REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST FOR A TECHNICALSUPPORT AGENCY (TSA) UNDER THE NATIONAL VALUE CHAIN SUPPORT PROGRAMME (NVSP)

MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE, LIVESTOCK, FISHERIES AND COOPERATIVES TENDER 2021 

STATE DEPARTMENT FOR CROP DEVELOPMENT AND AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH

Background

The Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Co-operatives has received financing from the World Bank towards the cost of the Kenya Climate Smart Agriculture Project, and intends to apply part of the proceeds for consulting services in support of the National Value Chain Support Programme (NVSP).

The consulting services (“the Services”) are as explained below: –

The National Value Chain Support Program supports agricultural production and marketing through input-subsidized agricul­ture using the electronic voucher input management system. This is achieved by means of, input subsidy support (fertilizer, lime, certified seed, and agro-chemicals) awareness creation, land management and market-linkages. Besides focusing on increased production levels, the program will take into consideration the agribusiness dimensions to include inclusive finance, insurance, markets and market access in a climate smart environment. This will result in household food security and increased incomes at farmer level.

The program will also build functional capacity of relevant staff, agro-dealers, and institutions both at the County and National level. Towards this, the program with support from the World Bank is desirous of hiring a Technical Support Agency (TSA).

Objective of the Assignment

The strategic objective of this assignment is to enhance agricultural productivity among small scale farmers through improved access to quality agricultural inputs while improving the participation of private sector in the overall agriculture value chains development. Further, the programmme seeks to improve the technical and marketing capacity for Counties and other agri­cultural service providers, improve access to affordable finance, insurance, and soil and water management for smallholder agricultural land.

Terms of Reference for TSA

1. Provide technical support in developing optimized inputs packages for various localities that enhance productivity while mitigating the effects of climate change in a manner that is financially sustainable.
2. Provide technical support to the NVSP at the National and county levels in undertaking appropriate agronomic training throughout the crop cycle for four pilot value chains – Maize, Rice, Irish potatoes and Coffee.
3. Provide technical support to the national and county teams in the provision of appropriate post-harvest manage­ment in order to reduce post -harvest losses.
4. Provide technical support to the national and county teams in establishing market linkages and/or offer storage solutions and train farmers on market dynamics so as to time crop sales and maximize profits.
5. Build functional capacity of relevant staff, farmers, agro-dealers institutions both at the county and national levels for effective programme implementation. The TSA will strengthen linkages between the National Government, County governments and beneficiary farmers.
6. Develop an expansion strategy based experience from the pilot phase.
7. Undertake other tasks assigned by or negotiated with the Principal Secretary.

The Scope:

In the initial phase, the programme will be implemented in 12 selected counties to address the prioritized four crop value chains. Based on the lessons from the pilot phase, an expansion strategy to other counties and inclusion of more value chains will be developed. In the first year 107,000 farmers are targeted from the 1.4million high-needs farmers as stated in the ASGTS. The selected TSA will mentor stakeholders as per the TORs in the Value Chains and Counties as indicated

Proposed approach and methodology

The TSA will focus on the 12 pilot counties indicated above.

The firm will develop tools to map out participating stakeholders per value chain/county from existing databases, assemble optimal inputs packages, package agronomic training materials and a delivery model for the same

inclusive of digital platforms, bulk SMS).

It will subsequently provide agronomic production technology support services by recruiting, training, guiding and mentoring farmers to ensure they acquire all the necessary production technologies.

At the end of the season the TSA will provide post-harvest packages and linkages to markets as may be relevant to each value chain.

In addition, the TSA will develop appropriate and sustainable business models based on lessons learnt in the first phase to promote marketing.

Deliverables

1. Inception report detailing the understanding and interpretation of the TORs; the methodology, work plan and imple­mentation schedule to be submitted two weeks after signing of contract.
2. Provide optimized appropriate input packages for the targeted value chains (where the crop and season allows)
3. Develop Business models for different value chains to enhance produce marketing and maximize profits.
4. Documented evidence of growth of food/crop production and nutrition security and enhanced incomes.
5. Number of farmers impacted by improved access to inputs and off-take provided by SMEs (Percentage of which are women)
6. Put in place a stakeholder’s (farmers, agro-dealers, marketers) performance monitoring tools
7. Design an expansion strategy to roll out to all more value chains and counties incorporating lessons learnt from the pilot phase.
8. Final report on farmers and stakeholders mentored and a sustainability plan.

Duration of Consultancy

The assignment is expected to take 18 months commencing from the day of signing the contract and may be renewed/ extended based on continued need and availability of budget.

Reporting

The firm, working closely with the NVSP Secretariat, will be responsible for writing all progress reports. These will be formally submitted to the Principal Secretary State Department for Crops Development and Agricultural Research through the NVSP National Programme Coordinator.

The National Value Chain Support Programme (NVSP) now invites eligible consulting firms (“Consultants”) to indicate their interest in providing the Services. Interested Consultants/ consulting firms should provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Services.

The shortlisting criteria are:

Mandatory Requirements

1. Certificate of incorporation
2. Detailed firm profile
3. Valid KRA tax compliance certificate
4. Physical address of the firm

Technical Requirements

To be eligible the prospective TSA must demonstrate the following:

1. Proven record of accomplishment where the firm undertook training (practical agricultural productive skills) and man­aging such input support and value chain support programs in Kenya or in a similar context.
2. Proven ability to provide off-take opportunities for farmer associations (e.g. through contract farming and connections to off-takers).
3. Proven ability to undertake agricultural value chains enterprise analysis and make appropriate recommendations.
4. Demonstrated capacity to collaborate with private sector/companies for the various categories of inputs/ services and ensure fair competition for complimentary inputs/services among stakeholders.
5. Demonstrate relevant staff capacity to carry put the assignment

The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to paragraph 1.9 of the World Bank’s Guidelines: Selection and Employment of Consultants [under IBRD Loans and IDA Credits & Grants] by World Bank Borrowers (January 2011, Revised July 2014) (“Consultant Guidelines”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest.

In addition, please refer to the following specific information on conflict of interest related to this assignment: in paragraph 1.9, sub-paragraph (a), (b), (c) and (d).

Consultants may associate with other firms in the form of a joint venture or a sub consultancy to enhance their qualifications.

A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Use of Country System (UCS) method set out in the Consultant Guide­lines.

Completed Expression of Interest documents are to be enclosed in plain sealed envelopes clearly marked “‘PREQUALIFI­CATION FOR TECHNICAL SUPPORT AGENCY (TSA) UNDER THE NATIONAL VALUE CHAIN SUPPORT PROGRAMME”

addressed to: –

The Principal Secretary

State Department for Crop Development and Agricultural Research

Kilimo House, Cathedral Road

P.O. Box, 30028-00100

Nairobi.;

The documents shall be posted/dropped to the tender box at ground floor Kilimo House on or before 8^th March, 2020 at 11:00 am and will be opened in the presence of firm’s representatives who choose to attend.

Head: Supply Chain Management

Kilimo House, Cathedral Road

P.O Box 30028

Nairobi 00100