QUESTION & ANSWERS

Update 

The closure date for Tender– RFP Services Ref: RFP/549MLW1000.2.1.3/1 /2018 Support to the revision of harmonised curricula within construction level 2-3, introduction to revised curriculum and technical upskilling of construction instructors has been extended.

The new deadline for Submission of Sealed Tenders:  15th February 2019 (04:00 pm, Harare, Zimbabwe)

Question 

I am in the process of developing a proposal in response to the above terms of reference.  While going through the TOR, I came across some areas which I would like clarity on please.  I have cut and paste the areas of concern into this mail below and indicated my questions in italics for ease of reference:

Outputs/deliverables:

General

• Detailed plan for implementation of the assignment including a timeline providing a summary of the understanding of the assignment, the objectives and activities, a description of the methodologies and approaches to be used and a short description of outputs and content of workshops.
• Information meeting conducted with MoLYS&MD
• Quarterly and end of assignment reports provided (see specifications under reporting)

Objective 1.

• Validation of revised DACUM charts for Construction Curricula in Bricklaying, Plumbing, Electrical installation, Carpentry and Joinery and Painting.
• 5 x 2 day workshops with stakeholders from the industry for revision/development of standards for Bricklaying, Plumbing, Electrical installation, Carpentry and Joinery and Painting. (1 for each trade); (up to 20 participants for each workshop)
• 5 x 3 days workshop with stakeholders from the industry for revision/development of the curriculum framework for the revised harmonised construction (including assessment framework). (up to 20 participants for each workshop) – Question: Given that the revision/development of the curriculum is at 2 levels, is this 5 x 3 days per level or 5 x 3 days for both levels consecutively?  Please advise as it would be difficult to cover two different levels in one workshop.  
• 5 x 2 days workshop with stakeholders from the industry for initial development of trainers and facilitator guides for the curriculum framework for the revised harmonised construction. (up to 20 participants for each workshop) – Question: Same as the point above.  Is this 5 x 2 days per level or 5 x 2 days for both levels.  Given that the teaching and learning materials development process takes longer than the curriculum development process, it may be better to allow for 3 days for this development and 2 days per level for curriculum development to ensure optimal use of input from industry and stakeholders to the development process.  Please advise.
• 5 x 2-day curriculum validation meeting for each of the five construction curricula level 2-3. (up to 20 participants for each workshop) Question: Again is this 5 x 2 days per level or 5 x 2 days for both levels (ie one day per level)?
• Draft curricula including standards, curriculum framework, facilitator and learner guides and assessment frameworks for the curriculum framework for the revised harmonised construction level 2-3
• Final and fine-tuned curricula for construction level 1 curriculum, and preparation of level 2-3 curricula for final approval by the TEVET Authority board.
• A 2-day introduction to the five construction curricula for principals, assessors and verifiers, as well as TEVET instructors. (Up to 100 participants, a total of three workshops, one in each region) Am I correct in assuming this is 3 x 2-day sessions?

STEP will take responsibility for the hiring of venues, organising refreshments, printing of materials, the invitation of participants, and confirmation of their participation.  The company will support STEP in this work by providing a list of participants, follow up on participation, provide facilitators for the training, develop and deliver training materials, etc.

Answer

Please see the clarification below

1. 5 x 3 days workshop with stakeholders from the industry for revision/development of the curriculum framework for the revised harmonised construction (including assessment framework).

• THIS should be understood as  3 days workshops per level (level 2-3) per programme for a total of programmes 5).A total number of days 30 days.

2. 5 x 2 days workshop with stakeholders from the industry for initial development of trainers and facilitator guides for the curriculum framework for the revised harmonised construction. (up to 20 participants for each workshop

• THIS is 2 days workshops per level (level 2-3) for five programmes ). A total number of days 20 days.

3. 5 x 2-day curriculum validation meeting for each of the five construction curricula level 2-3. (up to 20 participants for each workshop) THIS is 2 days workshop per level (level 2-3) for five programmes ). A total number of days 20 days.

• THIS is 2 days workshops per level (level 2-3) for five programmes ). Total number of days 20 days.

 

Update

The closure date for Tender– RFP Services Ref: RFP/549MLW1000.2.1.3/1 /2018 Support to revision of harmonised curricula within construction level 2-3, introduction to revised curriculum and technical upskilling of construction instructors has been extended.

