Request for Proposal 

Rapid Assessment of Visual Impairment (RAVI) and KAP

survey in Nabarangpur District, Odisha

Background:

Vision impairment (VI), including blindness, represents a significant global public health crisis, with low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) bearing the greatest burden. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 2.2 billion people worldwide suffer from near or distance vision impairment, with nearly half of these cases being preventable or treatable [1]. In response to this growing challenge, WHO launched its inaugural World Report on Vision in October 2019, highlighting the urgent need for scalable eye care solutions [2]. India, home to the world’s second-largest population, faces a particularly severe VI crisis, with an estimated 4.8 million blind individuals and 74 million people living with vision impairment [3]. The leading causes— cataract and uncorrected refractive errors (URE)—account for a majority of cases, underscoring the need for targeted, region-specific interventions. Given India’s vast demographic and geographic diversity, localized, reliable data is essential to design effective public health strategies.

To address these critical gaps, Rapid Assessment of Vision Impairment (RAVI) surveys have emerged as a cost-effective and efficient alternative to traditional, resourceintensive epidemiological studies. These surveys serve dual purposes: providing essential baseline data while enabling progress monitoring toward global eye care targets, including effective cataract surgical coverage and refractive error correction. Although RAVI surveys have been implemented across southern, western, central, northern, and eastern India, significant gaps persist - particularly in underserved regions of Nabarangpur district where comprehensive data remains lacking. Expanding these assessments is crucial for equitable eye care planning and targeted resource allocation, as they effectively identify visual impairment burdens and inform evidence-based interventions. Recognizing that eye health is fundamental to overall wellbeing yet remains inaccessible for many rural and marginalized communities.  

Study objectives:

1. To assess the prevalence of blindness, severe visual impairment and moderate visual impairment among people aged 40 years and above in Jhargram district of West Bengal. 
2. To determine the main causes of blindness and visual impairment.  
3. To assess the spectacle coverage for refractive errors & presbyopia and determine the barriers and facilitating factors responsible for uptake of spectacles.  
4. To determine the prevalence of aphakia and/or pseudophakia and cataract surgical coverage in this area.  
5. To assess the knowledge, attitude and practices towards the update of eye health services in the district  

Study Area

Nabarangpur, a predominantly rural and tribal district in Odisha, had a population of  1,220,946 as per the 2011 Census, with a projected population of 1.48 million by 2025. The district exhibits a high sex ratio of 1,019 females per 1,000 males, significantly above the national average, with rural areas recording an even higher ratio of 1,021. Scheduled Tribes (STs) constitute 55.79% of the population, making it one of the most tribal-dominated districts in India, while Scheduled Castes (SCs) account for 14.53%. The literacy rate remains low at 46.43%, with a stark gender gap—male literacy stands at 57.31%, while female literacy lags at 35.80% 210. The district is 92.82% rural, with only 7.18% residing in urban areas, reflecting its agrarian and forest-dependent economy

Methodology

A cross-sectional study will be conducted using cluster random sampling. A team consisting of trained optometrists and social workers conducted the ocular examination which included unaided, pinhole, and aided visual acuity assessments followed by examination of the anterior segment and lens. The team will also assess the willingness for uptake of eye health services in the district.

Sample size

The sample size will calculate based on an assumed prevalence of visual impairment (presenting visual acuity of less than 6/18 in the better eye), 95% confidence interval, design effect of 1.5, power of 80% and nonresponse rate of 15%. The sample size will be ranges in between 2400 to 3200.  

Purpose for this assignment:

Sightsavers India is seeking to engage an agency to conduct this study. The agency will be responsible for ensuring methodological rigor, data quality, and adherence to established RAVI protocols. Additionally, the agency must obtain ethical approval for the study. Prior experience in conducting RAAB, RAVI, and RARE studies is essential.

Data Collection: The study will commence only after securing ethical approval from the Institutional Review Board (IRB). To ensure methodological rigor and participant confidentiality, data collection will be conducted by a trained team comprising an optometrist, an ophthalmic assistant, and a social worker, all supervised by a senior researcher/ophthalmologist. Strict protocols will be followed to maintain data integrity, privacy, and compliance with ethical guidelines throughout the research process.

Study Timeline: The agency must complete the entire study within three months of formal engagement, including all phases from preparatory work to final reporting.

Adherence to this timeline is critical for project deliverables.

How to apply

Interested agency must provide an expression of interest with a subject line: “Rapid Assessment of Visual Impairment (RAVI) Survey, Nabarangpur District, Odisha”.

The proposals contain information indicating their qualification to perform the service (brochures/company profile, description of similar assignments, experience in similar territories, etc.).

The proposals (technical and financial proposals) for this EOI should be submitted via following email, in sealedbids@sightsaversindia.org latest by 8th July 2025.

Important dates / Submission Details

• The interested agency should submit the technical proposal and financial proposal ONLY at sealedbids@sightsaversindia.org. and the last date of receiving the application is 8th July 2025.
• Please submit financial and technical proposals separately in the same email and mention in subject line as ‘RFP for Raavi survey in Nabarangpur District, Odisha.’
• Financial should be password protected and has to be send separately with subject line as ‘Password for RFP for RFP for Raavi survey in Nabarangpur District, Odisha.
• Any proposals received by Sightsavers India after the deadline for submission of proposals prescribed in the timeline of this document are liable to be rejected.

Only shortlisted organizations will receive an acknowledgment and will be called for personal interactions-presentation.  

Sightsavers India reserves the right to reject any or all proposals and to negotiate terms and conditions with the selected agencies. The acceptance of any proposal is at the sole discretion of Sightsavers India.    

 For detailed information, please check the complete version of the RFP attached below.

Job Email ID:

sealedbids(at)sightsaversindia.org

Download Attachment:

RFP - Raavi Survey Nabarangapur district.pdf