SERVICE CONTRACT OPPORTUNITY: HIRING A LABORATORY TO CONDUCT ENVIRONMENTAL SWABBING, CULTURE AND SENSITIVITY TESTING.
Background
The USAID Ingobyi Activity is a five-year cooperative agreement to improve the quality of reproductive, maternal, newborn, and child health (RMNCH) and malaria services, in a sustainable manner with the goal of reducing infant and maternal mortality in Rwanda. The USAID Ingobyi Activity builds upon the tremendous gains Rwanda has made as well as previous USAID investments in the health sector. USAID Ingobyi Activity aims to contribute to the reduction of infant and maternal mortality and incidence of malaria in Rwanda. The Activity partners with the GOR to build on the country’s considerable achievements, guided by national health strategies, goals, objectives, and data. The Activity is not just building capacity and capability but aims to achieve shared understanding of the patterns and systemic structures that underlie the health system and where and how to bring about measurable, sustainable improvements. It is expected that efforts will generate a virtuous cycle that produces a stronger health system through increased access, skills, standards, and institutions. The goal of USAID Ingobyi Activity is to contribute to the reduction of infant and maternal morbidity and mortality in Rwanda. The strategic objective is to improve the utilization and quality of RMNCH and malaria services in Rwanda, in a sustainable manner.
Infections are among the major causes of maternal, newborn, and child mortality. It has been noted that some health facilities have resistant germs in their working environments and this has led to some nosocomial infections/outbreaks in neonatology and maternity units. To study this further and work towards a safe working environment, USAID Ingobyi Activity plans to conduct environmental swabbing and testing as part of microbial monitoring of the inanimate environment surrounding a patient.
This practice is expected to help in monitoring the presence of pathogens and improve hygiene standards in supported hospitals.
IntraHealth/USAID Ingobyi Activity seeks to recruit an accredited laboratory to conduct environmental swabbing, culture, and sensitivity tests in 26 USAID Ingobyi supported hospitals: Byumba, Kibagabaga, Masaka, Kacyiru, Remera Rukoma, Kabgayi, Gitwe, Ruhango, Nyanza, Kaduha, Kabutare, Kigeme, Munini, Murunda, Shyira, Gisenyi, Ruhengeri, Kabaya, Muhororo, Nyagatare, Gatunda, Ngarama, Kibungo, Nyamata, Rwamagana, Kiziguro, and Gatunda.
The laboratory will be expected to swab and test samples for 26 hospitals (swab, culture, and sensitivity) and this will include sample collection at the 26 hospitals, transportation, culture, and sensitivity testing.
Purpose of the consultancy
The purpose of this assignment is to conduct environmental swabbing and testing as part of microbial monitoring of the inanimate environment surrounding patients.
Scope of Work
- Collect samples from maternity, operating theatre, and neonatology units at 26 hospitals (sample collection and transportation) – at least 10 samples per hospital.
- Analyze all the collected samples (culture and sensitivity tests).
- Present test results/key findings to Ingobyi IPC team.
- Prepare and share laboratory reports with USAID Ingobyi Activity and respective hospitals.
Qualifications
- Must be an accredited laboratory with qualified staff.
- At least 3 years of experience in environmental sample collection and analysis.
- Knowledge of environmental checks, preferably in the context of hospital acquired infections, antimicrobial resistance, and health facility outbreaks.
- Ability to travel within the country.
Deliverables:
- Inception report demonstrating understanding of the assignment, methods to be used, expected deliverables, and timelines.
- Travel plan for sample collection.
- Laboratory reports for each hospital.
- Final synthesis report with details of how the activity was conducted and the main findings.
Supervision: The laboratory will work closely with Ingobyi Activity’s technical teams under the direct supervision of the Infection Prevention and Control Specialist.
Timeframe: This assignment is expected to be completed by May 15th, 2021.
Selection criteria: Applications will be assessed on cost reasonableness (40%) and technical competence (60%).
How to apply: Interested applicants are requested to submit electronic copies of their technical and financial proposals (in English), by April 12th, 2021 at 5:00 PM to ingobyiprocurement@intrahealth.org with the subject “Environmental Swabbing, Culture, and Sensitivity.”
In the proposal, the applicant should explain how they intend to carry out the work and include the following:
- Application letter;
- Description of laboratory’s experience in conducting similar assignments;
- Details of three former clients/referees who can be contacted for reference;
- Proposed budget with applicable unit costs;
- Accreditation certificate
- Tax clearance certificate; and
- VAT certificate.
Click here to read original document of terms of reference
