REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP): “Strengthening Vaccination Program Implementation for COVID-19 and Other Vaccinated Diseases…”

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP)

“Strengthening Vaccination Program Implementation for COVID-19 and Other Vaccinated Diseases through Community Engagement and Risk Communication Strategies in the Deep South of Thailand”

Organization: EpiC Thailand Project, Family Health International (FHI 360)

Issue Date: 12 June 2024

Submit Questions by: 21 June 2024

Submission Deadline: 27 June 2024

Background

Meeting Targets and Maintaining Epidemic Control (EpiC) project, implemented by FHI 360, funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is dedicated to achieving and maintaining HIV epidemic control. EpiC is led by FHI 360 and draws upon local, regional, and international resource partners to provide technical assistance, as well as global resource partners who bring unique capacities. Although originally designed as a HIV program, EpiC has been modified to accept COVID-19 funding to prepare and improve health systems to better respond to COVID-19 and reemergence.

Vaccination hesitancy has emerged as a significant global health concern, with implications for disease prevention and public health outcomes. In recent years, the Deep South of Thailand has experienced suboptimal vaccination coverage rates, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic for COVID-19 and other vaccinated diseases. This can be attributed to various factors, including cultural, religious, and logistical barriers, as well as misinformation and mistrust in healthcare systems. Given the complex socio-cultural landscape of the Deep South region consisting of Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat provinces, conventional top-down approaches to vaccination promotion may not be sufficiently effective. Community engagement and culturally sensitive communication strategies are crucial for fostering trust and promoting vaccine acceptance among local populations. By empowering communities and leveraging existing social networks, this project seeks to overcome barriers to vaccination uptake and enhance public health outcomes in this region.

Purpose

This Request for Proposal (RFP) seeks proposals for enhancing vaccination program implementation in the Deep South of Thailand for COVID-19 and other vaccinated diseases. The region, comprising Pattani, Yala, and Narathiwat provinces, has faced persistent challenges in achieving optimal vaccine uptake, necessitating tailored interventions to address vaccine hesitancy and improve vaccination coverage rates. This project aims to address these challenges through community engagement and effective risk communication strategies.

Objectives

The primary objectives of this work are to:

• Evaluate existing risk communication strategies employed in vaccination programs within Thailand’s context, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Foster community engagement to empower local communities in the Deep South region, promoting active participation in vaccination initiatives.

• Strengthen communication skills among healthcare workers and community members to enable effective response to health emergencies and crises.

Key Activities

The proposed activities should include:

1. Conducting a comprehensive assessment of existing risk communication strategies implemented in vaccination programs across Thailand, focusing particularly on the Deep South region. This assessment should include an analysis of communication channels, message effectiveness, and community perceptions.
2. Facilitating community engagement sessions in the Deep South region to gather insights from local communities, healthcare professionals, and relevant stakeholders regarding their perceptions of vaccination, existing communication strategies, and areas for improvement to develop strategies for enhancing vaccination programs and addressing vaccine hesitancy.
3. Developing and implementing capacity-building programs to enhance communication skills among healthcare workers and community members, including training on effective risk communication, cultural competency, strategies for engaging with diverse populations and community engagement techniques.
4. Facilitating collaborative workshops and knowledge-sharing sessions among stakeholders involved in vaccination efforts, including government agencies, non-profit organizations, and academic institutions. These sessions should provide opportunities for stakeholders to exchange best practices, identify common challenges, and develop coordinated communication strategies.

Expected Outcomes

The anticipated outcomes of this project include:

• Improved implementation of vaccination programs and increased vaccine confidence in the Deep South region.

• Establishment of sustainable community-based initiatives to support ongoing vaccination efforts.

• Enhanced partnerships between stakeholders to address vaccine hesitancy and promote evidence-based decision-making.

Timeline:

This work is scheduled to run for a duration of 9 months. All of the aforementioned tasks must be finalized and completed by April 30, 2025.

Vender requirement

1. The vender must be registered as legal entity according to Thai laws and its office must be located in Thailand.
2. The vendor must possess technical knowledge of health-related communication strategies and demonstrate past experiences in public health interventions, policies or research.
3. The vendor must demonstrate experience in community engagement and have good collaborations with local organizations and stakeholders.

Evaluation and Budget Allocation:

• Proposals will be evaluated based on the following criteria: Alignment with Objectives (25%), Methodology and Approach (30%), Experience (25%), and Budget Justification (20%).
• Funding for this work will be provided, with a total budget allocation to be determined based on the work’s needs and scope.

Reserved Rights

All RFQ/RFP responses become the property of FHI 360, who reserves the right in its sole discretion to:

• Disqualify any offer based on offeror failure to follow solicitation instructions.
• Reserve the right to award based on the initial evaluation of offers without discussion.
• FHI 360 will not compensate vendors for preparation of their response to this RFQ/RFP.
• Issuance of this RFQ/RFP is not a guarantee that FHI 360 will award a purchase order.

Disclaimers:

The vender to be selected to perform this work is subject to all the terms and conditions set forth at this web location [https://www.fhi360.org/poterms] Supplier’s delivery of products, performance of services, or issuance of invoices in connection with this purchase order establishes Supplier’s agreement to the Terms, including, the safeguarding policy [https://www.fhi360.org/about-us/compliance-office].