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Bidder Queries - UNFPA_CP10_IFP_2026_025
Partnership for Advancing Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights and Gender Equality
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No.QueryUNFPA Response
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1With reference to the Invitation for Proposals (IFP) for Partnership for Advancing Sexual and Reproductive Health under the 2023–2027 Country Programme Document (DP/FPA/CPD/IND/10), I am writing to request the complete IFP documentation package and any technical annexures regarding digital health, maternal health surveillance, and health systems strengthening components.

I am a clinician (BDS) with an Executive MBA from IIM Bangalore and 25+ years of experience leading large-scale primary care, maternal and child health (RMNCH+A), and digital public health initiatives in India and globally—including serving as Director – Digital Health (CIO) at the Wadhwani Initiative for Sustainable Healthcare (WISH) across 1,000 primary care centres in 5 states, VP of Products & Compliance for the FDA-cleared postpartum digital therapeutic MamaLift Plus (Curio Digital Therapeutics), and currently as IT Consultant (Vaccine Data Analytics, UNDP project) with JSI and Member of the WHO-ITU Technical Working Group for Digital Public Infrastructure for Health (DPI-H).

We look forward to reviewing the detailed IFP guidelines ahead of the 28 October 2026 clarification window and the 18 November 2026 submission deadline.		All relevant information / documents are included in the IFP document and interested agency need to parepare response in line with that information only.
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2Please find attached the official profile and expression of interest from The Beacon Circle Foundation in response to the Invitation for Proposals for the Partnership for Advancing Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights and Gender Equality (2023-2027 DP/FPA/CPD/IND/10).

While our foundation notes the immediate geographic focus targeting priority districts in Rajasthan, we are formally submitting our operational capabilities to the India Country Office to explore strategic institutional partnerships, joint ventures, or upcoming program rollouts within Western India—specifically the Mumbai and Maharashtra regions.

As detailed in our attached framework, our leadership brings 18 months of official, direct public policy experience serving on the Divisional Board under the Department of Social Justice and Special Assistance, Government of Maharashtra. We specialize in tracking systemic administrative bottlenecks, structural gender equity frameworks, and grassroots community mobilization.

We are highly eager to be cataloged within the UNFPA roster of technically competent, operationally capable partner organizations for upcoming allocations, state-wide applications, or collaborative technical support tracks.

Attached Documentation:

