ESTABLISHMENT OF A RISK MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT
FOR MICROFUND FOR WOMEN (MFW)
RFP Questions and Answers
Issued May 4, 2016
ORG STRUCTURE/STATISTICAL INFO – MFW
Question #1: Can you please provide an organization structure of MFW showing the various functions? Specifically we need more info on the (existence/staffing) of:
· Current Credit Administration, Risk Management Function, Internal Audit, Compliance, Remediation/delinquencies management, and related control functions.
· Statistical Analysis -No. of such staff/by function/by branches.
Response #1: Applicants shall consider public information available on the MFW website. Other information will be shared with shortlisted candidates only.
PROJECT COORDINATION / INTERACTIONS & DURATION
Question #2: Shall we expect one MFW counterpart (liaison) from each one of these Functions during the project execution to coordinate with their functions?
Response #2: MFW will assign a coordinator that will handle different functions.
Question #3: Do you expect any kind of interaction with the other consulting firm working on related project? Please explain how.
Response #3: In general, MFW supports integrated efforts among different projects to maximize benefits and increase efficiency.
Question #4: The RFP States that “The winning Firm should be responsible for successful delivery of the project within eight (8) to twelve (12) months”. Why there is a 4 Month Time Lapse/ Flexibility?
Response #4: Flexibility of time depends on the results of assessment.
RISK MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS/TOOLS (RMS)
The RFP Requests three types of systems to be tailored and implemented along with training MFW Employees, these systems are
· Risk Management system
· Risk Scoring system
· Database/Knowledge Management System (DB/KMS)
Question #5: Please confirm that this is a pure consultancy service project (& related training/knowledge transfer).
Response #5: The selected consultancy firm is expected to develop and provide technical tools, templates, and scoring system.
Question #6: Do you expect the consultant to include offering Risk-Management softwaretools hardware Equipment, Application software?
Response #6: An internally built tool and risk methodology are expected from the selected consultancy firm.
Question #7: Are there are some hardware costs expected? Ref: (PART B: COST PROPOSAL,c. Equipment Costs). Why would such a consulting services project expect “hardware quotations”?
Response #7: The selected consultancy firm will be responsible for hardware cost only in case of needed equipment for the credit rating system.
Question #8: For any of the systems/tools: Are there a specific number of licenses/system capacities to be taken into consideration?
Response #8: We would like to have tailored systems irrespective of the number of users.
KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM/DATABASE
As per the RFP Phase II, requested service is “Identify the specifications of the suitable database or knowledge management system to be developed and/or purchased to best serve the RMD’s purposes.”
Question #9: Can you please elaborate on what you mean by “to be developed and/or purchased to best serve the RMD’s purposes”? Who will develop and purchase?
Response #9: The selected consultancy firm for this project will be responsible only for providing the framework and business needs requirements expected from the KMS. The development and/or purchase of the KMS/database is outside of the scope of this RFP.
Question #10: What are your expectations of the knowledge categories/reporting requirements to be included in the KMS/Database?
Response #10: The selected consultancy firm shall depend on the results of the needs assessment and framework they are going to develop to make recommendation for the KMS design.
Question #11: What is meant by “Adaptation of the Knowledge Management System along with handover training”?
Response #11: Along with this grant, a knowledge management system will be developed in parallel based on the consultancy recommendations – the selected consultancy firm is required to incorporate information of KMS into its reports, frameworks, etc.
Question #12: If there is a RFP(s) to be developed by the consultant for related systems/tools (e.g. Knowledge Management System), this could mean having a period for vendor selection that might take longer than expected.
Response #12: Not applicable
Question #13: Also the RFP expects the consultant to implement & train on all three systems, hence the required expertise with the “to be selected” systems could vary depending on what the project sponsors might select. Can you please elaborate on this scenario?
Response #13: Not applicable
RFP: RMD INTERFACE
As per the RMD Interface deliverable: Incorporate RMD protocols into other MFW systems. Present and test an interface for the RMD that functions well with MFW’s system, reporting, and auditing.
Question #14: Can you please explain what type of interface is expected? Is this a technical system interface, customized using specific software tools?
Response #14: It is a customized tool developed by the selected consultancy firm to enable RMD to have a full management of the risks, e.g. it will facilitate risk identification, categorization, assessment, mapping, managing, monitoring and reporting. And to incorporate this within the operation cycle of the department.
RFP DEVELOP A CONTINGENCY PLAN
Question #15: There is insufficient information about “developing a contingency plan.” Can you please elaborate on what is required?
Response #15: As a significant part of operational risk management, Contingency Plan is our labeling to a full professional document that deals with business continuity in different scenarios and resources in order to protect and prevent any damage/ loss on staff, operations and assets of the company from external risks. It will include the data recovery functions and back-up sites, with the related practices of business sensitivity analysis, etc. It is required that the selected consultancy firm have this document in place.
DEVELOP M&E PLAN IN RELATION TO THE RMU (GENDER CONSIDERATIONS)
Question #16: There is insufficient information about “Developing M&E Plan in relation to the RMU.” Can you please elaborate on what is required?
Response #16: Monitoring and Evaluation for the implementation of the project – required by USAID LENS. Monitoring and evaluation plan and reports for the Risk Department (baseline, data collected, disaggregation, points to measure, etc.)
Visa Restrictions for Experts
Currently Jordan has no regulations in place restraining Syrian national to enter Jordan. Nevertheless we recently learned that Jordan authorities are no more willing to issue entry visas for Syrian nationals.Against this background we would appreciate if LENS / USAID could share their point of view on that issue.
Question #17: Is there a framework in place that allows Syrian experts to enter Jordan for a LENS/USAID project?
Response #17: USAID LENS would need to send a country clearance request to USAID for international consultants/travelers funded under the USAID LENS Project. There is no framework in place to support Syrian Experts.
Question #18: Will LENS and/or MFW support the Consultant in obtaining entry visas for experts holdings Syrian nationality?
Response #18: USAID LENS can only provide a supporting letter directed to concerned authorities.