Seeking service provider to conduct end of project evaluation for Unitaid's DRW grant

Unitaid is seeking for a suitable service provider to carry out an end of project evaluation for the "Diagnostics for the Real World" (DRW) grant funded by us and we would like invite you to submit a proposal accordingly.

The tender document with our detailed requirements and the instructions on bid submission are attached in the "Documents" section.

Tender deadlines:

• Request for clarification: 18-Dec @ 17h00 Geneva time
• Submission of Intention to Bid: 20-Dec @ 17h00 Geneva time
• Submission of proposal: 10-Jan @ 17h00 Geneva time

All queries pertaining to the RFP should be addressed in writing to unitaid-proc@who.int .

Thank you for your attention and we look forward to receiving your proposal.

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1) Objective of the DRW grant

Unitaid funded DRW to support the market entry of a new, affordable, quality assured point of care diagnostic product for use in resource limited settings.  The new product -- SAMBA - Simple AMplification-Based Assay device -  aimed to complement viral load monitoring and early infant diagnosis testing options at the centralised laboratory level.

Listed below are the goals, outcome and outputs with activities performed under each output.

Goal: The long term goal of the grant was to improve patient care for HIV-1 infected patients in Sub-Saharan Africa

By successfully testing SAMBA in project countries the grant aimed to make available a new and alternative diagnostic platform for viral load testing and early infant diagnosis to resource limited countries.

Outcome: Implementing SAMBA diagnostic platform at the point of care for early infant diagnosis and viral load monitoring.

The grant aimed to demonstrate reduced loss-to-follow up by decreasing the test turnaround time from sample collection to results available to appropriate clinical action.

Outputs:

1. Completion of in-country product approvals (independent validations and equivalency studies);
2. Completion of impact evaluation studies;
3. Initiation of early implementation for patient diagnosis and monitoring;
4. Building field capacity for early implementation;
5. Obtaining other regulatory approvals;

2. Objectives of the Consultancy

The evaluators shall provide Unitaid with an assessment of how successful the grant has been in achieving the original 5 outputs and the overall outcome of the grant, namely bringing to market an alternate near PoC/PoC diagnostic device that offers an operationally feasible, affordable and technically viable option to resource limited countries to improve and increase HIV testing and monitoring, thereby contributing to Unitaid’s mandate and to the global HIV response.

For more details, please refer to the tender documents attached.