DEADLINE: 17TH JULY, 2023
BRITISH COUNCIL
REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL FOR SUPPLY AND INSTALLATION OF 3.5KW AND 5KW INVERTER BACK-UP SYSTEM AT LAGOS OFFICE
(1) OVERVIEW OF THE BRITISH COUNCIL
(1.1) The British Council is the United Kingdom’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities. Its purpose is to promote a friendly knowledge and understanding between the people of the UK and people worldwide; making a positive contribution to all the countries we work with; and making a lasting difference to the UK’s security, prosperity and influence. It seeks to achieve its aims by working in education, science, governance, English and the arts. In 2014-15, its programmes reached a total audience of 647 million people worldwide, up by 43 million from the previous year. The British Council also had a total turnover of £973 million, which was 13% higher than the previous year. Its income included a grant-in-aid of £155 million, £637 million from fees and income from services such as English teaching, exams administration and £164 million from contract activity, such as the management of client-funded contracts, and funding from a wide range of public and private sector partners.
(1.2) The British Council was established in 1934 and incorporated by Royal Charter in 1940. It is registered as a charity in England and Wales (charity no. 209131) and Scotland (charity no. SCO37733). It is also an executive non-departmental public body, with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office as its sponsoring department.
(1.3) Its primary charitable objects are set out in the Charter and are stated to be to:
- Promote cultural relationships and the understanding of different cultures between people and peoples of the United Kingdom and other countries;
- Promote a wider knowledge of the United Kingdom;
- Develop a wider knowledge of the English language;
- Encourage cultural, scientific, technological and other educational co-operation between the United Kingdom and other countries; and
- Otherwise promote the advancement of education.
(1.4) The British Council works in more than 110 countries around the world and employs over 7000 staff worldwide. It has its headquarters in the UK, with offices in London, Manchester, Belfast, Cardiff and Edinburgh. Further information can be viewed at www.britishcouncil.org.
(2) INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND TO THE PROJECT / PROGRAMME
(2.1) Nigeria is the British Council’s largest operation in sub-Saharan Africa with offices in 4 cities – Port Harcourt in the south, Kano in the North, Abuja the Federal Capital and Lagos the commercial centre. We also have several project offices across the country. Our 200 staff work across a range of states delivering large scale contracts, partnership programmes, examinations, projects as well as services in Arts, Education & Society and English & Exams. We therefore need to source staff with a range of different skills, for work in both commercial and not-for-profit areas. Our partners and clients include government, public and private institutions, foundations, private sector organisations and civil society.
We are expanding and scaling up our existing programmes, contracts and services in the Arts, Education & Society, English & Examinations.
We are also working to ensure that we have a good balance of partnership, customer services and client funded work across these sectors. To do this we need to create the right enabling environment and to source staff with appropriate skills.
Our Estates and Facilities are an important facet of our work, providing a well-maintained and fit-for-purpose environment for customers, visitors and staff. We need to ensure the buildings and grounds are always in good working order, providing a welcoming approach in line with our brand, and complying fully with health and safety standards always. This has given rise to engage a supplier for supply and installation of either a 3.5KVAor 5KVA Inverter Back-up System in our office located in Ikoyi, Lagos. Please note that we require two separate quotes for the 3.5KVA and 5KVA). There will be no need for Solar Panels.
(2.2) The purpose and scope of this RFP and supporting documents is to explain in further detail the requirements of the British Council and the procurement process for submitting a tender proposal.
(3) TENDER CONDITIONS AND CONTRACTUAL REQUIREMENTS
This section of the RFP sets out the British Council’s contracting requirements, general policy requirements, and the general tender conditions relating to this procurement process (“Procurement Process”).
(3.1) Contracting requirements
(3.1.1) The contracting authority is the British Council which includes any subsidiary companies and other 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) The appointed supplier will be expected to deliver the services at the British Council office in Lagos.
(3.1.3) The British Council’s contracting and commercial approach in respect of the required goods and/or services is set out at Annex 1 (Terms and Conditions of contract) (“Contract”). By submitting a tender response, you are agreeing to be bound by the terms of this RFP and the Contract without further negotiation or amendment.
(3.1.4) The Contract awarded will be executed with a deep level of planning with a view to ensuring MINIMAL or NO disruption to activities that require power supply in the premises during all stages of the technical work.
(3.1.5) In the event that you have any concerns or queries in relation to the Contract, you should submit a clarification request in accordance with the provisions of this RFP by the Clarification Deadline (as defined below in the Timescales section of this RFP). Following such clarification requests, the British Council may issue a clarification change to the Contract that will apply to all potential suppliers submitting a tender response.
(3.1.6) The British Council is under no obligations to consider any clarifications / amendments to the Contract proposed following the Clarification Deadline, but before the Response Deadline (as defined below in the Timescales section of this RFP). Any proposed amendments received from a potential supplier as part its tender response shall entitle the British Council to reject that tender response and to disqualify that potential supplier from this Procurement Process.
(3.2) GENERAL POLICY REQUIREMENTS
(3.2.1) By submitting a tender response in connection with this Procurement Process, potential suppliers confirm that they will, and that they shall ensure that any consortium members and/or subcontractors will, comply with all applicable laws, codes of practice, statutory guidance and applicable British Council policies relevant to the goods and/or services being supplied. All relevant British Council policies that suppliers are expected to comply with can be found on the British Council website
