DEADLINE: 28TH MAY, 2025
FINAQUEST INTEGRATED RESOURCES LIMITED
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR STRENGTHENING MATERNAL AND NEWBORN HEALTH (MNH) COMMODITY SUPPLY CHAIN AND LAST-MILE DELIVERY IN NIGERIA
Background
Maternal and Newborn Health (MNH) commodities are critical to reducing maternal and neonatal mortality. Ensuring the timely and reliable delivery of MNH commodity bundles to health facilities is essential for effective service delivery. However, challenges in supply chain management, particularly last-mile delivery, hinder consistent availability. Nigeria accounts for 30% of global maternal deaths, with 60,000 maternal deaths annually (WHO 2019) from preventable causes, primarily postpartum hemorrhage (PPH), and 1 million under-5 deaths per year (UNICEF 2020).
This initiative seeks to strengthen supply chain mechanisms, including procurement, distribution, and last-mile logistics, to ensure uninterrupted access to MNH commodities. This TOR outlines interventions to strengthen the MNH supply chain for 1,720 facilities receiving quarterly commodity bundles or contracted services in Nigeria.
Objectives
1. To assess current supply chain mechanisms for MNH commodities, identifying bottlenecks in procurement, warehousing, distribution, and last-mile delivery.
2. To develop and implement strategies to strengthen supply chain efficiency, ensuring quarterly delivery of MNH commodity bundles to 1,720 facilities.
3. To increase the availability of MNH commodities (e.g., oxytocin, tranexamic acid, misoprostol) in 1,720 facilities by optimizing procurement and distribution to reduce stockouts and wastage.
4. To enhance monitoring and accountability mechanisms for supply chain performance and strengthen institutional capacity for supply chain management.
Scope of Work
Component Activities Supply Chain Assessment & Gap Analysis 1. Conduct a comprehensive review of existing supply chain systems for MNH commodities.
2. Map distribution routes and identify optimization opportunities.
3. Identify challenges in procurement, warehousing, transportation, and last-mile distribution.
4. Map key stakeholders (government, NGOs, private sector, logistics providers) and their roles.Logistics & Distribution Improvement 1. Strengthen last-mile delivery systems to ensure quarterly MNH commodity bundles reach all 1,720 facilities without delays.
2. Propose and implement innovative solutions (e.g., hub-and-spoke models, public-private partnerships) to enhance efficiency.Capacity Building 1. Train supply chain personnel at national, regional, and facility levels on best practices in logistics, inventory management, and reporting
Distribution Model
This optimized distribution framework ensures accountability, timely replenishment, and end-to-end visibility while addressing Nigeria’s unique geographic and infrastructure challenges.
Quarterly Delivery Cycle
Commodities will be distributed quarterly, synchronized with state warehouse operations and LGA health teams. Distribution routes will be customized based on:
- Road infrastructure assessments
- Security considerations
- Seasonal access constraints (e.g., rainy season impacts)
State Drug Management Agencies (DMAs) will receive and stage commodities at central warehouses, where they will be packaged into facility-specific MNH bundles for last-mile delivery.
Emergency Contingency Plan
Strategic buffer stocks will be maintained to:
- Address unexpected stockouts
- Cover delivery delays during emergencies
- Support surge capacity needs
- All emergency distributions will be tracked through the CBLC’s digital platform.
Facility Replenishment Process
The model combines proactive distribution with data-driven replenishment:
1. Initial Phase (Push Model):
–First 6 months: Pre-determined allocations based on facility catchment population, historical consumption data, and state-level quantification reports
2. Transition Phase (Hybrid Model):
–Facilities begin submitting electronic requisitions
–DMA teams validate requests against current stock levels, consumption patterns, and demographic needs
3. Fulfillment Workflow:
Order validation → Warehouse picking → Quality assurance → LGA distribution → Facility delivery
Performance Monitoring
A dashboard will be established for tracking supply chain performance. Monthly performance dashboards will be shared with identified relevant stakeholders.
Deliverables
- Inception Report – Workplan, methodology, timelines.
- Supply Chain Assessment Report – Findings & Recommendations.
- Optimized Distribution Plan for last-mile delivery.
- Quarterly Performance Reports – Covering stock levels, delivery timelines, and challenges.
- Training Modules & Pilot Report – Lessons from implementation.
- Final Report – Including lessons learned and sustainability plan
Phased Implementation Plan
Phase 1: Planning and Stakeholder Mobilization (Months 1-2)
The foundational phase will establish operational frameworks through collaboration with key stakeholders:
- Conduct joint planning sessions with the Organization of interest
- Develop state-specific implementation plans addressing warehouse integration points, cold chain requirements, and security considerations for high-risk areas
- Validate facility lists and distribution routes for all 1,720 target facilities
- Finalize partnerships with logistics providers, including rate negotiations, performance benchmarks, and contingency planning
Phase 2: Rollout and Stabilization (Months 3-9)
The core implementation phase will leverage Nigeria’s existing health supply chain infrastructure:
a. Demand Planning:
– Generate facility-level forecasts using consumption historical data, population-adjusted consumption patterns, and state-level epidemiological profiles
b. Distribution Operations:
I. Execute quarterly push distributions synchronized with state DMA schedules and LGA health team activities
II. Maintain emergency buffer stocks for oxytocin and other temperature-sensitive commodities and high-demand items with seasonal variability
Phase 3: System Optimization (Months 10-12)
The final phase will focus on continuous improvement through data-driven refinements:
1. Comprehensive System Review:
Analyze 10 months of operational data to identify patterns in stockout occurrences and the most effective distribution routes
2. Enhancement Roadmap:
Co-develop system improvements, including advanced forecasting tools incorporating facility-level consumption trends, demographic shifts, and disease burden patterns.
3. Transition Planning:
Develop sustainability plans for state-level ownership of distribution processes and local capacity building.
Interested firms are required to submit their proposals to jelll.olalya@finaquestconsulting.com no later than one week from the date of this publication. All enquiries should also be directed to the same email address.
Note:
Kindly submit hard copies of your proposals to:
FINAQUEST INTEGRATED RESOURCES LIMITED
Flat 1, Plot 3680, Erie Crescent, Off Nile Street, Maitama District, Abuja
