Sustainable Growers Rwanda (SGR) is a local NGO having a goal of improving the livelihoods of low-income women farmers and their families through collective training that creates the basis for more transparent trade, improved quality and higher prices in the coffee sector.

In this perspective, Sustainable Growers is looking for a reliable and high perfoming Internet Service Provider (ISP) to deliver internet connictivity services to its offices.

GENERAL QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

1.The bidder shall send the following documents:

• Company Profile:Provide a brief background of the ISP, including years of operation, service coverage areas, and expertise in providing internet services to similar organizations

2.The following administrative documents should also be provided along with the requirements above mentioned:

• Copy of certificate of incorporation from RDB indicating company shareholders
• Valid tax clearance certificate from Rwanda Revenue Authority [RRA]
• Valid Social Security clearance certificate from RSSB
• Must have an experience of not less than five years, at least (3) original or notarized references required
• A confirmation that the bidder has Electronic Billing Machine [EBM]
• Valid certificate to operate as an ISP in Rwanda

3.Other Requirements:

• Detailed breakdown of prices must be provided in Rwandan Francs (RWF) and must include all taxes, cost of installation, fixed monthly suscription fees, equipment rental (if any), any other associated charges (e.g., for exceeding bandwidth limits, backup services, etc.), and any costs related to delivery to SGR offices, where applicable
• Prices shall not change for the duration of the contract

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS 

The goal of this tender is to ensure seamless and efficient internet access, ensuring business operations are supported by fast and stable internet connections.

The bidders must provide the specific details of the scope of the services are:

• Internet Connection Type:Detail the type of internet service needed (e.g., fiber optic, DSL, satellite, wireless, etc.); with a description of the internet service offerings, including details of the available bandwidth, internet types, latency, and coverage in Kigali City
• Bandwidth and Speed:Specification of available speed/ bandwidth, including both upload and download speeds
• Redundancy/Backup:Available options for backup internet connections in case of service outages
• Service Availability:the service availability should be 24/7 connectivity. A draft SLA outlining the guaranteed uptime, response times, and remedies in case of service failures.
• Latency Requirements:Specifications for latency levels for services such as video conferencing, VoIP, etc.
• Security Features:Specifications for internet security features
• Technical Support Plan:The bidder must offer around-the-clock technical support, including helpdesk availability, troubleshooting, and on-site support when necessary, response times, escalation procedures, and support hours
• Equipment Provision:The bidder should outline hardware to be provided, and any other equipment required for installation and optimal performance
• Installation Services:The bidder should provide details of their responsibility for setting up the internet connection, configuring necessary hardware, and ensuring a smooth transition
• Maintenance and Monitoring:The bidder should provide a plan for continuous monitoring of service health, with proactive communication in case of issues, as well as scheduled maintenance or upgrades
• Experience and References:Include examples of similar projects or contracts with previous clients. References from organizations with similar needs would be beneficial.

STANDARD PROVISIONS

5.1. Guidelines, policies and ethics

All bidders must commit to the guidelines in the SGR Procurement Procedures Manual. The procedures followed by Sustainable Growers Rwanda in making any award and contract resulting from this tender, will be in accordance with the:

• SGR Procurement Manual,
• SGR Anti-terrorism and Anti-money laundering Policy
• SGR Anti-fraud, bribery and corruption Policy

5.2. Conflict of Interest and Disqualification Provisions

Bidders shall not have a conflict of interest, such as submission of more than one bid in the same process, except as alternative offers permitted under the rules; association with a staff member involved in the awarding of the bids and also a bidder must disclose any relation with a staff member.

Sustainable Growers Rwanda encourages all bidders to conduct themselves with integrity.