New deadline for Submission of Sealed Tenders:  15th February 2019 (4:00 pm, Harare, Zimbabwe)

Question 

I would like some clarification please on the following.  The terms of reference specifically mention that the project team will not be housed in the STEP offices.  Given the size of the potential teams, this would require the consultant to establish a local office (probably in Lilongwe) as a base of operations for the 12 month period to facilitate administration of the project.

Is this something that should be specifically included in the technical and financial proposal? If so could you please provide some guidelines in terms of the line items that would be acceptable?  See my suggested areas below:

Rental

Electricity

Water

Internet

Printing

Consumables

 

Answer 

You are correct that the project team for the construction curriculum development and upskilling cannot be housed in the STEP office.

STEP will like to see the budget for the establishment of administrative support unit/office separate from the technical assignment budget.

Relevant budget line:

One-off expenses:

• IT
• Equipment and furniture
• Communication and internet (if purchasing phones etc.)
• Refurbishment( if needed)

Running costs:

• Office rent (office rent, security, cleaning )
• Communication
• Staff costs
• utilities
• Transport
• Service charges

 

Update 

 

In the annex overview of technical colleges there is a correction to the trades and centres included in the assignment. The two TEVET institutes stated below are NOT included in the tender.

Community technical colleges10

Mtunthama – Kasungu

Welding & fabrication
NOT INCLUDED

Community skills development centres
3

Nkhwazi – Mchinji

Tailoring
NOT INCLUDED

Click here for the revised annex.

Q: Does STEP prefer the HUB in Blantyre (i.e. Dineo and co.) above the Mhub in Lilongwe for example? We are currently exploring which org. fits best with the needs f the ToR.

A: It will be relevant  to partners from all three regions of Malawi as the training for entrepreneurship teachers would be preferred to be managed as parallel trainings during the  break mid April to end April.

Q: In the ToR on page 11 under “C. activities objective 1” the following is mentioned: “Establish and get approval of job profile for entrepreneurship instructors (DACUM).” Does STEP expect the consultants team to develop this DACUM chart, following the DACUM process via facilitating a session with experts/entrepreneurs (using accredited facilitators as the two gentleman from Zimbabwe) or will STEP facilitate this outside the scope of this ToR or do you want the consultants/MDF to develop a draft DACUM chart from their own analysis.  Could you possibly clarify on this point? Partly as it also does not came back in the deliverables section on page 13-14.

A: STEP will take care of the development of the DACUM, but the company assigned, should take care of the remaining process

Q: Is a consortia eligible if the specified staff assigned to this tender from the consortium organisations have this experience, but the specific organisations involved have not fulfilled such contracts over 3 years as specified above.

A: The requirement for a company to have this experience is mandatory as stated. The requirement for individual consultants in a team to have such experience is a separate requirement which also needs to be fulfilled.

1. ToR page 10, Introduction Section, Para 5,: In August, 2018, STEP initiated a review and revision of the present entrepreneurship curriculum which was undertaken by Metrowall, a Malawian Consultant company. The delivery of the revised curricula requires training of up to 60 TVET Entrepreneurship instructors.

Q: Can the report from Metrowall consultants be made available to the bidders?

A: Not yet as it is still in a first draft form.

Q: Has the Metrowall consultant’s developed curricula which has been accepted by STEP which needs to be delivered, or the bidders can deliver globally established entrepreneurship development program which are accepted in many countries and certify TVET Entrepreneurship instructors?

A: There is already a entrepreneurship curriculum, which is delivered, by TEVET instructors, but this is under revision. The curriculum revision will be done through a participatory process with TEVET agency and stakeholders where a consultant is involved.

Q: This para states 60 instructors are to be trained whereas in other places of the ToR there is a requirement that 70 instructors are to be trained, besides training another 20 master trainers.

A: The number of instructors will be app. 70 and 20 master trainers.

2. ToR page 12, Objective 5, bullet point 2: The assignment will include the responsibility for establishment, hosting and management of the platform for a period of 12 months, and if necessary to do this via a Malawi based IT provider (low cost basis). After the 12 months, the system should be handed over the TEVETA for continuation (the same is also a “key performance indicator” numbered “e” in Section D “Deliverable”)

Q: The 12 month period will start from when? a) Beginning of contract period or (b) the 12 month period July 2019 – June 2020, assuming entrepreneurship instructors training gets completed by June 2019.

A: The period will start when the platform is developed, and ready to use.

Q: Is there a provision for electronic submission of the proposals (password protected financial proposal separately), while the original proposal is put on post within stipulated time and courier airway bill is produced as proof of dispatch.

A: There is no electronic submission of the proposal