1.      Background and Introduction

FHl-360 managed, USAID Healthy Behaviors Activity, with its partners the Consortium of Action Aid Ethiopia; Zeleman Communications, Advertising, and Production; and Fraym, works to increase sustained adoption of appropriate health and nutrition behaviors in Ethiopia using evidence-based, theory-informed social and behavior change (SBC) strategies. Geographically, U-HB implementation covers Oromia, Amhara, SNNP, Dire Dawa, Benishangul Gumiz, and Gambella regions with more than 140 woredas. One of the thematic health areas is the Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA) Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) which is being implemented in 23 woredas of Amhara, Oromia, and South Ethiopia.

FHI 360 is pleased to announce the release of its Request for Applications. With this RFP, FHI 360 is soliciting applications from eligible research/survey firms for the conduct of the Baseline survey of the USAID-supported GHSA RCCE Activity. A selected firm will be contracted to conduct a baseline survey from selected study woredas of the 3 regions (Amhara, Oromia, and South Ethiopia regions. A total sample of 480 livestock-owning households will be surveyed. This sample will be drawn from the 3 regions (Amhara, Oromia, and South Ethiopia), covering intervention zones. In addition, a total of 51 KII and 16 FGDs will be facilitated from the randomly selected study zones and woredas.

2. Objectives

The baseline survey will be conducted with the following primary and secondary objectives:

Primary Objectives:  

• Establish baseline rates for performance indicators and inform annual targets (for behavior change objectives and priority determinants that may, when shifted, lead to behavior change goals)
• Understand the existing GHSA RCCE system to detect and respond to prioritized zoonotic and emerging diseases.
• Understand community and household practices and health-seeking behavior to prevent priority GHSA and other zoonotic and emerging diseases.
• Understand enabling and inhibiting factors that affect prioritized zoonotic disease prevention– to inform programming.
• Secondary Objectives:  Identify trusted channels of communication and identify current exposure to prioritized zoonotic and emerging diseases.

3. Methods

Data collection will be conducted with respondents who reside in the USAID Healthy Behaviors Activity/GHSA Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) focal regions: Amhara, Oromia, and South Ethiopia. The baseline survey will employ mixed methods -both quantitative and qualitative approaches. The proposed methodology for data collection is secondary document review and primary Data Collection. The primary data collection will include household surveys, semi-structured key informant interviews (KIIs), and focus group discussions with different stakeholder groups who have direct and indirect relations with the GHSA-RCCE.  The baseline survey will cover a sample of 480 Households (50% men) and (50% women if they are head of household or otherwise- convenience sampling could be possible). In addition, a total of 51 KII and 16 FGDs will be facilitated from the randomly selected study zones and woredas. See details in the RFP document.

4.Timeline

FHI360 anticipates awarding the contract by early June 2024 and the selected firm should be prepared to commence in June 2024.  The proposed period of performance is from June  2024 to August 2024. Please note: FHI 360 reserves the right to adjust the timing based on the needs of the Activity.

5. Criteria for evaluation:

All proposals received by the stated closing date will be evaluated and ranked according to the conditions described in the evaluation criteria below. Each proposal will be evaluated based on evidence of the following items.  Proposals will first be evaluated from a technical standpoint. Those proposals that are technically acceptable shall then be evaluated in terms of cost. Technical Approach (30 points), Organizational Capabilities (20 points), staffing (10 points), Past performance (10 points)  and Price/Cost Proposal (30 points)