DEADLINE: 23RD SEPTEMBER, 2022
SAHEL CONSULTING AGRICULTURE AND NUTRITION LIMITED
REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL FOR PROGRAM IMPLEMENTING CONTRACTOR

Synopsis of this Request for Proposal (RFP)
ProjectAdvancing Local Dairy Development in Nigeria (ALDDN)
JurisdictionNigeria
Issuing Office & Email for Submission of ProposalsAttn: Fisayo KayodeEmail: fkayode@sahelconsult.comSahel Consulting Agriculture & Nutrition LimitedPlot 817A, Cadastral Zone B04, Ebitu Ukiwe Street,Jabi District, FCT – Abuja, Nigeria.
Deadline for Receipt of ProposalsPlease email proposals by 23 September 2022 to the email fkayode@sahelconsult.com  and aadeoye@sahelconsult.com  
Point of ContactFisayo Kayode fkayode@sahelconsult.com 
Basis for SelectionSahel will select the program implementing service provider through a fair and transparent process. Proposals will be evaluated using the criteria outlined in Section III of the RFP

 
(1) ALDDN PROGRAM OVERVIEW

(1.1) Background
Sahel Consulting Agriculture and Nutrition Ltd (Sahel) is a leading management consulting firm focused on the agricultural and nutrition sectors in Africa. We partner with government agencies, private sector companies, and leading international development organizations to conduct research, analyze policies, develop strategies, and implement programs that promote sustainable food security and improved nutrition. Since our inception in 2010, we have worked on a variety of projects across West Africa in collaboration with public, private, and nonprofit organizations and development partners.

(1.2) Program Objectives
Sahel would like to engage a program implementing contractor on the ongoing Advancing Local Dairy Development in Nigeria (ALDDN) program which catalyzes a vibrant local dairy sector in an inclusive way that improves the livelihoods, productivity, nutrition, and empowerment of smallholder women dairy farmers and the communities in which they live. More specifically, the program:

  • Advocates for an enabling environment for local sourcing through engagements with the government and relevant private sector stakeholders.
  • Increases demand for locally sourced milk through partnerships with dairy processors currently or interested in sourcing locally.
  • Improves smallholder dairy farmers’ productivity by increasing their access to technical support services and the right inputs.
  • Empowers women dairy farmers and enables them to improve their livelihoods and that of their households.
  • Improves nutrition outcomes among smallholder dairy households through food systems entry points.

(1.3) Program Scope
The program, which commenced in 2020 will run for five years and is being implemented in partnership with 5 dairy processors across 5 states including Adamawa, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, and Plateau, reaching a total of 15,000 dairy households. This is subject to change as approved by the funder. Interventions being implemented are:

InterventionsComponents
1. Farmers’ Organization•Identification & Integration of dairy farmers into partnering dairy processors’ formal value chain

•Facilitating the formation and strengthening of Self-Help Groups (SFGs)
2. Infrastructure Development•Construction of energy-efficient water resources (e.g., boreholes)

•Procurement and distribution of milk cans to integrated farmers

•Construction of milk collection centres and points

•Procurement and deployment of milk evacuation vehicles
3. Productivity Improvement•Commercial feed & fodder production•  Provision of genetics & breeding services to eligible farmers

•Provision of animal health services to participating farmers
4. Financial Inclusion & Income Diversification Support•Provision of financial inclusion services

•Provision of income support and diversification activities, particularly for women dairy farmers
5. Training & Extension, Advocacy and Behavior Change•Content development and dissemination of training through various mediums (e.g., in-person, digital, radio, etc.)

•Advocacy and support programs to identify and promote men as gender empowerment champions within the communities
6. Policy Advocacy to Support a Thriving Dairy Sector•Fund economically robust analyses of policy reform opportunities on import tariffs and levies

•Support convenings with the government (e.g., Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Trade & Investment) and relevant stakeholders such as the National Commercial Dairy Farmers Association, and leading dairy processors, to discuss and recommend a dairy development strategy and related policy options

•Provide technical and advisory support to strengthen dairy industry associations to enable them to effectively advocate for an enabling environment for the industry

See the appendix for more details on each intervention

(2) REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
(2.1) Overview
Sahel is seeking to bring on board and collaborate with a reputable and experienced organization to implement the Artificial Insemination (AI) intervention as part of the Productivity Improvement component of ALDDN.

