REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP)
UNITED NATIONS CHILDREN’S FUND (UNICEF) Wishes to invite you to submit a proposal for:
The institutional consultancy to Support REB/CPMD in the Training of Staff for the Learning and Teaching Materials Management Unit (LTMMU), the Completion of Cycles 2 and 3, the Continued Upgrading of the LTM Management Database and the Preparation of the Final Manuscript of the Book of the LTM Reforms in Rwanda.
1- SEALED Proposals should be sent to Registry, tender box located at:
UNICEF, Ebenezer House 1370 Boulevard de l’Umuganda, Kacyiru, District of Gasabo, Kigali
2- Electronic submission of bidders indicating ‘’Do not Open in Advance’’ on the Subject line should be sent to e-mail at : kigali@unicef.org
3- IMPORTANT – ESSENTIAL INFORMATION
The reference RFP/RWAA/2012/001 must be shown on the envelope containing the Technical Proposal and on the envelope containing the Price Proposal, as well as on the outer packaging containing both envelopes. The interested bidders are requested to collect the full Terms of Reference at the Unicef reception or send the email to bkayitankore@unicef.org for the electronic copy.
The Proposals MUST be received at the above address by latest 20 July 2012 at 10 hrs Kigali Time (GMT+2). Proposals received after the stipulated date and time will be invalidated.
Rationale and Background
Rwanda’s Vision 2020 and its Economic Development and Poverty Reduction Strategy aims at the development of a knowledge- based and technology-led economy. In this context, Rwanda has planned to achieve Education for All and has embarked on reforms aiming at improving every aspect of the quality of education. Important cornerstones to quality education are well trained teachers, effective school management an adequate supply of Learning and Teaching Materials (LTM) and an enabling and stimulating school environment.
In its 2003 Textbook Policy, Rwanda acknowledged the importance of the sustainable provision of LTM, and stated the following objectives:
– To provide attractive and appropriate textbooks as the basis for the teaching and learning of skills vital to personal, social and national development.
– To facilitate universal student access to all textbooks necessary for the study of national curricula.
– To ensure that textbooks are compliant with the national curricula.
– To ensure that textbooks are attractive, durable and reflect current regional and international perspectives and approaches.
– To ensure that the procurement and distribution of textbooks is carried out efficiently, equitably and transparently according to objective criteria, transparent bidding processes and value for money.
Key Principles of the Reform
• Decentralisation
• School-based Choice from an Approved List
• Distribution by Publishers
• Greater Variety of LTMs
• Increasing Capacity in REB/CPMD
• Durability
• Bidding and Evaluation
• Financial Projections
• The Role of Private Sector Publishing
• History of the Reform
Objective of the Consultancy
The objective of this consultancy is to continue the process of consolidating the system management capacities at CPMD, at the Districts and schools to successfully launch and complete the 3rd Cycle as the model for all future Cycles. In addition the consultancy will continue to train a specialist LTM Management Unit (the LTMMU), continue the development of the database and its extension to publishers and the inspectorate and to complete the manuscript of a book describing the LTM reform process in Rwanda. By the end of the 3rd Cycle CPMD is expected to ‘’graduate’’ and thus not to be in need of any further consultancy support.
Tasks
The consultancy will continue to build and consolidate CPMD capacities to operate the new LTM system independently and sustainable through:
1. Continuing the training of staff in the LTMMU to ensure capacity to manage the system
2. Managing the database. Final training will be given to CPMD staff and DEO’s on the agreed operations of the database so that LTMMU can take full ownership and control of the management system.
3. Amending and improving the operation of the database and complete the following development objectives before the end of cycle 3.
4. Launching and Completing Cycle 3 on schedule.
5. Writing and finalising the manuscript of the book of the LTM Reforms in Rwanda in association with REB/CPMD staff
Specific Outputs
a) Database tailored to NCDC needs as described under ‘’Tasks’’ above
b) LTMMU staff trained and competent to run the new LTM system
c) a DB handbook that details the entire process as it relates to the DB;
d) Cycle 3 Completion Report
e) Quarterly progress reports on all activities
f) Completed Manuscript of the Book of the Rwanda LTM Reforms
g) Final Contract Report
Profile of the Required Consultancy Organization
The institution will assign a maximum of 4 international and 1 national expert. 1 international expert will be assigned as team leader. All must have a sound background in education, management, financing, distribution and the pedagogic issues related to the provision, management, use and conservation of LTM in schools; Together, the international consultants in the team must additionally cover the following:
1. Experienced educationalists with a proven track record and expertise in the management of LTM supply systems in Sub-Saharan Africa and preferably in Rwanda;
2. Proven track record and experience in:
– Textbook procurement and delivery in urban and rural areas in Africa
– Decentralized school-based decision-making and ordering of LTM
– Public Sector Financial management systems
– Computerized decentralized ordering and management systems for the consolidation of LTM orders
– The use, management, conservation and effective storage of LTM in schools, including rural schools
– Working closely with key-partners in the education system: inspectors, school managers, teachers, district offices, central ministry
– Building capacities of local professionals in textbook provision
3. Proof of understanding previous phases in Rwandan reform of LTM provision
4. Fluent oral communication and writing in English, fluent oral communication in French and/or Kinyarwanda
Evaluation of proposal
Following closure of the RFP, proposals will be evaluated by a UNICEF Rwanda evaluation team to assess their merits. The evaluation will be restricted to the contents of the Proposals and the reference checks. First, the Technical Proposals will be evaluated. The Technical Proposal was allocated a total possible value of 70 points. Technical Proposals receiving 49 points or higher, will be considered technically responsive and the Price Proposal will be opened. Proposals which are considered not technically compliant and non-responsive will not be given further consideration. Second the Financial Proposal will be evaluated. The total number of points allocated for the Financial Proposal is 30. The maximum number of points will be allocated to the lowest price proposal that is opened and compared among those bidders which obtain the threshold points in the evaluation of the Technical Proposals. All other Price Proposals shall receive points in inverse proportion to the lowest price. UNICEF Rwanda will not be held responsible for any duties, taxes or other levies including Value Added Tax for which the Firm may be liable in the course of the contract. All duties, taxes, or other levies must be included in the fees as shown in the Financial Proposal. The cost of all items in the Financial Proposal shall be calculated and shown in USD.
How to apply:
SEALED Proposals should be sent to Registry, tender box located at: UNICEF, Ebenezer House 1370 Boulevard de l’Umuganda, Kacyiru, District of Gasabo, Kigali
Electronic submission of bidders indicating ‘’Do not Open in Advance’’ on the Subject line should be sent to e-mail at : kigali@unicef.org
The reference RFP/RWAA/2012/001 must be shown on the envelope containing the Technical Proposal and on the envelope containing the Price Proposal, as well as on the outer packaging containing both envelopes.
The interested bidders are requested to collect the full Terms of Reference at the Unicef reception or send the email to bkayitankore@unicef.org for the electronic copy.
The Proposals MUST be received at the above address by latest 20 July 2012 at 10 hrs Kigali Time (GMT+2)
Proposals received after the stipulated date and time will be invalidated.