USAID
FROM THE AMERICAN PEOPLE
USAID GLOBAL HEALTH SUPPLY CHAIN PROGRAM
PROCUREMENT AND SUPPLY MANAGEMENT
REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST
NATIONAL INTEGRATED SPECIMEN REFERRAL NETWORK (NISRN) TRANSPORTATION SERVICES IN NIGERIA
1.BACKGROUND
USAID awarded the Global Health Supply Chain Program – Procurement and Supply Management project (GHSC-PSM) to Chemonics Interational Inc, a parent company of SAII Associates Ltd/Gte, as the lead contractor. The project provides direct procurement and supply chain management support to the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) the President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI), Population and Reproductive Health, and Maternal and Child Health. The overarching goal of this global project is to ensure uninterrupted supplies of health commodities in support of United States Government (USG)-funded public health initiatives around the world, including Nigeria. GHSC-PSM endeavors to supply lifesaving pharmaceutical and medical supplies and simultaneously build the capacity of government organizations and agencies, as well as health care facilities. SAII Associates Ltd Gte is implementing GHSC-PSM in Nigeria.
The Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH) and the various state governments are responsible for providing high quality diagnostic and treatment services throughout the health systems in Nigeria. A key part of achieving this goal is ensuring the optimal operating capacity of various and strategically placed diagnostic equipment across health facilities in the country Poor testing referral systems for laboratory diagnosis of clients clinical samples have prevented full optimization of laboratory diagnostic equipment use, and the prompt management of infectious diseases.
The transportation of clinical samples in an integrated manner is a major challenge in Nigeria. An integrated sample transfer network is currently being implemented in Nigeria using third party logistics (3PLS) service providers to collect and deliver diagnostic clinical samples from health facilities to various testing laboratories across the country, and to collect results from testing laboratories and return to health facilities. The clinical samples include dried blood spot (DBS) for Early Infant Infection of HIV diagnosis, whole blood plasma for viral load and or CD4, whereas TB samples utilize Sputum, and malaria clinical samples utilize whole blood or slides for microscopy and detection as well as speciation of malaria parasites. The integrity of samples for diagnostic tests must be adequately maintained through proper sample collection, labelling, picking packaging, transportation, and storage in temperature controlled environments to ensure quality and acceptable results are generated and reported.
This system has been successfully implemented leading to short tum-around times for results delivery and subsequently resulting in timely initiation of treatment for clents. GHSC-PSM is scaling up the implementation of the sample referral system across all the health facilities and disease area testing centers across 36+1 states in Nigeria. The systems include collection, packaging, transportation and storage practices.
The use of this integrated sample transportation and results delivery model created opportunities to leverage the HIV and TB sample transportation networks thereby reducing cost and logistics burden. It also boosted equipment utilization and optimization in a coordinated manner. It is envisioned that the GHSC-PSM project will continue to carry out the integrated referral transportation system and will expand the network to cover other disease areas.
SAII Associates Ltd/Gte/GHSC-PSM seeks to partner with transporters who have experience providing transportation and distribution services and are interested in developing skills in the transportation of temperature and time sensitive specimen, with the capacity to achieve industry standard performance indicators for delivery accuracy, and the ability to scale its operational capacity to meet the growing needs of the national Integrated sample referral network throughout Nigeria.
Please note: That this is NOT a request for proposals. GHSC-PSM is seeking to identify and pre-select organizations to receive the RFP based on the criteria outlined below.
2.PURPOSE
The purpose of the EOI is to identify interested transporters who would like to work with GHSC-PSM to provide temperature and time sensitive specimen transportation services. This includes the handling, transportation and delivery of temperature sensitive bio hazard clinical samples and return of reports to designated facilities serviced by a network of medical laboratory testing sites.
3.PREQUALIFICATION CRITERIA
Companies and organizations interested in receiving a copy of the RFP shall submit the following documents and Information outlined below. GHSC-PSM will select pre-qualified vendors based on the documentation submitted who will be invited to take part in training sessions (pre-offeror’s conference) where they will be instructed on the requirements of the scope of work, the cost implications, and guidance on how they could become eligible offerors when an RFP is released.
| S/N |
Requested documentation |
| 1 |
Summary profile of company or organization, including the type (e.g. non-govermental, public voluntary, faith-based organization, limited liability, etc. core area of specialization of the organization or company, ownership, contact person and details. (one page). |
| 2 |
Summary of current key high-level employees, and a concise resume of employees with proven competency level to manage a similar transportation service (similar to transportation and delivery of temperature sensitive biohazard clinical samples and return of reports to designated facilities |
| 3 |
Company/Organization’s summary description of past performance/technical expertise and experience of at least one-two years providing transportation and distribution services |
| 4 |
Detailed proof (pictures, vehicle registration numbers etc.) of ownership or documented evidence of access to appropriate, well- covered vehicles suitable for the transportation of cold chain delivery services outlined above are proof agreement, MOU or any kind of formal arrangement) of being able to obtain such vehicles within 30 days upon award. |
| 5 |
Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) that relevant to management and transportation of goods.SOPs can include but not limited to:– Guidelines for temperature control during storage and transportation– Guidelines for security of samples during picking, packing, transportation and storage –– SOP for Vehicle Maintenance– Evidence that the staff has been trained in these SOPSIf these SOPs do not exist or need to be updated, please submit proof of being able to develop (SOP or procedures) within 30 days upon selection for award (Please note, copies of SOPS will be required prior to signing the subcontract. No subcontract will be signed without these documents) |
| 6 |
Proof of business registration in Nigeria, and relevant license with regulatory organizations for staff. |
| 7 |
Last one-two year(s) (depends on years of existence) audited financial statements |
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