REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP)
RFP SUMMARY INFORMATION TABLE
PROJECT TITLE
PROJECT TO STRENGTHEN INSTITUTIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE ON
STANDARDS AND REGULATIONS TO SUPPORT BUSINESS AND
INDUSTRY IN MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA, 2013-2017 (MENA
STAR project)
PROJECT
COMPONENT
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
PROJECT FOCUS ENVIRONMENT
AREA
REFERENCE
NUMBER
ISO/DEVT/MENA STAR/SD/2015-001
ISSUE DATE
30 OCTOBER 2015
CLOSING DATE
20 NOVEMBER 2015, 1700 CET (Geneva time)
RFP submission tenders@iso.org
e-mail
Last date for RFP 13 NOVEMBER 2015
clarification
requests
RFP clarification franz@iso.org
requests e-mail
ISO, the International Organization for Standardization, invites proposals for the above mentioned
Project.
This Request for Proposal (RFP) is designed to help you produce a proposal that is acceptable to
ISO as well as ensuring that submitters are given equal consideration; it contains the following
parts:



Part A “Instructions and terms for submitting proposals” gives an informative guidance and
instructions for submission of proposal.
Part B “Terms of Reference” states the scope of work for the Project. Please note, that
submitting a proposal in response to this RFP constitutes an acceptance of the terms
indicated herein.
Part C “Evaluation process and criteria” contains information on how ISO will evaluate all
proposals received in response to this RFP in accordance with the evaluation criteria. ISO
reserves the right to reject any proposal.
The ISO general terms and conditions for consultancy work forms an integral part of this RFP
(attached hereto as Annex 1) and will be incorporated by reference in the resulting Project
Agreement. This RFP shall not be construed as a contract. The RFP in no way obligates ISO to
award a contract, nor does it commit ISO to pay any costs or expenses incurred in the preparation
or submission of proposals.
For the purpose of this RFP, all communications shall be in writing and sent to the appropriate
ISO contact email address provided above (see, RFP summary Information table above).
All proposals must be received by ISO before the RFP closing date and time through the email
address provided above.
Any proposal(s) submitted must be valid for 30 calendar days from the deadline for submission.
Nothing in this RFP, nor ISO’s receipt of a submission of candidature, represents or creates any
binding obligation for either ISO or the consultant to enter into any legal commitment whatsoever.
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Table of Contents
PART A - INSTRUCTIONS AND TERMS FOR SUBMITTING PROPOSALS ............. 4
1.
Format of your Proposal ...................................................................................................... 4
2.
RFP schedule and deadlines .............................................................................................. 5
3.
Submission of Proposals ..................................................................................................... 5
4.
RFP clarifications, amendments and point of contact ......................................... 5
PART B – TERMS OF REFERENCE .......................................................................................... 6
1.
ISO International Organization for Standardization ............................................... 6
2.
Development and Training .................................................................................................. 6
3.
The MENA STAR Project ....................................................................................................... 6
3.1
Overview of the project ..................................................................................................... 6
3.2
The focus area of environment ..................................................................................... 8
3.3
Consultants’ assignments including duration, timeline and location ...... 9
3.4
Project financials/Honoraria and expenses ......................................................... 10
3.5
Required profile of the consultants ......................................................................... 11
3.5.1
Qualifications and technical experience ........................................................... 11
3.5.2
Experience in the type of work required ............................................................ 11
3.5.3
Additional skills .............................................................................................................. 11
3.6
Conflict of Interest and disclosures ........................................................................ 11
3.7
Joint venture or consortium (or other form of association) ........................ 12
3.8
ISO General terms and conditions of contract ................................................... 12
PART C- EVALUATION PROCESS AND CRITERIA ......................................................... 13
1.
Preliminary examination ..................................................................................................... 13
2.
Evaluation criteria ................................................................................................................. 13
3.
Pre-award review and approval ...................................................................................... 14
PART A - INSTRUCTIONS AND TERMS FOR SUBMITTING PROPOSALS
1. Format of your Proposal
All proposals shall be submitted in English and be set out in three main parts:



Part 1: Executive Summary
Part 2: Technical response to the terms of reference
Part 3: Completed consultant(s) profile form – one form for each qualified expert
For joint venture or consortium submitting a proposal, in addition to the above documentation
a signed “Statement of Intent” shall also be included (see section 3.7).
1.1.
Part 1: Executive Summary
This should be an overview and motivation of your proposal covering how you intend to achieve
the project objective, describing how consultant(s) intend to deliver the tasks in order to meet
the project output, including the proposed approach and methodology for implementation,
resources and quality assurance measures, etc.
