Community Based Agriculture and Rural Development West (CBARD-W)

feasibility study -MAIL/UNDP/CBARD-W/REOI No- 003

Community Based Agriculture and Rural Development – West (CBARD-W)

پروژۀ رشد زراعـت، و انکشاف روستایی

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

Feasibility Study

MAIL/UNDP/CBARD-W/REOI No- 003

Publication Date: Monday, October9, 2017

Closing Date: Sunday, October22, 2017 at 02:00 pm local time

Office of CBARD-W

Procurement Section

Amu Building, 2nd Floor,

Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock,

University Road, Kart-e-Sakhi, Jamal Mena

Attn: Mr. Zabihullah Sharifi, Contract Management Specialist

Mob: +93 (0) 798 152 411

The Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock (MAIL) has received Grants, financing from the United Nation Development Program (UNDP) toward the cost of the MAIL, and intends to apply part of the proceeds for consulting services.

Project Background:

The Community-Based Agriculture and Rural Development – West (CBARD-West) is a community-based project which introduces and strengthens local production and marketing of traditional high-value crops in the high opium producing provinces of Farah and Badghis. The project objective is to prove the viability of high-value agricultural-based interventions in improving local economies of Badghis and Farah as a sustainable alternative to illicit crop cultivation. The project has two outputs: (i) local production of, and market for, high-value crops improved; and (ii) community-based agro-business infrastructure are built, developed, and/or strengthened.

CBARD-West project team, identified a list of traditional high-value crops that was endorsed in a national consultation workshop by stakeholders from MAIL/DAIL and other institutions. The list includes: grapes, apples, pistachios, citrus fruits, pomegranate and greenhouse products such as cucumber and tomatoes. The project was designed on the basis of value chain approach to boost local production of these high-value crops, which requires efficient marketing channels to smooth the potential risks of fresh vegetables and fruits chain stakeholders.

In partnership with local communities, the team also identified the Agro Business Centers (ABC) as the convenient marketing outlet, whereas buyers would come to, in the project provinces. Establishment of post-harvest handling technologies in the form of ABC would reduce post-harvest losses usually incurred by fresh produce farmers. However, there is no solid data to support the consistent supply/demand of the target produce, which may be resulting in the plant running at less than capacity.

Therefore, CBARD-West has commissioned-out a value-chain study to a consulting firm that will carry-out the necessary assessments and analysis of the selected high-value crops. The analysis will determine current levels of activities and associated incentives for production of a consistent supply in the selected chains especially the greenhouses’ tomatoes, cucumber and grapes/apples, as well as other local fresh produce that would have competitive advantage. It is also expected to shed light on these concerns and to ensure that strategies are put in place to mitigate against the potential risks. Outputs of the value-chain study is expected to provide the necessary inputs to the feasibility study.

In particular, the value chain approach is used to determine (i) periods over which the crops can be produced and volumes marketed in adequate quantities, (ii) investments required to lengthen seasons, (iii) the risk perception of producers and purchasers and their likely profitability.

The approach would be used to elaborate risk mitigation strategies that could be put in place to encourage appropriate levels of investment in production, harvest, delivery of product to Centers, and in the establishment of distribution chains.

MAIL will provide all necessary documents and the list of targeted districts/communities in the briefing session.

Objectives of the Assignment

CBARD-West has set the following objectives as per of this Feasibility Study:

The purpose of this assignment is to conduct a feasibility study on the establishment of ABCs, in Farah, Badghis and Nangarhar provinces. The Centers should perform amongst other things, the following: grading, packaging and provision of cold-room storage facilities among other necessary services, that would benefit the local producers in CBARD-West areas to increase their gross farm income and production by delivering fresh produce of high quality to markets, processors and retailers.

This study is expected to investigate and design post-harvest facilities (ABCs) with appropriate business models, institutional arrangements, management structures and financial implications of constructing marketing infrastructure in target provinces. The techniques also to analyze the technical, economic, operational, schedule and legal feasibility of the facilities.

