Commodity/Service Required:

Update existing and/or develop new Agriculture related TVET curriculum and manuals to align them with the latest industry standards and practices

Type of Procurement:

Subcontract

Type of Contract:

Framework Agreement

Term of Contract:

Time of Delivery

Contract Funding:

USAID

This Procurement supports:

Feed the Future Hanga Akazi Activity

Submit Proposal to:

HAprocurement@rti.org

Date of Issue of RFP:

June 5, 2023

Date of Bidders’ Conference

June 13, 2023 at 10:00 Central Africa Time (CAT) Conference location: Cogebanque Building, 5th Floor KN 63 St, Kigali, Rwanda

Date Questions from Supplier Due:

June 9, 2023 at 17:00 CAT

Date Proposal Due:

June 16, 2023 at 17:00 CAT

Approximate Date Purchase Order Issued to Successful Bidder(s):

On/about July 5, 2023

Method of Submittal:

Via email to HAprocurement@rti.org

Respond via e-mail with attached document in MS Word / pdf format.

The Bidder/Seller agrees to hold the prices in its offer firm for one year from the date specified for the receipt of offers, unless another time is specified in the addendum of the RFP/RFQ.

PROJECT SUMMARY

RTI is an independent, nonprofit research institute founded in 1958 with the vision to address the world's most critical problems with science-based solutions in pursuit of a better future. It provides research, development, and technical services to government and business clients worldwide. 

RTI is implementing a five-year USAID-funded Feed the Future Rwanda Hanga Akazi Activity to facilitate inclusive employment and entrepreneurship opportunities.  The activity will work with and through the Government of Rwanda (GOR) to boost and drive inclusive job creation and economic growth in Rwanda’s agriculture sector and complementary market segments (e.g., agri-businesses, finance, business development services, restaurant industry, training institutes). The program will use a market systems development approach to achieve its goals with emphasis on reaching women, youth, and persons with disabilities. The Activity will address the problem of insufficient employment opportunities and limited entrepreneurial success for Rwandans which negatively impacts the Rwandan economy and the country's development goals through the following intermediate results: 

1. Rwandans possess the knowledge and skills required to serve labor and consumer markets domestically, regionally, and globally.
2. The private sector has access to the resources required to grow their revenue and employment; and
3. Businesses are incentivized to grow inclusively. 

Over the life of the Activity, Hanga Akazi interventions will support a minimum of 23,000 job seekers to access new or improved employment, while the Activity’s support to businesses will result in the creation of at least 19,000 full time jobs at partner firms. Hanga Akazi is not restricted to specific value chains or geographic areas.

PURPOSE OF ASSIGNMENT

Hanga Akazi aims to hire a competent firm to review, adapt, and upgrade existing or initiate development of new Agriculture related TVET curriculum and manuals (level one to eight) through a private sector driven approach to align them with the latest industry standards and practices as well as improving the quality and relevance of vocational education and training in the agriculture sector.

The hired firm will be required to organize and facilitate the upgrading, revision, and development of competency-based training (CBT) curricula with training and assessment packages, develop training organization guides, organize, and facilitate the development of trainers’ and trainees’ manuals that are consistent with the CBT as well as ensure that the curricula are aligned with the requirements for validation in the Rwanda Qualification Framework (RQF).

SCOPE OF THE ASSIGNMENT

The focus of the assignment will be on existing and/or new Agriculture related TVET curriculum and their related manuals from level one to eight.

A.      Curricula Development

In line with the objective of this assignment, the consulting firm will work in close collaboration with relevant private and public institutions in charge of curriculum and instructional materials development to:

• Review and/or develop skills gap analysis reports for TVET certificates and diplomas.
• Conduct occupational profile/analysis for TVET certificates and diplomas.
• Review and/or develop competency standards for TVET certificates and diplomas.
• Review and/or develop the qualification (course structure and contents) for TVET certificates and diplomas.
• Review and/or develop the assessment guidelines for TVET certificates and diplomas.
• Review and/or develop and complete the curriculum with the standard format.
• Review and/or develop the training organization guide (ToG), including the qualifications and competencies for trainers, Standard Training Equipment List with their specifications and Technical Workshop Specifications.
• Organize internal validation workshop with industry practitioners and trainers.
• Provide reports emerged from curriculum review and/or design.

Taking account of these phases, the Consultancy firm will:

• Ensure that training modules are stand alone and self-contained to enable competency based and modular training with specific qualifications. Training and instructional materials will be integrated into coherent and sequential modules that will lead to acquisition of desired competencies.

B.      Training Manuals Development

Where necessary, upon completion the development of curricula, the consulting firm will:

• Develop trainees’ and trainers’ manuals for specific and general competencies for TVET levels (one to eight).
• Comply with national acceptable formats for training manuals development and designs.
• Organize and present the draft manuals in validation workshop with industry practitioners, curriculum, and instructional materials development experts.
• Adjust the trainees’ and trainers’ manuals according to the recommendations of the validation meeting and submit the final manuals.

