Integrated Health Initiative (IHI) Activity

The Integrated Health Initiative (IHI) Activity, as outlined in Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) Number 72030625RFA00001 Amendment No. 1, seeks to improve equitable access to and utilization of quality health services, particularly for women and children in five key provinces of Afghanistan: Kabul, Kandahar, Nangarhar, Herat, and Balkh. The initiative focuses on addressing maternal and newborn health, family planning, child health, nutrition, tuberculosis, and mental health. These regions were selected due to their high disease burden, significant numbers of returning migrants, and limited access to health services caused by geographic, financial, and social barriers. Building upon previous USAID investments like AFIAT, UHI, and LHSS, the IHI Activity emphasizes engaging men in health-related family decision-making and supporting health workers to enhance service qualityose of the initiative is to enhance health outcomes through a multi-sectoral approach that strengthens health systems, increases demand for and access to health services, and promotes healthy behaviors. The Activity aims to address gender disparities in healthcare access, with particular attention to reducing barriers faced by women, children, and marginalized groups. Additionally, the initiative seeks to increase community awareness of critical health issues and improve health-related behaviors through evidence-based interventions . FundingNOFO is open to both U.S. and non-U.S. organizations, including faith-based entities, provided they meet financial management and operational capability requirements. The award mechanism will be a cooperative agreement, and USAID reserves the right to fund one or none of the applications. A minimum cost share of five percent is required from applicants, which can be provided through financial contributions, in-kind resources, or other donor funds . Applicants must me submission requirements, including obtaining a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and registering in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov). Proposals must be submitted via email by the specified deadline, with technical and cost applications consolidated into single attachments wherever possible. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered . The evaluation of applicatio based on a merit review process, with proposals assessed against technical and cost criteria as specified in the NOFO. Technical applications must address program objectives, intermediate results, and proposed methodologies clearly and comprehensively. The final selection decision rests with the Agreement Officer, who will also assess the risk profile of the selected applicant before issuing an award . Key reporting requirements post-awardarterly financial and performance reports, family planning compliance plans, gender action plans, and environmental risk mitigation plans. The recipient must also submit an annual implementation plan, to be finalized with USAID within 60 days of the award . The application deadline is January 24, 2025, a. Eastern Standard Time (EST). Questions related to the NOFO must be submitted no later than December 20, 2024. Any amendments or clarifications arising from these queries will be shared publicly via www.grants.gov .