TRAINING NEEDS ASSESSMENT, DESIGN, AND DEVELOPMENT
FOR LEARNING ACADEMY
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
USAID LOCAL ENTERPRISE SUPPORT PROGRAM (USAID LENS)
LEARNING ACADEMY FOR MICROFUND FOR WOMEN (MFW)
RFP Date of Issuance:
May 18, 2015
Due Date for Questions:
May 25, 2015; Submission of questions or requests for
clarification in writing via email to RFP@jordanlens.org
by 17:00 Hours local time in Jordan.
RFP Mod 1 Date of
Issuance:
Deadline for Proposals:
June 8, 2015
July 15, 2015; Submission of proposals (including
technical proposal, budget and budget narrative) due by
17:00 Hours local time in Jordan via email to
RFP@jordanlens.org. Emailed submissions must
contain the subject line “USAID LENS – Learning Academy
Project.”
1. PURPOSE STATEMENT
The purpose of this Request for Proposals (RFP) is to solicit proposals from prospective
subcontractors to support FHI 360’s implementation of the USAID Jordan Local Enterprise
Support Project, funded by the United States Agency for International Development
(USAID), Award No. AID-278-LA-14-00001.
The USAID Jordan Local Enterprise Support Project (LENS) is a five-year project that
supports small business growth and better economic planning to strengthen Jordanian
communities against economic adversity. USAID LENS brings local governments, business
owners and key community groups to collaborate together on initiatives that will boost
economic development and create jobs in their communities. These initiatives will be
focused on supporting the growth of micro and small enterprises (MSE) and inclusive of
women, youth and other vulnerable groups.
FHI 360, via the USAID Local Enterprise Support Project (USAID LENS), issued a Request for
Applications (RFA) for its Financial Institution Development Grants in August 2014. The
objective of this grants RFA was to encourage better MSE access to finance by working with
developmental and micro-finance institutions to improve their product and service
offerings to firms and individuals, as well as building the capacity of MSEs to borrow.
Through this RFA, USAID LENS invited both not-for-profit and for-profit microfinance
institutions, registered as legal entities in Jordan, providing access to financial products and
services to underserved and vulnerable communities, to propose initiatives that would
strengthen institutional capacity, expand outreach, expand the number and types of
financial services offered, or generally increase financial inclusion in Jordan. The Jordan
1
Microfund For Women (MFW), was selected as a recipient of this grant, to be provided
through technical services to be directly subcontracted by FHI 360.
As such, FHI 360 is seeking a firm to support MFW in identifying training needs, developing
a comprehensive specialized “Learning Academy,” and preparing a monitoring and
evaluation plan to track progress against results.
FHI 360 is soliciting proposals from qualified and experienced consulting and/or training
firms and institutions with a solid implementation methodology and proven training
development and delivery experience. This RFP is issued as a public notice to ensure that all
interested, qualified, and eligible organizations – Jordanian and international – have a fair
opportunity to submit proposals for funding.
2. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
Program Background
Microfund for Women (MFW) is a non-profit organization registered under the Ministry of
Trade and Finance, dedicated to empowering the entrepreneurial poor, especially women,
to transform their lives through their own economic activities.
MFW seeks to dismantle the obstacles that prevent women from creating their own success
and building better lives for their families by providing collateral-free loans to start or
strengthen their own businesses. These businesses, though typically very small, enable
borrowers to accumulate assets, create jobs for others and work their way out of poverty.
MFW observes that Jordanian microfinance beneficiaries lack appropriate skills to succeed
in the market. At present, the supporting training and capacity building sessions provided
to beneficiaries is limited, weak, and lacks gender and inclusion considerations.