METHODOLOGY AND SAMPLING

Applicants must propose a methodology based on the requirements of this assignment. At minimum, the methodology must include holding an inception meeting with Hanga Akazi and its partners before beginning a robust desk review and analysis. The consulting firm will be required to plan and facilitate relevant focused group workshops and informant interviews with private and public sector industry practitioners. Information gathered will be used to develop a draft curriculum or manuals to be presented to key stakeholders for comments. The study design and methodology will be discussed and agreed with the Hanga Akazi project team prior to implementation.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

Bidders are required to submit the following documentation:

1. A 25-pages max (excluding annexes) technical proposal, which demonstrates how the bidders’ proposal meets all the technical requirements in the Terms of Reference, including the firm and proposed consultants experience, comments, and suggestions on the ToR, proposed technical methodology/approach and initial work plan.
2. A 3-pages max financial proposal, as well as an accompanying budget breakdown detailing the daily rate expected using the provided budget template. The project will cater for the costs of facilitating the validation workshops, but the financial proposals should include all other costs related to this assignment.
3. Summarized narrative of past performance of similar assignments   accompanied by the copies of the evidence (contracts or certificate of good completion)
4. Copies of key personnel CV(s) which clearly state relevant expertise/experiences (see Annex A, key personnel minimum requirements).
5. The bidder’s company profile. The profile must clearly show the number of years’ experience the bidder has been handling similar projects (or capability statements for individuals). It must also include the entity’s Unique Entity ID (SAM.gov) or proof of confirmation that Unique Entity ID has been requested.

To be eligible for consideration, bidders must submit copies of the following.

• The bidder’s registration document, as per the laws of the company’s incorporation county or identification cards for individuals / any form of relevant registration
• The bidder’s business permit/license, as per the laws of the incorporation county.
• Applicable tax registration documents, as per the laws of the incorporation county.
• The bidder’s current tax compliance certificate.
• The relevant quality assurance certifications.

No part of this assignment can be subcontracted.

EVALUATION CRITERIA

Technical Approach (40%)

• Degree to which the applicant’s proposed methodology (including the initial work plan) responds to the requirements of the assignment. 

Value for Money (20%)

• Cost proposed by the applicant relative to the quality of the technical approach and personnel. 

Past Performance (20%)

• Demonstrated track record of successful completion of similar assignments.

Personnel (20%)

• The degree to which the proposed key personnel meet the key personnel minimum requirements in Annex A. Demonstration of diversity and inclusivity among proposed personnel is a strong added advantage.

Key Deliverables and Time Frames for Curricula Development

No.

 Name

Deliverable Description

Estimated Due Date

Milestone Payment

1

Inception Report

Detailing the methodology including the main research methods and detailed work plan

5 days from contract signing date

20%

2

Occupational profile and occupational standards report

After the workshop with industry practitioners /professionals, the firm shall submit the occupational profile and occupational standards report.

18 days from contract signing date

3

Draft curricula & Validation

Develop and submit a draft curriculum based on occupational standards and in line with standard formats to be submitted to NESA for accreditation. A second round of revision may be required before the final version of the curricula is produced. The project will host a validation workshop at which the successful vendor will present draft curriculum to key stakeholders. The project will cover the costs associated with facilitating this validation workshop.

43 days from contract signing date

20%

4

Training organizations guides

Develop and submit training organizations guides

54 days from contract signing date

30%

5

Final Curricula report

A final curriculum report in English after incorporating stakeholder’s feedback. 

60 days from contract signing date

30%

Total

60 days

100%

Key Deliverables and Time Frames for Training Manual Development

No.

 Name

Deliverable Description

Estimated Due Date

Milestone Payment

1

Inception Report

Detailing the methodology including the detailed work plan

5 days from contract signing date

50%

2

Draft version of training manuals & validation

Draft version of training manuals (trainees’ manuals + trainers’ manuals) and facilitate stakeholders validation workshops

45 days from contract signing date

3

Final version of training manuals

Final version of training manuals (trainees’ manuals + trainers’ manuals) after integrating stakeholders’ comments

65 days from contract signing date

50%

Total

65 days

100%

Duration of the Assignment
The nature of this contract will be a framework agreement for a period of one year renewal.

Contract Implementation Modalities
Hanga Akazi will always develop and share scope of work to the successful vendor whenever there is a need to review and/or develop curriculum or training manuals. In line with pre-agreed prices in the framework agreement, the successful vendor will prepare and submit a quotation to Hanga Akazi for review and consideration. Thereafter, Hanga Akazi will issue a local procurement purchase order authorizing the vendor to start the assignment.

Annex A: Key Personnel Minimum Requirements

It is anticipated that this assignment will be undertaken by an experienced consultancy firm. The successful firm will demonstrate the following expertise in their personnel. 

