Request for Applications (RFA): Collaborative Partnerships: Paraguay

Strengthening Training in Health Information Systems, Health Statistics and Epidemiology

Date Issued: June 16, 2008
Deadline: September 24, 2008

HED expects to make one (1) award of up to $300,000 for a higher education partnership to strengthen the capacity of higher education in Paraguay to enhance the gathering and sharing of public health information and health statistics and improve training in epidemiology. The award will be incrementally funded over a three-year period, contingent on funding from USAID.

For clarification or questions regarding this RFA, please contact Senior Program Associate Jennifer Sisane: (202) 243-7692; jsisane@hedprogram.org.

Background 
Context
Partnership Description
Eligibility
Application Review Criteria
Application Format, Submission, and Review 
Terms of the Solicitation

Background

Higher Education for Development and U.S. Agency for International Development

Higher Education for Development (HED) mobilizes the expertise and resources of the higher education community to address global development challenges. HED accomplishes this by administering a cooperative agreement (AEG-A-00-05-00007-00) sponsored by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The Leader with Associate Cooperative Agreement, signed in September 2005, allows HED to manage a competitive awards process to access expertise within the higher education community in coordination with the American Council on Education (ACE), the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU), the Association of American Universities (AAU), the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU), and the National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges (NASULGC).

Funding by USAID’s Bureau for Economic Growth, Agriculture and Trade, Office of Education (EGAT/ED), as well as USAID’s functional and regional Bureaus and worldwide Missions, supports higher education partnerships to advance global development, economic growth, good governance, and healthy societies. These partnerships provide training, applied research, program evaluation, policy analysis, and program implementation, which are critical to promote USAID’s foreign assistance goals. More information on USAID and its role in economic and humanitarian assistance worldwide over the past 40 years is available on our website.

Context

USAID/Paraguay’s overarching goal is to improve the health of underserved populations through strengthened training of health care practitioners and graduate students in the nation’s medical schools. Prior to 2005, the health sector in Paraguay lacked a unified and integrated national information system. The system was outdated, fragmented and often managed by personnel who lacked training to ensure the timely and appropriate collection and use of health data and statistics.

In 2005, the government of Paraguay launched an initiative to review and update the national health information system with support from USAID/Washington and the Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO). A needs assessment led to recommendations on the design and implementation of a more efficient system of collecting and sharing health information.

USAID/Paraguay is currently supporting the Ministry of Health (MOH) through the MEASURE program to implement a new system of health information. USAID seeks to engage higher education to assist the MOH in building new capacities in health information system (HIS) personnel so that the new health information system can be effectively implemented.

USAID’s needs assessment calls for strengthened knowledge, skills and overall capacity of the public health workforce by providing a wide range of training opportunities for health personnel at all levels of the system, from students to practitioners. The assessment noted that the lack of trained personnel in epidemiology and public health coupled with the lack of staff training for those charged with collecting and analyzing health data must be addressed in order to ensure that the new health information system is well implemented.

Partnership Description

USAID/Paraguay encourages US partners to collaborate with the Paraguayan National Institute for Health, the Andres Barbero School of Public Health at the National University of Asunción, and the Catholic University Nuestra Señora de la Asunción in Villa Rica.

The goal of the partnership with these three institutions is to enhance the training provided to students and health practitioners by these institutions on public health, epidemiology and health statistics so that their graduates and HIS personnel are prepared to collect, analyze and present health data for use in health planning, policy development, and public education. The partners will collaborate to improve existing “specialization certificate” programs in epidemiology, public health and statistics for graduate students and develop the potential for a master’s degree program. The partnership will provide opportunities for faculty development for the Paraguayan partner institutions, including activities in Paraguay and/or the opportunity to pursue a master’s program in the United States related to the health information sector, as appropriate. The primary focus of the partnership will be to develop courses for students in the “specialization certificate” programs in epidemiology and public health offered by the universities. The courses will focus on epidemiology and on topics such as programmatic and financial management of public health programs, policy analysis, and global health policy.

The partners, in cooperation with two non-governmental organizations (NGOs) identified by the Mission that are implementing the MEASURE program, will also develop targeted training for HIS personnel outside the universities that is geared to the needs of the new national health information system. The training will enable health practitioners to assess program and policy outcomes using health data and information.

Objectives

• Provide faculty development and curriculum support for postgraduate certificate programs in public health, epidemiology and health statistics at the Paraguayan partner institutions so that graduates are prepared to collect, analyze and present health data for use in health planning, policy development and public education.
  
• Provide faculty development aimed at increasing knowledge and skills relevant to the needs of the new health information system.
  
• Establish short-term training on public health statistics and epidemiology for health personnel so that they are able to assess program and policy outcomes using health data and information.

