REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP): “Strategic Communication and Campaign Plan for Enhancing Understanding and Normalization of the U=U Concept Among…”

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP)

“Strategic Communication and Campaign Plan for Enhancing Understanding and Normalization of the U=U Concept Among Key Populations “

Response Deadline: August 17, 2024

About FHI 360:

FHI 360 is a nonprofit human development organization dedicated to improving lives in lasting ways by advancing integrated, locally driven solutions. Our staff includes experts in health, education, nutrition, environment, economic development, civil society, gender, youth, research, technology, communication, and social marketing- creating a unique mix of capabilities to address today’s interrelated development challenges. FHI 360 serves more than 70 countries and all U.S. states and territories.

EpiC Project Background:

Meeting Targets and Maintaining Epidemic Control (EpiC) Thailand has been supporting the rollout of the U=U campaign since the beginning of FY20. This campaign targets key populations to raise awareness, normalize HIV testing and treatment, and build understanding of the U=U concept, empowering people living with HIV (PLHIV). EpiC Thailand promoted the U=U campaign as a neutral-status approach and produced human stories to showcase the daily lives of PLHIV, along with a series of online content and animations that explain the U=U concept.

“U=U,” which stands for Undetectable = Untransmittable, represents a revolutionary advancement in HIV prevention and treatment, grounded in modern antiretroviral therapy. This principle conveys that when a person living with HIV achieves and consistently maintains an undetectable viral load through adherence to antiretroviral medication, they pose no risk of transmitting the virus to their sexual partners. This pivotal understanding is based on robust scientific research and extensive clinical trials, which have demonstrated that effective treatment not only significantly improves the health and life expectancy of individuals with HIV but also completely eliminates the risk of sexual transmission.

The U=U message is instrumental in challenging and dismantling the stigma associated with HIV, as it provides clear and empowering evidence that, with proper treatment, the virus is no longer a transmission threat. By reinforcing that an undetectable viral load equates to no risk of passing on HIV, U=U encourages people to engage in proactive health management and fosters open, informed conversations about HIV. This progress is essential in creating a more supportive and understanding environment for those living with HIV, paving the way for more equitable and compassionate healthcare practices.

Purpose and details of works

This service is intended for a vendor to develop a Strategic Communication and Campaign Plan centered on the U=U concept for key populations. The EpiC Thailand Program aims to raise awareness and normalize this concept by introducing new, approachable methods of communicating the core idea, making it more accessible and comprehensible, particularly for key populations such as men who have sex with men, transgender individuals, and sex workers.

The vendor is expected to consult with the target audience, community-based organizations, epidemiology and medical professionals, and the EpiC Thailand Technical team to ensure alignment with the U=U concept. Following this alignment, the vendor must create a strategic communication plan that includes detailed materials, a timeline, and an estimated budget for production for the upcoming fiscal year. The vendor is required to complete the following tasks :

• Community Assessment and Consultation Report: A summary of consultations with the target audience, community-based organizations, epidemiology and medical professionals, and the EpiC Thailand Technical team. This report should outline how their feedback has been incorporated into the plan. This step should include a section on Compliance and Alignment Documentation, providing evidence of how the developed plan aligns with the U=U concept and the requirements set by the EpiC Thailand program.
• Campaign Overview: An outline of the campaign’s goals, target audience segments, key messages, and proposed methods for engaging with key populations.
• Strategic Communication Plan: A comprehensive document detailing the strategic approach to promoting the U=U concept. This should include:
• Detailed Materials: Information on the content and format of communication materials to be produced.
• Timeline: A schedule outlining the key milestones and deadlines for the development and implementation of the communication campaign.
• Estimated Budget: A detailed budget for production costs, including anticipated expenses for materials, media, and other relevant items.
• Implementation Plan: A detailed plan outlining how the communication strategies and materials will be rolled out, including any planned activities, events, or promotions.
• Evaluation Framework: A framework for assessing the effectiveness of the campaign, including methods for measuring impact and feedback mechanisms to refine the approach as needed.

Timeline

All of the works as mentioned above must be finalized and completed by September 20, 2024

Deliverables and required outputs.
The vendor must do the following as deliverables for this work:

• Deliverables
  • Finalized work plan and completion of the service agreement contract
    • Required outputs:
      • Signed service agreement between FHI360 and Vendor
      • Finalized concrete workplan of the vendor that approved by FHI360, EPIC Thailand Technical Manager
  • Completion of Community Assessment and Consultation Report
    • Required outputs:
      • A summary of consultations with the target audience, community-based organizations, epidemiology and medical professionals, and the Epic Thailand Technical team
      • A presentation that shows the results of the consultation. (need photos consent if any)
  • A summary in Word doc and PPT presentation of the campaign plan
    • Required outputs:
      • The vendor must receive alignment from Epic Thailand Technical team on the following list of works:
        • Campaign Overview
        • Strategic Communication Plan
          • Timeline of each materials
          • Detailed Materials
          • Estimated Budget
      • Implementation Plan
      • Evaluation Framework

Qualifications/Skills

1. High expertise on develops the HIV and sexual health related creative content for online marketing.
2. Having experiences and expertise on content development related to the lifestyle of Man who have sex with man (MSM), Sex worker (SW), and Transgender women (TGW)
3. Familiarity with MSM, SW and TGSW context and knowledge of HIV testing, PrEP/PEP, HIV treatment, U=U and Chemsex issue in Thailand for content production
4. The vender staff responsible for this work must be able to communicate in Thai and English fluently and have excellent writing skill in Thai and English.
5. The vender must have its technical knowledge on health-related communication strategies, comprehensive understanding towards key populations, and have past experiences in working with Thai Ministry of Public Health or public/private hospitals and health facilities in Thailand.

Evaluation Criteria: Proposals will be evaluated in accordance with the following criteria:

• Demonstrated understanding of the required technical area: 25%
• Soundness of Social Media approach: 25%
• Demonstration of experience: 10%
• Value for the proposed cost: 25%
• Clarity/professionalism of proposal and communication: 15%

Reserved Rights

All RFQ/RFP responses become the property of FHI 360, who reserves the right in its sole discretion to:

• Disqualify any offer based on offer or failure to follow solicitation instructions.

• Reserve the right to award based on the initial evaluation of offers without discussion.

• FHI 360 will not compensate vendors for preparation of their response to this RFQ/RFP.

• Issuance of this RFQ/RFP is not a guarantee that FHI 360 will award a purchase order.

Disclaimers:

The vender to be selected to perform this work is subject to all the terms and conditions set forth at this web location [https://www.fhi360.org/poterms] Supplier’s delivery of products, performance of services, or issuance of invoices in connection with this purchase order establishes Supplier’s agreement to the Terms, including, the safeguarding policy [https://www.fhi360.org/about-us/compliance-office].

How to apply

Submission documents

1. Brief proposal and Quotation
2. Company profile/ Or relevant portfolio of Individual Expertise

Method of Submission and timetable:

• Respond via e-mail with attached document in MS Word / PDF format
• Proposals are due no later than 5:00 PM on Tuesday, August 17, 2024
• Required documentation listed below must be e-mailed to: Procurement.EpiC.TH@fhi360.org