TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR INSTITUTIONAL CONTRACT (above US$ 2,500)   Title of the assignment Outsmarting Dengue: A Pilot Project implementing Cutting-Edge strategies for Dengue Control in one of the Rohingya Refugee Camp in Ukhiya, Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh Purpose Testing the effectiveness of and refining cutting-edge strategies with mosquito growth regulators Pyriproxyfen 2 MR Disks and Novaluron tablets as well as new innovative autocidal mosquito traps that have the potential to significantly reduce dengue incidence and protect communities. Advocate with the Government of Bangladesh with field trial experience to address and scale Dengue prevention in the whole of country. Location The pilot project will be implemented in one of the Rohingya Refugee Camp and a control camp in Ukhiya, Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. Estimated Duration One Year Reporting to Technical Supervisor of this assignment Chief of WASH, UNICEF, Bangladesh   1. Background Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne viral infection, transmitted primarily by the Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. It wreaks havoc across the country with all 64 districts affected, particularly during the monsoon season. The warm and humid climate, the practice of storing water openly (e.g. bathing containers without cover), and dense settling patterns in urban areas have created a breeding ground for these vectors, leading to increasing Dengue incidences.           Figure 1: Comparison of Dengue cases in Bangladesh, 2020-2023 (Medical Entomology Lab of Jahangirnagar University)   The disease poses a significant public health threat to certain vulnerable populations, especially in Bangladesh where climate change is increasing the Dengue risk alongside poorly designed public health measures. Outbreaks are disproportionately affecting poor households, resulting in a higher need for healthcare assistance.   In 2024, around 0.1% of Bangladesh’s population was infected with the disease but a staggering 1.8% or over 19,000 of the Rohingya refugee population residing in the camps in the country’s South recorded infection. The 0.5% fatality rate in the same year indicates the severe impact of this mosquito-borne illness (DGHS) on the camps’ inhabitants.   In 2025, the Dengue situation in the country became severe. In July 2025, a total of 10,684 Dengue cases were reported, 8,015 more than in July 2024, which recorded 2,669 cases. The highest incidence was reported in Barisal (26%), followed by Dhaka and Chattogram divisions, with 41 dengue-related deaths, 22 more than in June 2025.   Over the years, various camps (e.g., 2E, 3, 9, or 20) suffered from a high Dengue caseload. The situation in 2025 seems explosive as well with an overall cumulative attack rate of 0.006 (#cases in 2025 / camp population). In the first six months of 2025, the spread was mainly concentrated in Camp 15. The population in this camp is 65,000 people or 11% of the total refugee population of 586,000. However, 35% of all 2025 cases in the Refugee population were registered in Camp 15, which is confronted with a 2025 cumulative attack rate of 0.024 (#cases in 2025 in Camp 15 / Camp 15 population). In other words, the situation in this camp has drastically and quickly worsened and is compared to the overall situation 4 times worse.  and an intervention is required to prevent the numbers from climbing again in the coming years. This is not only true for the Rohingya Refugee Camps but also for Bangladesh more broadly. The project in the camps can serve as a pilot to inform the planned intervention in Dhaka and both experiences will inform the national strategy.   Figure 2: Comparative evolution between 2020-25 of Dengue cases of the general Rohingya refugee population and the situation in Camp 15   In the Rohingya Camps, Dengue control used to incorporate space spraying with Pyrethroids but currently the focus is on messaging, cleaning campaigns and a “seek and destroy” approach to target mosquito breeding sites. Chemical control is currently not included in the integrated response required to quell this surge in Dengue cases. While traditional methods offer some level of control, they often fall short in addressing the root causes and complexities of Dengue transmission rapidly. This is where "Outsmarting Dengue: A Pilot Project implementing Cutting-Edge strategies for Dengue Control in the Rohingya Refugee Camp 15 in Ukhiya, Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh" comes in.     2. Objectives, Purpose and Expected Results Objective: To rapidly assess, design, implement, and evaluate a context-specific, evidence-based Dengue control strategy in the Rohingya Refugee Camps in Cox’s Bazar. This intervention will employ innovative, eco-friendly, and integrated vector control techniques for responding to the devas-tating situation as well as increasing future outbreak preparedness and response mechanisms to the ever-increasing Dengue burden in the Rohingya Camps due to climate change.   