1. Completed Attachment I: NGO Profile and Institutional Framework

2. Corporate Registration & Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) Certificates

3. Core Policy Matrix & Systemic Diagnostics Layout

We look forward to your review and to any future opportunities to advance institutional equity in alignment with the UNFPA mandate.		Agency need to submit via IFP route only
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3Healis Sekhsaria Institute for Public Health (Healis) is located in Navi Mumbai and has no presence
in Rajasthan. Are we eligible to apply?
2. Any pre-requisites for Healis to be able to enter into a partnership agreement with UNFPA?
3. We do not have past or existing work across SRHR and Gender & Human Rights. Are we eligible
to apply?		1. Yes, eligible to apply.
2. Please refer to the IFP for pre-requisites and JV/ Consortium is allowed
3. Past or existing work experience in SRHR or Gender & Human Rights is required.
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41. Scope of the Proposal: SRHR and Gender Equality: The Invitation for Proposal mentions “Partnership for Advancing Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights and Gender Equality.” Is it mandatory for the proposal to cover both Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights and Gender Equality, or may an applicant choose to focus on either one of these areas?
2. Selection of Themes under Program Areas:
(a) Program Area (A) : If an applicant chooses Program Area A, is it mandatory to address all the themes listed under Sections A.1 to A.5, or the applicant may select specific themes based on their organizational expertise and proposed approach.
(b) Program Area (B) : Is it okay to select only one area from this Section ?
3. Geographic Coverage and Selection of Districts: Under Section F, Geographic Coverage, it is mentioned that the partnership will have statewide coverage across Rajasthan, with a focus on UNFPA priority districts—Udaipur, Sawai Madhopur, and Jaisalmer. However, Attachment 1, Sections B, C, and D, does not appear to provide a specific field for applicants to indicate the locations or districts in Rajasthan where they propose to work. Could you please clarify whether implementing partners will be expected to propose districts based on their existing presence and geographical strengths. This may result in additional districts being covered, but with few themes.
4. Under Program Area A, inclusion of Comprehensive Abortion Care: Inclusion of comprehensive abortion care under Program Area A (A1 and A2) respectful delivery and postpartum family planning has been included. Please confirm whether comprehensive abortion care is included therein.
5. Expected Coverage at the Block Level: Is there a prescribed minimum or indicative number of blocks that applicants are expected to include in their proposals? Please indicate separately for the focus districts and other additional districts that may be taken up under the project.
6. Expected Coverage of Public Health Facilities: Is there a prescribed minimum or indicative number of facilities in each Block that applicants are expected to include in their proposals, such as District Hospitals, Community Health Centers and Primary Health Centers.
7. Nature of Implementation: Community-Based or Demonstration-Oriented: Is the implementing partner expected to work directly with communities as part of the intervention, or is the proposed engagement intended to be primarily demonstration-oriented in nature? Could you please clarify the expected level of direct community engagement and implementation?
8. Budget Preparation Based on Proposed Geographic Coverage: Under Section D.4 of the budget section, applicants are required to provide a “description of budgeted activities to be undertaken to produce the expected results detailed.” While the proposed activities and expected results may remain consistent, the overall budget is likely to vary depending on the number of districts an applicant proposes to cover. Could you please clarify how applicants should approach budget preparation in such cases? Should the budget be developed based on the proposed number of districts and the corresponding implementation requirements, or is there a prescribed budgeting framework or standard allocation that applicants are expected to follow?		UNFPA Rajasthan Priority Districts include: Sawai Madhopur, Udaipur and Jaisalmer. UNFPA also support Govt. in Jodhpur on specific programs across SRH & Gender thematic areas.
1. It is not mandatory to cover both the themes and agency an also apply for either SRHR or G&HR theme under IFP.
2. Yes, under thematic area, all specific themes need to be covered
3. UNFPA needs agency to cover all priority districts as mentioned above and under these districts, all blocks are covered. In case of recommendation from Govt., the scope may expand.
4. Yes, it is included.
5. All blocks across 4 districts
6. All public health facilities
7. Apart from program implementation/demonstration agency is also expected to engage with communities.
8. Please prepare budget based on proposed districts and specific areas under theme. Indicative budget will help in identifying agency in the procurement process.
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5A. Submission structure:
Section 1.3.C allows applicants to apply under one or more programme areas, and Attachment I notes that "a separate form should be filled for each programme proposal submitted" where multiple submissions are allowed.
1. Should an organisation applying under both Programme Area A (SRHR and Health Systems) and Programme Area B (Gender Equality, GBV and Harmful Practices) submit one consolidated proposal or a separate Attachment I for each programme area?
2. If separate proposals are required, should each carry its own budget spreadsheet, and may the organisational sections (Sections A, B, F and G) and supporting documents be submitted once and cross-referenced?
3. We would also be grateful to know how the cross-cutting functions in Section D should be addressed: within each proposal, or once at the organisational level.

B. Scope and level of engagement:

1. What level of engagement is expected from the implementing partner across state, district and community levels?
2. What is the anticipated balance between technical assistance, institutional strengthening and direct implementation support?

C. Rajasthan experience and organisational presence:

1. Would preference be given to organisations having an office/headquarter in Rajasthan, or would demonstrated programme experience and an established operational presence in the state be sufficient?
2. Given that an organisation may be headquartered in Delhi with an office in Rajasthan, is there scope for deploying personnel at both state and district levels?

D. Staffing and deployment of consultants:

1. Is the implementing partner expected to recruit and place consultants within existing Government departments or institutions, or is the expectation to provide technical assistance through its own personnel?
2. If placements are required, which departments or institutions would be involved, and what would be the expected duration and nature of these engagements?

