Request For Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE)

Request For Proposal-Money Services Provider

The Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE) is soliciting bids from qualified Money Services Providers (MSPs) with experience in international remittance, particularly in Afghanistan. CIPE invites qualified MSPs to submit best value proposals for the requested services outlined in this RFP.

Vendors are encouraged to read this RFP in its entirety, including specific instructions and requirements. Issuance of this solicitation does not, in any way, obligate CIPE to award a contract, nor will CIPE pay for any costs incurred in the preparation and submission of a proposal. The agreement resulting from this RFP will be provided to the most responsive Offeror(s) whose offer will be the most advantageous in terms of cost, functionality, and other factors as specified in this RFP.

Background

The Center for International Private Enterprise (www.cipe.org) strengthens democracy around the globe through private enterprise and market-oriented reform. CIPE is one of the four core institutes of the National Endowment for Democracy and an affiliate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Since 1983, CIPE has been working from the ground up with partners to find locally driven solutions to problems that affect the lives of millions of people. CIPE believes that democracy is at its strongest when the private sector is flourishing. Working with local partners—including business associations, chambers of commerce, think tanks, universities, and advocacy organizations—CIPE is helping to create an enabling environment for business to thrive. CIPE’s key program areas include anti-corruption and ethics, enterprise ecosystems, business advocacy, democratic governance, and trade. These programs are delivered globally to a network of over 80 global presences, including 17 established field offices.

 

 

 

 

Proposal Preparation Instructions

The required services are described in the “Scope of Work” in Attachment A. Proposals are expected to include the information indicated below. Offerors may send any additional supplemental material as part of the proposal package. Please be sure to respond to each of the elements requested.

In order to be qualified for this RFP, all Offerors are requested to provide the following information and format their proposal as follows:

1. Basic Information, one page

• Legal name, registered address, and “Remit to” mailing address, if different from registered address.
• Name of authorized representative(s) for this RFP, with telephone number(s), and e-mail address(es).
• General information about your organization and the services it offers.
• Standard hours of operation.
• Number of years providing the types of services specified in this RFP.

 

2. Qualifications and Capabilities, up to two pages

• Description of your organization’s experience servicing international non-profit or humanitarian entities.
• Describe your organization’s experience in international remittance, particularly in Afghanistan. Describe any plans to outsource/subcontract the services requested or any part thereof.
• Provide undertaking and confirm that the agency is not affiliated with the government, including groups, individuals, and parties sanctioned by the United States and United Nations.

 

4.         Project Management/ Services Delivery,  up to two pages

• List the primary individuals who will be responsible for day to day communications and project management.  Include a brief description of the expertise of the individuals listed.
• Describe your firm’s approach to completing each transaction and service delivery

• Describe your agency’s customer service philosophy.
• How will your agency guarantee on time payments to CIPE’s contractors.
• How will your agency make payments in other provinces, including Kandahar, Balkh, Herat, and Nangarhar?
• What is the process for providing CIPE management with access to validating your information including your licenses, past experience and references.
• Describe how your agency will manage time, scope, and budget.

 

 

 

 

5.         Billing, disbursement up to one page

• Describe your agency’s payment methods. How will CIPE make payments such as wire transfers, Hawala, or does the agency maintain bank accounts outside Afghanistan?

• Does your agency offer a system or have a process for requesting a refund in case CIPE revokes or terminates a contract with you or its contractors? 

 

6.         Past Performance and Experience

Document and summarize your proven track record of successfully providing the services specified in this RFP. Using the table format provided below, please list three relevant ventures you implemented within the past 3 years, a brief description of how each is relevant to the scope of the RFP, and the contact details for each previous client. You may also include recommendation/appreciation letters and certificates.

#	(a) Name of Organization	(b) Synopsis of the service and relevance to this RFP	(c) Performance period (date and duration)	(d) Name & Contact Info (E-mail and phone)
1
2
3

 

7.         Cost Proposal

• Provide a brief overview of your agency’s fees related to the services specified in this RFP
• Submit a detailed cost proposal in U.S. dollars. The costs must be a percentage of the funds remitted to CIPE contractors. CIPE will not consider any other costs associated with the transfer of funds to Afghanistan, including bank fees, exchange rates, and any other costs. The MSP will be responsible for covering the fees and other costs. CIPE will only reimburse a fixed percentage of the funds being remitted.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proposal Submission