The Artificial Insemination (AI) intervention seeks to enhance the milk production potential of local cattle breeds and effectively multiply the income generation potential of the participating farmers. The AI intervention will ultimately enable ALDDN to achieve the following:

  • Improved, demand-driven, delivery and supply of breeding services at the farm level in communities and clusters.
  • Improved knowledge, attitude, and skills of smallholder dairy farmers as it concerns the adoption of AI practices and management of their cattle before, during, and after AI.
  • Enhanced milk production of indigenous breeds.
  • Increased incomes and improved livelihoods of small dairy farmers.

(2.2) Scope
This intervention will provide artificial insemination services to eligible, integrated smallholder dairy farmers in the program implementation areas in Adamawa, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano and Plateau States.

The selected contractor will conduct AI services for ALDDN integrated smallholder dairy farmers within the catchment area of our processors i.e. Saj and Arla foods in Kaduna State, Sebore farms in Adamawa State, and IDL in Plateau State, L&Z farms in Kano and Jigawa States.

The selected contractor will ensure that benefiting farmers will have demonstrated a record of adherence to good animal husbandry practices (including feeding, animal health and welfare) and have the capacity and plan to manage crossbreds.

The contractor will also build the capacity of 300 Artificial Insemination Technicians to continue providing AI services to farmers across the ALDDN sites beyond the duration of the program. Deliberate efforts will be made to recruit female technicians.

Key success factors for AI include:

  • Robust farmers’ sensitization on AI to secure their buy-in and their adoption of good animal feeding & management practices (pre, during and post-artificial insemination).
  • Well-trained and organized AI technicians to ensure that they are knowledgeable and skilled. They also need proper monitoring for quality control, have access to ongoing training as well as access to quality inputs and equipment.
  • Vet services including prophylactic treatments, deworming, and extension support are critical to addressing health and other problems pre, during and post-AI to ensure potential issues are mitigated.
  • Access to quality inputs, including healthy sexed semen, semen extender, and liquid nitrogen for proper conservation is key to AI success.

The contractor will identify, screen, and select suitable local cows for AI from the herd of identified smallholder farmers participating in the ALDDN program.

Over 12 months starting from October 2022, the contractor will inseminate 3,000 cows across the ALDDN processor partners’ catchment area in Kaduna, Kano, Jigawa and Adamawa States. This should result in at least 80% parturitions.

The contractor should take note of the aim and objective of the ALDDN program while selecting suitable semen for the intervention. Semen from Holstein Friesian bull from a reputable source is strongly recommended.

(2.3) Duration
The engagement in the program is expected to commence in October 2022 and end in October 2023.

(3) RFP RESPONSE REQUIREMENTS
The desired contractor must:

  • Have an existing presence in Nigeria.
  • Have prior experience and/or a background in implementing interventions of a similar scope among smallholder farmers.
  • Have experience addressing gender issues and mainstreaming gender in programs.
  • Have or will hire field staff with a sound understanding of the local language(s) (Hausa and Fulfulde), culture, and customs in the targeted states.
  • Willing to work as part of a consortium with other partners to deliver on the program objectives.

Interested organizations should include the following in their RFP response using the templates provided:

(3.1) Corporate Information

  • Location of the organization’s current functioning office(s) and/or places with an existing presence throughout Nigeria or elsewhere.
  • A copy of the company’s legal Registration Certificate.
  • A copy of the company’s TIN Certificate.
  • A copy of a Valid Tax Compliance Certificate.
  • Valid ID card of the authorized person.
  • Company Ownership and Management Information.
  • Profile of the staff that would be participating in the implementation and their respective roles.

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