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ENGAGEMENT OF TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE (TA) ON LABORATORY-BASED SURVEILLANCE AND ANTI-MICROBIAL RESISTANCE (AMR)
NATIONAL AGENCY FOR THE CONTROL OF AIDS (NACA)
REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL: ENGAGEMENT OF TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE (TA) ON LABORATORY-BASED SURVEILLANCE AND ANTI-MICROBIAL RESISTANCE (AMR)
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) represents one of the most significant threats to public health globally, and Nigeria, with its vast population and complex healthcare challenges, is particularly vulnerable. Factors such as the overuse and misuse of antibiotics in human medicine and agriculture, along with the widespread availability of non-prescribed antibiotics, have exacerbated the increasing prevalence of drug-resistant pathogens in Nigeria. This situation is compounded by challenges in healthcare infrastructure, including gaps in laboratory capacity and surveillance systems.
Recognizing the urgency of addressing AMR, there is a need to support Nigeria in enhancing its laboratory capabilities for effective surveillance and response to AMR. This engagement of a service provider to provide technical assistance to the FMOH/MLSD on AMR aims to leverage the service provider’s expertise in laboratory-based Based Surveillance and AMR to provide technical support in strengthening Nigeria’s laboratory network, enabling more precise detection of AMR towards facilitating informed decision making on antibiotic use and infection control practices.
The project will be aligned with Nigeria’s National Action Plan on AMR, which emphasizes the need for strengthened surveillance systems, improved infection prevention and control, and enhanced regulatory frameworks. Through collaboration with national health institutions and agencies, the private sector, and other stakeholders, this project seeks to build a comprehensive and resilient approach to AMR, ultimately contributing to better health outcomes and safeguarding the efficacy of antimicrobial agents.
Based on the above, there is a need to engage a Service Provider to provide technical assistance (TA) to FMOH-MLSD for the strengthening of Laboratory-based surveillance and Anti-Microbial Resistance (AMR) surveillance.
1. Goals and Objectives Goal
Goal
To provide Technical Assistance to the MLSD to enhance the capacity and capability of laboratories and healthcare systems in monitoring and responding to antimicrobial resistance.
Objectives
· To review existing protocols related to antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) and standardize national guidelines for AST and the identification protocols for pathogens of interest in AMR surveillance.
· To conduct comprehensive training programs for laboratory professionals in the 774 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in the 36+1 states in Nigeria to ensure they are well-versed in the latest AMR detection, interpretation standards and established AST guidelines.
· To establish a pilot environmental surveillance system to test and refine surveillance methodologies, which includes the development of implementation plans and data management systems tailored to AMR data analysis and reporting.
· To implement a system of regular supportive supervision visits to monitor, evaluate, and provide ongoing assistance to laboratory facilities nationwide, ensuring consistent application of AMR surveillance protocols.
· To educate and train laboratory staff from research and clinical diagnostic facilities on standardized procedures for the transfer and archiving of biological materials related to AMR.
· To harmonize existing guidelines on the collection, transfer, and storage of biological materials to prevent discrepancies and improve the reliability of AMR data across different regions and facilities.
· To disseminate updated and harmonized guidelines and procedures across the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria to ensure a consistent approach in handling biological materials used in AMR surveillance.
2. Expected Deliverables
· A comprehensive report detailing the review of existing Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (AST) protocols.
· Adoption and publication of a standardized National Guideline for Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (AST), applicable to both public and private health facilities.
· Development and dissemination of standardized protocols and a training manual for the identification of pathogens of interest in AMR.
· Development and implementation of a capacity-building program for laboratory professionals, focusing on the identification of pathogens of interest in AMR.
· Execution of 5-day training sessions for laboratory personnel in each of the 774 Local Government Areas (LGAs).
· Compilation of training reports documenting participant attendance, key outcomes, and post-training evaluation results.
· A detailed report from the consultancy on the pilot environmental surveillance, including validated methodologies, implementation plans, and data management systems tailored for AMR surveillance.
· Development of guidance documents and programmatic adaptations for analysis and reporting within the AMR surveillance network.
· Comprehensive reports from quarterly supportive supervision visits, including findings, recommendations, and action plans for facilities visited.
· Documentation of meetings conducted to achieve professional harmony among stakeholders involved in biological material handling.
· Review and harmonization report of existing guidelines on procedures and processes for the transfer and storage of biological materials.
· Production and distribution of harmonized guidelines on the procedures and processes for biological materials transfer across the six geopolitical zones (GPZs) of Nigeria.
The duration of the contract will be 16 months.
