Alliance For A Green Revolution In Africa (AGRA)- Request For Proposal For Consultancy For Business Development Support For Capacity Building Of Four New Seed Companies In Kaduna And Niger

DEADLINE: 31ST MAY, 2022 ALLIANCE FOR A GREEN REVOLUTION IN AFRICA (AGRA) REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL FOR CONSULTANCY FOR BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT FOR CAPACITY BUILDING OF FOUR NEW SEED COMPANIES IN KADUNA AND NIGER

Synopsis of the Request for Proposal

Solicitation Reference No. RFP/071/SEED/2022 Title of Solicitation A Consultancy for Business Development Support for Capacity Building of Four New Seed Companies in Kaduna and Niger. Issuing Office & Address Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA)Website: www.agra.org Point of contact for clarifications, questions and Submission of Proposals AGRA General Procurement, Procurement@agra.org Location of the assignment Nigeria Confirmation of interest in this consultancy Interested consultants/bidders are requested to register on the link below by close of business, May 23, 2022, 12:00PM East African Time. Any additional communication will be shared with those that will have registered on the link below. For Registration Link click: HERE Deadline for submission questions and clarifications May 23, 2022 12:00PM East African Time Please include “RFP/071/SEED/2022” on the subject line in the email Deadline for Answering questions and clarifications May 25, 2022 5:00PM, East African Time Deadline for Submission of Proposals May 31, 2022; 5:00PM, East African Time. Type of consultant INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANT Anticipated Award Type CONSULTANCY AGREEMENT Procurement Method INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANT Evaluation Criteria Mandatory Eligibility Requirements: (a) Detailed Curriculum Vitae (b) Academic and Professional Certificates (c) National Identification card or Passport (d) Technical Approach/methodology Proposal (e) Financial Proposal

Evaluation Criteria (a) Consultants academic and professional qualification…20% (b) Experience of consultant in similar assignments .……40% (c) Proposed approach, methodology and workplan………30% (d) Language and Experience within the region……….…10% Total:……………………………………………………..100%

NB.: Minimum technical pass mark for technical evaluation is 75% AGRA will negotiate with the consultant who attains the best technical score

TERMS OF REFERENCE A Consultancy for Business Development Support for Capacity Building of Four New Seed Companies in Kaduna and Niger

(1) Background The Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) is a dynamic partnership working across the African continent to help millions of smallholder farmers out of poverty. Under its last strategy (2017-2021) AGRA worked to catalyze an agricultural transformation in eleven (11) key focus countries namely, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Mali, Nigeria in West Africa and Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda in East and Southern Africa. AGRA’s mission (2023-2027) is to trigger an African-led green revolution based on smallholder farmers in Africa with key goals by 2020 of doubling the incomes of at least 30 million farm households through productivity improvements and access to markets and finance and ensuring all focus countries are on a pathway to attain and sustain an agricultural transformation. AGRA Business Lines fall under four broad themes: 1) Seed Systems, 2) Inclusive Markets and Trade 3) Sustainable Farming 4) Policy and State Capability.

Huge yield gaps persist and crop yields in most of Africa have remained at approximately one-third of those produced by farmers in other developing regions of the world. This low productivity is attributed to many factors including low use of agricultural inputs (seeds and appropriate fertilizers), and the associated policy constraints

Seed business is a complex undertaking that requires strong management skills and a high degree of technical knowledge related to seed production. The capacity needs are unique and must be technically customized to meet business, and farmer while adherence to prevailing laws and regulations. Nigeria is one of AGRA countries that have already conducted the SEEDSAT assessments in 2021. Outcomes of this this assessment revealed that gaps exist in the areas of EGS, seed quality control, quality seed production as well as the policy and regulatory aspects, seed distribution, and access.

Among the key recommendations made by the Seed SAT assessments was the need to strengthen the local seed companies for competitiveness, and to strengthen the alignment with the National Agricultural Research System. This is especially so for emerging seed companies that need information and support in all areas related to seed production ranging from germplasm access, quality control, processing, storage, marketing, and distribution. To resolve this problem and respond to stakeholder needs identifies through the SeedSAT process, AGRA seeks the services of a consultant to implement an activity that that will support the seed companies to have a business oriented, and professional in seed production and distribution process. The work will be based in Nigeria in Kaduna and Niger States and will support four seed companies in business development skills, financial management and operational arrangements.

