REQUEST FOR QUOTATION

Reference Number: TN 016/Jhpiego-RW/FY26

TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR GENOMIC SURVEILLANCE CAPACITY BUILDING IN RWANDA

1.Background 

Jhpiego is an international, nonprofit health organization affiliated with Johns Hopkins University. It works in partnership with governments and communities to build resilient health systems capable of delivering evidence-based, quality care. In Rwanda, Jhpiego collaborates closely with the Ministry of Health to strengthen public health surveillance, laboratory systems, and outbreak preparedness.

As Rwanda advances its national health security architecture to address emerging and re-emerging infectious disease threats, genomic surveillance has become a critical component for early pathogen detection, variant identification, transmission tracking, and informed outbreak response. While Rwanda has invested in molecular diagnostics and sequencing platforms, gaps remain in advanced bioinformatics capacity, standardized laboratory workflows, quality management systems, data interoperability, and the routine use of genomic findings for real-time public health action. The Rwanda National Genomic Strategy 2025–2029 provides the framework to institutionalize genomics within public health, prioritizing infrastructure strengthening, workforce development, integration of genomic data into DHIS2 and IDSR systems, and establishment of governance and sustainability mechanisms.

In line with the strategy, Jhpiego, in collaboration with its partners, seeks to engage a locally registered and qualified consulting firm with demonstrated experience in genomic capacity building in Africa to support the Rwanda Biomedical Center (RBC) in operationalizing the Genomic sequencing platform of the country. The selected firm will assess the country capacity and strengthen laboratory genomic systems, workforce competencies, bioinformatics and genomic epidemiology capacity, data analytics, system integration, and long-term sustainability planning.

2.Objectives 

The overall objective is to strengthen Genomic surveillance capacity in Rwanda, enabling early detection, monitoring, and effective control of emerging pathogens. 

Specific Objectives

1. Assess the current genomic surveillance landscape, including laboratory, human resources, data management and reporting capacities.
2. Build sustainable human resource capacity through training and mentorship in molecular biology, next-generation sequencing, bioinformatics, and genomic epidemiology
3. Integrate genomic data into national surveillance platforms (DHIS2/IDSR) to support real time monitoring and outbreak response
4.  Provide technical guidance and operational support to ensure sustainability and continuous improvement of genomic surveillance systems. 

3.Scope of work 

The successful firm will be responsible for the following activities:

3.1 Landscape assessment 

• Conduct a comprehensive mapping of existing genomic surveillance capacities at the Rwanda Biomedical Center and in other relevant health institutions, as identified in collaboration with Jhpiego and its partners 
• Identify gaps in infrastructure, human resources, laboratory workflows, bioinformatics pipelines, and data integration 
• Provide technical guidance for strengthening Rwanda genomic surveillance ecosystem

3.2 Training and capacity building 

• Design and deliver targeted training programs on advanced molecular techniques, next-generation sequencing (NGS) workflows, Bioinformatics analysis, genomic epidemiology, and data interpretation. 
• Conduct advanced, hands-on training on the use of genomic data in epidemiological investigations and public health responses. 

3.3 Mentorship and Technical Support

• Establish structured mentorship programs for national staff in genomics and bioinformatics
• Provide hands-on support for laboratory workflows, sequencing processes, and data analysis pipelines. 

3.4 Data Integration and Analytics

• Develop protocols to integrate genomic data into DHIS2/IDSR dashboards for real-time visualization and reporting.
• Build capacity for routine genomic data analysis, interpretation, and alert generation
• Ensure data interoperability with existing surveillance and laboratory information systems.

3.4 Sustainability and Knowledge Transfer

• Develop/Revise standard operating procedures (SOPs), manuals, and training guides for genomic surveillance
• Support institutionalization of genomic surveillance practices within national health systems
• Synthesize lessons learned into practical guidance for institutional strengthening
• Provide recommendations for long-term sustainability, including infrastructure, human resource development and data governance. 

4.Deliverables

The incumbent company is expected to deliver the following outputs: 

• Inception report with detailed methodology, workplan and stakeholder engagement 
• Landscape assessment report highlighting capacities, gaps, and recommendations for improvement 
• Training materials and roadmap for advanced molecular techniques, including NGS and genomics as well as Bioinformatics
• Documentation of training including participant lists, competence reports and certificates
• Mentorship program report detailing activities, participants and outcomes
• Genomic data integration framework for DHIS2/IDSR dashboards, including SoPs and protocols. 
• Final technical report summarizing all activities, achievements, challenges, and recommendations for sustainability 

5.Duration 

The consulting company contract is expected for 7 months, with specific milestones tied to deliverables. The timeline should include inception, assessment, training, mentorship, and integration phases.

6.Institutional Arrangement 

The consulting firm will work under the guidance of the Jhpiego Rwanda and its partners in close collaboration with Rwanda Biomedical Center-National Reference Laboratory. 

7.Qualification and Expertise 

The consulting firm must demonstrate: 

• Experience in strengthening public health systems, preferably in Africa
• Experience in genomic surveillance, NGS and Bioinformatics 
• Expertise in genomic epidemiology and integration of genomic data into health information systems
• Capacity for training, mentorship, and knowledge transfer
• Demonstrated ability to deliver high-quality technical reports and actionable recommendations
• Key personnel: Highly qualified professionals with advanced expertise in scientific capacity building of molecular biology, genomics, bioinformaticians

8.Reporting

The successful firm will provide monthly progress reports, interim technical reports on key milestones and comprehensive final report covering all deliverables, lessons learned, and recommendations. 

9.Application requirements

Interested companies (either limited or community benefit) are invited to submit the following:

• RDB Registration Certificate in the field
•  Valid RSSB Certificate 

•  Valid Tax clearance Certificate 
• Certificate of Good Completion for at least three (3) similar tenders executed 
• Company profile including a copy of certificate of registration, confirming that it is legally registered and allowed to conduct scientific and technical consultancy, address and official company website. 
• Proposed methodology and work plan 
• CVs of key personnel 
• Budget and detailed cost breakdown 

10. Evaluation Criteria 

The proposal will be evaluated based on:

• Administrative documents (Certificates in Point 9)
• Technical competence of the company
• Proposed methodology and approach
• Personnel qualifications and experience 
• Cost-effectiveness and budget justification 

Submission Deadline:

• Submit your signed and stamped quotations in two separate sealed envelopes (Technical and Financial) no later than Monday, 16th Match 2026, 4:00 PM Kigali time. Late submissions will be rejected.

• Submission Address:

To: Senior Finance & Operations Manager Jhpiego Rwanda Country Office

Gasabo, Kacyiru, KG 5 St Road, House Number 48

P.O. Box 6952, Kigali, Rwanda Tel: (+250) 788 381 188

Email for inquiries: Rwanda.Procurement@jhpiego.org

All inquiries must be submitted in writing at least two (3) business days before the submission deadline.

• Note:Jhpiego reserves the right to accept or reject any quotation, to annul the bidding process, and to reject all proposals at any time prior to _contract award, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder(s) or any obligation to inform the affected bidder(s} of the grounds for Jhpiego's action.

Done on 5th March 2026

Valens Ndonkeye

Sr. Finance and Operations Manager Jhpiego Rwanda Country Office 

Tel: (+250) 788 381 I 88