USAID Zambia Accessible Markets for Health (ZAM-Health) Activity

Deadline: 28 May 2020

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Mission in Zambia seeks concept papers from qualified applicants to implement the USAID Zambia Accessible Markets for Health (ZAM-Health) Activity.

USAID/Zambia intends to award a five-year, $38 million cooperative agreement to improve health outcomes for Zambians by increasing the use of high-quality health products and services among priority audiences. The USAID Zambia Accessible Markets for Health (ZAM-Health) Activity will accomplish this by sustainably expanding the availability and accessibility of high-quality health products and services in the private sector, improving health knowledge, and increasing the adoption of healthy and health-seeking behaviors. Within the framework of a total market approach (TMA), the program will employ private sector approaches such as marketing, social franchising, and partnerships with commercial and for-profit entities to achieve these outcomes.

Program Objectives

The main program objectives are to reach men, adolescents, women of reproductive age, and PLHIV with high-quality private sector health services. Product marketing and social and behavior change interventions will seek to achieve national coverage. Private sector health services will be focused in selected urban and peri-urban areas in Lusaka, Copperbelt, Central, Southern, and/or Northwestern Provinces.

Objective 1: Stimulate demand for health products and services and increase the adoption of healthy behaviors
Objective 2: Sustainably expand availability and accessibility of high-quality health services in the private sector
Objective 3: Sustainably expand availability and accessibility of priority health products
Objective 4: Strengthen the enabling environment for private sector health actors

Funding Information

Subject to funding availability and at the discretion of the Agency, USAID intends to provide up to $38 million in total USAID funding over a 5 years period.
The anticipated period of performance is five (5) years.
The start date will be upon the signature of the award, estimated on or about September 30, 2020.

Key Anticipated Results

Increased use of condoms;
Increased use of modern contraceptive methods among women of reproductive age;
Increased uptake of biomedical HIV prevention;
Increased uptake of cervical cancer screening services;
Increased initiation on and adherence to HIV treatment among PLHIV; and,
Increased use of water treatment products.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility for this NOFO is restricted to local organizations. In the case of a consortium, the applicant must be the consortium lead and must identify any other members of the consortium or individuals tied to the implementation of the activity as described in the application, along with all sub-awardees. The respective roles of any other members of the consortium or individuals, including all sub-awardees, must be described, and separate budgets must be attached for each.
The Recipient must be a responsible entity. When considering making an award to an organization with limited or no previous experience, the AO may determine a pre-award survey is required to conduct an examination that will determine whether the prospective recipient has the necessary organization, experience, accounting and operational controls, and technical skills – or ability to obtain them – in order to achieve the results of the program and comply with the terms and conditions of the award.
This NOFO uses the PEPFAR definition of a Local Partner. Under PEPFAR, a local partner may be an individual, a sole proprietorship, or an entity. However, under this phase, for the applicant to be considered a local partner, the applicant must self-certify that their organization meets all three areas of eligibility listed below. Supporting documents for verification will be required at a later stage if the application is successful.
An entity (e.g., a corporation or partnership):
- EITHER: Must be incorporated or legally organized under the laws of, and have its principal place of business in the country served by the PEPFAR program with which the entity is or may become involved;
- OR: Must exist in the region where the entity’s funded PEPFAR Programs are Implemented
- EITHER: Must be at least 75% beneficially owned at the time of application by individuals who are citizens or lawfully admitted permanent residents of that same country, per sub-paragraph (2)(a);
- OR: At least 75% of the entity’s staff (senior, mid-level, support) at the time of application must be citizens or lawfully admitted permanent residents of that same country, per subparagraph (2)(a);
- Where an entity has a Board of Directors, at least 51% of the members of the Board must also be citizens or lawfully admitted permanent residents of such country.
These eligibility requirements apply only to the principal (prime) applicant. USAID welcomes applications from organizations that have not previously received financial assistance from USAID.