrated management of childhood illness. Family planning services supported targeted behaviours include; awareness about family planning methods for informed choices and increased uptake of modern family planning services.
B. Proposal Solicitation
Uganda Health Marketing Group is seeking for proposals from indigenous civil society organisations and the private sector currently working in the area of health to implement innovative interventions in the area of MCH services. CSOs will be expected to work closely with the UHMG supported Good Life Clinics in implementation of activities. Successful applicants will be awarded sub-grants for a period of nine months (from November 2011 to September 2012).
Maternal & Child Health Services: Selected organisations will implement innovative community interventions geared towards reducing maternal and childhood mortality and morbidity in the communities. Community and facility based services provision will be enhanced through linkages and referrals. Services integration for Malaria, HIV prevention - particularly PMTCT, control and treatment will underpin MCH intervention services.
The specific objectives of the interventions will be to;
- Promote household prevention practices geared at reducing preventable maternal and childhood illnesses.
- Improve the household and community response to maternal and childhood illness through increased utilization of health promotion services at the community level.
- Improve appropriate and timely health care seeking behavior when mothers and children need additional assistance from health facilities.
- Increase compliance to recommended treatment and advice from trained health care providers.
- Create demand for modern family planning services amongst women and men of reproductive age.
- CSOs/NGOs/Health facilities will be expected to implement MCH community interventions with the following target groups: Women and men of reproductive age and caretakers of children five years and below.
1) Women and men of reproductive age
2) Pregnant women/women who have delivered
3) Caretakers of children five years and below.
The call for MCH proposals focus districts are; Mukono, Mbale, Soroti, Lira, Arua, Apac, Maracha. Organisations that apply to implement the sub-grants shall be required to demonstrate:
1) A clear implementation plan with innovative interventions, and sustainability plan, and how the project with link with other existing MCH initiatives. Demonstration of how the project will work with community structures is key.
2) Indicating how the beneficiaries will be identified and the mode of delivering services to the target beneficiaries.
3) A monitoring component to ensure efficient mechanisms to increase access and utilization/adoption of behaviours aimed at improving maternal and child health.
4) A clear outline of monitoring and evaluation plan (including data collection during activities, storage, processing, dissemination and utilization) of activities with emphasis on ensuring good quality of the interventions for reasonable numbers of individuals. Reporting is expected on a monthly basis given the nature of the contract;
5) Applicants are also expected to show how they will incorporate new emerging MCH interventions such as creating demand for Family planning services for HIV positives.
6) A financial section indicating: a detailed project budget with explanatory notes and the quarterly disbursement plan; and
7) Proposals which meet these requirements will be transparently reviewed by a selection committee using the above criteria.
8) Funding: The proposal budgeting should be realistic and demonstrate the highest level of cost effectiveness and efficiency in use of budgeted resources. Budget is activity based, and ceilings will be based of project scope.
D. Essential requirements:
This call for proposals is requesting responses from indigenous organizations to deliver HIV prevention services in any of the UHMG priority districts[1]. Organisations that apply to implement the sub-grants shall be required to demonstrate that they:
1) Are fully registered under the laws of Uganda, and operating in one of the UHMG priority districts
2) Are registered with the NGO board or statutory authority
3) Have basic leadership and governance structures and effective financial management systems;
4) Have at least 3 years experience of implementing community based HIV prevention interventions among the these specific target population and
5) Be recommended by at least two references. One of them should be the district health office.
E. Submission of proposals:
The proposal must be not more than 15 pages (excluding attachments e.g. Indicator tables, implementation plan, budget and budget notes etc.) and must be typed in Times New Roman 12 font size.
Proposals must be submitted in three hard copies (one original and two copies) together with a readable soft copy on a CD or USB flash drive in a sealed envelope by registered mail, private courier service, or hand-delivery at the UHMG Kampala office as mentioned below. An acknowledgment of receipt will be available to each bidder. Late proposals will not be accepted.
Submission procedure: Completed applications can be submitted as a hard copy at UHMG HQ reception together with a soft copy (Budget should be compiled in excel), P.O. Box 4553, Plot 20-21, 27-28 Martyrs’ Crescent Ntinda, Kampala-Uganda. Tel: 0312 244700.
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS: 4:00 pm November 10th 2011
F. Proposal Evaluation
Only proposals that meet the initial eligibility criteria shall be evaluated indicated in the RFP. CSOs shall be selected on a competitive and transparent basis in line with UHMG’s policies for procurement of services. Selection will be based on technical capacity and innovativeness to reach the deliverables at a reasonable and acceptable cost using ethically and morally acceptable strategies.
Oral and written discussion may be carried out between UHMG and the bidders where needed regarding cost, technical, and contractual terms and conditions. The final decision will be made by the evaluation committee.
The proposal will be evaluated by an evaluation committee on the basis of the criteria outlined below.
1) Technical design (50 points):
a) Proposal demonstrates understanding of the target population and their HIV prevention and care needs and challenges, and the underlying behavioural, structural and biomedical needs and challenges
b) Proposal states clear objectives and describes clear, convincing strategies for reaching each of the stated objectives. In particular, proposal explains why the proposed strategies will lead to results
c) Proposal describes the nature of strategic partnerships with the public sector and other private service providers to maximize opportunities and enhance utilization of services.
2) Implementation Plan (10 points):
Proposal shows a clear and logical activity plan, with realistic time line, connected to expected outcomes and results. The implementation plan shows synergies and collaboration with the district health authorities.
3) Sustainability Plan (10 points):
The sustainability plan is clear and creative, convincing and realistic, and draws on innovative ways to engage public and private partners as well as communities. Sustainability plan demonstrates how the results and achievement attained will continue after the end of the contract.
4) Monitoring &Evaluation (M&E) Plan (15 points):
a) Proposal has a clear and logical M&E plan including an indicator table with quarterly targets.
b) M&E plan has a clear rationale for the proposed targets.
c) M&E plan includes the use of HMIS and monthly and complete reporting through HMIS to the district health authorities.
5) Management Plan (15 points):
The management plan includes a clear description of how the activities will be implemented, what human, financial and other resource management structure and approach will be used and why, and which staff is proposed for implementation. The proposed staffs are well qualified to do the identified jobs.
Contact:
For more information regarding the RFA contact William Nyombi on 0312 244700 or Email: wnyombi@uhmg.org
UHMG priority districts: Apac, Arua, Bushenyi, Gulu, Ibanda, Isingiro, Jinja, Kabale, Kabarole, Kaberamaido, Kalangala, Kampala, Kanungu, Kasese, Katakwi, Kiruhura, Koboko, Kumi, Kyenjojo, Lira, Maracha-Terego, Masaka, Mbale, Mbarara, Mityana, Mukono, Nebbi, Ngora, Oyam, Serere, Sironko, Soroti, Tororo, Wakiso