Comprehensive training and capacity building services would encourage new beneficiaries,
sustain established ones, and enable local communities to participate –both socially and
economically– in the Jordanian national growth as it will enable microenterprises to
transition to the small and medium level, and small and medium enterprises to become
larger businesses. MFW believes that to achieve real impact in the life of beneficiaries at all
levels, microfinance loans should be tied to a set of capacity building programs. For the
training center to achieve its ultimate goals, MFW believes a holistic approach is needed
that supports both microfinance beneficiaries and MFW staff.
Objectives of Subcontract
FHI 360 is seeking qualified offerors to: 1) Conduct a Training Needs Assessment of MFW
beneficiaries and staff; 2) Design and develop a comprehensive specialized Learning
Academy; 3) Prepare and deliver Training of Trainers materials and courses for MFW staff;
and 4) Develop a monitoring and evaluation (M&E) plan that addresses MFW goals and
outlines how progress against results and overall impact should be tracked.
The winning Firm will work closely with the MFW Business Development Supervisor and
other team members as required. The Firm shall be responsible for successful delivery of
the project within 18 months.
2
Specific Tasks and Deliverables
Phase 1 – Training Needs Assessment (TNA)
MFW Beneficiaries Assessment
Assessing the capacities of MFW beneficiaries will form the foundation for identifying
beneficiary training needs and the appropriate training program design, as well as creating
a benchmark against which to assess future progress. The Firm is required to adopt a
mixed-method approach: quantitative tools will be combined with qualitative tools to yield
rich information. The Firm is required to develop a methodology for conducting the
assessment, which should be a needs-based segmentation of MFW clients. The firm should
compare needs and approaches against other best practice programs of a similar type.
The TNA should identify training needs segmented by gender, age, governorate, type and
size of loan which include:
 Target group(s)
 Training scope - topics, skills, competencies
 Timing (urgency, priority)
The Firm should demonstrate the ability to conduct the assessment, taking into
consideration the following values: efficiency, transparency, and accuracy.
Beneficiaries Assessment Methodology
Data collection tools
Firm should consider the
following data collection
tools (when needed):
- Interviews
- Questionnaires
- Observations
- Focus Groups
- Case Studies
Data
Analysis
Qualitative
and
Quantitative
Data Source
Subjects/Cohort
Data Disaggregation
MFW
beneficiaries
– samples
selected by
MFW and
Firm based
on pre-set
criteria
- Financial Skills
- Management &
Planning
- Communications
& Soft skills
- Business
Development &
Marketing
- Credit
-
Gender
Age
Area
Type of loan
Size of loan
Nature of enterprise
Number of loan
cycles
MFW Staff Assessment
Assessing the capacities of MFW staff will form the foundation for identifying staff training
needs and the appropriate training program design. The Firm is required to adopt a mixedmethod approach: quantitative tools will be combined with qualitative tools to yield rich
information. The Firm is required to develop a methodology for conducting the assessment,
which should be a needs-based segmentation of MFW staff.
The TNA should identify training needs segmented by department, years of experience,
management level, and governorate. It will also include:
 Target group(s)
3
 Training scope - topics, skills, competencies
 Timing (urgency, priority)
The Firm should demonstrate the ability to conduct the assessment taking into
consideration the following values: efficiency, transparency, and accuracy.
Staff Assessment Methodology
Data Collection
Tools
Firm should consider
the following data
collection tools
(when needed):
- Interviews
- Questionnaires
- Observations
- Focus Groups
- Case Studies
Data Analysis
Data Source
Subjects/Cohort
Data Disaggregation
Qualitative
and
Quantitative
MFW Staff –
headquarters
& field
offices
- Communication skills
- Product Development
- Financial
Management
- Operations
Management
- Social Performance
Management
-
Gender
Age
Area
Specialty/area of
expertise
Years of experience in
microfinance
Department
Management Level
Performance
Microfinance basics
and knowledge
Phase II - Development
Training program for MFW beneficiaries
The Firm will design and implement pre- and post-training assessment tests for
participants to track improvements in their business and personal skills, behaviors, and
knowledge.
Based on the findings and recommendations of Phase I, the Firm will design and develop a
training program (30 courses), which should include, but is not limited to, the following
topics:




Finance for enterprises – basic principles of finance, bookkeeping, budgeting, financial
management, basic accounting, income versus expenses, income versus profit, and how
to pay back the loan and begin to save money for future expenses;
Management & Planning for enterprises – Basic principles of management,
strategies, how to manage an enterprise, how to develop business plans, and
people management;
Business Development for enterprises – Basic principles of business development,
business assessment tools, how to develop business and organizational plans, how to
develop marketing plans, how to network, and how to develop partnerships;
theoretical and practical knowledge on market research and competitiveness, how an
entrepreneur assesses his/her competitiveness and how this information can be used,
strategic and tactical thinking to improve business prospects;
Communications and Personal entrepreneurship behavioral and soft skills–
introduction and development of entrepreneurial competencies, identification of
personal entrepreneurial characteristics and their strengths and weaknesses,
development of a business idea;
4

Technology for enterprises – Training that aims to improve microfinance
beneficiaries’ understanding of technology concepts and basic skills in technology use
with limited resources.
The Firm will develop a training program that is structured in blocks. Each block consists of
modules that are tailored and grouped with each other to suit a certain segment of MFW
beneficiaries. Required characteristics of the training program:






Should include some off-the-shelf-courses that will be available and offered on demand
and some mandatory courses that will be a pre-requisite condition for certain types of
loans;
Based on the results and recommendations from Phase I, content of modules should be
classified into levels: entry-level, mid-level, and advanced;
Should be based on practical case studies and examples so participants gain substantive
understanding of entrepreneurship and business development and will be equipped
with the appropriate knowledge and skills;
Training materials shall be organized in such a way that each theoretical session is
followed with a practical exercise;
The Firm is required to develop a PowerPoint presentation and training program
agenda to cover all topics listed above - to be shared in advance for feedback and review
by MFW.
Based on Phase I recommendations, training program should include some crash
courses that are rapid and intense.
Offerors should demonstrate the ability to use different and various facilitation techniques;
develop appropriate participant handouts, templates and tools; and develop follow-up
mechanisms, including mentorship, coaching, and networking/linkages opportunities.
Firms are encouraged to suggest creative and innovative follow-up mechanisms and tools as
part of the proposal.
Design and develop a training program for MFW staff
The Firm will design and implement pre- and post-training assessment tests for
participants to track improvements in their business and personal skills, behaviors, and
knowledge.
 Based on the findings and recommendations of Phase I, the Firm will design and
develop a training program (20 courses), which should include, but is not limited to,
the following topics:
a. Financial Management – basic principles for successful microfinance,
delinquency measurement & control, interest calculation & setting, accounting
for MFIs, and financial analysis for MFIs;
b. Operations Management – basic principles of product development, improving
operating efficiencies in MFIs, management information system for MFIs, and
operational risk management;
c. Social Performance Management (SPM) – how to put a mission into practice,
define social objectives, identify, collect and utilize relevant information, and put
appropriate systems in place; principles of developing a work plan to introduce
SPM to an MFI;
d. Communications and soft skills – developing communication skills,
competencies, emotional intelligence, and a positive attitude
5
e. Induction program – overview of microfinance and its history, basic skills
required to work in an MFI, nature of microfinance industry, business vs.
social approach in microfinance.
The Firm will develop a training program that is structured in blocks. Each block consists of
modules that are tailored and grouped with each other to suit a certain segment of MFW
staff.
Required characteristics of the training program:






Should include some mandatory courses that will be a pre-requisite condition for
certain positions and promotions;
Based on the results and recommendations from Phase I, content of modules should be
classified into levels: entry-level, mid-level, and advanced;
Should be based on practical case studies and examples so participants gain substantive
understanding and will be equipped with the appropriate knowledge and skills;
Training materials shall be organized in such a way that each theoretical session is
followed with a practical exercise;
The Firm is required to develop a PowerPoint presentation and training program
agenda to cover all topics listed above - to be shared in advance for feedback and review
by MFW.
