TIMELINES

About GAIN

The Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) is a Swiss-based foundation launched at the UN in 2002 to tackle the human suffering caused by malnutrition. Working with both governments and businesses, we aim to transform food systems so that they deliver more nutritious food for all people.

At GAIN, we believe that everyone in the world should have access to nutritious and safe food. We work to understand and deliver specific solutions to the daily challenge of food insecurity faced by poor people. By understanding that there is no “one-size-fits-all” model, we develop alliances and build tailored programmes, using a variety of flexible models and approaches.

We build alliances between governments, local and global businesses, and civil society to deliver sustainable improvements at scale. We are part of a global network of partners working together to create sustainable solutions to malnutrition. Through alliances, we provide technical, financial and policy support to key participants in the food system. We use specific learning, evidence of impact, and results of projects and programmes to shape and influence the actions of others.

Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, GAIN has representative offices in Denmark, The Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and the United States. In addition, we have country offices in Bangladesh, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Tanzania. Programmes and projects are carried out in a variety of other countries, particularly in Africa and Asia.

About this Consultancy

GAIN is issuing this RFP to engage the services of a consultant to conduct three Rwandan value chain analyses, the first on the egg value chain, second on fish and the third on the high iron bean (HIB) value chain. The consultant will be provided GAIN’s Supply Chain Analysis for Nutrition (SCAN) tool to be used to conduct the analysis and collect quantitative and qualitative data on pricing, key stakeholders including SMEs working along the value chain, mapping of the supply chain, identification of challenges and bottlenecks impacting the supply and price of the commodity as well as opportunities to improve production, distribution, and marketing. GAIN is specifically interested in understanding where and how to intervene within these values chains to increase consumption of low-income populations.

The completed analysis will provide the GAIN Rwanda team with the information and recommendations needed to design interventions to increase the availability and affordability of eggs, fish and HIBs for low-income consumers in Rwanda, particularly in the Western Districts.

Scope of Work and Deliverables

The consultant will be responsible for the following tasks:

• In collaboration with the GAIN Rwanda team and using the GAIN SCAN Tool, conduct a value chain analysis of the egg, fish and HIB value chains in Rwanda.
• Conduct desk review and use secondary data to fine tune value chain analysis approach and present to GAIN.
• The value chain analysis should include:
• A mapping of the current value chain from input supply, production to retail for eggs, fish and HIBs.
• Stakeholder mapping and interviews with key supply chain actors
• List of SMEs engaged in the production, processing and/or distribution of eggs, fish and HIBs
• SWOT analysis of each value chain
• Price mark-up map

Deliverables:

• Presentation of insights from desk review of secondary data and recommendations of areas to focus on/knowledge gaps to fill and assumptions to validate.
• 2 final reports (one for each value chain) with sections as detailed above and recommendations on areas where GAIN can intervene to address challenges and increase the supply and distribution of eggs, fish and HIBs.
• 2 detailed PowerPoint presentations on the findings of the analysis

TIMEFRAME

All deliverables are required to take 60-70 days from the time the work commences.

REQUIREMENTS &QUALIFICATIONS

Essential Competencies:

• Significant experience working on value chain development activities, working with small and medium sizes businesses (SMEs) in agriculture, and/or food systems work in Rwanda
• Demonstrated experience analyzing food value chains, specifically production, distribution, and marketing.
• Understands and has in-depth technical knowledge of value chain development, food systems, and nutrition trends in Rwanda.
• Understanding of the challenges and opportunities of SMEs in Rwanda
• Ability to travel to districts and engage in discussions/administer surveys to stakeholders in the Kinayarwanda
• Fluent in written and spoken English and Kinyarwanda

INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUBMISSION

This section addresses the process for responding to this solicitation. Applicants are encouraged to review this prior to completing their responses.

CONTACT

Proposals should be sent to rwanda@gainhealth.org and rfp@gainhealth.org with subject line: Value chains Assessment - Rwanda

SUBMISSION

To apply, please submit the following by March 21st 2025

1. a technical proposal for undertaking the work outlined above (5 pages)
2. financial proposal all-inclusive (e.g travel costs, VAT, etc.),
3. the lead investigator’s CV,
4. 2 example reports of similar work done in the past, and
5. a cover letter detailing your experience

UNACCEPTABLE

The following proposals will automatically not be considered or accepted:

• Proposalsthat are received after the RFP 
• Proposalsreceived by 
• Incomplete
• Proposalsthat are not 

ACCEPTANCE

GAIN will not necessarily accept the lowest cost or any of the Proposals submitted. Accordingly, eligibility requirements, evaluation criteria and mandatory requirements shall govern the process.

