Request for Proposals (RFP)
for Training of Trainers
(TOT) and Training of Cooperatives in Organizational & Financial Management

Request for Proposals (RFP) for Training of Trainers (TOT) and Training of Cooperatives in Organizational & Financial Management

Contracting Entity

Agribusiness Support Fund (ASF)

144, DD Block, Central Commercial Area (CCA)

Phase IV, DHA, Lahore

Introduction to ASF

Agribusiness Support Fund (ASF) is a “Not-for-Profit” company registered with Securities & Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) under Section 42 of Companies Ordinance 1984. The company was established in 2005 by Ministry of Food, Agriculture & Livestock (MINFAL) with the support of Asian Development Bank (ADB) in context of the Agribusiness Development & Diversification Project (ADDP). It provides financial support to farmers, farmer groups, and entrepreneurs for hiring demand-driven technical and managerial services on a matching grant basis to improve their productivity, competitiveness and creditworthiness to access financing for their enterprises. The company is governed by a private sector led independent Board of Directors.

The Government of Gilgit Baltistan and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) have signed a Financing Agreement for the execution of the program, Economic Transformation Initiative Gilgit Baltistan (ETI-GB) to improve incomes and reduce poverty and malnutrition in rural areas of Gilgit Baltistan, initially targeting to benefit 100,000 households.

ETI-GB has signed an agreement with ASF to undertake day-to-day activities of the program’s sub-component “Value Chain Support Fund and Technical Assistance”. Along with other responsibilities, ASF has been mandated to provide ongoing support to the project team in the implementation of grants processes. In line with this objective, program has established 160 cooperatives in various areas of Gilgit-Baltistan. Under this assignment, ASF is looking for a training firm for the capacity building of project staff to extend support to these cooperatives to initiate and manage their functions to achieve the desired results.

Purpose of RFP

The purpose of this RFP is to hire an institute/company registered with sales tax department, having national tax number (NTN) to train the trainers to build the capacity of the staff so that they may be able to reinforce the rural population’s agricultural skills and business capacities through continuous support, guidance and training of rural communities.  

Scope of Work

The objective of this assignment is to train the trainers to build the capacity of the staff so that they may be able to reinforce the rural population’s agricultural skills and business capacities through continuous support, guidance and training of rural communities. In the target areas, the project intend to develop 160 farmers’ cooperatives duly registered with Cooperative Societies Gilgit Baltistan. These cooperatives will enable farmers to improve produce and service quality and reduce risks. The project staff will continuously guide and support these cooperatives to build their capacities to operate sustainably and also be able to develop a revolving fund to extend financial support to small farmers and landholders.

The scope of work of this activity is the capacity building of 22 master trainers and 48,000 cooperative farmers specifically encompass mapping value chain framework, ability to leverage the eco-system for their sectors, developing linkages, ability to develop business plans and establish and manage revolving funds. The timeline of completion the activity is 08 months.  

Proposal Submission Process

Proposal can be submitted by mail to the address given in this document by 1700 hours, October 14, 2020. No proposal will be entertained after the due date. The competent authority reserves the right to reject any or all proposals. Any questions related to the RFP should be submitted by email ONLY ([email protected]) by 1700 hours, October 11, 2020.

The bidders are required to include the following information in their proposal, as a minimum:

• Brief profile (documents of firm registration, tax registration with FBR)
• Experience of undertaking similar projects for multinationals or large local organizations. Proven experience of undertaking similar assignments. Organizations having experience of working with ETI-GB projects and in Gilgit/Baltistan will be given preference.
•  Detailed methodology to be adapted
• Profile of the key members to be involved in the project and their CVs
• Project cost
• Deliverables

The validity period of offer should not be less than 60 days.

Selection Criteria

Proposals will be evaluated first to ensure that they meet all mandatory requirements provided hereunder:

The applicant should:

• have prior experience of working on similar projects especially in Gilgit Baltistan;
• be registered with FBR for taxation purposes.

Any RFP that fails to meet these requirements will receive no further consideration. A non-responsive proposal to any element may be eliminated from consideration.

Selection Criteria

For the purpose of selection, the evaluation will be based on the following evaluation criteria:

Payment

The payment will be made as per following schedule:

• 30% of payment in advance
• 40% of payment on completion of 60% of the activity
• 30% on completion of activity

Interested firms may send the proposal by mail to the following address by 1700 hours, October 14, 2020.  ASF reserves the right to (a) reject or accept any proposal from any party, (b) not respond to a request made by any party. The proposal submitted shall not be construed as or intended to be an offer.

Agribusiness Support Fund

144, DD Block, Central Commercial Area,

Phase IV, Defence Housing Authority, Lahore

www.asf.org.pk

[email protected]