1.2.
Part 2: Technical response to the terms of reference
The technical response submission shall contain the following in responding to the terms of
reference, in particular the required profile of the consultants (see point 3.6);





Brief description of qualification, technical experience; with special focus on the knowledge
of the subject matter;
Highlighting general or specific experience with similar projects;
Familiarity with the countries of the target region;
Organization profile and activities in areas related to the project (if relevant)
Attachments of max. three most relevant references (summaries, letters or attestation)
1.3.
Part 3: Completed consultant(s) profile – one form for each qualified expert
The list of the consultant(s) who will be assigned to work on the project and their respective
CVs (2 pages max.). This part of the proposal submission should include a completed
individual consultant form given in Annex 2.
All consultant(s) must confirm and indicate their availability and country grouping to work on
this project until the assignment is completed.
2. RFP schedule and deadlines
Activity
Publish or advertise for Request for Proposals (RFP)
Clarification of requests last date
Deadline for receipt of Proposals
Long listing of Proposals
Evaluation of Proposals
Review, approval and final selection
Notification to all proposal submitters
Stand still – No action period
Contract award
Expected dates
30 October 2015
13 November 2015
20 November 2015
23 November 2015
Latest by 27 November 2015
1 December 2015
2 December 2015
02-09 December 2015
10 December 2015
Note 1: Any submission received by ISO after expiry of the deadline, as well as partial
proposals not meeting the requirements specified in this RFP, may not be considered.
3. Submission of Proposals
All proposals must be submitted electronically by email as one file attachment in Portable
Document Format (PDF). The PDF file shall be named appropriately and must not exceed
10MB in size.
To facilitate handling process, the “subject line” of the email must contain the following: the
RFP number indicated in the Invitation notice and the submitter’s name:
e.g. “ISO/DEVT/MENA STAR/SD/2015-001_ (Consultant’s or Organization’s name)”
4. RFP clarifications, amendments and point of contact
Any query necessary for the preparation of the proposal must be addressed in writing by email to Roswitha Franz, ISO Central Secretariat, franz@iso.org by latest 13 November 2015.
Where a query results in need to clarify any information contained in the RFP, an Addendum
shall be posted on the website informing all prospective bidders.
At any time prior to the closing deadline, ISO may amend the RFP by issuing an amendment
thereto. Any amendment made will be issued as an Addendum and shall be posted on the ISO
procurement webpage informing all prospective proposal submitters. It is the responsibility of
the prospective submitter to regular consult this webpage to ensure being aware of any
amendment to the RFP.
ISO at its discretion reserves the right to extend the RFP closing deadline or to issue an
amendment to the RFP.
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PART B – TERMS OF REFERENCE
1. ISO International Organization for Standardization
ISO is the world’s largest developer of voluntary International Standards, bringing benefits for
businesses, government and society. It is an International non-governmental organisation founded
in 1947, and since then has published more than 20 000 International Standards covering almost
all aspects of technology and business. The ISO Central Secretariat (ISO/CS) is based in Geneva,
Switzerland.
ISO holds membership from 162 countries from all regions of the world. Each ISO member is the
recognized and representative national standards body (NSB) in its country.
2.
Development and Training
Currently, over three-quarter of ISO members are from developing countries. ISO has increasingly
provided training and technical assistance to its developing country members since the 1980s with
the view of supporting their participation in international standardization.
Given the increasing importance of standards, donor funding increased since 2007 that enabled
ISO to considerably increase the volume of technical assistance and training it provides to
developing countries. At the same time, the variety of courses and subjects requested from ISO
members also increased and ISO has been widening its portfolio of courses/activities accordingly.
ISO’s work linked to technical assistance for developing countries is framed in the ISO Action
Plan for developing countries 2011-2015 (APDC 2), and the next Action plan (2016-2020) is
currently under development in close consultation with the ISO members in developing countries.
The implementation of the APDC is managed by the Development and Training Services (DEVT)
unit at ISO/CS.
3. The MENA STAR Project
3.1 Overview of the project
The project to strengthen the institutional infrastructure on standards and regulations to support
business and industry in Middle East and North Africa (MENA STAR) has been designed to target
11 countries in the region. It covers a series of activities to strengthen institutions developing and
using standards, and to increase the capacity of business and industry to apply key standards
within the context of sustainable development.
