About

The United States Agency for International Development in Democratic Republic of Congo (USAID/DRC) is seeking applications for a cost reimbursement Cooperative Agreement from qualified entities to implement the USAID Accelerator Activity.

The USAID Accelerator Activity seeks to advance the Government of DRC’s provincial goals of improving maternal and child health; decreasing maternal, infant, and child morbidity and mortality; improving the nutritional status of adolescent girls, pregnant and lactating women, and children under five; decreasing malaria-associated morbidity and mortality; improving access to and use of family planning (FP) and reproductive health services, including for healthy spacing and timing of pregnancy; and increasing uptake of key behaviors that drive improved health outcomes. This Activity will support efforts to improve the availability of, equitable access to, demand for, and use of quality, integrated health services.

The USAID Accelerator Activity promotes a “paradigm shift” with greater commitment and engagement from the Provincial entities: Provincial Health Divisions (Division Provinciale de laSante [DPS]), Provincial Health Inspectorate (Inspection Provinciale de la Sante [IPS]), Governor and others; the Health Zones and health areas; the private sector and civil society. The USAID Accelerator seeks to “reposition” the Provincial government, private sector and civil society to work together to improve the health of Congolese citizens. The Activity seeks to ensure that gains made during implementation last beyond the life of the USAID Accelerator, that the Activity contributes to resilient, effective and efficient systems at all levels (Provincial, Health Zones, facilities, and communities). The USAID Accelerator Activity seeks to build an effective, equitable and quality resilient health system, owned and led by the health entities and structures within the province. This paradigm shift from donor dependency to greater provincial ownership and leadership, is fundamental to support the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s (GoDRC) goals to attain Universal Health Coverage. Thus, the USAID Accelerator Activity will implement its strategies and activities within the different levels of the existing provincial structure.

The USAID Accelerator Activity seeks to build a sustainable and resilient health system response to improving access, quality, equity and effectiveness of family planning (FP), reproductive health (RH), maternal, newborn and child health (MNCH), nutrition, malaria and global health services (GHS) in the four selected provinces. The activity builds upon lessons learned from previous U.S.G. investments and other donors, and align with DRC national and provincial policies, guidelines, and provincial operational plans.

Funding Information

• USAID intends to award one cooperative agreement pursuant to this notice of funding opportunity. Subject to funding availability and at the discretion of the Agency, USAID intends to provide $90,500,000 in total over a five-year period (2025-2030).

• The total award amount of $90,500,000 includes a $9,000,000 set aside for a crisis modifier that may be used to undertake additional early actions or shock response of an unforeseen event. The funding anticipated for this award will come from a number of different USAID funding streams.

• USAID reserves the right to fund activities incrementally over the cooperative agreement’s period of performance, if necessary, depending on the availability of funds, the level of performance against approved indicators, and their continued relevance to USAID programs.

Geographical Focus

• The USAID Accelerator Activity will contribute to strengthening service delivery in four provinces: Sud-Kivu, Lomami, Tanganyika and Kasai Central. It is expected that the USAID Accelerator will cover all the health zones in each province and their facilities. The Applicant will need to propose a strategy with rapid start-up to ensure coverage of all health zones and health areas in collaboration with the local government and other development partners to ensure local government ownership and also leveraging other donors’ investments.

Eligibility

• Eligible Applicants

  • Unrestricted: Open to any type of entity.

• Applicants may submit only one application.

Posted Date: Sep 17, 2024