DEADLINE: 30TH DECEMBER, 2022
BRITISH COUNCIL
REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL FOR SUPPLY OF BULK SMS MESSAGES FOR THE BRITISH COUNCIL
(1) Overview of the British Council
(1.1) The British Council builds connections, understanding, and trust between people in the UK and other countries through arts and culture, education, and the English language. We work in two ways – directly with individuals to transform their lives, and with governments and partners to make a bigger difference for the longer term, creating benefits for millions of people all over the world. We help young people to gain the skills, confidence, and connections they are looking for to realise their potential and to participate in strong and inclusive communities. We support them to learn English, getting a high-quality education, and to gain internationally recognised qualifications. Our work in arts and culture stimulates creative expression and exchange and nurtures creative enterprise.
(1.2) We connect the best of the UK with the world and the best of the world with the UK. These connections lead to an understanding of each other’s strengths and of the challenges and values that we share. This builds trust between people in the UK and other nations which endures even when official relations may be strained.
(1.3) We work on the ground in more than 100 countries. In 2019-20 we connected with 80 million people directly and with 791 million overall, including online and through our broadcasts and publications. Founded in 1934, we are a UK charity governed by Royal Charter and a UK public body. Further information can be viewed at www.britishcouncil.org.
(2) Introduction and Background to the Project / Programme
(2.1) The British Council Customer Service is looking for an SMS service provider to deliver customized SMS services for a period of two years, renewable based on business needs and vendor performance. We would require a platform that supports tailored one-way SMS communications to our customers. Our recipients are mostly candidates or Guardians who have registered or subscribed to the British Council Exams Services. The type of messages to be sent include registration confirmation, payment reminders, cancelation, Test date Notification, candidate details, etc. The format of these messages is mainly text
On the average 16,800 messages would be sent to candidates each month. This may be scaled up to over 25,000 messages. Senders of this message are in our offices in Nigeria, Ghana and Senegal. However, recipients cut across the following countries: Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Togo, and Cote D’Ivoire.
(2.3) The purpose and scope of this RFP and supporting documents is to explain in further detail the requirements of the British Council and the process for submitting a proposal in response to this RFP (“Proposal”).
(3) Proposal Conditions and Contractual Requirements
This section of the RFP sets out the British Council’s contracting requirements, general policy requirements, and the general conditions relating to this procurement process (“Procurement Process”).
(3.1) Contracting requirements
(3.1.1) Contracting authority: the British Council which includes any other companies and organisations that control or are controlled by the British Council from time to time (see: http://www.britishcouncil.org/organisation/structure/status).
(3.1.2) Delivery location for goods and/or services: the British Council offices in Nigeria, Senegal and Ghana
(3.1.3) Duration: Two Years with an option for an extension or renewal based on business needs and supplier performance.
(3.1.4) Contractual terms: As set out in Annex 1 (“Contract”). By submitting a Proposal, you are agreeing to be bound by the terms of this RFP and the Contract without further negotiation or amendment. Once the Contract is awarded, there will be no changes allowed to the Contract (except in accordance with the provisions of the Contract). Any clarification questions in relation to any aspect of this Procurement Process and the associated documentation should be submitted in accordance with the process set out in paragraph 12 (Clarification Requests). Only changes which relate to the correction of ambiguity or manifest error in relation to the terms of the Contract will be considered and, if necessary, the British Council may, when issuing its response to clarification questions, reissue Annex 1 to reflect such changes. Any proposed amendments received from a potential supplier as part of its Proposal shall entitle the British Council to reject that Proposal and to disqualify that potential supplier from this Procurement Process.
