INTERNATIONAL COMPETITIVE BIDDING—–Supply and Installation of Equipment for FM Rural Finance Radio  

Job Description

Rural Finance and Community Improvement Programme 2

(RFCIP2)

INTERNATIONAL COMPETITIVE BIDDING

Letter of Invitation for Bids

Date of 1st Issue: 19th September, 2024  

Re: Supply and Installation of Equipment for FM Rural Finance Radio  

Reference No: SLE1710-0020-G-ICB

The Government of Sierra Leone and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) through a negotiated Financing Agreement established the second phase of Rural Finance and Community Improvement Programme (RFCIP II) based on a successful implementation of the RFCIP phase one. This became effective in July 2014 to consolidate the rural finance system in Sierra Leone. Both phases of the RFCIP with support from the Global Agriculture and Food Security Programme (GAFSP) and BSL have established 76 Rural Financial Institutions (RFIs) namely 17 Community Banks (CBs) and 59 Financial Services Associations (FSAs) across the country. It has also established an Apex Bank charged with the responsibility of monitoring and supervising all 76 institutions. 

On 30th December 2022, the Government of Sierra Leone made a request to access US$15 million of the IFAD12 Performance Based Allocation System (PBAS) for scaling up RFCIP-II results. More specifically, these additional resources were requested to (i) increase project outreach and respond to the unmet demand for agricultural production loans, and (ii) digitize the network of rural financial institutions (Community Banks (CBs), Financial Services Associations (FSAs) under the regulatory supervision of the Apex Bank), to expand the range of quality products and services to the benefit of project target groups (small scale farmers and rural micro and small enterprises).

1. The RFCIP II is implemented by the National Programme Coordination Unit (NPCU) through the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS). 
2. The purchaser now invites sealed bids from eligible entities (“bidders”) for the Supply and Installation of Equipment for FM Rural Finance Radio. More details on these goods and related services are provided in the schedule of requirements in this bidding document.
3. This IFB is open to all eligible bidders who wish to respond. Subject to the restrictions noted in the bidding document, eligible entities may associate with other bidders to enhance their capacity to successfully deliver the goods and related services.
4. The goods and related services, and the contract expected to be awarded is provide in the technical specifications:  
5. Bidding will be conducted using the International Competitive Bidding (ICB) method, the evaluation procedure for which is described in this bidding document, in accordance with the IFAD Procurement Handbook which is provided at www.ifad.org/project-procurement. The ICB process, as described, will include a review and verification of qualifications and past performance, including a reference check, prior to the contract award.
6. Please note that a pre-bid conference will be held as described in the bid data sheet BDS, Section II of the bidding document.
7. Bidders interested in submitting a bid shall purchase the bidding document against payment of a non-refundable fee of SLE2,200 or USD100. Payment shall be made to the Rural Finance and Community Improvement Programme Phase II (RFCIP2) Additional Finance through Western Union Money Transfer, RIA, MoneyGram or in the following account: 

Account Name:  Rural Finance and Community Improvement Programme Phase II (RFCIP2) Additional Financing 

Account No:       003-001-040-466-112-264

Bank:                  Sierra Leone Commercial Bank 

Bidding documents can be obtained by sending an e-mail with a copy of the payment slip, giving full contact details of the bidder and the subject of procurement to info@npcu.org. This will also ensure that the bidders receive the bidding document by email or hard copy (at the following address), as well as any updates regarding the bidding document.

Address: 72 Bo – Kenema Highway, Bo City, Sierra Leone, West Africa 

Bids must be delivered in hard copies to the NPCU as specified in the bid data sheet – 

instructions to bidders 23.2, no later than Wednesday, 30th October, 2024 at 12:00hrs GMT.      

Bidders shall be aware that late bids will not be accepted under any circumstance. All bids must be accompanied by:

Applicable to Local Bidders

• Certificate of Incorporation/Registration
• Copy of valid NASSIT Clearance Certificate
• Copy of valid NRA Tax Clearance Certificate
• Copy of valid Local Council Certificate

Applicable to Foreign Bidders

1. Certificate of Incorporation/Registration
2. Copy of valid Tax Clearance Certificate

1. Bid security in the form of a Bank Guarantee. The amount and currency of the Bid Security shall be the equivalent of USD 4,000.00 and be denominated in any freely convertible currency. Bid Security from community and village banks and Bid Bonds from insurance companies are not acceptable.
2. Please note that only hard-copy bids shall be accepted.

There will be bid opening in the Conference Room, NPCU 72 Bo – Kenema Highway, Bo City, Sierra Leone West Africa on Wednesday, 30th October, 2024 at 12:00hrs GMT.      

For any further clarification, please contact info@npcu.org: