UNITED NATIONS CHILDREN'S FUND (UNICEF)
EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (EOI) - Reference REOI-SD-WSEC-01-2013
Subject: Development of generic classroom furniture designs
Date of the EOI: 8 January 2013
Closing Date of the EOI: 25 January 2013
Address EOI by e-mail to: abodea@unicef.org
tsyed@unicef.org
BACKGROUND
For the purpose of improving education facilities in cities and villages of many
developing countries, UNICEF has been procuring and supplying large quantities of
school furniture worldwide, particularly in Africa and Asia.
Despite many years of experience, UNICEF does not have generic specifications or
designs for school furniture, thus UNICEF country offices rely mostly on local
practices and standards. In such cases school furniture can be poorly designed both
structurally and ergonomically, poorly suited for its intended purpose, or often using
materials of inappropriate quality and origin. In response to this situation, UNICEF
has initiated an innovation project to develop generic, child-friendly school furniture
designs that can be used in resource-poor settings at the country level to inspire
discussion and debate on appropriate country level school furniture standards.
We are hereby calling for expressions of interest from competent and reputable
firms or organisations, with experience in furniture design, particularly for primary
school children, to express their interest in providing design services.
SPECIFICATIONS / TERMS OF REFERENCE / STATEMENT OF WORK
UNICEF is seeking a qualified firm or organisation that can undertake the following
scope of work, focusing on desks and seating for primary school children:
1) In the context of developing countries, inquire into the availability of materials in
the selected areas, potential local production methods, and capacity for
manufacturing or production of basic classroom furniture. The selected areas could
be at country or regional level.
2) Prepare child-friendly design options for the following items: desk (single,
double, triple), bench/chair (single, double, triple).
The designs will be regionally appropriate, strong, durable, affordable, using locally
available, affordable and sustainable materials in developing and underdeveloped
countries. It is necessary to develop designs that are inherently simple yet very
durable, that require little quality control in their production and little maintenance
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in their use. It is also necessary that designs are replicable globally, as much as
possible, yet using local materials in their construction. The furniture should be
flexible and adaptable to a wide range of situations, from lectures to small group
work, to individual study and testing. Finally, furniture must be easy to transport,
easy to assemble; it may be adjustable and would be useful to be able to be flat
packed for easier in-country shipping.
3) Produce prototypes for the designs. Final approved designs will be selected
through an iterative consultative process with UNICEF professionals that could
include reports, conference calls, and/or meetings.
4) Participate in the testing of the chosen designs. UNICEF will select one SubSaharan African country office to manufacture a batch of furniture using the designs
developed, assemble, supply and install it in one or two local schools. A postoccupancy evaluation will take place 6 months after installation of the furniture.
Based on the outcome of the evaluation, develop any changes/adjustments to the
designs as necessary.
5) Produce presentation materials for the final designs (i.e. specification sheets,
brochures, presentation video).
SUBMISSION OF EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (EOI)
Interested suppliers/service providers are encouraged to complete and submit
below EOI form.
Interested suppliers/service providers must provide information indicating that they
are qualified to perform the services (description of similar assignments, experience
in similar conditions, recommendations on past successful assignments, and
availability of appropriate skilled staff, management competence, resumes,
brochures, and any other relevant information that may be useful in the short
listing exercise).
If the interested supplier/service provider is based in a donor country, it is strongly
encouraged to partner with a firm, organization, academic institution or individual
working on furniture design and construction issues in a typical UNICEF
programming country. This will allow for a better understanding of the challenges
and opportunities that exist at the local level.
EOIs should be sent to Andreea Bodea e-mail: abodea@unicef.org (CC
tsyed@unicef.org), not later than 25 January 2013. Please quote ”REOI-SDWSEC-01-2013” as subject in your correspondence.
This EOI does not constitute a solicitation. We do not require bids or proposals at
this stage; we merely seek your expression of interest in participating in the tender.
A response to this Request for Expression of Interest does not automatically ensure
that you will be selected to participate in the tender.
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UNICEF reserves the right to change or cancel the requirement at any time during
the EOI and/or solicitation process. UNICEF also reserves the right to require
compliance with additional conditions as and when issuing the final tender
document.
If you have any additional question about this EOI, please contact Andreea Bodea,
e-mail: abodea@unicef.org
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