COMPLETION

• Incase of errors in calculating overall costs, the unit costs will govern the 
• It is the applicant's responsibility to understand the requirements and instructionsspecified by If clarification is necessary, applicants are advised to contact the responsible person at GAIN under section II. point 1., prior to making their submission.
• While GAIN has used considerable efforts to ensure an accurate representation inthis Request for Proposal (RFP), the information contained in this RFP is supplied solely as a guideline. The information is not warranted to be accurate by GAIN. Nothing in this RFP is intended to relieve applicants from forming their own opinions and conclusions with respect to the matters addressed in this 
• Byresponding to this RFP, the applicant confirms its understanding that failing to comply with any of the RFP conditions may result in the disqualification of their 

RIGHTS OF REJECTION

GAIN reserves the right to reject any or all submissions or to cancel or withdraw this RFP for any reason and at its sole discretion without incurring any cost or liability for costs or damages incurred by any applicant, including, without limitation, any expenses incurred in the preparation of the submission. The applicant acknowledges and agrees that GAIN will not indemnify the applicant for any costs, expenses, payments or damages directly or indirectly linked to the preparation of the submission.

REFERENCES

GAIN reserves the right, before awarding the Proposal, to require the applicant to submit such evidence of qualifications as it may deem necessary, and will consider evidence concerning the financial, technical and other qualifications and abilities of the applicant.

RELEASE OF INFORMATION

After awarding the Proposal and upon written request to GAIN, only the following information will be released:

• Nameof the successful 
• Theapplicant's own individual 

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THIS SOLICITATION

NOTICE OF NON-BINDING SOLICITATION

GAIN reserves the right to reject any and all bids received in response to this solicitation and is in no way bound to accept any proposal. GAIN additionally reserves the right to negotiate the substance of the successful applicants’ proposals, as well as the option of accepting partial components of a proposal if deemed appropriate.

2. CONFIDENTIALITY

All information provided as part of this solicitation is considered confidential. In the event that any information is inappropriately released, GAIN will seek appropriate remedies as allowed. Proposals, discussions, and all information received in response to this solicitation will be held strictly confidential.

3. RIGHT OF IN A NEGOTIATIONS ON THE PROPOSAL

GAIN reserves the right to negotiate on the final costs, and the final scope of work of the proposal. GAIN reserves the right to limit or include third parties at GAIN’s sole and full discretion in such negotiations.

4. REVIEW PROCESS

The review process will involve a Review Panel with participants selected by GAIN.

5. LIMITATIONS WITH REGARD TO THIRD PARTIES

GAIN does not represent, warrant, or act as agent for any third party as a result of this solicitation. This solicitation does not authorize any third party to bind or commit GAIN in any way without GAIN’s express written consent.

6. COMMUNICATION

All communication regarding this solicitation shall be directed to appropriate parties at GAIN. Contacting third parties involved in the RFP, the review panel, or any other party may be considered a conflict of interest and could result in disqualification of the proposal.

7. FINAL ACCEPTANCE

Award of a Proposal does not imply acceptance of its terms and conditions. GAIN reserves the right to negotiate on the final terms and conditions including the costs and the scope of work when negotiating the final contract to be agreed between GAIN and the applicant.

8. VALIDITY PERIOD

The offer of services will remain valid for a period of 60 days after the Proposal closing date. In the event of the award, the successful applicant will be expected to enter into a contract subject to GAIN’s terms and conditions.

10. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

Subject to the terms of the contract to be concluded between GAIN and the applicant, the ownership of the intellectual property related to the scope of work of the contract, including technical information, know-how, processes, copyrights, models, drawings, source code and specifications developed by the applicant in performance of the contract shall vest entirely with GAIN.

11. SCOPE OF CHANGE

Once the contract is signed, no increase in the liability of GAIN or in the fees to be paid by GAIN for the services resulting from any change, modification or interpretation of the documents will be authorized or paid to the applicant unless such change, modification or interpretation has received the express prior written approval of GAIN.