E. MEL expertise and staffing:

1. Is a dedicated Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) expert expected to be based in Rajasthan, or could this function be supported by a national-level resource?
2. Are there specific staffing or deployment requirements for MEL at state and district levels?

F. Geographic coverage:

1. The Background and Rationale section (Section 1.3.A) mentions UNFPA’s presence in four priority districts—Sawai Madhopur, Udaipur, Jodhpur and Jaisalmer—whereas the Geographic Coverage section (Section 1.3.F) identifies three priority districts—Udaipur, Sawai Madhopur and Jaisalmer.

2. Could UNFPA clarify which districts are to be considered priority districts for the proposed partnership and whether Jodhpur is also included in the intended geographic coverage?

G. Results framework: Section 1.3.E lists Results 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6, while Result 3 is not listed. The overall objective also refers to SRH information and services for adolescents and youth and to the inclusion of persons with disabilities, which are not set out as distinct programme areas.

1. Could UNFPA clarify whether a Result 3 or a related component (e.g. adolescents and youth) is intended under this IFP? and
2. Whether adolescent/youth SRHR and disability inclusion should be mainstreamed across Programme Areas A and B?

H. Capacity building and training requirements: Across the programme areas, the IFP refers to capacity development for several categories of stakeholders, including:
Health institutions and service providers delivering quality, climate-resilient maternal health care (A.1).
Family planning service providers, including training on DVDMS for FP commodity supply-chain management (A.2).
Health personnel, Nurse Practitioners in Midwifery (NPMs), midwifery training institutions and systems (A.3).
Government institutions and health systems on programme management, quality improvement and health-sector responses to GBV and harmful practices (A.4).
Service providers and institutions involved in GBV prevention and response, survivor-centred case management, referrals and implementation of the State Women Policy (B.1).
Relevant stakeholders and civil society organisations working on child marriage, harmful practices, GBV and gender-transformative programming (B.2 and B.3).

Could UNFPA clarify the expected scale and format of these capacity-building activities, including

1. whether training is expected at facility, district or state level;
2. the anticipated number and categories of participants; and
3. whether the implementing partner is expected to develop training materials, deliver training, provide ongoing mentoring, or undertake all these functions?
4. Are there existing Government or UNFPA training packages that the partner would be expected to use or adapt?

I. One Stop Centres (OSCs):

1. What specific roles and responsibilities would be expected of the implementing partner in strengthening OSCs and other relevant institutions, including Mahila Suraksha Salah Kendras (MSSKs)?

J. Women- and Girl-Friendly Gram Panchayats (WGFGPs):

1. What specific support is expected from the implementing partner to develop and strengthen WGFGPs?
2. What geographic coverage and scale of engagement are envisaged?

K. Budget and programme scope:
1. Is there an indicative budget or funding range for each programme area, or an overall budget envelope for the partnership?

L. Technical experts and CVs:
1. Are CVs required for all proposed technical specialists at the application stage, or only for key personnel?

Thank you for your time and support. We look forward to your response.
A. Submission structure:
1. A separate attachment I is not required. However, separate budget for both areas should be provided including overall program management budget.
2. A separate attachment I is not required. However, separate budget for both areas should be provided overall program management budget.
3. Once at the organisational level.

B. Scope and level of engagement:

1. Implementation at all level.
2. No such criteria, proceed as per IFP.

C. Rajasthan experience and organisational presence:

1. Both the programme experience as well as State office presence would be preferred.
2. Yes. The agency can propose staff as aligned to activities and programs shared in the IFP.

D. Staffing and deployment of consultants:

1. Yes consultants can be placed as per requirement.
2. Departments will depend on the pogramme areas mentioned in the IFP.

E. MEL expertise and staffing:

1. Dedicated State Level Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) engagement is preffered.

F. Geographic coverage:

1. The priority Districts are three Sawai Madhopur, Udaipur and Jaisalmer. However some implementation of some programmes is also in Jodhpur. Thus, Jodhpur can also be considered for planning. The scope of the districts may also increased based on the requirements from the Govt.