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Table 1 below provides some basic facts of the MENA STAR project
Donor agency
Implementing
agency
Project duration
Project launch
Project countries
Project website
Development
objective
Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency
(Sida)
ISO Central Secretariat
The duration of the project was originally set at 5 years (20132017). Following a late start for a number of logistical reasons
(2015 instead of 2013), this period has of necessity been reduced,
but discussions and negotiations will be pursued with a view to
exploring the possibility of reinstating the originally-intended project
duration.
31 March to 1 April 2015
Algeria, Egypt, Iraq*, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya***, Morocco, Syrian
Arab Rep.**, Tunisia, Yemen*, Palestine*
*Country missions by consultants will be conducted subject to
updated security status for each of the above countries, with a
specific attention to those with an asterisk.
** Withdrawn from ISO membership since February 2015
*** Suspended from ISO membership since July 2015
http://www.iso.org/sites/menastar/
Strengthen institutions developing and using standards as well as
the capacity of business and industry to apply standards within the
context of sustainable development
The objectives and related outputs of the project can be summarized as follows:
Strengthen institutions developing and using standards as well as the capacity of business
and industry to apply standards within the context of sustainable development
Objective 2
Objective 1
Strengthen national quality infrastructure
Promote good practices for
sustainable development
Output 2.1
Output 1.1
National quality
infrastructure
strengthened, in
particular the NSB
at institutional
level
Output 1.2
Output 1.3
Collaboration
between NSB and
trade promotion
organizations
(TPOs) at national
and regional level
established and
strengthened
Regional
cooperation and
awareness on the
role and benefits
of International
Standards
improved among
MENA countries
National human
capacity built on
the use of
International
Standards linked
to sustainable
development,
with focus on
greener economy
(environment,
energy, water)
Output 2.2
Improved national
awareness on
International
Standards linked
to sustainable
development,
with focus on
greener economy
(environment,
energy, water)
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The following country grouping will be applied during the implementation of the project for
language reasons:
Group 1
EnglishEgypt, Iraq*, Jordan, Palestine, 20 national trainees
speaking
Yemen*
Group 2
French-speaking
Algeria, Lebanon, Morocco, Tunisia
16 national trainees
*Country missions by international consultants to these countries are currently not advised by
the Swiss Authority – alternative ways of implementing the national activities have to
be identified and will be discussed with the successful proposal provider.
3.2 The focus area of environment
ISO aims to support its members in the project countries to promote the implementation of
selected International Standards on environment through the MENA STAR project, component
“sustainable development” (Output 2.1 and Output 2.2) and is therefore seeking for consultants or
entities to provide capacity building and training. The purpose of this RFP is for ISO to select a set
of consultants (individuals or institutions, and/or joint teams or separately) who can provide these
services.
The specific tasks to be undertaken by the selected consultant(s) include the following and are
summarized in Table 2 below:






Course materials preparation - Develop or revise training course material for a train-thetrainer module on the subject (i.e., course outline, programme, course content, pre-course
assignments, supporting instruction guides and materials, etc.)
Delivery of train-the-trainer course – evaluation of pre-course assignments, train and
facilitate training course on the subject, and evaluate trainee’s performance.
Perform and contribute to preparatory activities for two-rounds of national follow-ups (1day national seminar and 2-days national workshop), such as review and advice to trainees
on developed national workshop/seminar programmes, materials, etc.
Co-delivery of two rounds of national follow-up (workshop and seminar) in collaboration
with the national trainees
Preparation and facilitation of experience sharing and refresher train-the-trainer follow-up
workshop for trainees
Reporting on an agreed basis as a result of training activity or support provided to individual
trainees on national planning or distance mentoring, support any contemplated follow-up
actions associated with a national trainee or by country grouping
Based on the baseline survey, conducted prior the project, and as agreed during the project launch
meeting the following ISO standards should be targeted under this focus area:



ISO 14040: 2006 - Environmental management -- Life cycle assessment
ISO/TS 14067:2013 - Greenhouse gases -- Carbon footprint of products
ISO 14001:2015 - Environmental management systems -- Requirements with guidance for
use
In order to achieve these two outputs, each country, through their National Steering Committee
(NSC) set up by the NSB, will select four national trainees who will be trained in the focus area of
environment. The project includes a series of events where the national trainees will participate to
enhance their knowledge first, and then go to the national level and apply what they have learnt,
by replicating training and engaging in practical exercises, as follows:
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1. The national trainees will participate in a dedicated regional Training of Trainers (ToT)
organized for the focus area on Environment in English or French. In this training, they will
have the opportunity to participate in exercises and group work, and practice their
presentation skills under supervision of the international consultants.
