Expression of Interest (EOI)
Consultancy to deliver a Market Potential Assessment for Rwanda's selected products in selected African markets: Understanding Market Dynamics and Securing New potential Buyers.
Reference Number:83464533
Publication date: 30.04.2024
Introduction
The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH is a federally owned international cooperation enterprise for sustainable development with worldwide operations. The GIZ Office in Kigali covers GIZ’s portfolio in Rwanda and Burundi. GIZ Rwanda/Burundi implements projects on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, the European Union and other commissioning authorities in the following priority areas: Sustainable Economic Development; Good Governance; Climate, Energy and Sustainable Urban Development; Digitalization and Digital Economy; and regional projects in the Great Lakes Region.
Context
The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is one of the African Union’s (AU) flagship projects for implementation of its 2063 Agenda, which is supported by the action plan on Boosting Intra-African Trade (BIAT). AfCFTA is viewed as a means for achieving the overarching BIAT goals. It is expected that, with the introduction of the free trade zone, intra-African trade will be 15% to 25% higher in 2040 (UNECA). The African Continental Free Trade Area agreement is currently signed by 54 of the 55 African Union Member States (MS) and became effective under international law in May 2019. Since that time, 47 countries have deposited their instruments of ratification with the AU (so called “AfCFTA States Parties”; as of February 2024). The AfCFTA creates an internal African market for 1.3 billion people and is the largest Free Trade Area since the creation of the WTO in terms of signature countries.
Through the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), Germany currently provides technical support to the African Union Commission (AUC), specifically to the Department of Economic Development, Trade, Tourism, Industry and Minerals and the AfCFTA Secretariat, with its project “Support Programme to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)”. The project’s main objective is that “the framework conditions for intra-African trade have been improved in line with the Boosting Intra-African Trade Action Plan (BIAT)”. The BIAT is a priority initiative of the AU aimed at increasing trade flows among African countries. Besides the outstanding topics of AfCFTA Phase I on Trade in Goods and Trade in Services, other AfCFTA related issues are supported, such as investment, competition policy, intellectual property rights, e-commerce (Phases II & III), and support to stakeholder’s involvement and the development and implementation of national AfCFTA strategies. To this end, the project pursues a multi-level approach on the continental level working with the AUC ETTIM and the AfCFTA Secretariat, the regional level supporting Regional Economic Communities (RECs), as well as on the national level, specifically in the projects focus countries, like Rwanda.
Background and rationale
With the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Rwanda stands at the threshold of unprecedented economic opportunities. Renowned for its high-quality agricultural commodities including flour (cassava & maize flour), meat (beef), and vegetables (French beans & chili pepper). Rwanda seeks to leverage the AfCFTA framework to expand its export footprint into burgeoning markets such as Cameroon and Congo Brazzaville. The AfCFTA, as the world's largest free trade area by the number of participating countries, offers Rwanda a strategic platform to tap into new markets, enhance regional integration, and stimulate economic growth.
However, to fully harness the potential of the AfCFTA and capitalize on emerging trade opportunities, Rwanda must undertake a comprehensive Market Potential Assessment tailored to the dynamics of the Cameroon and Congo Brazzaville markets. This assessment will serve as a strategic imperative to understand the feasibility, challenges, and prospects for the selected Rwanda's agricultural exports in these target countries within the context of the AfCFTA.
Recognizing the pivotal role of trade in driving economic development, Rwanda's initiative to explore new export markets aligns with the broader objectives of the AfCFTA. By diversifying its export destinations and strengthening economic ties with fellow African nations, Rwanda aims to foster inclusive growth, enhance regional economic integration, and contribute to the realization of the AfCFTA's vision of a unified and prosperous African market.
Given the transformative possibilities of the AfCFTA, it is crucial for Rwanda to conduct a comprehensive Market Potential Assessment. This will enable Rwanda to strategically navigate the regional trade environment. By studying market trends, trade regulations, and competitiveness for the mentioned Products in Cameroon and Congo Brazzaville, Rwanda can customize its export strategies, manage risks effectively, and seize opportunities arising from the AfCFTA. Such an assessment will not only support well-informed decision-making but also empower Rwanda’s Private Sector to leverage its comparative strengths, bolster competitiveness, and fully exploit the agricultural export potential, aligning with the AfCFTA's objectives.
Objectives of the assignment.
The primary objective of this Market Potential Assessment is to evaluate the market readiness and potential demand for Rwanda's Flour (Cassava & Maize flour) Meat (Beef) Vegetables (French beans & Chilli pepper) in Cameroon and Congo Brazzaville, and to get potential retail buyers for these identified products in these markets. Identify market trends, preferences, and consumption patterns related to Flour (Cassava & Maize flour) Meat (Beef) Vegetables (French beans & Chilli pepper) in Cameroon and Congo Brazzaville.
Tasks to be performed by the contractor/scope of work.
Market Potential Assessment
Compilation of Potential Importers Across Selected Countries
NB: The two reports should be combined into one final report.
Milestones
Certain milestones, as laid out in the table below, are to be achieved by certain dates during the contract term, and at locations:
Milestone | Deadline/place/person responsible | Working days |
Kick-Off with the GIZ Team | 2nd July 2024 | 1 |
Inception Report outlining the proposed methodology, work plan, and timeline for the Market Potential Assessment and field trip | 8th July 2024 | 3 |
Interim Report presenting preliminary findings, data analysis, and initial recommendations | 30th August 2024 | 20 |
Field trip | 30th September 2024 | 10 |
Draft Report final | 10th October 2024 | 3 |
Presentation slides summarizing the key findings and recommendations for stakeholders | 11th October 2024 | 2 |
Submission of the final report | 25th October 2024 | 2 |
Total | 41 working days |
Time Frame
Period of assignment: 1st July -31st October 2024
Concept
In the bid, the bidder is required to show how the objectives defined in Chapter 2 are to be achieved, if applicable under consideration of further specific method-related requirements (technical-methodological concept). In addition, the bidder must describe the project management system for service provision.