2. The priority Districts are three Sawai Madhopur, Udaipur and Jaisalmer. However some implementation of some programmes is also in Jodhpur. Thus, Jodhpur can also be considered for planning. The scope of the districts may also increased based on the requirements from the Govt.

G. Results framework: Section 1.3.E lists Results 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6, while Result 3 is not listed. The overall objective also refers to SRH information and services for adolescents and youth and to the inclusion of persons with disabilities, which are not set out as distinct programme areas.

1. The results should be focussed on the programme areas mentioned in the IFP
2. Yes

H. Capacity building and training requirements:

Could UNFPA clarify the expected scale and format of these capacity-building activities, including

1. Implementation is expected at facility, district and state level;
2. the anticipated number and categories of participants depends on the level of activity; and
3. Yes
4. Yes

I. One Stop Centres (OSCs):

1.The roles may include but not limited to system stengthening, need assessment, evidence and access. The agency can suggest activities which can be helpful in strengthening OSCs

J. Women- and Girl-Friendly Gram Panchayats (WGFGPs):

1. The agency can suggest activities which can be helpful in developing WGFGPs
2. The priority Districts are three Sawai Madhopur, Udaipur and Jaisalmer. However some implementation of some programmes is also in Jodhpur. Thus, Jodhpur can also be considered for planning. The scope of the districts may also increased based on the requirements from the Govt.

K. Budget and programme scope:

1. No, Indicated budget is not available. The agency may propose the budget as per the intervention.

L. Technical experts and CVs:

1. A brief profile will be preferred for technical specialist as well as programme management unit
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6Additional Information required:

1. Should the 2027 workplan cover all three focus districts (Udaipur, Sawai Madhopur and Jaisalmer), or can applicants propose interventions in one or more districts?
2. Is the intervention expected to cover rural areas, urban areas, or both?
3. For rural interventions, is the expected unit of implementation the Gram Panchayat, village, or ward?
4. Is the focus on strengthening existing One Stop Centres and Mahila Suraksha Salah Kendras, or can applicants propose a community-level response model?
5. Are honoraria or incentives for community volunteers and government frontline workers eligible expenses? If yes, is there a prescribed ceiling?
6. What is the indicative budget range for the 2027 workplan? Is there a prescribed UNFPA template for the activity budget?
7. Can the UNICEF Rajasthan PSEA assessment (July 2023, rating 8 out of 8) be accepted in place of Sections G.1 to G.8?
8. Must applicants register on the UN Partner Portal before submitting, or is registration required only after shortlisting?
9. Beyond the 2027 workplan, does UNFPA expect applicants to present an indicative pathway for sustaining and scaling up the work, or should the proposal be limited to 2027? 		1. All focus districts should be covered and the scope of districts may increase based on the Govt. / Project requirement. Notification will be shared in advance if request comes to support beyong 4 districts but will be on broader scale only.
2. Both
3. Implementation at all level.
4. The priority is to work for Government-led initiative for now.
5. The incentives for community volunteers can be included but not for Govt. frontline workers. No ceiling prescribed.
6. Indicative budget cannot be provided. Budget may be proposed as per the planned interventions.
7. The UNICEF PSEA assessment will be accepted in case the assessment framework is the same. However, if the framework is different the PSEA assessment needs to be undertaken with the selected agency at the time of signing of the contract.
8. Applicants need not to register. Finalized agency will be asked to register.
9. The WP is limited to 2027. However, the applicant may includes the indicative pathway for sustaining and scaling up the work.
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7We are considering a submission to the above Invitation for Proposals for the Partnership for Advancing Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights and Gender Equality in Rajasthan. We would be grateful for clarification on the following points:

1. Rajasthan experience: Section I.3 asks for at least 3 years of relevant programme experience in Rajasthan. If an applicant does not meet this on its own, can the requirement be met through a consortium or a local implementing partner with established experience in the State?

