Title of the assignment Technical assistance to selected government agency for protocol development and capacity building on Home-Based Assessment for heavy metal source identification following MICS 2025 Purpose Develop a standardized home-based assessment protocol and assessment plan including capacity building for relevant government staff for heavy metal source identification following MICS 2025 Location National Estimated Duration 6 months Reporting to Technical Supervisor of this assignment Chief, Health, UNICEF   1. Background Heavy metal contamination poses a critical threat to public health in Bangladesh, especially for children and pregnant women. These toxic elements, particularly lead, arsenic, cadmium, and mercury, are non-biodegradable and can accumulate in the body over time, affecting brain development, vital organ function, and overall well-being. Children are particularly vulnerable to lead toxicity. Even low levels of exposure can cause irreversible neurological and behavioural damage, reduced IQ, attention deficits, and learning disabilities.” (WHO, 2021). According to the 2020 report The Toxic Truth by UNICEF and Pure Earth, which draws on data modeled by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME), approximately 35.5 million children in Bangladesh have blood lead levels (BLL) above 5 µg/dL, the threshold of concern set by the World Health Organization, making Bangladesh the fourth most affected country globally (UNICEF & Pure Earth, 2020; IHME, 2019). A 2022 surveillance initiative by IEDCR and UNICEF across four districts found detectable lead levels in 100% of 980 children tested, with 40% exceeding 5 µg/dL. In Dhaka city, a study by icddr,b found that 98% of 500 children tested had detectable blood lead levels, indicating widespread exposure even in urban settings (icddr,b, 2022). Major sources of lead and heavy metal exposure include over 1,100 informal used lead-acid battery (ULAB) recycling sites, lead-adulterated turmeric, unsafe gold ash recycling, e-waste, lead-based paints, contaminated spices, industrial emissions, and household products (UNICEF & Pure Earth, 2020). Lead exposure in Bangladesh results in an estimated annual loss of approximately 20 million IQ points, which translates into an economic burden of about USD 10.9 billion (approximately 3.6% of GDP in 2019), with total combined health impacts (including adult cardiovascular disease) amounting to 6–9% of GDP (World Bank / Lancet Planetary Health 2023). Despite the existence of laws such as the Environment Conservation Act (1995), Environment Conservation Rules (1997), SRO 175 on Battery Recycling (2006), the Pesticide Act (2018), and the Food Safety Act (2013), enforcement is weak due to limited institutional capacity, fragmented coordination, and absence of a systematic exposure monitoring framework (MoEFCC, 2025). To strengthen the national response, UNICEF supported the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) in forming a multisectoral steering committee and supporting the development of a Lead-Free Bangladesh Strategy, which includes a 10-year action plan, regulatory review, and economic costing. As part of this broader effort, the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), in collaboration with UNICEF and IEDCR, is implementing an enhanced MICS 2025 survey with a Blood Lead Level Plus (BLL+) module. This global first-of-its-kind survey includes: 13,707 blood samples from children and pregnant women to test for lead, arsenic, cadmium, mercury, and anaemia. 11,529 household soil samples to assess residential environmental contamination. Geospatial mapping using GPS coordinates for spatial analysis. A standardized questionnaire to assess potential environmental exposure risks and practices (BBS, UNICEF & IEDCR, 2025). Home-Based Assessment (HBA) for Environmental Source Analysis As blood and soil testing progresses, a two-tiered follow-up approach has been designed to identify the potential sources of elevated heavy metal exposure in individuals. To address this, three pathways have been planned: Soil-Exposure Correlation Analysis: Individuals with elevated heavy metal levels in their blood will be mapped against their corresponding household soil test results. If the same metal is also elevated in the household soil, it will be assumed that the soil is a likely source of exposure. These findings will help identify geographical hotspots of environmental contamination and guide environmental remediation and urban planning strategies. Market and Packaged Food Surveillance: In cases where high blood levels of heavy metals are not associated with elevated household soil levels, food consumption and household items will be explored as a potential exposure source. The Bangladesh Food Safety Authority (BFSA) will conduct market surveys and collect food items from local farms to test for possible contamination and take regulatory action as needed. The Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI) will be engaged to test packaged food items for heavy metals and initiate enforcement action against companies producing contaminated products. Home-Based Assessment (HBA): For cases with no clear linkage to soil or food, the third follow-up pathway will focus on in-home sources. A dedicated field team will visit affected households with portable X-Ray Fluorescence (pXRF) analyzers to examine: Household items such as cookware, toys, cosmetics, and traditional medicines. Structural materials like walls, floors, and roofing. Food storage and water containers. On-site assessments will provide real-time data on potential household sources of contamination, enabling direct and targeted risk mitigation interventions. Proposed Leadership and Coordination by DoE The Department of Environment (DoE), under MoEFCC, is ideally positioned to lead HBA due to its mandate for environmental protection and pollution control. DoE’s leadership will: Ensure robust coordination among stakeholders, foster national ownership and sustainability. Integrate HBA findings into environmental policy and monitoring frameworks. Prioritize contamination hotspots for regulatory enforcement and long-term tracking. UNICEF would like to engage and collaborate with an institution with experience in home-based assessments for identification of sources of heavy metal contamination to support the DoE and other relevant government institutions for development of a standardized HBA protocol including capacity building. 2. Objectives, Purpose, and Expected Results: Objectives: To develop a standardized home-based assessment protocol and assessment plan for identification of sources of lead and heavy metal exposure in selected household items from a sample of the MICS 2025 clusters and households, working in collaboration with the technical committee/working group. To build capacity of field teams on safe and accurate sample collection, handling, and documentation using the home-based assessment protocol. To gather feedback from training participants as well as the technical committee/working group to finalise the home-based assessment protocol for the initial MICS 2025 follow up assessment. To facilitate and provide technical support to relevant government agencies to conduct the pilot HBA using the standard protocol and document any challenges and lessons to refine and finalise the HBA protocol. To ensure the final endorsed protocol can be used for subsequent home-based assessments as part of a national environmental surveillance system.       