Purpose: Testing the effectiveness of and refining cutting-edge strategies with mosquito growth regulators Pyriproxyfen 2 MR Disks and Novaluron tablets as well as new innovative autocidal mosquito traps that have the potential to significantly reduce dengue incidence and protect communities. Advocate with the Government of Bangladesh with field trial experience to address and scale Dengue prevention in the whole of country.   Expected Results: Outcome: By April 2026, field trail evidence-based methods will be available for the sector to implement effective dengue prevention programs at the Rohingya Refugee Camps and National level. Output 1: By May 2026, entomological, epidemiological, serological and meteorological evidence is available for data driver dengue prevention programming. Output 2: By June 2026, around 65,000 people will live in a dengue prevention area through dengue virus source reduction initiatives. Output 3: By December 2026, two dissemination programs will be organized to inform and influence policy makers on new ways of prevention and submitting for publication  one paper in a peer-reviewed journal based on these field trials.      3. Description of Assignment Urgency Appeal: The first half of the year registered 4,239 Dengue cases among Rohingya refugees, which amount to about 0.4% of the camps’ populations. With 1,468, Camp 15 accounts for 35% of total cases so far reported. Due to excellent health seeking behaviour in the camp setting no fatalities related to Dengue were observed. This means that 2.3% of its inhabitants were affected.   Figure 3: Comparison of Dengue cases across the Rohingya Refugee Camps, 2022-2025 (Illustration by UNICEF)   Figures 1 and 3 illustrate that such sharp increases in Dengue cases are common over the years – not only in the Rohingya Refugee Camps but also in Bangladesh overall. This is an alarming finding and calls for proactive management. National health and local government authorities, national NGOs, and international humanitarian organizations have taken initiatives to raise awareness regarding Dengue preventive measures among the public; reduce breeding sites for Aedes mosquitoes; and build the capacity of volunteers and medical staff. However, the recent surge shows that an immediate response and more preventive action are required to control Dengue better in the future, especially in areas inhabited by vulnerable populations such as the Rohingya Refugee Camps.   Current mosquito control practices and Aedes aegypti resistance in camps: In Bangladesh the various City Corporations have the responsibility to control the Dengue vector with support of the local government division (LGD) in collaboration with Ministry of Health and Family wellfair (MoHFW)  . Currently mosquito control primarily relies on insecticides for space spraying such as Malathion, Deltamethrin, Alphacypermethrin, and Permethrin for adult mosquitoes as well as Temephos and Malaria oil B for larvae. However, the literature and studies conducted by Janangirnagar University indicate concerning levels of Pyrethroid resistance in Aedes aegypti, the primary Dengue vector. Lab and field-collected mosquito populations exhibited resistance to the recommended dosage of Deltamethrin (0.05%), requiring ten times the concentration (0.5%) to achieve significant knockdown in Aedes aegypti. Similar resistance was observed with other pyrethroid insecticides (Etofenprox, Alphacypermethrin, Permethrin) and even the carbamate Bendiocarb. The only effective insecticide tested was the organophosphate Malathion. The larvicide Temephos and Malaria Oil B have a devastating impact on the environment. This highlights the critical need for alternative mosquito control techniques in Bangladesh, especially considering the growing resistance to commonly used insecticides.   In the Rohingya Camps, civil surgeon office is involved in coordination and reporting of dengue in the district including camps. Dengue control used to incorporate space spraying with Pyrethroids but currently the focus is on messaging, cleaning campaigns and a “seek and destroy” approach to target mosquito breeding sites. Chemical control is currently not included in the integrated response required to quell this surge in Dengue cases.   