Request For Mercy Corps
Request For Terms of Reference (ToR) for Baseline Assessment Consultancy Service
About Mercy Corps:
Mercy Corps works in places of transition, where conflict, disaster, political upheaval, or economic collapse present opportunities to build a more secure, productive, and just communities. Providing emergency relief in times of crisis, we move quickly to help communities recover and build resilience to future shocks, and promote sustainable change by supporting community-led and market-driven initiatives. Recognizing both the great potential and the complex challenges faced by Afghanistan, since 1986 Mercy Corps has been implementing a range of humanitarian assistance and development programs tailored to the specific needs of the country and of those communities where we work.
Program’s Introduction:
In partnership with Medair and Solidarite International, Mercy Corps is implementing the “ Lifesaving integrated emergency response to vulnerable crisis-affected populations in Afghanistan” program which is funded by USAID's Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA). The aim of the program is to address emergency multi-sector humanitarian needs of vulnerable crisis-affected populations in Afghanistan through the provision of Food Assistance, WASH support, health and nutrition programming, livelihoods, shelter and agriculture assistance, multi-purpose cash support, and cash for work programming. This goal aligns with BHA’s mission of saving lives, alleviating human suffering, and reducing the impact of disasters by helping people in need.
Mercy Corps Afghanistan is planning to Hire a qualified and experienced consultancy (Consultancy Firm) for provision of firm to conduct baseline survey for BHA program. as per below terms of references (TOR).
Interested firms/companies are requested to submit sealed hard given below address or soft submissions can be made at: af-mctenders@mercycorps.org (bids on or before 26th Mar, 2023 by or before 01:30 p.m.
Mercy Corps: House # 31, Heratian’s Mosque Street, Behind Kabul Bank, Shahr-e-Naw, Kabul, Afghanistan
If you have any question, please contact below email address two days before submission deadline: af-tender-questions@mercycorps.org
(Please clearly mark your envelop or email subject with RFQ number and its description)
Mercy Corps reserves the right to accept or reject any or all RFQ/RFP(s) without assigning any reason.
The purpose of this consultancy service is to conduct a baseline assessment in the provinces of Herat, Kandahar, and Balkh to capture the current situation and measure baseline for the following Mercy Corps’ key indicators:
- Percent of households with soap and water at a handwashing station on premises
- Percent of households targeted by the hygiene promotion activity who store their drinking water safely in clean containers
- Percent of (beneficiary) households who report being able to meet the basic needs of their households all/most/some/none), according to their priorities
The baseline assessment will be conducted to establish a starting point to monitor progress over time for the above indicators.
Objectives:
The main objective of the consultancy service is to conduct a baseline assessment to capture the current situation for the above indicators in 3-4 districts of each of the following provinces: Herat, Kandahar, and Balkh. Specific objectives include:
- Determine the percent of households with soap and water at a handwashing station on premises in the target areas.
- Determine the percent of households targeted by the hygiene promotion activity who store their drinking water safely in clean containers in the target areas.
- Determine the percent of (beneficiary) households who report being able to meet the basic needs of their households all/most/some/none), according to their priorities in the target areas.
- Determine the differences in the above indicators between the provinces of Herat, Kandahar, and Balkh.
- Determine the differences in the above indicators between rural and urban areas in the target provinces.
Methodology:
The sampling for districts will be purposive and the consultant will then apply random sampling. The consultant will use a mixed-methods approach to collect data for the baseline assessment. The following methods will be used:
- Household surveys: The consultant will conduct household surveys to collect data on the above indicators in the target areas. The surveys will be conducted using a structured questionnaire that will be provided by MEL unit and revised by both parties.
- Observational checklist: The consultant will conduct key informant interviews with stakeholders involved in the implementation of hygiene promotion activities in the target areas.
- Focus group discussions: The consultant will conduct focus group discussions with community members in the target areas to gather insights on the current situation for the above indicators.
Deliverables:
The consultant will provide the following deliverables:
- Inception report: The consultant will submit an inception report within 5 days of the signing of the contract. The report will outline the methodology and tools to be used for the baseline assessment.
*Note: Excluding the data collection tools
- Raw data
- Draft report: The consultant will submit a draft report within 2-3 weeks of completing data collection. The report will include findings for the above indicators in the target areas and will highlight any differences between the provinces and rural/urban areas.