2. Thereafter, the four trainees will go to their countries and co-deliver presentations with an
international consultant in two events at the national level. These events will consist of a
1-day awareness-raising seminar open to a wider audience of up to 100 participants, and
immediately followed by a 2-day workshop aimed at a selected group of 25 participants.
Both events at the national level will be hosted by the NSBs with the financial support from
the project.
3. With the aim to consolidate the knowledge gained and build up on new content and skills
developed by trainees, a second round of the same type of activities mentioned above will
be conducted as follows:

a regional refresher ToT (English and French),

a second awareness-raising seminar and workshop in each country.
3.3 Consultants’ assignments including duration, timeline and location
The Consultancy contract will run for the duration of the project. The project will be implemented
at regional level (as per the country grouping provided above), followed by national follow up
activities.
Each ToT will be prepared and facilitated by a team of two consultants per country grouping, who
will then split the country responsibilities and continue working with the selected national trainees
per country for the national follow-up events and the implementation exercise.
Therefore we are looking for two consultants per country grouping, each having to complete the
following tasks at regional level:
CONSULTANTS' TASKS
MAN-DAYS
(IN TOTAL)
Preparation
of
the
first
ToT: 3
Developing/revising training material,
developing the training agenda, etc.
Facilitation of the first ToT
5
Follow-up
on
the
first
ToT: 2
Reporting, evaluation of national trainees,
distance mentoring for national trainees,
etc.
Preparation of the refresher ToT: 2
Developing/revising training material,
developing the training agenda, etc.
Facilitation of the refresher ToT
5
Follow-up on the refresher ToT: 1
Reporting, evaluation of national trainees,
distance mentoring for national trainees,
etc.
INHOME- INDICATIVE
COUNTRY BASED TIMELINE
0
3
end
2015/first
quarter 2016
5
0
0
2
first quarter 2016
first quarter 2016
0
2
end
2016/first
quarter 2017
5
0
0
1
first quarter 2017
first quarter 2017
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Following the ToT, the team of consultants will then split country responsibility in order to complete
the following tasks at national level:
CONSULTANTS' TASKS
MAN-DAYS
(IN TOTAL)
Preparation of the first round of national 2
follow-up: Revising programme and
material for the national events, distance
mentoring of national trainees, etc.
Assist in the first round of national follow-up 3
events to support and guide the national
trainees
Preparation of the second round of national 1
follow-up: Revising programme and
material for the national events, distance
mentoring of national trainees, etc.
Assist in the second round of national 3
follow-up events to support and guide the
national trainees
Follow up on the second national round of 1
national follow-up events
INHOME- INDICATIVE
COUNTRY BASED TIMELINE
0
2
Second to fourth
quarter 2016
3
0
Second to fourth
quarter 2016
0
1
Second to fourth
quarter 2017
3
0
Second to fourth
quarter 2017
0
1
Second to fourth
quarter 2017
Note 1: The man-days for the national follow-up (10 in total) will be increased depending on the
number of countries followed by the selected consultant.
Note 2: The national follow-up can only by conducted by consultants who have also delivered the
first ToT.
Note 3: The venues of the ToTs events will be decided in due course
Note 4: The tables above indicate the minimum man-days to implement the project. The allocated
man-days are subject to change in case additional requests are submitted by the countries via the
annual Joint Coordination Committee meeting.
Each consultant is requested to indicate in the consultant’s profile
a) The country grouping he/she is submitting the proposal for
b) The number of countries including country preference for which he/she is available to
conduct the national follow-up
3.4 Project financials/Honoraria and expenses
For carrying out the assignments, ISO will compensate the international consultant, based on a
rate of CHF 850 per man-day. The total amount of compensation will depend on the distribution
of the country responsibilities for the national follow-up among the selected consultants for each
country group.
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For country missions, travel and living expenses will be covered by ISO as follows:




Economy class flights (most direct and lowest cost fare) from the city of residence to
mission destination and back, including airport taxes and transfers
Transportation from home to the airport and back
Hotel accommodation at mission destination with hotel-provided breakfast and taxes
Consultants travelling on mission for ISO receive a daily allowance of CHF 90 to pay for
meals and incidentals. Should no meals be provided as part of the mission, the consultant
may claim reimbursement of the full amount (CHF 90). In case lunch is provided, the daily
allowance is reduced by CHF 30. Should both lunch and dinner be provided in the context
of the mission, the consultant may only claim reimbursement of CHF 30.
