Project Information

Bid Title

Rapid Laboratory sample quality and transport systems consultant

Issuing Agency

FHI 360

Location

District of Columbia

Published Date

Apr 10, 2026

Closing Date

Apr 21, 2026

Government Level

State & Local

Status

Closed

Ref. #

FY26-103433-STRIDES-SOUTH-SUDAN-Consultant-RFP-005_Consultant_02

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Project Description

Rapid Laboratory sample quality and transport systems consultant
RFP No.: FY26-103433-STRIDES-SOUTH-SUDAN-Consultant-RFP-005_Consultant_02

Issue date: 8 Apr, 2026
Closing date: 21 Apr, 2026

Solicitation file(s):
FY26-103433-STRIDES-SOUTH-SUDAN-Consultant-RFP-002.pdf (260 KB)

Attachment Preview

Request for Consultant Services Proposal (RFP)

Solicitation Title:

Solicitation Number:

Submit Questions and Proposal to:

Date of Issue of RFP:

Date Questions from Supplier Due:

Date Answers due from FHI 360:

Date Proposal Due:

Approximate Timeframe Consultant

Agreement Issued to Successful

Candidate(s):

STRIDES SOUTH SUDAN: Rapid Laboratory

sample quality and transport systems

consultant

FY26-103433-STRIDES-SOUTH-SUDAN-

Consultant-RFP-002

STRIDESProcurement@fhi360.org

Thursday, 9 April 2026

Monday, 13 April 2026, by 5:00PM EST

Wednesday, 15 April 2026

Tuesday, 21 April 2026, by 11:59PM EST

Early May 2026

Method of Submittal:

Respond via e-mail with the attached documents in MS Word / pdf format.

The Consultant agrees to hold the prices in its offer firm for 90 days from the date specified

for the receipt of offers, unless another time is specified in the addendum of the RFP.

Contract Term: Estimated Early May – Late June/July 2026

Background

The STRIDES program (Strengthening Infectious Disease Detection Systems), funded by the

U.S. Department of State, supports countries to strengthen surveillance systems and

laboratory networks essential for global health security (GHS) and polio eradication. For GHS,

STRIDES prioritizes strengthening detection capacity and laboratory systems for priority

pathogens, including zoonotic diseases at national and subnational levels across human and

animal health laboratories, while expanding access to quality laboratory services for

diseases of public health importance. A critical component of polio surveillance is ensuring

that stool and environmental samples are collected, handled, transported, and received at

Consultation Solicitation

1

April 2026

designated laboratories in accordance with Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI)

protocols.

In many settings, including fragile and resource-constrained contexts such as South Sudan,

challenges persist in laboratory diagnostic capability, quality management system,

maintaining sample integrity, adhering to biosafety and biosecurity standards, and ensuring

timely transport through an effective reverse cold chain. These challenges can compromise

sample adequacy, delay laboratory confirmation, and weaken early detection of poliovirus

transmission. STRIDES will therefore conduct a rapid mapping, desk-based assessment to

identify operational gaps in laboratory operations including diagnostic functionality, quality

management system (i.e. organization and management, staff capacity, equipment, supply

chain system, laboratory information management system), sample management, quality

and referral pathways, biosafety and biosecurity practices, environmental surveillance (ES)

procedures, and transport systems to inform targeted improvements and capacity

strengthening.

Objective & Purpose of Consultancy

The STRengthening Infectious disease DEtection Systems (STRIDES) Activity is seeking

Rapid Laboratory sample quality and transport systems consultant to conduct mapping and

a rapid desk-based assessment of laboratory operations including diagnostic functionality,

quality management system, sample management, quality and referral pathways, biosafety

and biosecurity practices, environmental surveillance procedures, and reverse cold chain

and transport systems to identify operational gaps affecting the adequacy, timeliness, and

completeness of samples arriving at laboratories including the polio laboratory, in line with

GPEI and other global standards (such as ISO, CLSI and U.S. CDC).

Note:

• All aspects of the laboratory quality management system should be addressed i.e.

diagnostic functionality, organization and management, staff capacity, equipment,

facility, biosafety, biosecurity, sample management, supply chain system, laboratory

information management system.

• For GHS, STRIDES will implement activities in laboratories supported by non-

governmental organizations (NGOs), the private sector, faith-based organizations

(FBOs), and other USG-funded entities.

For Polio, samples are NOT processed by anyone except WHO certified labs for polio.

