Project Information

Bid Title

STRIDES Fiji Lab Consultant

Issuing Agency

FHI 360

Location

District of Columbia

Published Date

Feb 13, 2026

Closing Date

Feb 20, 2026

Government Level

State & Local

Status

Closed

Ref. #

FY26-103433-STRIDES-FIJI-Consultant-RFP-001_Consultant_02

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Project Description

STRIDES Fiji Lab Consultant
RFP No.: FY26-103433-STRIDES-FIJI-Consultant-RFP-001_Consultant_02

Issue date: 13 Feb, 2026
Closing date: 20 Feb, 2026

Solicitation file(s):
FY26-103433-STRIDES-FIJI-Consultant-RFP-001 (164 KB)

Attachment Preview

Request for Consultant Services Proposal (RFP)

Solicitation Title:

STRIDES Fiji Laboratory Systems Strengthening Expert

Solicitation Number:

FY26-103433-STRIDES-FIJI-Consultant-RFP-001

Submit Proposal and Questions to:

STRIDESProcurement@fhi360.org

Date of Issue of RFP:

Friday, February 13, 2026

Date Questions Due:

Monday, 16 February 2026, by 5:00PM EST

Date FHI 360 Responds to Questions: Tuesday, 17 February 2026

Date Proposal Due:

Friday, 20 February 2026, by 11:59PM EST

Approximate Date Consultant Contract

Issued to Successful Candidate(s):

Early March 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 March – Late June/July 2026

Background:

FHI 360 is a nonprofit human development organization dedicated to improving lives in lasting ways

by advancing integrated, locally driven solutions. Our staff includes experts in health, public health

threats, education, nutrition, environment, economic development, civil society, gender, youth,

research, technology, communication, and social marketing – creating a unique mix of capabilities

to address today’s interrelated development challenges. FHI 360 serves more than 70 countries

and all U.S. states and territories.

In Fiji, FHI360 and STRIDES Year 1 focuses on strengthening national and subnational laboratory

detection systems, biosafety and biosecurity (BSS), diagnostic networks, genomic sequencing

readiness, quality management systems, and specimen referral and transport, aligned with Joint

External Evaluation (JEE) priorities and national strategies.

As part of the USG’s GHS program, the STRengthening Infectious disease DEtection Systems

(STRIDES) Activity advances cross-sectoral efforts to successfully identify, manage, and respond

to infectious disease threats; detect and prevent further outbreaks; and instill confidence and trust

in a country’s disease detection and surveillance structures and services. STRIDES aims to

increase a country’s Joint External Evaluation (JEE) scores by supporting national governments to

strengthen core capacities — including laboratory and surveillance systems strengthening and

emergency response operations — thereby improving compliance with International Health

Regulations (IHR) and overall global health security.

Purpose of Consultancy:

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

Laboratory Systems Strengthening consultant to support laboratory systems strengthening and

related biosafety and biosecurity (BSS) activities in Fiji, including analysis, scoping, and

operationalization of laboratory, diagnostic, and BSS priorities aligned with previously performed

assessments and existing national strategies. The consultant will work closely with the STRIDES

Consultant Solicitation

January 2026

project leadership and technical teams, Government of Fiji counterparts, and technical partners to

ensure alignment with agreed upon laboratory activities.

The consultant will support STRIDES to synthesize assessment findings, develop and refine priority

laboratory strengthening activities, and draft and finalize technical inputs, recommendations and

action plan to advance the National Laboratory Strategy, regional laboratory network and supply

chain planning for laboratory commodities. The consultant will support responses to feedback

from the USG Mission and headquarters teams and participate in consultations and validation

processes as requested.

The purpose of this consultancy is to provide time-limited, preparatory technical support for

STRIDES Fiji laboratory and diagnostic activities prior to the start of full in-country implementation.

The consultant will:

• Synthesize existing laboratory, diagnostics, and BSS assessments

• Translate STRIDES Fiji workplan activities into clear, implementable technical options

• Prepare draft technical inputs, planning documents, and scoping materials

• Support internal alignment and readiness across STRIDES HQ, partners, and Government

of Fiji counterparts

Scope of Work:

The consultant will work under the direction of STRIDES HQ and Fiji leadership to support

preparatory laboratory systems strengthening activities across six technical areas.

Specifically, the consultant will perform the following tasks:

1. Assessment Analysis and Prioritization

o Review and synthesize existing laboratory, diagnostic, and BSS assessments

relevant to Fiji, including national, regional, and partner-led reviews

o Map assessment findings to STRIDES Fiji Year 1 activities, identifying priority

system gaps, areas requiring additional assessments or sequencing as well as

activities that should be deferred for local partner leadership

2. Biosafety and Biosecurity (BSS) Integration

o Support laboratory-specific technical inputs to BSS risk assessment

interpretation, sample referral and transport system planning, and dangerous

goods training frameworks

o Produce technical notes and draft outlines for BSS and referral system activities

that will later be finalized by local partner

3. National Laboratory Strategy and Coordination

o Support preparatory technical inputs for:

o National diagnostic network structure and tiered laboratory roles

including public-private collaboration and integration of non-

government labs into network

o Support governance and coordination mechanisms (e.g., TWGs)

o Alignment of human and animal laboratory networks

o Develop draft outlines or concept notes for diagnostic network strategic

planning, laboratory coordination mechanisms

4. Capacity Building and Systems Strengthening

Consultant Solicitation

January 2026

o Support development of SOPs and training material for laboratory personnel in

priority areas (diagnostics, specimen handling and transport, BSS, waste

management).

o Provide advisory inputs to support readiness for:

o Advanced molecular diagnostics

o Genomic sequencing capacity building

o Identify sequencing, training, and mentorship considerations that should be

prioritized once implementation begins

This scope excludes procurement, equipment installation, or hands-on training.