2. Joint applications: Are consortium or joint applications permitted? If so, should a lead organisation submit on behalf of the group and how should the legal status, audit and PSEA documentation of each member be provided? - Yes, but the lead organization should be one. The PSEA assessment will be done for the lead organization, in case selected.

3. Multiple programme areas: If we apply under more than one programme area (for example, Programme Areas A and B), should a separate Attachment I and a separate budget be submitted for each area?

4. Budget: Is there an indicative budget ceiling or resource envelope for the 2027 workplan, by programme area, that applicants should plan within?		1. Yes, consortium under IFP is allowed.
2. Yes the legal status, audit of each member is required.
3. A separate attachment I is not required. However, separate budget for both areas should be provided highlighting overall program management and resources under each thematic areas and aligned with activities proposed.
4. No, the budget may be proposed as per the planned interventions.
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8To the UNFPA:

Please see the following requested clarifications for the recently posted call for proposals:
IFP for Partnership for Advancing Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights and Gender Equality.:

1. Does each sub-area require a separate programme proposal and budget?

2. Can an organisation that specialises in gender equality, GBV prevention, and institutional capacity development lead a programme while collaborating with technical partners for specialised health interventions?

3. There is, however, an important inconsistency in the district references: Pages 2–3 identify four priority districts: Sawai Madhopur, Udaipur, Jodhpur, and Jaisalmer.
Page 9 identifies the priority districts as Udaipur, Sawai Madhopur, and Jaisalmer, omitting Jodhpur. The IFP also states that specific geographical coverage will be determined through annual work planning, based on programme needs, government priorities, available resources, and partner capacity.
Should applicants plan for all four districts or prioritise the three identified on page 9?

4. Will UNFPA provide introductions or facilitate coordination with relevant district administrations and government departments?

5. Is there a minimum or maximum budget that an applicant can propose for a programme area or sub-area? Please share an indicative budget in available.

6. How will responsibilities be divided between UNFPA, government departments, and implementing partners in relation to programme delivery, monitoring, and reporting? 		1. No

2. Yes, consirtium is allowed but contract will be signed with one focal agency for entire proposed work.

3. The priority Districts are three Sawai Madhopur, Udaipur and Jaisalmer. However some implementation of some programmes is also in Jodhpur. Thus, Jodhpur can also be considered for planning. The scope of the districts may also increased based on the requirements from the Govt.

4. Coordination / facilitation to be done by agency. However, related official communications to Department to be sent by UNFPA.

5. No, Indicated budget is not available. The agency may propose the budget as per the intervention.

6. Selected Agency will be the responsible entity for overall Implementation, programme delivery, monitoring and reporting of the project.
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9With reference to the IFP for Partnership for Advancing Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights and Gender Equality, we would like to seek clarification on the following points to ensure that our proposal is aligned with the requirements and expectations outlined in the document.

Budget Template: The IFP mentions that applicants are required to submit a separate Excel spreadsheet (D.4) detailing the proposed activities and their associated budgets. Could you please clarify whether a prescribed template is available for preparing the budget, or whether applicants may use their own format?

Status of Midwifery-Led Care Units: Could you please share the current status of the establishment and operationalization of Midwifery-Led Care Units (MLCUs) in the districts covered under this RFP?

Demonstration Sites for Quality Certification: Would it be possible to identify and develop demonstration sites / Centre Of Excellence for NQAS, LaQshya, and MusQan certification under the proposed project?

We would appreciate your guidance on these queries.		There is no prescribed template for budget and you may use your own format.

Status of Midwifery-Led Care Units: Currently each SMTI has one MLCU. The MLCUs need to be increased as and when new SMTIs are operationalized.
UNFPA provides technical support to all 5 SMTIs and linked MLCUs.

Demonstration Sites for Quality Certification: This is not the priority for the 2027 WP.
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10We are currently preparing our proposal in response to the UNFPA Invitation for Proposals. While reviewing the proposal guidelines, we noticed that the programme duration and budget details are not clearly specified.