- Final report: The consultant will submit a final report within 5 days of receiving feedback on the draft report. The report will incorporate feedback from the client and will include recommendations for improving the above indicators in the target areas.
Timeline:
The consultancy service is expected to start on [start date] and be completed by [end date]. The following timeline is proposed:
- Inception report: 5 days from start date of agreement.
- Data collection: to end by 2 weeks from start date of agreement.
- Draft report: 4 weeks from start date of agreement.
- Final report: 5 days from receiving feedback on draft report.
Financial offer:
The consultant will be responsible for all costs associated with the baseline assessment, including travel, data collection, and report writing. The weighted score for financial offer is 30%.
Reporting:
The consultant will report to the Program Manager and MEL focal point from Mercy Corps Afghanistan office, who will provide guidance and support throughout the consultancy service. The consultant will submit all deliverables to the client representative.
Selection Criteria for Consultancy Firm:
To ensure the successful execution of the baseline assessment consultancy service, the following technical selection criteria have been identified for the consultancy firm:
- Access to the identified provinces and able to obtain governmental approvals: The consultancy firm should have existing access to the provinces of Herat, Kandahar, and Balkh and be able to obtain necessary governmental approvals for the baseline assessment.
- Previous experience of WASH and Cash Assistance (CBT or MPCA) baseline and endline assessments: The consultancy firm should have previous experience in conducting WASH baseline and endline assessments in similar settings. This includes experience in using both qualitative and quantitative research methods.
- Experts assigned demonstrate qualitative and quantitative research skills: The consultancy firm should assign experts who demonstrate strong skills in both qualitative and quantitative research methods. This includes expertise in conducting surveys, focus group discussions, and key informant interviews.
- Experts demonstrate fluent English language: The consultancy firm should assign experts who demonstrate fluency in the English language. This is necessary for effective communication with the client and for the preparation of reports in English.
- Experts have field management skills: The consultancy firm should assign experts who have strong field management skills. This includes experience in managing data collection teams, ensuring quality control, and providing technical support to field staff.
- Share at least 2 similar assessments: The consultancy firm should be able to provide evidence of at least two similar assessments conducted in similar settings. This demonstrates the firm's experience and capability in conducting the baseline assessment in the target areas.
- Approach covers all details covered in the TOR.
- Final report with all comments and feedback reflected must be submitted by the 27th of April.
Evaluation Criteria:
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Evaluation Criteria |
Weight (%) |
Possible Points (1 to 10) |
Weighted Score |
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(A) |
(B) |
(A*B) |
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CV & Profile – 15 Points Experience in delivering services.
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15% |
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Past Experience – 10 Points Proofs of similar baseline surveys- WASH and MPCA- performed in the past for other contractors. This includes reports, copy of contract or purchase order and contact details of organizations for reference checks.
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10% |
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Approach
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15% |
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Copy of Business License – 10 Points
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10% |
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Access to the identified provinces and able to obtain governmental approvals: 15 points.
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15% |
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Meeting deadline:
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5% |
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Financial Proposal – 30 Points
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30% |
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TOTAL POSSIBLE SCORE: |
100% |
The selection criteria are intended to ensure that the consultancy firm selected is capable of executing the baseline assessment effectively and efficiently. The consultancy firm that is selected should meet all the technical selection criteria above and pass each criteria in addition to the financial part.
Taxes, Duties and Expenses.
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- Except as otherwise provided in the Statement of Services, Contractor is responsible for all expenses incurred by it in performing under this Contract and all taxes, duties and other governmental charges with respect to the provision of Services. If the law requires Mercy Corps to withhold taxes from payments to Contractor, Mercy Corps may withhold those taxes and pay them to the appropriate taxing authority. Mercy Corps will deliver to Contractor an official notice for such taxes. Mercy Corps will use reasonable efforts to minimize any taxes withheld to the extent allowed by law.
Price Sheet:
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Provision of consultancy firm to conduct baseline survey for BHA program |
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Service Description |
Quantity |
Unit of Measure |
Unit Price |
Total Price/AFN |
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Provision of consultancy firm to conduct baseline survey for BHA program in pre-identified districts in Herat, Kandahar, and Balkh provinces as per the attached ToR. |
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Total: AFN |
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Terms of Payment |
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Validity of Offer/RFQ |
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PR/RFQ #: KBL 1154 |
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