Based on Phase I recommendations, training program should include some crash
courses that are rapid and intense.
Offerors should demonstrate the ability to use different and various facilitation techniques;
develop appropriate participant handouts, templates and tools; and develop follow-up
mechanisms, including mentorship, coaching. Firms are encouraged to suggest creative and
innovative follow-up mechanisms and tools as part of the proposal.
Phase III – Training of Trainer (ToT) Programs
The Firm will design, develop, and implement a ToT program for MFW staff. At least 20
MFW members will be selected and trained on delivery of curricula developed under the
scope of this project. MFW members should be selected and certified according to pre-set
criteria.
Offerors are encouraged to provide a plan to maintain trainer’s availability and
sustainability.
The Firm will provide mentoring for MFW members during pilot curriculum delivery phase
and develop a Facilitator’s guide that include various facilitation techniques, such as
presentations, simulations, role playing, world café, case studies, etc.
Phase IV – Feedback and Evaluation
The Firm will develop a plan to evaluate the effectiveness of training programs and
curricula, which will include pre-set criteria to assess if the intended outcomes were met.
The plan should form a baseline to benchmark future curricula delivery and improvements.
6
Offerors should demonstrate ability to provide a basis for further program (curricula)
development and continuous quality improvement.
Phase Deliverable
1
Assessment Work Plan: Firm is required to prepare a detailed work plan to be
used in the assessment. The work plan will be submitted to USAID LENS and
MFW for approval no later than 2 weeks from signing of contract.
Methodology Plan: A written methodology plan design/operational work plan)
will be prepared, submitted and discussed with USAID LENS and MFW prior to
implementation.
Final Assessment Report: The Firm will submit a final report that incorporates
an executive summary, table of contents, methodology, findings, and
recommendations. This will also include the equipment needs for the training
academy that will be procured through a separate mechanism. The report will be
submitted in English, electronically.
Raw data ownership: Both electronic and hard-copy data files should be
transferred to MFW for any data collection used for this assessment at the end of
the assignment.
2
Deliver training program contents as detailed in Phase II above. The curricula
should be developed in Arabic (hard and soft copy). However, outlines should be
in both Arabic and English. Each curriculum should include the following:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Outline that describes course objective, target audience, etc.
Agenda
Participant handouts & exercises
Certificate template
5. Pre/post training test
3
4
4
4
Deliver ToT program for at least 20 MFW staff members including best
practices of curricula delivery with respect to all details mentioned in Phase III.
TOT will be delivered in Amman, Jordan.
M&E Plan: a detailed M&E plan used to track and evaluate impact of curricula
and programs. Should include Key Performance Indicators for each program.
Should provide a monitoring and a reporting schedule and any plans for an
evaluation of developed materials.
M&E Templates: Pre/Post tests, evaluation form, impact surveys to be used by
MFW in doing their M&E
Final Report: The Firm will submit a final report that incorporates an executive
summary, table of contents, methodology, findings, and recommendations. The
report will be submitted in English, electronically.
*NOTE: all written deliverables are to be submitted in English unless indicated otherwise.
The project lifespan should not exceed 18 months.
3. INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS
3.1 Offerors Eligibility
7
This competition is open to any non-governmental, non-profit or for-profit entity. To be
minimally eligible for funding, offerors must comply with the following conditions:
 Organizations must be legally registered or otherwise authorized to conduct
business in their country or countries of operation.
 Organizations must have a DUNS number. Organizations without a DUNS number
can register for one at the following website:
https://www.sam.gov/sam/transcript/Quick_Guide_for_Grants_Registrations_v1.7.
pdf
 Organizations must submit their proposal in English.
3.2 Contract Type
FHI 360 anticipates awarding a fixed price subcontract.
