Fhi360- Request For Proposal (RFP) For Vendor Services For Nigeria Design Firm – 4-Month DMPA-SC User Study

DEADLINE: 19TH MARCH, 2021
FHI360 REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP) / VENDOR SERVICES
NIGERIA DESIGN FIRM – 4-MONTH DMPA-SC USER STUDY

RFP No.: TBD_RFP_05

I. Project Summary
Over many years of research, FHI 360 has generated substantive and convincing data showing that the doses of depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) are greater than necessary to provide highly effective contraception for the labeled 3-month duration. The existing pharmacokinetic (serum MPA levels) and pharmacodynamic (suppression of ovulation) evidence supports the duration of effectiveness of the current subcutaneous 104 mg DMPA formulation (DMPA-SC) beyond three months. Extending the reinjection interval of DMPA-SC from 3 to 4 months (making it a 3-times-per-year product) would reduce long-term MPA exposure by 25% and reduce risk of accumulation, which would potentially shorten the delay in return to ovulation and fertility and reduce other dose-dependent side effects. Extending re-injection could also improve access to DMPA-SC in resource-constrained settings by reducing programmatic costs and opportunity costs, such as travel expenses, for users.

With support from the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF), FHI Partners, LLC, a nonprofit subsidiary of FHI 360 is conducting several activities to establish the evidence base for and support the registration of a generic DMPA-SC as a 4-month product. The availability of such a product has the potential to improve consumer experience with a significantly lower dose, offer procurement savings that could grow to $10M per year, and alleviate supply chain bottlenecks faced with the current manufacture of Sayana Press.

This scope of work (SOW) will support a two-phased, market research activity focused on user considerations for the introduction of a 4-month DMPA-SC product in Nigeria.

Study Goals and Objectives:
The goal of this market research is to assess contraceptive user perspectives on, and communication needs for, introducing a 4-month DMPA-SC product to the market for self-injection and provider administration in Nigeria.

Specific study objectives include:

• To assess the acceptability of a 4-month DMPA-SC product (as well as other durations, including a 6-month injectable) among potential and current contraceptive injectable users
• To assess users’ perspectives on having multiple injectable products of different durations in the market
• To develop communication strategies/marketing messages to differentiate the 4-month product from other similar products

Description
This is a two-phased, descriptive, and rapid qualitative market research project, including a Phase I market assessment and Phase II user-centered design (UCD) marketing workshop guided by human-centered design (HCD) principles. FHI 360 seeks the services of a design firm to lead both phases in close collaboration with the local site investigator.

(a) For the Phase I market assessment, the design firm will conduct small, semi-structured and participatory focus group discussions (FGDs) with adult, female contraceptive users (current injectable users and ‘potential’ users) to generate insights into client preferences and behaviors that can help to shape product development and introduction.

(i) The design firm will work closely with the site investigator to ensure that ethical standards are adhered to and that quality data are being collected in accordance with the approved protocol. They will also engage in daily debriefs during data collection to provide updates on progress, and review data capture and findings in a rolling, response-driven and iterative fashion.

(b) For the Phase II UCD marketing workshop, the design firm will organize and facilitate a one-day event with potential 4-month DMPA-SC product users, drawing upon insights and artefacts generated in Phase I, and in accordance with the approved protocol, to inform ideation activities, and support development of strategic marketing initiatives for product introduction.

The design firm will be responsible for all coordination and logistical tasks related to the planning, scheduling, and successful completion of the Phase I market assessment and Phase II UCD workshop. For both phases the design firm will be responsible for ensuring proper data management, including copies of all informed consent forms, audio recordings, and any other study notes and documents. The activities will be performed in accordance with the study protocol developed by FHI Partners.  FHI Partners is also responsible for obtaining the necessary Institutional Review Board (IRB) approvals prior to study initiation.

ATTACHMENT
Vendor RFP_FHI360_CIFF_Design Firm_Nigeria.docx (61 KB)