Purpose The purpose of this assignment is to work with UNICEF and provide technical support to the Department of Environment and relevant government agencies for the development of a standardized national home-based assessment (HBA) protocol including assessment plan and capacity building for the identification of household items at risk of heavy metal contamination in selected MICS 2025 clusters and households, while ensuring alignment with international best practice. The final endorsed protocol will also be used as a guide for continuous identification of sources of heavy metal exposure as part of a national environmental surveillance system. Expected results Inception report with detailed methodology and work plan for the assignment. Final and endorsed home based assessment protocol and assessment plan. Training materials and capacity building report. Pilot HBA assessment report   3. Scope of work: Draft inception report including workplan The selected institution will prepare and present an inception report on how they plan to undertake this assignment including a detailed workplan and timelines. An estimated number of 1,000 to 2000 households may be selected; however, the final number will be determined by the technical committee based on the blood and soil lead and heavy metal results and the available budget. Development of draft protocol Work with UNICEF and draft the HBA methodology including the sample size, selection criteria for clusters and households linked to the MICS 2025 data. Include a list of household items that are high risk of heavy metal contamination, the final list will be decided by the technical committee/working group. Develop draft protocol including data collection methods, risk reduction messages and communication plan plus overall HBA assessment plan, in collaboration with the technical committee/working group and relevant stakeholders. Draft protocol review and finalisation The selected institution will work with UNICEF and the technical working group formed by the DoE to review the draft protocol. Gather technical input through a stakeholder consultation led by DoE and incorporate all feedback received. Finalize the draft protocol and plan including assessment methodology, tools, safety, and ethical considerations. Capacity building and training of field teams, including piloting of the HBA protocol Develop and finalize training materials for field workers to practice using pXRF analyzers, completing checklists, entering data into the system and reporting. Conduct training of field teams including team leaders and supervisors, based on the finalized protocol and training materials. Conduct pilot Home-Based Assessment in a selected area and reinforce safety, ethical conduct, and household engagement protocols.   4. Deliverables Task Deliverable Timeline Draft inception report including workplan Final inception report and workplan Within 1 week of signing the contract Development of draft protocol Draft protocol including sample size, selection criteria, list of logistics for the assessment, list of household items for to be collected for analysis, questionnaire and data collection tools, assessment plan, risk communication and messages, safety and ethical considerations Within 2 weeks of signing contract Draft protocol review and finalisation Final and endorsed protocol and assessment plan through stakeholder consultation workshops Within 1 month of signing contract Capacity building and training of field teams and pilot HBA assessment Training materials finalised About 30 field teams trained Pilot HBA report Within 1 month of signing contract Draft final assignment report Overall assignment report Final endorsed HBA protocol and plan for continuous monitoring as part of a national environmental surveillance system Within 2 months of signing contract   5. Reporting requirements The overall assignment will be coordinated and monitored by UNICEF and DoE. The selected institution will be responsible for reporting on the specific activities and funds received. The following reports will be submitted by the selected institution: Bi-weekly progress update reports from date of contract signing. Submission of inception report and workplan Submission of draft HBA protocol for UNICEF review Submission of final HBA endorsed protocol and assessment plan Submission of HBA training and pilot report Submission of overall assignment report and final endorsed HBA protocol and plan for continuous monitoring by DoE and relevant government agencies 6. Qualification requirement of the company/institution/organization Proven expertise in environmental health surveillance or environmental sampling and analysis. Demonstrated experience in conducting household or community environmental assessments to detect heavy metal contamination in Bangladesh. Capacity to train multidisciplinary field teams. Strong track record of collaboration with government health and environmental agencies. Ability to develop communication tools and conduct community risk communication in Bangla. Excellent documentation and report writing skills Previous experience working with UNICEF on related projects.   7. Payment schedule The payment method will be deliverable based:  10% payment on submission and approval of inception report and workplan 30% payment on submission of final HBA protocol and plan   20% payment on submission and approval of training and pilot report Final payment on submission of overall technical assignment report and final endorsed HBA protocol and plan for continuous monitoring       8. Evaluation Process and Method   EVALUATION CRITERIA FOR TECHNICAL PROPOSAL    CATEGORY POINTS OVERALL RESPONSE  * Understanding of, and responsiveness to, published “Request for Proposal” * Understanding of scope, objectives, and completeness of response. * Documentation of experience in conducting household or community environmental assessments to detect heavy metal contamination in Bangladesh (5) 1 2 2 METHODOLOGY AND DETAILED TIMELINE * Quality of the proposed approach and methodology; * Suitability of the approach: To what extent the methodology is designed in response to the needs of the TOR; * Quality of proposed implementation plan, i.e how the bidder will undertake each task, and time-schedules; *Risk assessment - recognition of the risks/peripheral problems and methods to prevent and manage risks/peripheral problems. * Timelines proposed must be detailed and realistic; (35) 10 10   5   5   5 ORGANISATIONAL CAPACITY and PROPOSED TEAM * Professional expertise of the firm/company/organization, knowledge and experience with similar projects, contracts, clients and consulting assignments * Team leader: Relevant experience, qualifications, and position with firm; * Team members - Relevant experience, skills & competencies; * Organization of the team and roles & responsibilities; (30) 10     10 5 5 Sub-total 60 PRESENTATION * Presentation on proposed approach and timeline 10     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 in order 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.