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NATIONAL AGENCY FOR THE CONTROL OF AIDS (NACA)

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

ENGAGEMENT OF CONSULTANTS FOR OPERATIONS RESEARCH TO ASSESS THE PREVALENCE OF COMORBIDITIES AHD AND QUALITY OF CARE AMONG PLHIVs AND KPs IN NIGERIA

4^th August, 2025

1. Preamble

Nigeria has the second-largest HIV epidemic globally, with approximately 1.9 million people currently living with HIV (PLHIV). Despite commendable progress in scaling up access to antiretroviral therapy (ART), quality comprehensive care for PLHIV and key populations (KPs)—including men who have sex with men (MSM), sex workers (SW), and people who inject drugs (PWID)—remains a significant challenge.

PLHIV frequently experience comorbidities such as tuberculosis (TB), hypertension, diabetes, and mental health disorders, which negatively impact treatment outcomes, increase healthcare costs, and reduce the quality of life. Furthermore, limited viral load testing, suboptimal adherence counseling, and the exclusion of KPs from essential services hinder progress toward national and global HIV targets.

This operations research aims to establish baseline data on the prevalence of comorbidities, ART adherence, and quality of care among PLHIV and KPs to inform evidence-based strategies for improving health outcomes and achieving the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets.

Justification

Despite widespread ART scale-up, the quality and comprehensiveness of HIV care services are often inadequate to address the needs of PLHIV and KPs in Nigeria. Existing gaps in the integration and management of comorbidities, limited support for ART adherence, and inequitable service access for key populations undermine progress toward optimal care and viral suppression.

This study will generate evidence to guide targeted interventions that address these challenges, ultimately improving the quality of care and contributing to the realization of the National HIV/AIDS Strategic Framework and global HIV commitments.

2. Pre-qualification requirement

To qualify for consideration, interested consultants are required to submit CVs including the underlisted documents below:

• Cover Letter (Sign) – Unsigned cover Letter shall be automatically disqualified
• Recent copy of CV
• Copies of all qualifications certificate
• Relevant experiences and supporting documents
• Consultant profile
• Kindly fill the Technical and Financial Forms below.

TERMS OF REFERENCE

CONSULTANT FOR OPERATIONS RESEARCH ON HIV COMORBIDITIES, ART ADHERENCE, AND QUALITY OF CARE AMONG PLHIV AND KEY POPULATIONS IN NIGERIA

Background

Nigeria has the second-largest HIV epidemic globally, with approximately 1.9 million people currently living with HIV (PLHIV). Despite commendable progress in scaling up access to antiretroviral therapy (ART), quality comprehensive care for PLHIV and key populations (KPs)—including men who have sex with men (MSM), sex workers (SW), and people who inject drugs (PWID)—remains a significant challenge.

PLHIV frequently experience comorbidities such as tuberculosis (TB), hypertension, diabetes, and mental health disorders, which negatively impact treatment outcomes, increase healthcare costs, and reduce the quality of life. Furthermore, limited viral load testing, suboptimal adherence counselling, and the exclusion of KPs from essential services hinder progress toward national and global HIV targets.

This operations research aims to establish baseline data on the prevalence of comorbidities, ART adherence, and quality of care among PLHIV and KPs to inform evidence-based strategies for improving health outcomes and achieving the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets.

Justification

Despite widespread ART scale-up, the quality and comprehensiveness of HIV care services are often inadequate to address the needs of PLHIV and KPs in Nigeria. Existing gaps in the integration and management of comorbidities, limited support for ART adherence, and inequitable service access for key populations undermine progress toward optimal care and viral suppression.

This study will generate evidence to guide targeted interventions that address these challenges, ultimately improving the quality of care and contributing to the realization of the National HIV/AIDS Strategic Framework and global HIV commitments.

Objectives

• To determine the prevalence of comorbidities (e.g., TB, hypertension, diabetes, and mental health disorders) among PLHIV and KPs
• To assess ART adherence among PLHIV and KPs.
• To evaluate the quality of care received, including access to viral load testing and adherence support.
• To identify factors associated with comorbidities, ART adherence, and quality of care.

Scope of Work

This operations research will utilize a cross-sectional, mixed-methods design in 12 states representing Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. The selected states will include those with existing HIV programs for PLHIV and KPs: Bauchi, Benue, Plateau, Jigawa, Kano, Enugu, Ebonyi, Gombe, Ondo, Osun, Bayelsa and Rivers. The consultant will oversee and coordinate all technical aspects of the study—from protocol development through data analysis and dissemination. They will work closely with the research core team and the RM&E Department of NACA.

Role of the Consultant

The consultant will be responsible for the following:

• Lead the development of the research protocol, including methodology, sampling strategies, and data collection procedures, in collaboration with
• Develop and finalize quantitative and qualitative data collection instruments.
• Facilitate the adaptation of data collection tools into electronic formats (e.g., Kobo Collect, REDCap).
• Develop the data entry and management template and data analysis plan for approval.
• Design training materials and conduct training for field researchers and data monitors.
• Monitor fieldwork, ensure data quality, and ensure compliance with ethical and methodological standards.
• Conduct rigorous data analysis using both statistical and qualitative methods.
• Draft a comprehensive technical report and finalize it with stakeholder input.
• Ensure ethical safeguards, especially when working with key populations and vulnerable groups.
• Supervise the research team, including data analysts and field staff.