3.5 Required profile of the consultants
Consultants who possess the following profile are invited to submit their candidature:
3.5.1 Qualifications and technical experience
 University degree in engineering, economics, business administration or technical fields
 Knowledge and working experience in the application of the following ISO standards ISO
14040: 2006 and ISO/TS 14067:2013
 Knowledge and working experience in the application of other standards in the ISO 14000
family is a plus in particular ISO 14001, ISO 14020 and ISO 14064
 Knowledge and working experience in training facilitation and pedagogical skills
 Involvement in ISO’s technical work of standards development in the area of environmental
management and sustainable development
3.5.2 Experience in the type of work required
 Experience of international projects of comparable size, complexity and technical speciality
 Experience in working with developing countries in particular in the MENA region
3.5.3 Additional skills
 Languages: English (written and spoken); ability to write clearly, present and moderate
workshops in English [French language where relevant].
 Computer capability: MS-Office (Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, Excel).
 Managerial abilities: good organizational, project management, time-management and
problem-solving skills, and initiative capabilities.
 Communication skills: good written and oral communication skills, ability to deal with
people of different cultures. Ability to monitor and motivate participants and to “actively
listen and respond” to participants’ contributions.
3.6 Conflict of Interest and disclosures
Bidders must disclose in their Proposals details of any circumstances (known), including personal,
financial and business activities that will, or might, give rise to a conflict of interest, if they were
awarded this contract. Where bidders identify any potential conflicts they should state how they
intend to avoid such conflicts. ISO reserves the right to reject any Proposal which, in ISO’s opinion,
gives rise, or could potentially give rise to, a conflict of interest.
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All bidders must disclose:
a. If they are subject of any proceedings or other arrangements relating to bankruptcy,
insolvency or financial standing.
b. If they are subject of any proceedings, relating to: corruption including the offence of
bribery; fraud including theft, and not fulfilling any obligations relating to payment of taxes;
and/or money laundering.
3.7 Joint venture or consortium (or other form of association)
For the performance of this project, subcontracting is prohibited.
Where the Proposal is submitted as a joint bid in conjunction with one or more consultants coming
together (i.e. joint venture or other form of association) then, in the absence of a joint venture
agreement the ‘associated consultant(s)’ shall be deemed to be a sub-contractor to the bidder and
shall not be a party to the contract.
Proposals submitted by a potential joint venture must include in the proposal submission
documents a signed “Statement of Intent” to form a joint venture with a description of the
composition or constitution of the joint venture in the event of being successful.
3.8 ISO General terms and conditions of contract
The ISO general terms and conditions of contracting for consultancy work attached hereto as
Annex 1 shall apply for the consultancy work to be performed under the MENA Star Project. These
terms and conditions will form an integral part of any resulting Project Agreement and will be
incorporated by reference.
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PART C- EVALUATION PROCESS AND CRITERIA
The evaluation of the proposals received will be performed by an evaluation committee composed
of ISO/CS employees from different units. This committee may involve national project managers
of the beneficiary countries as observers. The following three-stage process will be used based
on methodology and criteria summarized below:
1. Preliminary examination
The initial stage will examine whether the proposal submitters have provided all the required
information and/or associated documents. The preliminary examination shall be on a pass/fail
basis.
2. Evaluation criteria
In evaluating the complete proposals received, ISO will seek the most appropriate offer based on
the following criteria:
1.
Qualification and technical experience (42.5%)
 University degree in engineering, economics, business administration or technical
fields
 Knowledge and working experience in the application of the following ISO standards
ISO 14040: 2006 and ISO/TS 14067:2013
 Knowledge and working experience in the application of other standards in the ISO
14000 family in particular ISO 14001, ISO 14020 and ISO 14064
 Knowledge and working experience in training facilitation and pedagogical skills
 Involvement in ISO’s technical work of standards development in the area of
environmental management and sustainable development
 Membership of professional organization
 Publications and professional attainment
2.
Experience in the type of work required (22.5%)
 Experience of international projects of comparable size, complexity and technical
speciality
 Experience in working with developing countries in particular in the MENA region
 References and/or past performance evaluations
3.
Compliance to terms of reference Adequacy of approach (22.5 %)
 Technical response to the terms of reference
 Ability to meet timeframes and quality assurance mechanisms
 Absence of possible conflict of interest (related to personal, financial and business
issues)
4.
Additional skills (12.5 %)
 Ability to write clearly, present and moderate workshops in English [French language
where relevant for French speaking countries].
 Computer capability: MS-Office (Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, Excel).
The evaluation will be based on a scoring system.
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3. Pre-award review and approval
The final stage prior to award will involve a team of reviewers that is an independent of the
evaluation team which will assess that due process and proper protocols have been followed. The
turnaround will not exceed two days.