We would be grateful if you could kindly clarify the expected programme duration and the indicative or maximum budget allocation for the proposed programme. This information would help us prepare the proposal in accordance with UNFPA’s requirements.

We would appreciate your guidance and clarification on these points.

Thank you for your time and support. We look forward to your response.		The current workplan will be limited to December 2027. Indicated budget is not available. The agency may propose the budget as per the planned interventions.
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11In reference to your call for partnerships for SRHR, we had 2 queries:
1. In reference to the programmes listed under scope of work, can we pick just one topic out of the sub topics or does the project need to to be inclusive of all sub points? Similarly should the proposal cater to all indicated deliverables, or changes can be incorporated thus?
2. Can we go beyond these sub topics if we have ideas under the large programme areas?

Clarification on these points will truly help us create a proposal that is suitable for the call. Looking forward to hearing from you. 		1. Agency can choose to submit proposal for atleast 1 thematic area or both (Gender & Human Rights and SRHR) but holistically all sub-components needs to be included. Accordingly, deliverables to be inlcuded.
2. Suggestive interventions can always be proposed within the thematic areas and must be aligned to overall objectives and deliverables.
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12First, we sincerely apologise for missing the deadline for submitting requests for clarification regarding the Invitation for Proposals. We regret the delay and understand that the clarification period has already closed.

We are interested in exploring the possibility of applying under the current Invitation for Proposals titled “Partnership for Advancing Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights and Gender Equality in Rajasthan.”

Before proceeding with the preparation and submission of our proposal, we would be grateful for your guidance regarding our organisation’s eligibility.

Our organisation has undertaken women’s rights awareness, gender-related awareness and female foeticide prevention activities in earlier years. However, we have not implemented a dedicated project in these specific thematic areas during the last three years.

We are currently considering a proposed programme that would combine:

Rights awareness, dignity and access to support services for women residing at Sabka Ghar Ashram.

Community-level awareness on women's rights and gender equality.

Awareness and community engagement to prevent child marriage and discriminatory gender practices.

Coordination with relevant government departments and local stakeholders.

In this regard, we would sincerely appreciate your clarification on the following:

1. Would an organisation with previous experience in women's rights and gender-related awareness activities, but without a dedicated project in these areas during the last three years, be considered eligible?

2. Since DVMS is based in Dausa district, would a proposal focusing on Dausa be considered, or is implementation in the identified UNFPA priority districts essential?

3. Would a programme combining residential women's rights awareness with community-level gender equality awareness align with the objectives and scope of this call?

4. Would collaboration with a technically experienced organisation or relevant government department be advisable for such a proposal?

We sincerely apologise once again for reaching out after the clarification deadline. We would be grateful if you could kindly guide us on whether our organisational profile and proposed programme concept may be considered under this call.

Thank you for your time and consideration. We look forward to your guidance.		1. Please apply as per instructions and requirements given in the IFP.
2. Please provied proposal as per identified districts only. If need to expand, UNFPA will notify in advance during the programme implementation.
3. Yes, this can be considered.
4. Yes, however lead agency will be considered for the overall evaluation.
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13We came across the RFP titled “Partnership for Advancing Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights and Gender Equality in Rajasthan” and are keen to participate in this opportunity.
In this regard, we are submitting the following pre-bid queries for your kind consideration and clarification:
Budget: Could you kindly clarify the indicative budget or funding allocation envisaged for the proposed project?
Project Duration: Could you please confirm the expected duration of the project?
We would appreciate your clarification on the above to help us align our proposal accordingly.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Budget: Indicated budget is not available. The agency may propose the budget as per the planned interventions.
Project Duration: The current WP will be limited to December 2027.
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14We recently came across the RFP Partnership for Advancing Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights and Gender Equality and are very keen to explore this partnership opportunity.

We would be grateful if you could kindly clarify the eligibility criteria and guide us on whether our organization qualifies to apply.

Looking forward to your response.

All relevant information / documents are included in the IFP document and interested agency need to parepare response in line with that information only.
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