3.3 Funding and estimated period of performance
The mechanism for funding will be a Fixed Price Subcontract. FHI 360 will issue payment(s)
based on submission and FHI 360 acceptance of invoices and associated deliverables or
measurable project milestones. Once an award is issued, it will include an invoicing
schedule as well as a schedule of deliverables/milestones specified in the Scope of Work.
The subcontract is anticipated to commence in July 2015 and final deliverables are
anticipated to be submitted in within 18 months of contract start.
3.4 Proposal Submission Deadline
Proposals may be submitted at any time before 17:00 Hours local time in Jordan on the date
specified on the cover page of this RFP. Submissions received after the deadline will not be
considered. Additional opportunities for applying, however, may be made available in the
future.
3.5 Submission Method for Questions and Proposals
Submit Questions and Proposals electronically to RFP@jordanlens.org. All questions and
answers will be shared with all interested offerors. Technical proposals and attachments
may be submitted in Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF. Budgets must be submitted in Microsoft
Excel.
The email subject line should read “USAID LENS – Learning Academy Project”. FHI 360 is
not receiving paper applications for this RFP.
3.6 Review Process
Bids will be evaluated and ranked by a committee on a best-value basis according to the
criteria below. Only service providers able to provide all of the requirements listed above
will be considered.
It is anticipated that the award will be made within 8 weeks after the submission deadline,
as stated on the cover of this RFP. Final negotiations and award will be managed by FHI
360.
3.7 Proposal Contents
Offerors will develop their proposals based on their understanding of needs, their prior
institutional experience and their determination of the approaches that would be feasible
8
and successful within the context provided above. In all cases, offerors shall clearly explain
the rationale for the proposed approaches chosen.
Proposals should include submission of a technical proposal with attachments and a cost
proposal. The Technical proposal should be no more than 20 pages (the 20-page limit does
not include attachments). Proposals must remain valid for at least three (3) months. The
format should include the following:
Part A: Technical Proposal
1. Organizational Information:
o Organization’s legal name
o Contact name
o Contact person’s position
o E-mail address
o Telephone number
o Link to public website
o One page organization overview – include year of establishment, brief history,
products/services offered and how they relate to MFW Learning Academy
requirements
2. Capability Statement/Past Performance References: Not to exceed three pages
– Offerors are required to provide three completed or current project profiles
where the Offeror has delivered or is delivering similar services. Please describe
how the profiled projects demonstrate past performance related to the Learning
Academy Project. Particular attention will be paid to those performed in Jordan and
the Middle East. Also include contact information for client references associated
with these projects: company or organization, name, phone number and email.
3. Technical Approach: Should be no more than 20 pages – including proposed
implementation plan detailing all project activities for the duration of the project
with corresponding timelines and resources.
The Offeror should ensure the project lifespan does not exceed 18 months.
4. Staffing: Names, CVs (not to exceed four pages), 2-3 sentence bios for potential
field team leaders and essential personnel (including their experience on this type
of work) and percentage of staff time of principals and managers on this activity.
Please provide two references for each of the proposed staff. Included contact
information.
The Offeror must provide CV’s for the following key resources (one person may
fulfill more than one of the following roles):
 A dedicated project manager who will be responsible for the maintenance of
project plan and the delivery of project reporting. He/she will be the chief pointof-contact for this project for updates and issues. He/she will liaise with the
MFW designated project manager.