1.      Team leader

Responsible for the overall coordination of the contract implementation and shall be the principal contact person. The team lead should possess the following:

• Advanced degree in education, project management, economics, Agriculture, or any other TVET related field with a minimum of 7 years working experience in TVET education.
• A minimum experience of 5 years with competency- based curriculum development.
• Experience in developing professional courses, TVET programs, training manuals and other Technical Curricula.
• Experience in using DACUM methodology for curriculum development.
• Demonstrated good understanding of technical terms used in areas of Agriculture.
• A good understanding of relevant policy frameworks and legislation.
• Strong analytical and writing skills with proven skills in policy recommendations and advisory work.
• Strong methodological expertise
• Excellent communication skill in English and Kinyarwanda.
• Ability to engage with a cross-section of stakeholders in the public and private sectors.
• Proven experience of 5 years in conducting similar assignments
• Strong advisory and facilitation skills in multi-stakeholder settings
• Excellent communication, organizational and report writing skills.
• Fluent in English. Knowledge of French and Kinyarwanda will be an added asset.
• Ability to draw strong and valid conclusions.

2.      Academia experts

The team shall include a minimum of 15 Academia experts (5 for Agriculture, 5 for Animal health, 5 for Water and irrigation) with the following requirements

• At least bachelor’s degree in agriculture, Crop production, Horticulture Animal health, Veterinary medicine, Animal Production, Irrigation and Drainage or any other related fields.
• Master’s degree in related field would be an asset.
• Being an academia professional.
• A Minimum experience of 5 years with competency- based curriculum development and training manual development.
• A Minimum experience of 5 years in teaching in TVET schools (Technical secondary schools or polytechnics) in trades of Agriculture or crop production or animal health or irrigation
• Experience in developing Professional Courses, TVET programs, and other Technical Curricula.
• Relevant experience in similar assignments including training material development with proof of certificates of good completion.
• Good understanding of TVET landscape in Rwanda.
• Good moderation, networking, and communication skills.
• Proficiency in English and Kinyarwanda languages.

3.      Industry experts

• The team shall include a minimum of 15 Industry experts (5 for Agriculture, 5 for Animal health, 5 for Water and irrigation) with the following requirements
• At least bachelor’s degree in agriculture, Crop production, Horticulture, Animal health, Veterinary medicine, Animal Production, Irrigation and Drainage or any other related fields.
• Master’s degree in related field would be an asset.
• Being an industry practitioner.
• A Minimum experience of 5 years of working experience in Agriculture sector
• Good understanding of TVET in Rwanda.
• Good moderation, networking, and communication skills.
• Proficiency in English and Kinyarwanda languages.

4.      Editors

The team shall include a minimum of 5 editors with the following requirements:

• At least a master’s degree in English or other related qualifications
• Have experience in editorial work proven by certificates of completed services.
• Excellent writing and word processing skills

5.      Illustrators

The team shall include minimum of  four(4) illustrators with the following requirements:

• At least 3 years of experience in Illustrations design of educational materials such as training manuals or study texts books.
• At least 3 years proven experience in working with publishers related assignments.

Note:
 CVs and other detailed contacts of suggested potential personnel should be submitted along with other bidding documents and proposed consultants must be available throughout the survey period.

Signature:

Title:

Date:

Cogebanque Building, 5th Floor KN 63 St, Kigali, Rwanda

USAID

(a)                

The solicitation number:

(b)                

The date and time submitted:

(c)                

The name, address, and telephone number of the seller (bidder) and authorized signature of same:

(d)                

Validity period of Quote:

(e)                

A technical description of the items being offered in sufficient detail to evaluate compliance with the requirements in the solicitation. This may include product literature, or other documents, if necessary.

(f)                 

If RTI informs Seller that the Commodity is intended for export and the Commodity is not classified for export under Export Classification Control Number (ECCN) “EAR99” of the U.S. Department of Commerce Export Administration Regulations (EAR), then Seller must provide RTI the correct ECCN and the name of Seller’s representative responsible for Trade Compliance who can confirm the export classification.

(g)                

Lead Time Availability of the Commodity/Service.

(h)                

Terms of warranty describing what and how the warranties will be serviced.

(i)                  

Special pricing instructions: Price and any discount terms or special requirements or terms (special note: pricing must include guaranteed firm fixed prices for items requested.

(j)                  

Payment address or instructions (if different from mailing address)

(k)                

Acknowledgment of solicitation amendments (if any)

(l)                  

Past performance information, when included as an evaluation factor, to include recent and relevant contracts for the same or similar items and other references (including points of contact with telephone numbers, and other relevant information)

(m)              

Special Note: The Seller, by his response to this RFQ/RFP and accompanying signatures, confirms that the terms and conditions associated with this RFQ/RFP document have been agreed to and all of its attachments have been carefully read and understood and all related questions answered.

HAprocurement@rti.org

June 9, 2023 at 17:00 CAT