(2) Objectives of the assignment The overall objective of this assignment is to develop the ability of young, private, African seed companies to manage their business growth and provide seeds of improved varieties to small-scale farmers in selected geographies in Nigeria.

(3) Scope of Work This assignment falls under AGRA’s Program Innovation and Delivery (PID) and will generally contribute to achieving AGRA’s goal of reaching 30 million smallholder farmers through various interventions including business development support to African Seed Companies. The assignment targets

Details of Assignment: AGRA Four seed companies in Nigeria; and two individual consultants are required, one for each region, to provide the following services:

(1) Work with seed companies to: (i) assess their needs, and (ii) prepare an improvement plan comprising of specific strategies for production, seed quality, marketing efficiency, accountability, and profitability.

(2) Provide business development consulting services to selected AGRA seed companies and assist startup and SME seed companies with the development of overall strategies for growth

(3) Train AGRA partner seed company staff in specific areas of need including production technologies, marketing, financial management, and strategy development

(4) Give seminars to seed company management teams on selected, specific subject matters of importance to the survival and growth of the firms

(5) Make on-site assessments and give recommendations on the effectiveness of seed company processes, including financial management, management of parental materials, certified seed production, management of out-grower contracts, seed processing, packaging, warehousing, and marketing

(6) Assist SME seed companies with strategies for raising investment capital, including the development of business plans, Advise SME seed companies in forging beneficial partnerships, Advise SME seed companies in sourcing and possible purchase of various seed equipment, software, and other resources within reach and achievable within the time scope of this consultancy.

(4) Expected Deliverables The consultant will work with designated PDI team members to develop a framework of assignment delivery which will form part of the inception report. The following deliverables are expected from this assignment.

(1) An inception report that includes a conceptual framework and work plan for this assignment.

(2) Progress reports at the end of each month showing achievements in the following:

(1) Enhancement of company effectiveness in processes, including seed production, seed processing and packaging, marketing efficiency, accountability, and profitability.

(2) Skills imparted to company staff in areas including marketing, financial management, and strategy development.

(3) Knowledge accrued in company through teaching modules dispensed at the Seed Enterprise Management Institute

(3) Final report giving a summary of the accomplishments for each of the four seed companies, needs assessment, baseline, KPIs and targets achieved at the end of the period and lessons learned for each company visited. The report should track the company’s growth using basic parameters that include: (i) Review of records and financial statements; (ii) Market segment; (iii) Product innovation; (iv) Staff retention and training; (v) Other factors as deemed necessary.

(4) A publishable document highlighting lessons learned from Business Development Service support in Nigeria highlighting models for scale up

(5) Reporting Line The consultant will report to Head of Seed Research and Systems, and Country Manager in Nigeria.

(6) Duration of the Assignment and Proposed Timetable The assignment is estimated to take four (4) resident months including travel estimated to commence in June 2022 to complete activities described above.

Deliverables Expected date of completion of deliverables (indicative) An inception report that includes a conceptual framework and work plan for this assignment. June 20, 2022 Progress reports at the end of each month showing achievements in the following: Enhancement of company effectiveness in processes, including seed production, seed processing and packaging, marketing efficiency, accountability, and profitability. Skills imparted to company staff in areas including marketing, financial management, and strategy development. Knowledge accrued in company through teaching modules dispensed at the Seed Enterprise Management Institute July 2022 Final report giving a summary of the accomplishments for each of the four seed companies, needs assessment, baseline, KPIs and targets achieved at the end of the period and lessons learned for each company visited. The report should track the company’s growth using basic parameters that include: (i) Review of records and financial statements; (ii) Market segment; (iii) Product innovation; (iv) Staff retention and training; (v) Other factors as deemed necessary. August 2022 A publishable document highlighting lessons learned from Business Development Service support in Nigeria highlighting models for scale up September 2022

(7) Proposed payment terms

Below is the proposed payment schedule.