Technical-methodological concept
Strategy: The bidder is required to consider the tasks to be performed with reference to the objectives of the services put out to tender (see Chapter 2). Following this, the bidder presents and justifies the strategy with which it intends to provide the services for which it is responsible (see Chapter 2).
The bidder is required to present and explain its approach to steering the measures with the project partners and its contribution to the results-based monitoring system.
The bidder is required to describe the key processes for the services for which it is responsible and create a schedule that describes how the services according to Chapter 2 are to be provided. In particular, the bidder is required to describe the necessary work steps and, if applicable, take account of the milestones and contributions of other actors in accordance with Chapter 2.
Project management of the contractor
The bidder is required to explain its approach for coordination with the GIZ project.
The contractor reports regularly to GIZ in accordance with the AVB of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH from 2018
In addition to the reports required by GIZ in accordance with AVB, the contractor submits the following reports and submit them to the GIZ and MINICOM:
The bidder is required to draw up a personnel assignment plan with explanatory notes that lists all the experts proposed in the bid; the plan includes information on assignment dates (duration and expert days) and locations of the individual members of the team complete with the allocation of work steps as set out in the schedule.
Personnel concept
The below specified qualifications represent the requirements to reach the maximum number of points.
Expert 1: Team Leader
Tasks of the team leader and Expert 1
Qualifications of the Team leader
Expert 1
Qualifications of the expert pool
The bidder must provide a clear overview of all proposed experts and their individual qualifications
5. Costing requirements
Assignment of personnel and travel expenses.
The consulting firm will be required to conduct field research in the target markets, namely Cameroon and Congo Brazzaville. GIZ will cover the travel expenses, including round-trip tickets, accommodation, and per diem for one expert traveling from their home country to Congo Brazzaville and Cameroon. It is important to note that these costs cover only one expert per country/market.
The total budget allocated for this travel is up to EUR 7000, covering both trips for 10 working days (5working days for each Market) for all the trip/travel expense .
Fee days | Number of experts | Number of days per expert |
Designation of Team Leader | 1 | 24 |
Designation of key expert | 1 | 17 |
Air ticket | 1 | 4 |
Hotel Accommodation | 1 | 10 |
Per Diem | 1 | 10 |
Airport Transfers | 1 | 4 |
Per-diem and overnight accommodation allowances are reimbursed as a lump sum up to the maximum amounts permissible under tax law for each country as set out in the country table in the circular from the German Federal Ministry of Finance on travel expense remuneration (downloadable at https://www.bundesfinanzministerium.de).
Accommodation costs which exceed this up to a reasonable amount and the cost of flights and other main forms of transport can be reimbursed against evidence
All business travel must be agreed in advance by the officer responsible for the project.
The bidder is required to calculate the travel by the specified experts and the experts it has proposed based on the places of performance stipulated and list the expenses separately by daily allowance, accommodation expenses, flight costs and other travel expenses.
Sustainability aspects for travel
GIZ would like to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (CO2 emissions) caused by travel. Please incorporate options for reducing emissions, such as selecting the lowest-emission booking class (economy) and using means of transport, airlines and flight routes with a higher CO2 efficiency. For short distances, travel by train (second class) or e-mobility should be the preferred option.
If they cannot be avoided, CO2 emissions caused by air travel should be offset. GIZ specifies a budget for this, through which the carbon offsets can be settled against evidence.
There are many different providers in the market for emissions certificates, and they have different climate impact ambitions. The Development and Climate Alliance (German only) has published a list of standards (German only). GIZ recommends using the standards specified there.
Requirements on the format of the bid
The structure of the bid must correspond to the structure of the ToRs. In particular, the detailed structure of the concept (Chapter 3) is to be organised in accordance with the positively weighted criteria in the assessment grid (not with zero). It must be legible (font size 11 or larger) and clearly formulated. The bid is drawn up in English.
The complete bid shall not exceed 10 pages (excluding CVs).
The CVs of the personnel proposed in accordance with Chapter 4 of the ToRs must be submitted using the format specified in the terms and conditions for application. The CVs shall not exceed 4 pages. The CVs must clearly show the position and job the proposed person held in the reference project and for how long. The CVs can also be submitted in English.
If one of the maximum page lengths is exceeded, the content appearing after the cut-off point will not be included in the assessment.
Please calculate your price bid based exactly on the aforementioned costing requirements. In the contract the contractor has no claim to fully exhaust the days/travel/workshops/ budgets. The number of days/travel/workshops and the budget amount shall be agreed in the contract as ‘up to’ amounts. The specifications for pricing are defined in the price schedule.
Annex / Attachments
Submission of offer: The Expression of Interest should contain the following:
A. Proposal:
B. Financial Proposal: The price per service category must contain all relevant costs supported by a breakdown of each cost. The costs must be in RWF and VAT
Please submit electronically your EoI (technical & Financial offer) in 2 separated emails and should be in PDF files to this email ONLY: RW_Quotation@giz.de until latest 15th May 2024
Please you must write on each email subject this sentence:
83464533 Technical/financial offer, without this sentence, your offer may not be considered
Hard copies are not allowed this time
GIZ reserves all rights
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