Qualifications and Skills

• A PGD in Public Health or equivalent advanced degree in public health, epidemiology, or related fields.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience conducting HIV/AIDS-related research, particularly in operations research.
• Proven expertise in comorbidity research, ART adherence, and health systems strengthening.
• Strong background in both qualitative and quantitative research.
• Familiarity with Nigeria’s healthcare system and HIV programming.
• Proficiency with electronic data tools (e.g., Kobo Collect, REDCap) and statistical software (e.g., STATA, SPSS, R).
• Demonstrated ability in stakeholder engagement and participatory research approaches.
• Strong writing, presentation, and facilitation skills.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and meet strict deadlines.

Duration of Consultancy

The consultancy will cover twelve (12) non-consecutive working days, during which the consultant is expected to be fully available for all deliverables.

Expected Deliverables

• Approved research protocol with detailed methodology and timelines.
• Finalized data collection instruments and electronic tools.
• Clean dataset in Excel format.
• Training report and data management documentation.
• Presentation of key findings to NACA and stakeholders.
• Final comprehensive technical report (in soft and hard copies), including recommendations for improving comorbidity care, ART adherence, and overall service quality.

GUIDELINE FOR SUBMISSION AND OPENING OF CVS

The detailed CV must be in English Language and submitted in two (2) hard copies one original & one copy) of the requested CV. The two copies shall then be enclosed and sealed in one (1) single outer envelope and clearly marked at the topmost right corner “Operations Research on HIV Comorbidities, Art Adherence, and Quality of Care Among PLHIVs and KPs in Nigeria” and the Name, Address, Email and Phone Number of the Consultant boldly written at the back of the envelope, with acknowledgement to NACA office at the address below.

1. Deadline for Submission: The deadline for the submission of proposal should not be later than Monday, 11^th August, 2025 by 12 noon. The submission(s) received will be opened immediately after closing at NACA Conference Room in the presence of consultants that choose to attend.
2. Kindly fill the Technical and Financial Forms below.

ADDRESS FOR INFORMATION AND SUBMISSION OF CVs

Attention:

Head Procurement

National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) 

Ground Floor Room 1.0

No. 3 Zinguinchor Street, Beside AEDC Office, Wuse zone 4, Abuja

Technical Proposal Submission Form

                                                                                                   [Location, Date]

To:    

Dear Sirs:

          We, the undersigned, offer to provide the consulting services for [Insert title of assignment] in accordance with your Request for Proposal dated [Insert Date] and our Proposal.  We are hereby submitting our Proposal, which includes the Technical Proposal, and the Financial Proposal sealed under two separate envelopes.

          We are submitting our Proposal in association with: [Insert a list with full name and address of each associated Consultant, also specify, whether they are in joint venture or sub consultancy].

          If negotiations are held during the period of validity of the Proposal, i.e., before the date indicated in Clause Reference 25 of the Special Instructions to Consultants, we undertake to negotiate on the basis of the proposed staff.  Our Proposal is binding upon us and subject to the modifications resulting from Contract negotiations.

                   We undertake, if our Proposal is accepted, to initiate the consulting services related to the assignment not later than the date indicated in Clause Reference 48 of the Special Instructions to Consultants.

          We also confirm that the Federal Government of Nigeria has not declared us, or any sub consultants for any part of the Contract, ineligible on charges of engaging in corrupt, fraudulent, collusive or coercive practices. We furthermore, pledge not to indulge in such practices in competing for or in executing the Contract, and we are aware of the relevant provisions of the Proposal Document (ITC Clause 3).

          We understand you are not bound to accept any Proposal you receive.

          We remain,

Yours sincerely,

Financial Proposal Submission Form

[Location, Date]

To:     [Name and address of Client]

Dear Sirs:

          We, the undersigned, offer to provide the consulting services for [Insert title of assignment] in accordance with your Request for Proposal dated [Insert Date] and our Technical Proposal.  Our attached Financial Proposal is for the sum of [Insert amount in words and figures].  This amount is exclusive of Nigerian taxes, which we have estimated at [insert amount in words and figures].

          Our Financial Proposal shall be binding upon us subject to the modifications resulting from Contract negotiations, up to expiration of the validity period of the Proposal, i.e. before the date indicated in Clause Reference 25 of the Special Instructions to Consultants.

Commissions and gratuities, if any, paid or to be paid by us to agents relating to this Proposal   and Contract execution, if we are awarded the Contract, are listed as follows:

          We also declare that the Government of Nigeria has not declared us, or any sub-Consultants for any part of the Contract, ineligible on charges of engaging in corrupt, fraudulent, collusive, or coercive practices. We furthermore, pledge not to indulge in such practices in competing for or in executing the Contract, and are aware of the relevant provisions of the Proposal Document (ITC Clause 3).

          We understand you are not bound to accept any Proposal you receive.

                                      Signed

                                      In the capacity of:

                                      Duly authorized to sign the proposal on behalf of the Applicant.

    Date:

Scoring Citeria

NOTES/DISCLAIMER

1. Late submissions will not be accepted.
2. NACA shall verify any or all documents and claims made by applicants and will disqualify consultants with falsified documents and claims.
3. If it is determined that submitted documents and claims have been falsified, the consultant may face prosecution in a court of Law.
4. NACA shall not be held responsible for any disqualified proposal as a result of any omission or deletion relating to the submission guidelines.
5. 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.
6. 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

Management.