Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF)- Invitation For Pre-Qualification For Project Execution (6Lots)

DEADLINE: 28TH JUNE, 2021
UNIVERSAL SERVICE PROVISION FUND (USPF)
MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS AND DIGITAL ECONOMY
NIGERIAN COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION HEAD OFFICE, 9TH FLOOR, PLOT 423, AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA DISTRICT, ABUJA, FCT.
www.uspf.gov.ng
INVITATION FOR PRE-QUALIFICATION

(1) INTRODUCTION
The Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) was established by the Federal Government of Nigeria to facilitate the achievement of national policy goals for universal access and universal service to Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in rural, un-served, and under-served areas in Nigeria.

To achieve the above statutory mandate and in compliance with the provisions of the Public Procurement Act, 2007, the Universal Service Provision Fund under its 2021 budget hereby invites qualified, competent and reputable contractors to submit pre-qualification documents for the following works:

(2) SCOPE OF WORKS

(3) ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
All submissions must comply with the requirements of the Public Procurement Act, 2007 and interested bidders must submit the following documents:

(a) Evidence of Certificate of Incorporation issued by the Corporate Affairs Commission. Companies must enclose Certified True Copy (CTC) of the certificate of incorporation and form CAC 7 and CAC 2 or CAC 1.1;

(b) CTC of Articles and Memorandum of Association of the Company. It must show that the company has ICT related activities as part of its objectives;

(c) Evidence of filing annual returns for the preceding three years by the inclusion of an acknowledgment letter from Corporate Affairs Commission (2018, 2019, and 2020)

(d) Evidence of Company’s Income Tax Clearance Certificate for the preceding three years (2018, 2019, and 2020) valid till 31st of December 2021 (with a minimum average annual turnover in the last three years of N460 million for BTS & N150 million for RBTS);

(e) Evidence of current Pension Clearance Certificate valid till 31st December 2021;

(f) Evidence of current Industrial Training Fund (ITF) Compliance Certificate valid till 31st December 2021;

(g) Evidence of current Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) Clearance Certificate valid till 31st December 2021;

(h) Evidence of registration on the National Database of Federal Contractors, Consultants and Service Providers by submission of Interim Registration Report (IRR) expiring by 31st December 2021 or valid certificate issued by BPP;

(I) Sworn Affidavit disclosing whether or not any officer of the relevant committees of the Universal Service Provision Fund or the Bureau of Public Procurement is a former or present Director, shareholder or has any pecuniary interest in the bidder and has to confirm that all information presented in its bid are true and correct in all particulars.

(j) Reference Letter from a reputable commercial bank in Nigeria, indicating willingness to provide credit facility for the execution of the project when needed;

(k) A proper understanding of the ICT industry and proof of Three (3) similar projects carried out in the past five (5) years accompanied by Letters of Award, Job Completion Certificates, and Photographs of the projects;

(l) Company’s profile with curriculum vitae of key staff to be deployed for the project, including copies of their Academic/Professional qualifications;   

(m) Company’s audited accounts for the last three years (2018,2019, and 2020);

(n) Evidence of current registration/accreditation with Computer Professionals Registration Council of Nigeria and National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA);             

(o) Proponents must be a licensed network operating company or a company with a signed MoU with a Mobile Network Operator (MNO). The MNO must have a GSM Spectrum License;

(p) A valid Infrastructure Sharing & Collocation Services License to carry out the project;

(q) For Joint Venture/Partnership, the following documents must be provided for each JV partner; Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), Tax Clearance Certificate, Pension Clearance Certificate, ITF Compliance Certificate, NSITF Clearance Certificate, IRR & Sworn Affidavit

NOTE: NOT MORE THAN TWO COMPANIES SHOULD FORM A JOINT VENTURE;
(r) All documents for submission must be transmitted with a covering/forwarding letter under the company firm’s letterhead paper bearing amongst others, the Registration Number (RC) as issued by the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), contact address, telephone number (preferably GSM No.), and e-mail address. The letterhead paper must bear the names and nationalities of the directors of the company at the bottom of the page, duly signed by an authorized officer of the firm.

(4) SUBMISSION OF PRE-QUALIFICATION DOCUMENTS
(a) Bids must be in English Language and signed by an official authorized by the bidder;

(b) Interested Firms are to submit two (2) bound documents separately in a wax-sealed envelope;

(c) All Documents should be addressed to The Secretary, Universal Service Provision Fund, 9th Floor, Nigerian Communications Commission Head Office, Plot 423 Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja;

(d) Each Package shall be clearly marked with the following information on both sides of the envelope:

• Technical Bid marked “USPF/LOTX/TECHNICAL/2021” at the top right-hand corner;

Please note that “X” denotes the Lot Name

• Name of Proponent on each of the enclosed document;
• Contact Name, Phone Number, and E-mail Address;

(e) All copies of the documents shall be duly signed by an authorized representative of the Proponent. In the event of any discrepancy between copies, the original shall govern;

(f) Interested Parties shall not bid for more than two (2) Lots of all 2021 USPF Projects and Consultancies;

(g) Bids that do not comply with instructions shall be disqualified;

(h) Proponents can submit through Post (Courier Services).

(i) All documents must reach the office of the undersigned on or before 10:00 am on Monday, 28 June 2021

(5) OPENING OF PRE-QUALIFICATION DOCUMENTS

KINDLY NOTE THAT BIDS WILL BE OPENED IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION AT 10:00 AM ON MONDAY, 28 JUNE, 2021

The Secretary
Universal Service Provision Fund Nigerian Communications Commission
Head Office 9 Floor, 423,
Aguiyi Ironsi Street Maitama District, Abuja.

(b) Presence of bidders/representatives and members of the public shall not be required during the bid opening ceremony in compliance with COVID -19 Guidelines. The Bids Opening will be covered by video recording with the presence of two (2) representatives of private-sector professional bodies and Civil Society Organisations in the areas of Anti-Corruption, Transparency;

(c) Kindly note that submissions may be subjected to verification from relevant authorities. Fake documents and false declaration may be forwarded to the relevant prosecution authorities;

(d) Only substantially responsive firms will be contacted at a later date for collection of the Bid Documents.

(6) DISCLAIMER
(a) Submissions after the date and time specified above shall be returned un-opened;

(b) All cost incurred by proponents in response to this advertisement or inquiries shall be borne by such proponents and not the USPF.

(c) The USPF is not bound to pre-qualify any bidder and reserves the right to annul the Procurement process at any time without incurring any liabilities in accordance with Section 28 of the Public Procurement Act 2007;

(d) This advertisement is published for information purposes, and should not be construed as a commitment or obligation on the part of the USPF to award the contract;

(e) Interested parties shall not bid for both the Technical Audit and Implementation of any one project;

(f) Failure to comply with the tendering instructions shall lead to disqualification. For further clarification on the advertisement, please email: uspfprocurement@ncc.gov.ng, uspfbids@ncc.gov.ng  uspfprocurement@uspf.gov.ng, uspfbids@uspf.gov.ng

SIGNED
MANAGEMENT
UNIVERSAL SERVICE PROVISION FUND