3.0 GENERAL ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
a) Evidence of Certificate of Incorporation with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) with the inclusion of Articles of Association (forms CAC2 and CAC7);
b) Evidence of Company’s Income Tax Clearance Certificate for the last three (3) years (2021,2022 & 2023) valid till 31st December 2024;
c) Evidence of current Pension Compliance Certificate valid till 31st December 2024;
d) Evidence of current Industrial Training Fund (ITF) Compliance Certificate valid till 31st December 2024;
e) Evidence of current Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) Compliance Certificate valid till 31st December 2024;
f) Copy of Audited Company Accounts for the immediate past three years (2021, 2022 & 2023) duly stamped and signed by certified Auditor;
g) Bank Reference letter or Letter of good-standing from bank addressed to NACA (Within the period of the Advert)
h) Sworn Affidavit disclosing whether or not any officer of NACA or is a former or present Director, Shareholder or has any pecuniary interest in the bidder and to confirm that all information presented in its bids are true and correct in all particulars and;
– that the company is not in receivership or any form of insolvency/bankruptcy, nor debarment and that the company nor any of the Director(s) of the company has been convicted of any financial crime;
i) Company’s Profile and organizational structure with the full name of the organization and contact person, postal address, telephone/fax numbers, and e-mail addresses.
j) Verifiable documentary evidence of at least three (3) similar jobs executed in the last Five (5) years including Letters of Awards and Job Completion Certificates;
k) All documents for submission must be transmitted with a Covering/Forwarding letter under the Company/Firms Letter Head Paper bearing amongst others, the Registration Number (CAC), Contact Address, Telephone Number (Preferable GSM No.), and e-mail address. The Letterhead Paper must bear the Names and Nationalities of the Directors of the Company at the bottom of the page, duly signed by the authorized officer of the firm. It is very important to note that only the requested documents are expected for vendors to submit. Failure to submit a cover letter will lead to disqualification. Will also be helpful for submission of soft copies in a secured flash drive.
4.0 COLLECTION OF REQUESTS FOR PROPOSAL (RFP) DOCUMENT:
The Details of the RFP is attached in the link below:
https://naca.gov.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/SBD-service-provider-anti-microbial-clean-copy-24th-July-2024.pdf
5.0 SUBMISSION OF TENDER DOCUMENTS
Prospective consulting firms are to submit two (2) hard copies (one original & another copy) of the requested documents and financial bid. Thereafter, the Tenderer shall enclose the original in one (1) envelope and all the copy of the Tender in another envelope, duly marking the envelopes as “THE ENGAGEMENT OF A SERVICE PROVIDER TO PROVIDE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE (TA) ON LABORATORY-BASED SURVEILLANCE AND ANTI-MICROBIAL RESISTANCE (AMR)” Technical and “FINANCIAL.” The two (2) envelopes shall then be enclosed and sealed in one (1) single outer envelope after registration using the NACA bid register. Vendors are expected to register their submission into the bid register and place their submission in the assigned Bid Box at the front of the reception of the Agency. Vendors are kindly requested to submit soft copy of their Technical & financial proposal in a secured flash
a. Prospective bidders can submit their documents as a Joint Venture with relevant documents provided in line with the requirements stated in the SBD.
6.0 DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION
a. The deadline for the submission of Tender should not be later than 12 noon of 23rd August 2024. Clarification can be obtained at the Office of the Head of Procurement, Ground Floor, NACA main building, 3 Ziguinchor Street. Wuse Zone 4. Abuja. The bids will be opened immediately after close of submission. All requests for clarifications should be directed to the Head of Procurement at NACA Head Quarter office on or before 2nd August,2024
7.0 GENERAL INFORMATION
- Bids must be in English Language and signed by an official authorized by the bidder;
- Bids submitted after the deadline for submission would be rejected;
iii. NACA is not bound to shortlist any Consultant, and reserves the right to annul the bidding process at any time without incurring any liabilities or providing reason.
8.0 Notes/Disclaimer
i. Late submissions will not be accepted.
ii. NACA shall verify any or all documents and claims made by applicants and will disqualify consultants with falsified documents and claims.
iii. If it is determined that submitted documents and claims have been falsified, the consultant may face prosecution in a court of Law.
ii. NACA shall not be held responsible for any disqualified proposal as a result of any omission or deletion relating to the submission guidelines.
iii. This advertisement shall not be construe a contract to any Consultant, nor shall it entitle any Consultant submitting documents to claim any indemnity from NACA.
iv. NACA is not bound to shortlist any Consultant, and reserves the right to annul the bidding process at any time without incurring any liabilities or providing reason.
Signed
Head of Procurement
For NACA Management.