About

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is seeking applications for a cooperative agreement from qualified entities to implement the Strengthening Malaria Control for High-Risk Communities Activity.

The Strengthening Malaria Control for High-Risk Communities (SMCHC) Activity will expand and strengthen malaria services in high burden communities in Burma and Thailand. SMCHC will strengthen and work through local organizations including community-based organizations (CBOs) in areas where people are at risk of malaria due to increasing malaria incidence The Activity will also work to achieve the Agency’s goals to increase localization by delivering services through local partners and building their capacity for increased impact, ownership, and sustainability of malaria control and prevention services reaching high-risk populations and communities.

Objectives

• The objectives of SMCHC are: 

  • To expand access to high-quality malaria preventive, diagnostic, and treatment services 

  • To strengthen the capacity of local health systems and health workers including community health workers, to deliver malaria services to under-served populations 

  • To increase the demand for and uptake of malaria preventive, diagnostic, and treatment service

Funding Information

• Estimated Total Program Funding: $15,000,000

• Award Ceiling: $15,000,000

• The anticipated period of performance is five years.

Geographical Focus

• SMCHC will primarily support malaria prevention and control activities in high transmission townships, across Tanintharyi Region, Mon State, Kayin State and Kayah State, as well as on the Thai side. Analysis of the malaria situation over the past four years found that over 70% of malaria cases came from 52 townships of which, in 2022, 53% of the cases (60,829 out of 114,102) were reported from 15 townships. Thus, SMCHC will focus activities on these 15 townships, found in Tanintharyi, Mon, Kayin , Kayah, Kachin, and South Shan regions/states. The program will also remain open to expanding to townships and affected provinces/districts in Thailand along the border depending on the malaria transmission, service gaps, resource availability and programmatic needs driven by the epidemic situation.

• In Burma, the township is the administrative unit for malaria control, and the townships to be supported under this Activity will be finalized following consultations with other malaria donors (the Global Fund and Access to Health (A2H)), and implementing partners including local organizations and CBOs operating in the area to ensure coordinated, comprehensive coverage of malaria services. Consultations and coordination may also be needed with relevant Provincial and District Health Offices in Thailand

Eligibility

• While for-profit firms may participate, pursuant to 2 CFR 200.400(g), it is USAID policy not to award profit to prime recipients and sub recipients under assistance instruments. However, while profit is not allowed for sub-awards, the prohibition does not apply when the recipient acquires goods and services in accordance with 2 CFR 200.317-327, “Procurement Standards.”

• Faith-based organizations are eligible to apply for federal financial assistance on the same basis as any other organization and are subject to the protections and requirements of Federal law. 

• Additionally, USAID welcomes applications from organizations that have not previously received financial assistance from USAID. Each applicant must be found to be a responsible entity before receiving an award. The Agreement Officer (AO) may determine that a pre-award survey is required in accordance with ADS 303.3.9.1 to determine whether the applicant has the necessary organization, experience, accounting and operational controls, and technical skills or ability to obtain them– in order to achieve the objectives of the program and comply with established U.S. Government standards, laws, and regulations. Applicants who do not currently meet all USAID requirements for systems and controls may still be eligible under special award considerations and should not be discouraged from applying. The prime recipient is encouraged to promote involvement of “underutilized” partners and local organizations in the implementation of this activity.

• Each organization is limited to one application submission under this NOFO as the prime Applicant. There is no limitation on being included as a potential sub-awardee across multiple applications.

Post Date: October 25, 2024