Expected Tasks

Under the direct supervision of the Project Manager and the Chief Technical Advisor and in collaboration with CBARD-West Team, the Consulting Firm is expected to:

In consultation with provincial departments of agriculture (DAILs), identify two target areas/district in each of the provinces
Engage the provincial department of agriculture for buy-in and to avoid duplication with any similar initiatives in the identified areas;
Assess and analyze the current situation with regards to fresh produce marketing facilities in the targeted areas/district
Analyze the production and market of the emerging producers in the targeted areas/district
Identify the producers that could benefit from such infrastructure (including other local farmers not targeted by CBARD)
Assess and analyze the economic viability and sustainability of the project
Design an appropriate business model
Propose the appropriate institutional arrangements
Propose the appropriate management structure
Assess and analyze the demand for such infrastructure
Propose the appropriate infrastructure design with sustainable energy supply
Develop the implementation plan, as well as a monitoring and evaluation plan

If the Center facilities are technically feasible, prepare the detailed engineering design, detailed bill of quantities and work schedule and the Terms of Reference for the next phase: Construct and Operate (turnkey)

Methodology

The Consulting Firm should use a different array of techniques and tools to collect primary and secondary data from various sources. Conduct workshops, focus groups and other participatory approaches with the different stakeholders in agriculture such as commodity associations/cooperatives, input suppliers, producers, fresh produce markets/agents, buyers..etc.

The Firm also to use feasibility analysis techniques to assess/measure how beneficial or practical the establishment of fresh produce centers would be. These techniques are also to be used to highlight critical issues, to determine the risks associated with the project and to decide whether to proceed with the project or not.

Expected Deliverables

Submission and acceptance of detailed methodology and work plan for conducting the assignment within one month after signing the agreement.
Within the first month and as part of step one, conduct a start-up workshop to present the work plan and methodology to relevant stakeholders: CBARD-West team, MAIL and relevant DAILs, and UNDP. Finalize the work plan by incorporating the stakeholders’ comments and recommendations
It is expected that the winning firm to submit the two interim reports with clear milestones, to update on the progress achieved in the feasibility study, in addition to final report within a time frame that would be discussed and agreed upon as per the submitted work plan
Conduct a national wrap-up workshop whereas the final findings and recommendations of the feasibility study are discussed and endorsed by the relevant stakeholder. The list of stakeholders will be prepared in coordination with the project team

Submission and acceptance of the final draft of feasibility study that covers all the mentioned elements to CBARD management

Time Schedule

The assignment is expected to start by early-mid November, 2017. The assignment must be completed within a maximum time period of five months, from the start date of the contract.

Expression of Interest

Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock, Community Based Agriculture and Rural Development - West invites eligible firms to indicate their interest in providing the above mentioned Services.

Eligible Firms

This assignment is open for international firms with at least 10 years of experience of similar projects
International firms with local subsidiaries, joint ventures and /or local national teams, and who have previous experience on similar projects in Afghanistan would be preferred
Technical capacity to carry out and supervise the field activities in very unsecure areas in Afghanistan

All firms shall submit their expressions of interest (EOI) within 14 days from publish date for screening. The short-listed firms will be invited to submit their proposals, which shall consist of technical and financial parts.

In case firms want to apply as association, joint venture and/or consortium, it shall be clearly indicated in the proposal.

In case of JV the lead partner shall meet the minimum qualification requirement disclosed above. In case sub-consultancy, only the lead partner shall meet the minimum qualification requirement.

A firm will be selected in accordance with the Quality and Cost Based Selection (QCBS) method set out in the Consultant Guidelines.

Evaluation Criteria

Proposals evaluation will be made in two stages. At the first stage technical offers will be evaluated. Only those technical proposals that reach a threshold of 80% or more will be considered for the second stage. Financial offers will be evaluated at the second stage.

Evaluation of Technical Proposal

The technical proposal is evaluated and examined to determine its responsiveness and compliancy with the requirements specified in this solicitation document. The quality of each technical proposal will be evaluated in accordance with the following technical evaluation criteria and the associated marking (total possible value of 80 points).

SN / Criteria / Points obtainable
1 / Expertise of Firm / Organization / 20
2 / Quality assurance procedures / 10
3 / Proposed Methodology, Approach and Implementation Plan / 40
4 / Management Structure and Key Personnel
(Composition of the team, and credentials of the team members assigned to the project) / 30
Total / 100

Technical Proposal should include the following information:

Copy of Legal Registration Documents
Brief introduction to the organization and its core competencies
Proposed approach and methodologies to complete the deliverables, including assessments; data collection, analysis, and synthesis; and report and recommendations
Brief introduction to and CVs of members of the team assigned to the project, including a team leader, and the level of relevant experience of each, preferably of the region

Financial Offershould include breakdown of all activities costs to complete the assignment.

Interested firms are requested to submit clearly identified, sealed Expression of Interest by 02:00 pm, local time, Sunday, October22, 2017 address to MAIL/UNDP/CBARD-W/REOI No- 003,