5. Supply Chain and Procurement Coordination

o Coordinate with Government of Fiji entities to support forecasting, procurement

planning, supply chain management and a phased transition to government-led

procurement of laboratory commodities.

o Support strengthening commodity management, reporting, and forecasting

systems.

6. Technical Coordination, Documentation & Transition Support

o Participate in selected technical discussions and preparatory meetings with

STRIDES partners and Government counterparts, as requested

o Support internal STRIDES coordination by:

o Preparing technical slide decks, briefing notes, and talking points

o Drafting implementation-ready technical outlines for handover to the

local partner

o Prepare a transition package summarizing:

o Preparatory work completed

o Outstanding technical decisions

o Recommended next steps for the local partner

Key Activity

Workplan Start Up

and

Implementation

Support

Assessment

Synthesis &

Technical Support

Description

Support the start-up of the

STRIDES Fiji workplan,

tracking deliverables and

coordination of laboratory

and BSS-related activities

Support synthesis and

validation of laboratory

and BSS assessment

findings; Prioritize planning

outputs

Support Diagnostic

Network Planning

Deliverables

• Review workplan for

implementation planning

(20 hours)

• Monthly progress report on

implementation (10 hours)

• Consolidated laboratory

and BSS assessment

synthesis brief with

prioritized preparatory

recommendations (50

hours)

• Draft technical options

and outlines for national

diagnostic network

structure and coordination

(20 hours)

Due Date

March 6, 2026

End of month

starting March

31, 2026

March 31, 2026

March 31, 2026

Consultant Solicitation

January 2026

Key Activity

Local

Stakeholder

Engagement and

Management

Liaison and

Representation

Input/contributio

ns to

Deliverables

Description

Diagnostics & Genomics

Readiness

Development of SOPs.

curriculum for laboratory

personnel

Build on FHI 360’s existing

relationships with in-

country stakeholders,

introduce STRIDES and

identify areas of

collaboration during

implementation

Serve as STRIDES

technical and transition

liaison for laboratory- and

BSS-related

communications with

partners, and national

stakeholders

Support the development

and review of high-quality

technical reports and

deliverables

Deliverables

Due Date

• Advisory technical notes April 15, 2026

on molecular diagnostics,

and genomic sequencing

preparedness (40 hours)

• SOPs and curriculum

April 30, 2026

developed for laboratory

personnel (40 hours)

• Meetings with stakeholders May 15, 2026

and associated meeting

minutes (20 hours)

• Stakeholder engagement

plan (20 hours)

• Participation in meetings

(20 hours)

• Technical inputs to agreed

deliverables (20 hours)

• Handover memo

summarizing preparatory

work, open items, and

recommended

implementation sequence

(20 hours)

• Drafted and reviewed

deliverable and knowledge

products (20 hours)

As needed

May 15, 2026

May 15, 2026

Working Days: Estimated level of effort (LOE): 280 hours

Period of Performance:

Early March 2026 to Late June/July 2026

Location and Travel Requirements:

• Location: Fiji

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

o Candidates based in Fiji should anticipate approximately 20–30% local travel

o Candidates based outside Fiji will be expected to undertake international travel to Fiji,

as required to support implementation.

Qualifications:

• Education: Advanced degree (Master’s or higher) in public health, laboratory sciences,

epidemiology, microbiology, veterinary medicine, health systems, or a related field is

required.

Consultant Solicitation

January 2026

• Years of experience: Minimum 10 years of relevant public health and project management

experience in laboratory diagnostic networks, surveillance, and/or global health security.

• Language: Proficiency in English language (read, write, speak, and able to produce

reports/presentations) is required

• Specific experience in:

1. Demonstrated experience supporting national laboratory systems, including

laboratory networks, diagnostic capacity, biosafety and biosecurity (BSS), and

laboratory governance.

2. Proficient with applicable USG or other donor rules, regulations, and policies.

3. Prior working experience in Fiji with local governments and stakeholders supporting

health and laboratory diagnostic networks preferred

4. Demonstrated experience working on complex, multidisciplinary projects and/or

activities.

5. Experience operating in insecure environments.

6. Experience working in a Government of Fiji Human, Animal or Environmental Health

Ministry/Agency is desirable.

Evaluation Criteria:

Proposals will be evaluated in accordance with the following criteria:

• Award will be based upon best value (a combination of qualifications and proposed daily

rate).

• Payment will be based upon Level of Effort (LOE) with reimbursement for approved related

budgeted expenses.

Applicants are also welcome to submit their CV into FHI 360’s global consultant database for

future consideration outside of this RFP: Consult@FHI360

Required documentation:

• Completed USAID1420 Biodata Form

• CV with country experience listed and updated to no less than 3 months prior to

submission of proposal

• Cover letter (letter shall summarize the consultant’s qualifications and explain why they

should be added to the pool as well as rate of pay).

• Written response addressing the needs listed in the SOW.

• Estimated budget, in Excel format, to complete the work as indicated in this RFP.

FHI 360 Disclaimers

• FHI 360 may perform a background check on any selected Consultant candidates.

• FHI 360 may cancel the solicitation and not award

• FHI 360 may reject any or all responses received

• Issuance of the solicitation does not constitute an award commitment by FHI 360

• FHI 360 reserves the right to disqualify any offer based on failure of the offeror to follow

solicitation instructions

• FHI 360 will not compensate any offeror for responding to solicitation

• FHI 360 reserves the right to issue award based on initial evaluation of offers without further

discussion

Consultant Solicitation

January 2026

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