 Technical team lead, who will manage the technical aspects of the MFW
Learning Academy design and development tasks and deliverables
9

Trainers and specialists who will draft and train developed curricula
Part B: Cost Proposal
1. Detailed cost proposal for implementing each of the tasks and broken-down
by deliverable that includes the following:
a. Proposed staff, rates, number of days needed to accomplish the work
b. Transportation and logistics costs
c. Equipment costs
d. Costs of workshops, trainings, meeting sessions with MFW staff and
related materials/supplies
2. The detailed cost proposal (Annex A) should be accompanied with a budget
narrative (Annex B), and supporting documentation that clearly describe how the
budgeted amounts are calculated.
a. A brief narrative explanation and justification for each line item must be
included in a separate section entitled “budget narrative” and include data to
support actual costs and/or methodologies to support cost estimates. The
budget narrative serves as justification for each cost included in a budget;
should be presented in such a way as to be easily referenced from the
budget; and should provide sufficient information so that FHI 360 may
review a proposed budget for reasonableness. All projected costs must be in
accordance with the organization’s standard practices and policies.
b. Budgets must be sufficiently detailed to demonstrate reasonableness and
completeness. Offerors including budget information determined to be
unreasonable, incomplete, unnecessary for the completion of the proposed
project, or based on a methodology that is not adequately supported may be
deemed unacceptable.
c. Budgets should be submitted in USD if offeror is based outside of Jordan; for
offerors based in Jordan, budgets should be submitted in Jordanian Dinar
(JOD) with USD equivalent.
d. Please indicate the inclusion/exclusion of any applicable taxes such as VAT.
e. Please include a signed biodata form for any proposed staff named in the
budget. See Annex C for FHI 360 template.
f. If indirect costs are proposed, offeror must provide a copy of current NICRA.
If the offeror is using an allocation methodology to direct charge operational
costs, a detailed explanation must be included within the budget narrative.
Important Note: While FHI 360 anticipates awarding a fixed-price subcontract, the cost
proposal template provided (Annex A) is a cost-detailed budget based on the deliverables. A
cost-detailed budget is required to sufficiently demonstrate cost reasonableness and
completeness.
Part C: Attachments
10
1. Certifications (Annex E); Certifications are required by FHI 360 and USAID and must
be signed by the authorized official, dated and included in the proposal. Recipients
will be required to comply with the content of the certifications as part of the
contractual agreement when/if funding is approved.
2. Registration certificate for the organization.
Part D: Special Considerations
Offerors should demonstrate awareness of gender, inclusion, and disability
considerations in all parts of the project.
USAID LENS and MFW have the ownership and the copy rights of the training package
(training material, case studies, power point presentation, etc.) and will be the only
authorized party responsible for producing, rewriting or copying any material
developed for this program. All developed material should be submitted in soft copies
and branded according to USAID regulations.
3.8 Evaluation Criteria
Bids will be evaluated and ranked by a committee on a best-value basis according to the
criteria below. Only service providers able to provide all of the requirements listed above
will be considered. A concept note may be requested from shortlisted firms in order to
make a final decision.
Selection will be based on the following weighted categories:
Evaluation Criteria
Technical Approach
- Comprehensiveness of proposed approach. Clarity and appropriateness of
proposed technical approach.
- Implementation plan and proposed timeline are realistic and include all
proposed elements of the activity.
Corporate Capabilities and Past Performance
- The extent to which the organization and any local partners has
successfully performed similar work in the past.
- The proposed management structure is reasonable and sufficient to
implement this work.
- Proposed staff person(s) who will be responsible for implementation have
the relevant skills and past experience to successfully complete the
assignment.
Cost Proposal
- Reasonableness of proposed budget based on scope of activities being
proposed
- Summary budget, detailed budget, and budget narrative included
- Signed FHI 360 biodata forms included
- Budget should be submitted in USD if offeror is based outside of Jordan; for
offerors based in Jordan, budget should be submitted in Jordanian Dinar
(JOD) with USD equivalent.
- Follows budget template (see Annex A), indicates inclusion/exclusion of
any applicable taxes. Total price will be evaluated by FHI 360. In evaluating
11
Points
50 points
20 points
30 points
the proposed budget, FHI 360’s concerns include determining whether:
o Proposed price reflects a clear understanding of the requirements
stated in this RFP, and is consistent with the various elements of the
Offeror’s proposal.
o Proposed price is reasonable in comparison with proposed prices
received in response to the solicitation.
o Proposed price is reasonable in comparison with prices with FHI
360’s independent cost estimate.
