DR Congo: USAID Combating HIV/AIDS through Local Partnership Activity (CHALPA)-Lualaba

The United States Agency for International Development in Democratic Republic of Congo (USAID/DRC) is seeking applications for a Fixed Amount Award (FAA) Cooperative Agreement from qualified entities to implement the USAID Combating HIV/AIDS through Local Partnership Activity (CHALPA) Activity in Lualaba.

These activities will work with the Government of the DRC (GDRC) and other USAID implementing partners to deliver high quality, accessible HIV/AIDS related services in selected provinces towards achieving HIV epidemic control. These activities will join the portfolio of partners implementing the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) program in the DRC.

USAID/DRC envisions that this CHALPA award will focus on service delivery separately in fourteen (14) health zones for CHALPA in Lualaba. Solicitations for covering the remaining two provinces will be issued separately. The programs will collaborate with existing (EpiC/360, IHP/ABT, Chemonics Francophone Task Order) and new implementers across the project. The number of health zones supported in each province can change depending on PEPFAR and the GDRC orientations. The service delivery model intends that each activity in a specific province will include all aspects of HIV epidemic control, Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) and some key populations (KPs) programming, to ensure smooth transition of the existing key populations program (EpiC).

Goal: Improved HIV response to ensure sustained epidemic control in targeted health zones in Lualaba Province.

Objectives

This program goal will be accomplished through the achievement of the following four objectives:

• Objective 1: Increase uptake of HIV and other prevention services for priority and key populations. Expected intermediate results:

  • IR. 1.1 Improved community environment to support prevention services

  • IR 1.2 Increased availability and uptake of HIV and other prevention services at both facility and community levels

  • IR.1.3 KPs and other high risk populations networks strengthened

• Objective 2: Increase uptake of HIV testing services at both facility and community levels Expected intermediate results:

  • IR 2.1 Increased availability of comprehensive HIV testing services

  • IR 2.2 Improved HTS approaches to optimize HIV finding and linkage to ART services

  • IR 2.3 Improved integration of self-testing and other innovative testing approaches

• Objective 3: Increase uptake and continued engagement in high quality of HIV treatment, OVC and laboratory services Expected intermediate results:

  • IR 3.1 Improved access to comprehensive HIV care and treatment, and support services for adults and children

  • IR 3.3 Improved health, wellbeing, protection, and economic security among OVC and their families

  • IR 3.4 Improved access to lab services

• Objective 4: Strengthen DRC health data systems for the management and evaluation of the HIV response. Expected intermediate results:

  • IR 4.1 Streamlined data collection processes and procedures to improve functionality of data collection systems

  • IR 4.2 Increased use of reliable data to improve quality and effectiveness of service delivery

Funding Information

• Estimated Total Program Funding: $13,500,000

• Award Ceiling: $13,500,000

• This award will have an initial 3-year period of performance, with a renewal/continuation period of 2 years (up to 5 years total).

Expected Activities

• USAID seeks activities which will engage communities and PLHIV to address discrimination and stigma related to HIV. The recipient will be expected to coordinate their demand-creation activities with other USAID-supported social and behavior change communication efforts. In addition to building individual empowerment and efficacy for behavior change, addressing community beliefs, norms, and attitudes can foster a strong community environment for collective behavior change. Similarly, facilities should ensure client sensitivity, client satisfaction and positive provider attitudes. USAID wishes to fund the recipient’s programs which will improve the community environment by addressing structural barriers to accessing HIV services.

Expected outcomes

• Improved linkages and networks between families, communities, and facilities that enhance easy access to comprehensive and integrated HIV prevention services

• Increased sensitization and education of HIV, prevention (including FP), and social-cultural behavior

• Reduced levels of stigma and discrimination among health providers

• Increased capacity of HIV services to mitigate barriers (i.e., social, financial) to accessing HIV services for PLHIV and affected families

• Increased community engagement to counter sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) and support survivors

• Improved violence protection and response systems for KPs and PLHIV

• Strengthened referral and coordination mechanisms at subnational levels to address barriers to KPs and PLHIV access and service uptake

• Increased number of facility and community sites that provide comprehensive HIV prevention services Increased uptake of PrEP (PrEP_NEW) by priority and KPs

• Increased Couple-Years of Protection (CYP) FP methods during a one-year period