Activities

• The partners will jointly review the post-graduate curriculum of the Paraguayan partner institutions in public health, epidemiology and health statistics. The review will be conducted with input from the two NGOs identified by the Mission (listed below) and will identify targeted training needs to strengthen and modernize the instruction provided by the Paraguayan National Institute for Health (INS), the Andres Barbero School of Public Health at the National University of Asunción, and the Catholic University Nuestra Señora de la Asunción. 
  
• The partnership will provide professional development for the faculty of INS, the National University of Asunción and the Catholic University Nuestra Señora de la Asunción through visiting professor programs, and/or joint collaborative workshops on topics related to teaching and research methodology for health information and curriculum development.
  
• New courses and curriculum modules for postgraduate “specialization certificates” will be developed in health information targeting needed training in epidemiology, public health or basic statistics.
  
• Instructional materials will be developed to support the new courses and curriculum modules for “specialization certificates.”  
  
• The partnership may offer scholarships to selected faculty for graduate training in the United States with an emphasis on health information systems. 
  
• The Paraguayan partner(s) may provide short-term training, workshops and seminars in health information management for colleagues at other higher education institutions, HIS personnel, health care practitioners and NGO stakeholders.

Monitoring and Evaluation:

The application must describe a monitoring and reporting plan for the partnership activities and expected outcomes, including an initial baseline assessment of the curriculum needs in public health information, epidemiology and HIS. The monitoring and reporting plan should demonstrate how progress towards objectives will be tracked, and how results of partnership activities will be summarized.

An external evaluation of program impact at the conclusion of the funding period must be included in the M&E plan, and the qualifications of the designated external evaluator described in the application. The M&E plan must include a detailed description of how results will be communicated and reported to USAID/Paraguay through HED.

Contact Information for Higher Education Partners:

The Paraguayan National Institute for Health (INS)
Dr. Felipe Recalde (e-mail: postgrado@ins.gov.py or clarita@ins.gov.py; phone: 595-2129-6210)

The Andres Barbero Institute of Public Health at the National University of Paraguay
Jorge Tadeo Jiménez (email: jimzac@conexion.com.py or postgrado@med.una.py; phone: 595-2142-0974)

Catholic University Nuestra Señora de la Asunción
Dr. Julio Basualdo (e-mail: basualdo@uc.edu.py; phone: 595-2149-7288)

USAID/Paraguay:
Graciela Avila, Health Officer (e-mail: gavial@usaid.gov; phone: 595-2122-0715)

Contact Information for NGO Collaborators:

Partners are required to consult the following NGOs in the curriculum review and development of workshops for health practitioners managing the new Health Information System:

Paraguayan Center for Population Studies (CEPEP: Centro Paraguayano de Estudios de Población)
Dr. Cynthia Prieto, Executive Director (e-mail: cprieto@cepep.org.py; phone: 595-21-201567)

Information and Resource Center for Development (CIRD: Centro de Información y Recursos para el Desarrollo)
Dr. Carlos Rodriguez, Coordinator (e-mail: crodriguez@cird.org.py)

Eligibility

HED welcomes applications from the member institutions of ACE, AACC, AASCU, AAU, NAICU, and NASULGC, and from other regionally accredited, degree granting, U.S. higher education institutions (2 & 4-year colleges and universities). U.S. colleges and universities may apply individually, or in partnership with other institutions. HED encourages applications from or with the participation of minority-serving institutions.

Application Review Guidelines

I. Alignment with the Goals of the RFA and Overall Design    15 Points

• Alignment of proposed partnership activities and outputs with USAID Paraguay’s goal to improve public health practitioners’ capacity to collect and effectively utilize health information to manage health programs and develop public policy.
• Demonstrated understanding of the new health information system in Paraguay.
• Demonstrated understanding of the goals and activities of the USAID-funded MEASURE program, which is implementing Parguay’s new Health Information System.

II. Institutional Capacity Building       30 points

• Strength of plan for the collaborative review of curriculum for postgraduate training (specialization certificates) in public health, epidemiology and health statistics.
• Evidence that the proposed courses and curriculum modules for postgraduate “specialization certificates” will be structured to meet the identified needs for training in epidemiology, public health and basic statistics.
• Appropriateness of proposed curricula and/or courses for “specialization certificates” as components of a sound curriculum in public health information.
• Strength and breadth of plan for workshops to be offered to HIS personnel outside the universities.
• Plan for sustaining courses and other activities related to postgraduate training.
• Plan for sustaining knowledge gained by HIS personnel through refresher training or other continuing education opportunities.

III. Professional Development       15 points

• Appropriateness of faculty development to increase knowledge of the latest research and teaching methods in public health information and increase knowledge of current practice in the implementation of successful national health information systems.
• Strength of plan for the provision of short-term training in Paraguay for HIS personnel, with appropriate incentives (which may include scholarships) to maximize participation.
• Strength of plan for utilizing the skills and knowledge of returned faculty to improve the health information training offered by the home institution in Paraguay.