Proposed Cutting-Edge Techniques for Dengue Prevention in the Rohingya Camps: The innovative pilot project aims to be a game-changer, testing and refining cutting-edge strategies that have the potential to significantly reduce Dengue incidence and protect communities. A common Dengue control strategy has always been source (larval habitat) reduction and focal insecticide treatment of mosquito larval habitats (breeding sites). Rather than using larvicides, the innovation is to include Mosquito Attractant Autocidal Traps, as well as eco-friendly growth regulators (Pyriproxyfen disks, and Novaluron tablets), as part of the integrated approach in addition to the traditional methods. Mosquito attractant autocidal traps lure mosquitoes to lay their eggs, then prevent the larvae from becoming adult mosquitoes. These traps use attractants that mimic natural breeding sites, making them highly effective in drawing in gravid female mosquitoes. Combined with Pyriproxyfen with granule form they target the immature stages and help break the mosquito life cycle and reduce the overall vector population in the area. The trap is effective, environmentally friendly, and cost-efficient.   Pyriproxyfen and Novaluron are insect growth regulators, recommended by the WHO, and work by interfering with an insect’s natural development, preventing them from reaching adulthood and reproducing. They are also non-toxic to humans, aquatic life like algae and vertebrates, and can be considered an ecological approach if used in the correct microdoses as they have a relatively narrow range of action against other aquatic invertebrates. Pyriproxyfen (PPF) and Novaluron meet all these necessary criteria. These World Health Organization (WHO) approved insect growth regulators are safe and can even be used in drinking water, which we will not do in this program, and are recommended as part of conventional programs against Aedes Aegypti in addition to community-based sources reduction.   Even with organized community support and resources in identifying breeding sites and spreading Pyriproxyfen/Novaluron across water sources, it will be difficult to keep up the discipline of regularly supplying the water with the right doses of the insecticide. Hence, big water containers such as the bathing water in the containers in the households’ bathrooms, will be equipped with innovative Pyriproxyfen disks or Novaluron tablets. The former devices are made of plastic polymer infused with Pyriproxyfen, which will diffuse slowly but continuously until the recommended micro dose is achieved in the bathing water of the households. One disk can release Pyriproxyfen for up to 6 months, depending on water volume and conditions. Similarly, Novaluron tablets slowly release into the water and, thereby, last up to three months, depending on the water quantity and quality as well.   Interventions: Develop an integrated response capacity for Dengue control in Camp 15 to address the current devastating surge in Dengue cases with the following components: Pre-intervention survey (incl. community source reduction, Deployment of mosquito attractant autocidal traps involves placing them in strategic breeding sites to lure egg-laying mosquitoes and disrupt their life cycle. Employment of Pyriproxyfen through disks and Novaluron through tablets, community engagement plan development, establish mechanism to collect community feedback, queries and complaints) Intervention implementation (incl. community source reduction, Deployment of mosquito attractant autocidal traps involves placing them in strategic breeding sites to lure egg-laying mosquitoes and disrupt their life cycle. Deployment of pyriproxyfen through disks and granule, community awareness campaigns, collecting of community feedback, queries and complaints) and improvise/adjustment if required Post-intervention survey (i.e., follow-up survey to measure changes in larval indices, mosquito density, community awareness, and Dengue case incidences) Preparation of final report (i.e., findings, outcomes, challenges, and future directions) and sharing it with relevant stakeholders   Supervision, monitoring, and evaluation Regular monitoring: Establish surveillance systems to track larval and adult mosquito density, species composition, and Dengue cases over time in the selected communities. The consultant, implementing partners, trained community volunteers, and UNICEF staff implement and supervise the monitoring effectively. If possible, review the Dengue monitoring parameters in the intervention camp and compare them with an eligible control area to assess the impact of the intervention. Prepare a monitoring report and revise the strategies based on real time findings for maximum effectiveness. Monitor community participation in Dengue prevention activities.   Data analysis: Collect and analyse data gathered from the monitoring activities to evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of the interventions deployed. Utilize the collected data with statistical methods and epidemiological analyses to assess the impact of the interventions on mosquito populations density and Dengue transmission rates. Identify trends, patterns, and correlations in the data to inform decision-making and identify areas requiring improvement or further intervention.   