Unrealistically low or high proposed prices, initially or subsequently, may be
grounds for eliminating a proposal from competition either on the basis that
the Offeror does not understand the requirement or the Offeror has provided
an unrealistic proposal.
TOTAL
100
points
4. TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Offerors are responsible for review of the terms and conditions described below and in the
award budget template attached. If relevant, particular attention should be paid to clauses
regarding USAID geographic code, marking and branding requirements and equipment and
commodity purchases.
4.1 Source of Funding and Geographic Code
Any award issued under this RFP will be financed by USAID funding and will be subject to
U.S. Government and USAID regulations. The authorized USAID geographic code for this
RFP and any resulting award is Code 937 (the United States, the recipient country, and
developing countries other than advanced developing countries1, but excluding any country
that is a prohibited source). If offerors fall outside of the authorized geographic code, a
waiver will need to be requested from USAID. . All commodities and services supplied
under any subcontract resulting from this RFP must meet this geographic code in
accordance with the US Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), 22 CFR §228.
4.2 Withdrawal of proposals
Offerors may withdraw proposals by written notice via email received at any time before
award. Proposals may be withdrawn in person by a vendor or his/her authorized
representative, if the representative’s identity is made known and the representative signs
a receipt for the proposal before award.
4.3 Right to Select/Reject
FHI 360 reserves the right to select and negotiate with those firms/individuals it
determines, in its sole discretion, to be qualified for competitive proposals and to terminate
negotiations without incurring any liability. FHI 360 also reserves the right to reject any or
all proposals received without explanation.
4.4 Due Diligence Process
1
For USAID’s list of developing countries, please see
http://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1876/310maa.pdf
12
Any selected firm will be required to complete a Financial Pre-Award Assessment in order
for FHI 360 to ascertain that the organization has the capacity to perform successfully
under the terms and conditions of the proposed award. As part of the Pre-Award
Assessment process the firm will also be requested to submit a financial audit report from
the previous fiscal year. In addition, payroll records and other financial information may be
requested to support budgeted costs.
4.5 Client Prior Approval
The selected offeror will be subject to funding agency approval before a subcontract can be
awarded. Therefore, organizations are reminded that there may be delays for this process
to be completed. In addition, should such approval not be given, this subcontract cannot be
awarded.
4.6 Disclaimer
1. Offerors will not be reimbursed for the cost incurred in preparation and submission
of a proposal. All preparation and submission costs are at the Offeror’s expense
2. This RFP represents only a definition of requirements. It is merely an invitation for
submission of proposals and does not legally obligate FHI 360 to accept any of the
submitted proposals in whole or in part, nor is FHI 360 obligated to select the
lowest priced proposal.
3. FHI 360 reserves the right to negotiate with any or all firms, both with respect to
price, cost and/or scope of services.
4. FHI 360 reserves the right to independently negotiate with any offeror, or to make
an award without conducting discussion based solely on the written proposals if it
decides it is in its best interest to do so. FHI 360 reserves the right to fund any or
none of the proposals received.
5. FHI 360 has no contractual obligations with any firms based upon issuance of this
RFP. It is not an offer to contract. Only the execution of a written contract shall
obligate FHI 360 in accordance with the terms and conditions contained in such
contract.
6. FHI 360 reserves the right to disqualify any offer based on offeror failure to follow
solicitation instructions.
7. FHI 360 may choose to award only part of the activities in the solicitation, or issue
multiple award based on the solicitation activities.
8. FHI 360 reserves the right to waive minor proposal deficiencies that can be
corrected prior to award determination to promote competition.
9. FHI 360 reserves the right to check applicant’s donor reference
4.7 Request for Proposal Firm Guarantee
All information submitted in connection with this RFP will be valid for three (3) months
from the RFP due date. This includes, but is not limited to, cost, pricing, terms and
conditions, service levels, and all other information. If your firm is awarded the contract, all
information in the RFP and negotiation process is contractually binding.