IV. Expertise and Collaboration       15 points

• Relevance of expertise of U.S. partner key personnel in the collection, analysis and use of public health information and familiarity with the use of epidemiology and health statistics in program and policy formulation and evaluation.
• Evidence of institutional commitment among all partners (faculty and administrators on the U.S. and in Paraguay).
• Evidence of consultation with CEPEP and CIRD in the topics to be covered in curriculum development and planning for courses and workshops 

V. Cost Sharing and Cost Effectiveness of Overall Budget    10 Points

• Cost sharing (recommended at 25% of the award amount), including expected cash and/or in-kind contribution from all partners.
• Demonstrated cost-effectiveness in the distribution of funds among activities and the equitable distribution of funds among U.S. and Paraguayan partners.

VI. Monitoring and Reporting       15 Points

• Valid and reliable evidence of a methodology for conducting an initial assessment of the postgraduate training curriculum at the Paraguayan partner institutions and training for HIS personnel relevant to the needs of Paraguay’s health information system.
• Clearly defined plan for monitoring partnership activities and outcomes.
• Clearly articulated plan for an external evaluation to assess the partnership’s achievement of objectives and impact on the efficiency of the health information system.

Application Format, Submission and Review

Application Format
How to Submit an Application
Peer Review

Application Format

Please provide the contents of the application in the following order:

1. Title Page (Please complete HED form in full and obtain signatures of authorized officials.)

2. Table of Contents

3. Abstract (not to exceed 3 typed, double-spaced pages, 12-point font, 1-inch margins). The abstract should contain a summary of the narrative, workplan and budget.

4. Narrative (not to exceed 20 typed, double-spaced pages, 12-point font, 1-inch margins) Address the criteria listed in Application Review Guidelines I-VI (see above).

5. The 20-page application must describe a monitoring and reporting plan for the partnership, including an initial baseline assessment, that shows how progress and results will be communicated and reported to USAID through HED.

6. Appendices (Attachments beyond the stated appendices will not be read nor taken into consideration):
    * Annual workplan for the funding period (Use HED form).
    * Budget forms (Use HED form. Complete all SEVEN tabs).
    * Résumés of the proposed U.S. and host institution directors and key personnel, not to exceed 2 one-sided pages per person.
    * Signed letters of support from the presidents, chancellors, or other chief executive officers of the cooperating institution(s) in the United States.
    * Signed letters of support from appropriate university leaders of the overseas partner institution(s) as well as partnership directors. Higher education leaders from the overseas partner(s) may include deans, rectors, or institutional presidents.
    * Signed letters of support from key collaborating partners.  This may include NGOs and private sector partners.
    * Signed letter from appropriate official at applicant institution verifying that all costs cited conform to established institutional policies and practices.

How to Submit an Application

Applications must be received at HED by 5:00PM, Eastern Time (ET), September 24, 2008. Faxed or electronically transmitted applications will not be accepted. All elements of the application must be received by the deadline. HED recognizes that original, signed cover letters and letters of support from overseas partners may be subject to delays due to factors beyond the applicant’s control. Only in these exceptional cases, faxed or scanned copies of the application title page and letters that include all necessary signatures may be submitted in the application, provided signed originals are received at HED within seven (7) calendar days of the deadline.

Applicants should submit the original application plus seven (7) hard copies of the complete application package containing title page, table of contents, abstract, narrative, and appendices (all on loose-leaf paper, clipped together — no three-ring binders, staples, or plastic bindings), and a diskette or CD (with files saved as Microsoft Word/Excel for PC) containing the entire application, including all budget forms, budget narrative, and other appendices.

Applications should be sent to: (*NOTE: This is a NEW address)

Collaborative Partnership: Paraguay
Higher Education for Development
1 Dupont Circle NW, Suite 420
Washington, D.C. 20036-1193

Once an application has been received, there is to be no contact with the HED program office until the completion of the peer review process in order to ensure fairness to all parties concerned.

Peer Review

Applications will be reviewed by expert panelists, which include representatives from higher education, international development, and USAID.  Awards will be made on the basis of reviewers’ recommendations of merit, and USAID. Peer review of applications is slated for early October 2008.

Letters of communication from members of the U.S. Congress in support of an application are discouraged as these may be thought to prejudice the peer-review process. Such letters will not be forwarded to peer reviewers.

Notification about awards is expected following the completion of peer review. Upon final announcement of awards, the person named in the application as partnership director may submit a written request for copies of the peer reviewers’ scores for the application. No personal reviews will be granted, and no comparative score tabulations will be shared.

