Deadline: 12 June 2020
The U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs Office of Assistance Coordination (NEA/AC) and the United States Embassy in Tunisia, Assistance Unit announces a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to promote good governance in Tunisia’s Ministry of Health (MoH) by improving transparency and management in public hospitals and the medicinal supply chain.
This opportunity aims to advance U.S. foreign policy by supporting Tunisian government institutions to become more transparent, accountable, and responsive to citizens, especially in the context of future epidemics and public health emergencies.
The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, Office of Assistance Coordination (NEA/AC) offers Economic Support Fund (ESF) assistance to groups and individuals striving to bring about positive change in the Middle East-North Africa region. The Assistance Coordination Office works in 20 countries and territories, partnering with governments, civil society organizations (CSOs), community leaders, youth and women activists, and private sector groups to advance their efforts. Competitively selected projects aim to foster participatory governance, economic reform, and educational advancement in response to local interest and needs.
Objectives
A successful project will result in:
- An enhanced tracking system for the medicinal supply chain through the acquisition, adaptation, and implementation of a transparent electronic platform that manages the flow of pharmaceutical products from importation and/or production to arrival at hospitals;
- A more effective regulatory framework for the MoH to promote good governance and transparency in the health sector;
- An upgraded national network of training structures for the MoH to improve the implementation of good governance in public hospitals.
Priority Areas
- Electronic Medicinal Tracking Platform
- Regulatory Framework
- National Training Structures
Key Deliverables
To clearly assess successful execution and completion of proposed projects, results should achieve the following:
- An online platform that tracks the medicinal supply chain from importation and/or production to arrival at hospitals across the country and in some cases patients;
- A 20% reduction in illegal diversion of pharmaceuticals within the MoH;
- An enhanced regulatory framework for the MoH that fills legal and procedural gaps that have allowed corrupt actors to thrive;
- An upgraded national network of the MoH training structures, including a distance learning platform and modernized training schools;
- A health crisis management procedural manual that includes response plans to epidemic based on lessons learnt during the COVID-19 crisis.
Funding Information
- Estimated Initial Project Funding: $5,000,000
- Estimated Initial Award Ceiling: $5,000,000
- Estimated Initial Award Floor: $4,000,000
- Estimate Length of Initial Project Period: 36 months
- Maximum Length of Project Period with Option year(s): Five years
- Estimated Award Ceiling for the Option Year(s): $1,500,000
- Estimated Award Total with the Option Year(s): $6,500,000
Eligibility Criteria
Eligible applicants include:
- U.S. or foreign:
- non-profit organizations;
- For-profit organizations;
- Private institutions of higher education;
- Public or state institutions of higher education;
- Public international organizations;
- Small businesses with function and regional experience in the areas of: good governance, regulatory policies and reform, anti-corruption, or organization strengthening in the MENA and Africa regions.
- Applications will be accepted only from organizations that have previously operated in the Middle East & North Africa (MENA) region or have personnel who have previously worked in Tunisia and can demonstrate the ability to work with the MoH.
For more information, visit https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=326635