Dissemination of findings Dissemination of results: Utilize various communication channels, such as stakeholder sharing workshops, community briefings, and international conferences, to present findings and lessons learned with stakeholders at local, national, and international levels. Publishing results in peer-reviewed international journals to contribute to global dengue control knowledge.   Community feedback sessions: Organize community feedback sessions to present project findings directly to community members and gather their insights and perspectives. Encourage community participation in discussions on the interpretation of results and the development of future Dengue response and prevention strategies through ongoing feedback to collect the views, concerns, and challenges of the community.    Response strategy and recommendations: Develop policy briefs highlighting key findings and recommendations from the pilot project for policymakers and public health officials. Provide evidence-based recommendations for scaling up successful interventions and addressing challenges identified during the project implementation.     4. Deliverables Baseline survey reports (Pre-intervention) – March 2026 Strategic intervention plan – April 2026 Monitoring, evaluation of the intervention and report – Bi-Monthly Post-intervention survey report – December 2026 Final comprehensive report – January 2027 Stakeholder workshop report – March, August, December 2026 Soft copy of Strategic Communication Materials (CE-SBC tools) – March 2026 Case studies and best practices – December 2026 At least one research article prepared for submission to a peer-reviewed journal 5. Reporting requirements Inception Report submit within 15 working days of contract signing Progress reports Monthly Monitoring reports Final evaluation report     6. Payment Schedule Installment Payment Conduction 1 30% Inception Report submit within 15 working days on contract signing 2 40% Source reduction tools and techniques (3,000 Traps) 3 25% Mid-line report 4 5% Final evaluation report   7. Qualification requirement of the company/institution/organization The institute must have a renowned and well-established Medical Entomology and Vector-Borne Disease Research Unit. The institution should have a minimum of 10 years of proven research experience in vector-borne disease control, with a strong emphasis on mosquito ecology and management. The institute must operate a controlled insectarium capable of maintaining colonies of multiple mosquito species including Aedes aegypti, Aedes albopictus, Culex quinquefasciatus, Anopheles spp., and Mansonia spp. The Institute should host a dedicated and multidisciplinary team members comprising Lab and Field technicians actively involved in mosquito research and management. The Institute must have access to a fully equipped entomology lab, including: Insectary facilities for mosquito rearing and maintenance Standard laboratory equipment for morphological and molecular identification Tools for field surveillance and specimen analysis     8. Evaluation Process and Method   Evaluation criteria for technical proposal   CATEGORY POINTS Capability (skills, expertise, and experience) of the Potential Bidder A list of the Projects of similar nature competed in past three (3) years with reference (please add workorder/ contract). Experience providing related services to other organizations. (Please provide Completion Certificates of your clients). (15) 10   5   Proposed Solution (Approach, Methodology, Schedule, Quality Control plan and time) Proposed Implementation Plan/Methodology showing the overall approach to be adopted in the execution of the Works. Detailed quality control plans are to be used in the execution of the Works, addressing anticipated risks, handling of materials, workmanship and record keeping on record to track daily progress. Detailed workplan/sequential program of work from mobilization to substantial completion of the work to achieve the stated timeline for the respected sites/works. (40)   15   15     10 Capacity (resources and availability) of the Potential Bidder [and Key Personnel]: A detailed list of equipment (owned or leased). The equipment proposed should be sufficient to achieve the timely completion of the Works. A list of key personnel proposed for the execution of the Works, including their CVs for the position. (15) 10   5       TOTAL MARKS 70   For this RFP, the Technical Proposal has a total score of 70 points. Bidders must score a minimum of 49 points to be considered technically compliant and for the Financial Proposals to be opened. The financial proposal has a total score of 30 points.   The final selection of the bidder will be based on a quality and cost basis as specified in the RFP.