Terms of the Solicitation

Cost Share
Execution of Awards
Post Award Briefings
TraiNet Requirements
Health and Accident Insurance
Reporting

Cost Share

The minimum suggested total cost share from all U.S. partners is 25 percent of the award amount. Reported cost share must be auditable. Non-auditable contributions may not be used to meet the minimum, but can be indicated separately and attached to the budget detail form.

Higher education institutions are expected to leverage support from the private sector in addition to the cost sharing provided by their institutions. Applicants should itemize all cost sharing and in-kind contributions.

Cash and in-kind contributions will be accepted as part of the applicant’s cost sharing when such contributions are: (a) verifiable from the applicant’s records; (b) not included as contributions for any other federally-assisted program; (c) reasonable for the accomplishment of partnership objectives; and (d) not paid by the federal government under another grant.

In-kind contributions may include, but are not limited to: waivers of tuition and fees for students participating in academic exchanges; donation of library and classroom materials to the partner; ICT infrastructure and Internet Service Provider subscription subsidy for the partner and exchange students; faculty salaries; travel and/or per diem for faculty and administrators to participate in professional exchange and development programs; and indirect costs.

Execution of Awards

Awards will be executed as sub-agreements between the designated U.S. university, college, community college, or consortium, and the American Council on Education (ACE), through the Higher Education for Development (HED) office, under USAID Cooperative Agreement AEG-A-00-05-00007-00. The institution recommended for award will receive a draft version of the sub-agreements to review. The Awardee will be expected to submit a marking plan as part of the sub-agreement that clearly indicates the support provided by USAID for activities conducted under the award.

Please note that no award nor cost share funds may be expended prior to a fully executed (i.e., signed by both parties) sub-agreement between ACE and the designated U.S. institution unless pre-award expenses have been approved as a part of the negotiation of the sub-award. Activities are expected to commence immediately after the sub-agreement is executed.

Award funds will be disbursed to the designated U.S. university, college, community college, or consortium, based on the applicant’s implementation of the work plan, stated budget, and submission to HED of financial, tax, and narrative progress reports. It is the designated U.S. institution’s responsibility to provide disbursements (reimbursements) for its collaborating partner(s) in accordance with the agreed-upon activity schedule and budget.

Post Award Briefings

Partnership directors, and/or their designees, are required to participate in two post-award briefings. The first briefing, conducted in a virtual format, will review reporting, monitoring and evaluation requirements. The second briefing via a conference call will address general requirements of the award.

TraiNet Requirements

To comply with the Department of Homeland Security, U.S Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Department of State, and USAID regulations regarding tracking and monitoring of Exchange Visitors, foreign nationals whose costs are paid, fully or partially, directly or indirectly using USAID program funds for training, non-training, and invitational travel, must enter the U.S. on a J-1 visa (non-immigrant Exchange Visitor visa) processed under one of USAID’s two program numbers, unless otherwise waived according to the procedure in ADS 252.3. J-2 visa applications for family members are not supported per USAID policy. USAID expects that all DS-2019 documents (paperwork needed for J visas) and in-country or third country training be processed through the USAID Training, Results and Information Network (TraiNet) system. Institutions may not directly access the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) to issue DS-2019 documents internally. Information regarding USAID’s J-1 visa requirements may be found online at the Participant Training website. Administrators must adhere to the regulations detailed under TraiNet, Visa Compliance System (VCS), the Student Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), and USAID’s Automated Directives System (ADS) 252-Visa Compliance for Exchange Visitors, and 253-Training for Development. U.S. institutions should allow up to 12 weeks for the processing of visas when planning activities in the United States.

TraiNet management requires a significant commitment of staff time and applicants are encouraged to take this into consideration when developing the program budget.

USAID Health and Accident Coverage (HAC) Insurance Program

The U.S. institution is responsible for enrolling each participant traveling to the United States or a third country in the official USAID Health and Accident Coverage (HAC) insurance program. Participants entering the United States on J-1 visas are required to obtain HAC from the official USAID vendor. Institutions may not use award funds to cover their own institutional HAC insurance. More information on the USAID HAC insurance program is available online. The cost of HAC for participants must be included in the budget.

Reporting

Awardees will be required to submit to HED:

· Financial reports are due quarterly to record expenditures for the following periods: Jan. 1-March 31, April 1-June 30, July 1-Sept. 30, and Oct. 1-Dec. 31;

· Semi-annual narrative progress reports for the following reporting periods may be sent via e-mail: April 1-September 30 and Oct. 1-March 31;

· Both financial reports and semi-annual progress reports are due within one-month after the corresponding reporting period closes: Jan. 31, April 30, July 31, and Oct. 31;

· A final narrative report (due 30 days after the conclusion of program activities); and,

· Final financial reports (due no later than 90 days after the sub-agreement closing date).