Invitation to Tender for the Implementation of School Knowledge Center (SKC) in Selected Schools Across the Country for USPF
Universal Service Provision Secretariat
Nigerian Communications Commission Head Office, 9th Floor, Plot 423, Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama District, Abuja, FCT. www.uspf.gov.ng
Invitation to Tender for the Implementation of School Knowledge Center (SKC) in Selected Schools Across the Country”
Background
The Universal Service Provision Fund “USPF” was established by the Federal Government of Nigeria to facilitate the achievement of National policy goals for universal access and universal service to Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in rural, un-served and under-served areas in Nigeria.
The mandate of the USPF is to facilitate the widespread availability and usage of network services and application services throughout Nigeria by providing funding through subsidies and grants for the provision of network facilities, network services and application services to rural, unserved and underserved areas or to underserved groups within an institution or community.
In this regard the USPF has designed a project termed School Knowledge Centre (SKC) to facilitate e-learning by providing ICT tools and connectivity to public schools and institutions across the nation. Consequently, the USPF has set aside funds in its 2014 budget for this purpose and plans to partner with competent firms to facilitate the realisation of this objective.
(ii) Objectives of the Project
The main objective of the project is to promote the use of ICT in teaching and learning in public secondary schools by providing them with adequate ICT infrastructure and tools.
(iii) Project Description/Classification
The implementation of the SKC project shall depend on the level of the ICT infrastructure and knowledge in each of the beneficiary schools. Accordingly, the Project shall be classified into three categories as follows:
Type A: Target beneficiaries shall be public secondary schools in urban areas where the schools have adequate classrooms, modern infrastructure and facilities and most of the teachers and students have near adequate computer and ICT skills.
Type B: Public Secondary Schools in semi-urban areas where the schools have the basic infrastructure to accommodate/store the ICT tools and teachers and students have basic computer skills.
Type C: To be implemented in public secondary schools in rural and remote areas where the infrastructure available is not adequate to accommodate the types of ICT equipment to be deployed.
The details of the elements that constitute each SKC type are contained in the RFP.
(iv) Project Lots:
For the purpose of implementation, the project shall be lotted as follows:
| S/N | Zones | Lot Nos |
| 1 | North Central & FCT | Lot |
| 2 | North East | Lot 2 |
| 3 | North West | Lot 3 |
| 4 | South East | Lot 4 |
| 5 | South South | Lot 5 |
| 6 | South West | Lot 6 |
All the 3 types of SKCs are to be implemented in each of the Lots. Therefore, bidders must propose for all SKC types in their selected Lots
(vi) Eligibility Criteria
All Bidders in addition to requirements contained in the RFP, shall demonstrate the following:
- Specific Condition
A fully structured company with relevant human and material resources; requisite experience in the deployment of ICT solutions and services; proof of similar projects carried out in the past three years accompanied by letters from institutions or companies confirming satisfactory completion of such projects and the cost of the projects undertaken.
- General Conditions
All tenders must comply with the requirements of Public Procurement Act, 2007 and must attach the following:
a) Evidence of incorporation or registration with Corporate Affairs Commission (Companies must enclose Certified True Copies of Certificate of Incorporation and Form COT).
b) Certified True Copies of Articles and Memorandum of Association of the Company which must show that the Company has ICT related activities’ as part of its objectives.
c) Three years Tax Clearance certificates (20II, 2012 and 2013).
d) Certificate of VAT and evidence of past remittances.
e) Audited accounts for the last three years.
f) Evidence of financial capacity to undertake the project.
g) Evidence of a proper understanding of the ICT industry.
h) Company profile and organizational structure, including names and resumes of key personnel and technical staff with addresses and phone numbers.
i) Detail evidence of compliance with Pension Act, 2004 including evidence of remittances and ITF contribution.
j) A sworn affidavit that the firm is not bankrupt in receivership or under liquidation or involved in any litigation which can potentially a fleet the company’s ability to conclusively participate in this engagement. .
Collection of Request for Proposal
Interested and qualified bidders are required to collect RFP documents from the Procurement Department of the USPF upon presentation of receipt evidencing the payment of a nonrefundable tender fee of Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira (N250, 000.00) in Bank draft made payable to “Universal Service Provision Fund”.
(vii) Submission of Document
i. The Bidders shall submit three (3) copies each of detailed Technical Bid and Financial Bid in separate sealed envelopes with the first copy marked “Original Bid” and the 2nd and 3rd copies marked “Copy of Bid”.
- Each Bid Package shall be clearly marked with the following information:
- Technical Bid marked ‘USPF/RFP/LOT x TYPE xx SKC/2014/TECHNICAL at the top right hand corner.
- Financial Bid ‘USPF/RFP/LOT x TYPE xx SKC /2014/FINANC1AL at the top right hand corner.
- Name of Proponent.
- Contact Name, Phone Number and E-Mail Address.
- The Proponent shall also prepare one electronic copy of the Technical Bid (in CD, in a format readable by Microsoft Word or Adobe Acrobat format).
- A Certified-True-Copy of the tender ice receipt endorsed by Head, Procurement Department MUST be submitted in a separate envelope and marked TFV LOT x SKC/2014.
- All copies of the bids shall be duly signed by an authorized representative of the Proponent. In the event of any discrepancy between copies, the original shall govern.
- All submissions shall be packaged together in a single envelope which shall be sealed so that it is not possible to open it without visual evidence of such tampering. USPF will assume no responsibility for the content of tamper evident bids or for noncompliance with this instruction. Bids that do not comply with this section may be rejected.
Please note that x denotes the Lot No (1 to 6) and xx represents the SKC Type (A,B or C)
(viii) Pre Bidders Meeting
All bidders are to note that a Pre Bidder’s Meeting will be held as follows:
Date: Tuesday September 23, 2014
Venue: NCC Conference Room
Time: 12.00 Noon
(ix) Deadline for Submission of Proposals
All tender documents, must be Delivered by Hand and should reach the Office of the undersigned on or before Tuesday November 11, 2014 by 5:00pm.
The Secretary
Universal Service Provision Fund
USP Secretariat 9th Floor
Nigerian Communications Commission
423 Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama – Abuja
For further clarification on the RFP, please email: uspfbids@ncc.gov.ng
Signed:
Secretary
Universal Service Provision Fund