Deliverables Payment % An inception report that includes a conceptual framework and work plan for this assignment. 20% Progress reports at the end of each month showing achievements in the following: Enhancement of company effectiveness in processes, including seed production, seed processing and packaging, marketing efficiency, accountability, and profitability. Skills imparted to company staff in areas including marketing, financial management, and strategy development. Knowledge accrued in company through teaching modules dispensed at the Seed Enterprise Management Institute 40% Final report giving a summary of the accomplishments for each of the four seed companies, needs assessment, baseline, KPIs and targets achieved at the end of the period and lessons learned for each company visited. The report should track the company’s growth using basic parameters that include: (i) Review of records and financial statements; (ii) Market segment; (iii) Product innovation; (iv) Staff retention and training; (v) Other factors as deemed necessary. 20% A publishable document highlighting lessons learned from Business Development Service support in Nigeria highlighting models for scale up 20%

(8) Location and nature of the assignment: The assignment approach is as per the above schedule. The consultant is expected to have check in calls and consultations with the AGRA Team in carrying out the assignment.

(9) Copyright All materials/documents arising out of this consultancy work shall remain the property of AGRA.

(10) Qualifications and Requirements of the individual consultant The consultant should have the following qualifications/competencies:

(1) A minimum of a bachelor’s degree in Agribusiness, Business management or Administration, or a related discipline.

(2) A minimum of 5 years’ experience in seed enterprise development and management, agribusiness, or a related field.

(3) Experience in providing advisory and technical support to upcoming seed companies.

(4) Practical experience in managing a seed business is strongly preferred.

(5) Requires good knowledge of the seed production and marketplace.

(6) A good command of English is required and knowledge of French for Mali and Burkina Faso, and Portuguese for Mozambique is an advantage.

(7) Previous or current work in seed related activities in developing countries

(11) Evaluation Criteria Interested individual consultant shall be evaluated against the following technical criteria:

(1) Consultants academic and professional qualification……………………20%

Experience of consultant in similar assignments ……………………….……40%

Proposed approach, methodology and workplan…………………………….30%

Language and Experience within the region……………………..…………10%

Total:………………………………………………………………………100%

Note: (1) Procurement method: Individual Selection Method

(2) Consultants may or may not be required to make presentations as part of due diligence process.

(3) Only the candidate with the best technical proposal equal or above 75% shall be considered for financial negotiations.

(12) Application Submission Requirements Interested and qualified individual consultants are invited to submit their proposal(s) comprising of the following:

(1) Technical Proposal (1) Detailed CV of the individual consultant

(2) Academic and professional qualifications

(3) Technical approach/Methodology and work-plan for performing the assignment

(4) Samples of similar assignments done or detailed reference list indicating the scope and magnitude of similar assignments along with clients contact details.

(5) The technical proposal shall not exceed 20 pages. CVs and copies of academic certificates may be attached as annexes.

(2) Financial Proposal (1) Professional Fee quoted shall include all applicable Withholding TAX.

(2) If the financial proposal is silent on taxes, AGRA shall assume that these are inclusive .

(3) Prices must be quoted in USD ($). Contracting and Payment will be made in USD and bidders are encouraged to have a USD bank accounts.

(4) The financial proposal shall be sent as a separate attachment and MUST be password protected.

(5) Consultancy fee for the assignment with detailed budget breakdown.

(6) A dully filled in Bio Data form as per attached template.

(13) Guidelines for Preparations and Submission of Proposals (1) The Proposals shall be prepared in English Language.

(2) The proposals SHALL be submitted to procurement@agra.org by the deadline indicated in the synopsis .

(3)The technical proposal shall not exceed 20 pages .

(4) The proposal and ALL Attachments submitted via email SHALL NOT exceed 10MB.

(5) VALIDITY of the proposal shall be for a period of 90 days from the date of bid closure.

(6) Financial proposal shall be sent as a separate attachment and MUST be password protected. The password shall be requested from the best evaluated consultant who meet the minimum technical score of 75%).

(7) Financial proposals will not be opened until the conclusion of the technical evaluation and then only for those proposals that are deemed qualified and responsive.

Click to Download RFP Document

Alliance For A Green Revolution In Africa (AGRA)- Request For Proposal For Consultancy For Business Development Support For Capacity Building Of Four New Seed Companies In Kaduna And Niger

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