THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS. USAID/Uganda invites comments and suggestions from interested parties on the attached DRAFT request for proposal in order to enhance and further refine the draft RFP. Comments (e.g., feasibility of the requirement including performance requirements, statement of work, data requirements, suitability of proposal instructions and evaluation criteria) will be appreciated and considered as we finalize the RFP, however comments and suggestions may or may not be incorporated in the final RFP. Eligible firms and organizations are strongly encouraged to review the document, provide comment and consider submitting a proposal in response to the resulting RFP. USAID/Uganda will not be able to respond to questions or requests for clarifications and/or additional information resulting from this presolicitation notice or the draft RFP. The purpose of this contract is to achieve Presidential Malaria Initiative (PMI)/Uganda targets in indoor residual spraying through: (1) implementing a high quality IRS program, (2) conducting comprehensive monitoring and evaluation of the IRS program and (3) developing national capacity to conduct IRS. The proposed activities are to be done with full collaboration of the Uganda National Malaria Control Program (NMCP). In June 2005, the United States Government announced that Uganda had been selected to be included in the President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI), a five year, $1.2 billion initiative to rapidly scale-up malaria prevention and treatment interventions in high burden countries in sub-Saharan Africa. The goal of PMI is to reduce malaria-related mortality by 50% by the end of 2010 in vulnerable groups; children under five, and pregnant women. PMI/Uganda has a five-year strategic plan and an annual malaria operational plan for Uganda which guides current implementation and scale-up of activities. The PMI is a USAID-led initiative that is implemented in partnership with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In FY06, the first year of PMI, Uganda received $9.5 million. In FY07, funding doubled to $21.5 million, and in FY08, funding increased again to $22 million. In subsequent years, Uganda expects to continue to receive funding upwards from $22 million annually until FY10 to achieve PMI goals. Whereas it is still unclear if PMI will be continued in FY11 and FY12, planning is for comparable levels of funding for malaria in out years. IRS is the largest component of FY08 malaria operational plan and is the cornerstone of the PMI/Uganda program. This contract will fall under the USAID/Uganda’s Investing in People strategy, a comprehensive effort to improve outcomes in health, HIV/AIDS and education in Uganda. The Investing in People strategy supports the public and private sectors to preserve and nurture human capacity by working towards a healthier and more educated society. Through its many partners and projects, USAID aims to prevent diseases, improve treatment for the sick and enhance health care and support, especially among the most vulnerable groups. Many lives can be saved by ensuring that vulnerable populations; such as infants, children, women of reproductive age, people with disabilities, internally displaced persons, and orphans are able to access high quality and affordable health and social services and related products. Please do not submit a Proposal in response to this draft RFP; it will not be considered. USAID/Uganda requests all written comments by close of business on Tuesday, August 19, 2008. To ensure prompt receipt, comments should be sent preferably by e-mail to Sam Nagwere at
[email protected] and copied to Sara Acio at
[email protected]. Issuance of this draft RFP does not constitute an award commitment on the part of the US Government, nor does it commit the US Government to pay for any costs incurred in the preparation or submission of comments, suggestions, or a proposal. Furthermore, the Government reserves the right to defer issuance of a RFP solicitation or not to issue a RFP, if such action is considered to be in the best interest of the Government.