Scope of Work

The consultant will undertake the following tasks:

Task 1: Inception and Planning

• Conduct mapping of existing human and animal laboratory and surveillance systems,

including partners/stakeholders, networks, data flows, and ongoing initiatives

Consultation Solicitation

2

April 2026

related to GHS and GPEI.

• Review key and relevant documentation including GHS and GPEI laboratory and

surveillance protocols, national guidelines, prior assessments, and standard

operating procedures (SOPs) related to laboratory operations including diagnostic

functionality, quality management system, sample management (collection,

handling, and transport), and biosafety and biosecurity practices.

• Develop a concise assessment plan, including methodology, key indicators, and data

sources.

• Align with STRIDES and key partners/stakeholders on scope, priority areas, and

available data sources.

Task 2: Desk Review of Laboratory Operations, Quality Management System, Sample

Quality and Laboratory Reception Data

• For GHS, review available laboratory data and records on laboratory operations

including diagnostic functionality, quality management system, sample management

(collection, handling, and transport), and biosafety and biosecurity practices.

• For polio, review available laboratory data and records on sample receipt,

including:

o Stool adequacy and condition upon arrival.

o Timeliness of sample transport.

o Completeness and accuracy of accompanying documentation.

• Identify trends, bottlenecks, and inconsistencies affecting all components of

laboratory operations including sample quality and performance.

Task 3: Review of Sample Collection, Handling, and Documentation Practices

• Assess current practices and protocols for:

o Sample collection and handling for high-priority pathogens, including those

of zoonotic origin.

o Acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) stool sample collection and handling.

o Environmental surveillance (ES) sample collection and consistency.

o Documentation, labeling, and chain-of-custody procedures.

• Identify gaps in adherence to global standards and GPEI protocols.

Task 4: Assessment of Reverse Cold Chain and Transport Systems

• Evaluate systems and workflows for domestic and international sample transport,

including:

o Reverse cold chain management (ice packs, cold boxes, temperature control).

Consultation Solicitation

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April 2026

o Transport routes, timelines, and coordination mechanisms.

o Constraints related to logistics, infrastructure, or security.

• Identify key risks affecting timeliness and integrity of samples.

Task 5: Biosafety, Biosecurity and Environmental Surveillance (ES) Procedures

Review

• Review biosafety and biosecurity practices related to sample handling, packaging,

and transport.

• Assess compliance with biosafety and biosecurity standards in line with global and

polio laboratory requirements.

• Review ES site procedures, sampling techniques, and operational consistency.

Task 6: Analysis and Recommendations

• Synthesize findings to identify systemic, operational, and capacity-related gaps.

• Develop prioritized, actionable recommendations, including:

o Targeted refresher trainings (e.g., diagnostic, quality management system,

sample collection, cold chain, biosafety and biosecurity).

o Corrective actions to improve all components of laboratory operations

including sample quality and transport efficiency.

o Identification of counties or sites requiring enhanced diagnostic capacity,

quality management system, biosafety, biosecurity, or ES support.

• Validate findings and recommendations with STRIDES and key

partners/stakeholders.

Level of effort/ Deliverable

Milestones

Deliverable

Inception

Report and

Assessment

Plan

Methodology, tools,

workplan, and stakeholder

engagement plan

Dates of

service

Estimated

level of

effort Level

of effort in

days

Deliverable

payments

Due

within 7

days of

contract

start

2 days

10%

Consultation Solicitation

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April 2026

Desk Review

Summary

Draft Rapid

Assessment

Report

Final

Assessment

Report and

Prioritized

Action Plan

Analysis of all components of

laboratory operations

including diagnostic capacity,

quality management system,

sample quality data and

transport performance

Identification of key trends

and preliminary gaps

Due

within 15

days of

contract

start

10 days

Consolidated findings across

all components of laboratory

operations including

diagnostic capacity, quality

management system, sample

quality, biosafety and

biosecurity, ES procedures,

and transport systems

Due

within 35

days of

contract

start

20 days

Preliminary

recommendations and

priority areas for

intervention

Incorporating stakeholder

feedback Includes training

priorities, corrective actions,

and geographic targeting

Due

within 45

days of

contract

start

10 days

30%

30%

30%

Total

Estimated LoE

42 Days

Period of Performance:

Early May 2026 to Late June/July 2026

Location of Work and travel requirement:

• South Sudan,

• Travel: Travel expectations vary based on the candidate’s location.

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April 2026

Commodity Codes

• NAICS 541380Testing Laboratories
• NAICS 541611Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services
• NAICS 541620Environmental Consulting Services

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