Sustainable Growers Rwanda will automatically disqualify the bidder that attempts to:

• Change or omit any information related to this RFQ
• Inappropriately influence this Procurement Process;
• Enter into an arrangement with any other party that such party shall refrain from submitting a tender response;
• Enter into any arrangement with any other party (other than another party that forms part of your consortium bid or is your proposed sub-contractor) as to the prices submitted
• Engage in direct or indirect bribery, corruption or canvassing by you or your appointed advisers in relation to this Procurement Process
• Obtain information from any of the employees, agents or advisors of the Sustainable Growers Rwanda concerning this Procurement Process (other than as set out in these RFQ Conditions) or from another potential supplier or another tender response,

Additionally, Sustainable Growers Rwanda will automatically disqualify the bidder that:

• Are currently blacklisted by the Rwanda Public Procurement Authority or Sustainable Growers Rwanda itself
• Have received corruption-related convictons in Rwanda or elsewhere
• Have unresolved disputes with previous service contracts
• Are in bankruptcy proceedings
• Are excluded under applicable regional or international conventions
• Is received after the submission deadline
• Containsomissions, gaps, misrepresentations, errors and/or uncompleted sections
• Containshandwritten amendments with no initial of the authorized signatory
• Containsambiguous information that might mislead the tender evaluators
• Is not submitted in a manner consistent with the provisions set out in this RFQ

5.3. Evaluation Criteria and award

The agreement will be signed between Sustainable Growers Rwanda and the bidder whose offer follows the RFQ instructions, meets eligibility requirements, and receives the highest score out of a determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria. If required, the bidder will also present the samples of tools for evaluating that are complying with specification required. 

The best bidder will be chosen through a quality acost-based selection method in accordance with SGR procedures. Sustainable Growers may conduct negotiations with and/or request clarifications from any offer prior to award.

Please note that if there are significant deficiencies regarding responsiveness to the requirements of this RFQ, an offer may be deemed “non-responsive” and thereby disqualified from consideration. It is anticipated that award will be made solely on the basis of the original proposals.

5.4. Withdrawal

Sustainable Growers Rwanda reserves the right to withdraw this tender at any time and without notice and liability.Sustainable Growers Rwanda, reserves the right to accept or reject any quotation without being obliged to give any reasons in this respect.

5.5. Tender costs

You are responsible for obtaining all information necessary for preparation of your tender response and for all costs and expenses incurred in preparation of the tender response. Sustainable Growers Rwanda will not be responsible of any cost you incurred during the preparation of this procurement, irrespective of whether or not your tender response is successful.

5.6. Confidentiality and Information Governance

All documents related to this RFQ shall remain the property of Sustainable Growers Rwanda. Sustainable Growers Rwanda reserves the right to disclose all documents relating to this Procurement Process, including without limitation your tender response, to any employee, third party agent, adviser, or other third party involved in the procurement in support of, and/or in collaboration with Sustainable Growers.

5.7.Notification of tender award

In accordance with the evaluation criteria in this RFQ, all bidders shall receive formal notification of bidding outcomes. Successful bidders shall receive detailed award documentation.

5.8. RFQ Validity period

The bid validity period shall be 60 days.

GUIDELINE FOR BID SUBMISSION

Interested and qualified companies must submit their bid documents electronically via: recruitment@sustainablegrowers.org not later than 5th March 2025 at 5:00 PM (17h00) local time. Late bids will be automatically rejected. 

Questions regarding the technical or administrative requirements of this RFQ may be submitted by email to: recruitment@sustainablegrowers.org by 26^th February 2025, 05:00pm.

Only the written answers issued by Sustainable Growers Rwanda will be considered official and carry weight in the RFQ process and subsequent evaluation. Any verbal information received from employees of Sustainable Growers Rwanda or any other entity should not be considered as an official response to any questions regarding this RFQ.

Sustainable Growers Rwanda may at any time request further information from potential suppliers to verify or clarify any aspects of their tender response or other information they may have provided. In case you do not provide supplementary information or clarifications to Sustainable Growers Rwanda by any deadline notified to you, your tender response may be rejected in full and you may be disqualified from this Procurement Process.