4.8 Offer Verification
FHI 360 may contact offerors to confirm contact person, address, bid amount and to
confirm that the bid was submitted for this solicitation.
4.9 False Statements in Offer
13
Offerors must provide full, accurate and complete information as required by this
solicitation and its attachments. Failure to submit correct, complete and accurate
information shall lead to automatic disqualification.
4.10 Conflict of Interest
Offerors must provide disclosure of any past, present or future relationships with any
parties associated with the issuance, review or management of this solicitation and
anticipated award. Failure to provide full and open disclosure may result in FHI 360 having
to re-evaluate selection of a potential offeror.
4.11 Reserved Rights
All RFP responses become the property of FHI 360 and FHI 360 reserves the right in its sole
discretion to:
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
Disqualify any offer based on offeror failure to follow solicitation instructions;
Waive any deviations by offerors from the requirements of this solicitation that in
FHI 360's opinion are considered not to be material defects requiring rejection or
disqualification; or where such a waiver will promote increased competition;
Extend the time for submission of all RFP responses after notification to all offerors;
Terminate or modify the RFP process at any time and re-issue the RFP to whomever
FHI 360 deems appropriate;
Issue an award based on the initial evaluation of offers without discussion;
Award only part of the activities in the solicitation or issue multiple awards based
on solicitation activities.
FHI 360 will not compensate offerors for preparation of their response to this RFP.
Issuing this RFP is not a guarantee that FHI 360 will award a subcontract.
FHI 360 may choose to award a subcontract to more than one offeror for specific
parts of the activities in the RFP.
4.12 Certification of Independent Price Determination
The offeror certifies that—
(1) The prices in this offer have been arrived at independently, without, for the purpose
of restricting competition, any consultation, communication, or agreement with any
other offeror, including but not limited to subsidiaries or other entities in which
offeror has any ownership or other interests,
(2) or any competitor relating to (i) those prices, (ii) the intention to submit an offer, or
(iii) the methods or factors used to calculate the prices offered;
(3) The prices in this offer have not been and will not be knowingly disclosed by the
offeror, directly or indirectly, to any other offeror, including but not limited to
subsidiaries or other entities in which offeror has any ownership or other interests,
or any competitor before bid opening (in the
(4) case of a sealed bid solicitation) or contract award (in the case of a negotiated or
competitive solicitation) unless otherwise required by law; and
(5) No attempt has been made or will be made by the offeror to induce any other concern
or individual to submit or not to submit an offer for the purpose of restricting
competition or influencing the competitive environment.
(a) Each signature on the offer is considered to be a certification by the signatory that the
signatory—
(1) Is the person in the offeror's organization responsible for determining the prices
being offered in this bid or proposal, and that the signatory has not participated and
14
will not participate in any action contrary to subparagraphs (a)(1) through (a)(3)
above; or
(2) (i) Has been authorized, in writing, to act as agent for the principals of the offeror in
certifying that those principals have not participated, and will not participate in any
action contrary to subparagraphs (a)(1) through (a)(3) above;
(ii) As an authorized agent, does certify that the principals of the offeror have not
participated, and will not participate, in any action contrary to subparagraphs (a)(1)
through (a)(3) above; and
(iii) As an agent, has not personally participated, and will not participate, in any action
contrary to subparagraphs (a)(1) through (a)(3) above.
(b) Offeror understands and agrees that -(1) violation of this certification will result in immediate disqualification from this
solicitation without recourse and may result in disqualification from future
solicitations; and
(2) discovery of any violation after award to the offeror will result in the termination of
the award for default.
ATTACHMENTS
Annex A – Budget Template
Annex B – Budget Narrative
Annex C – Biodata
Annex D – Terms and Conditions
Annex E – Certifications
----- END OF RFP ----
15