Proposals, including any attachments, should be sent by email in PDF format to the recipient below by 5:00 PM Eastern Time, November 30, 2024:

Babak Yektafar, Program Director

Center for International Private Enterprise

1211 Connecticut Avenue, NW

Washington, DC 20036

BYektafar@cipe.org

We will not accept proposals received by fax. Please include in the following in subject line “Afghanistan Money Services Providers RFP, [Your Compacy Name]”

 

Questions

Questions should be submitted by email to the email address listed above no later than 5:00 PM Eastern Time, November 20, 2024. Any questions received by means other than the specified email address will not be responded to. No oral answers will be provided, instead, all answers to questions relevant to this RFP will be published by 5:00 PM Eastern Time, November 25, 2024 on CIPE’s website under Opportunities & Careers for all offerors to see (https://www.cipe.org/who-we-are/opportunities/)

 

Schedule and Due Dates
Event	Date of Completion
RFP distribution to Offerors	November 15, 2024
Deadline for Offerors questions	November 20, 2024
Return of responses to Offerors	November 25, 2024
Proposal due date	November 30, 2024
Anticipated decision and selection	December 10, 2024

 

 

Selection Criteria

Item	Requirement	Maximum Length	Points Available
Basic information	Legal name, registered address, and “Remit to” mailing address, if different from registered address. Name of authorized representative(s) for this RFP, with telephone number(s), and e-mail address(es). General information about your organization and the services it offers. Standard hours of operation. Number of years providing the types of services specified in this RFP.	1 page	10 points
2) Qualifications	Description of your organization’s experience servicing international non-profit or humanitarian entities. Describe your organization’s experience in international remittance, particularly in Afghanistan. Describe any plans to outsource/subcontract the services requested or any part thereof. Provide undertaking and confirm that the agency is not affiliated with the government, including groups, individuals, and parties sanctioned by the United States and United Nations.	2 pages	40 points
3) Project Management	List the primary individuals who will be responsible for day to day communications and project management.  Include a brief description of the expertise of the individuals listed. Describe your firm’s approach to completing each transaction and service delivery Describe your agency’s customer service philosophy. How will your agency guarantee on time payments to CIPE’s contractors. How will your agency make payments in other provinces, including Kandahar, Herat, and Nangarhar? What is the process for providing CIPE management with access to validating your information including your licenses, past experience and references. Describe how your agency will manage time, scope, and budget.	2 pages	40 points
4) Billing & Cost Proposal	Describe your agency’s payment methods. How will CIPE make payments such as wire transfers, Hawala, or does the agency maintain bank accounts outside Afghanistan? Does your agency offer a system or have a process for requesting a refund in case CIPE revokes or terminates a contract with you or its contractors?	2 pages	10 points
Total		7 pages	100 points

 

 

RFP Conditions

CIPE reserves the right to:

• Reject any or all offers and discontinue this RFP process without obligation or liability to any potential Offeror or other party.
• Accept other than the lowest price offered.
• Award a contract on the basis of the initial offers received, without discussions or requests for best and final offers.
• Award more than one contract.

Each Offeror shall keep the RFP and its contents confidential. In submitting a proposal, you must agree that your offer shall remain firm for a period of no less than 120 days from the RFP closing date.

Failure to follow the specifications and requirements provided in this RFP may result in disqualification.

 

 

AFGHANISTAN: CIPE partners’ payment remittance services/Money Services Providers

 

The Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE), a non-profit organization based in Washington, D.C., seeks bids from qualified Money Services Providers (MSPs) for the reliable and timely transfer of funds between the United States and Afghanistan. The selected MSP will support CIPE in implementing its government-funded democracy and private sector development programs, providing essential remittance services to CIPE’s contractors in Afghanistan. The MSP must have a good track record of providing similar services.

Receive Funds: Receive payments on behalf of CIPE in the United States.

Remit Payments: Transfer funds to CIPE's contractors in Afghanistan with prompt delivery.

Documentation and Compliance:

• • Share incorporation documents, including EIN, physical addresses, and bank information, with CIPE for verification purposes.
  • Share proof of registration both in the United States and in Afghanistan
  • If the MSP is registered in the United States only, it must provide a copy of the contract with another MSP registered in Afghanistan that has agreed to remit payments and have funds available for CIPE contractors.
  • Provide copies of receipts to CIPE as confirmation once contractors in Afghanistan receive their payments.

Fee Structure: Charge a fixed fee per transaction for these services.

 

 

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