Invitation to Tender for the Implementation of School Knowledge Center (SKC) in some Selected Schools across the Country under the School Knowledge Center Project at Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF)
Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF)
Invitation to Tender for the Implementation of School Knowledge Center (SKC) in Selected Schools across the Country under the School Knowledge Center Project
(1) 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 funds 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.
One of the programmes of the USPF is to provide ICT tools and connectivity to public schools and institutions across the nation in order to facilitate e-Learning. Consequently, the USPF has set aside funds in its 2015 budget for this purpose. The USPF plans to partner with competent firms to facilitate the realisation of this objective.
(2) Objective of the Project
The 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. In this regard the USPF has designed a project termed School Knowledge Center (SKC) to facilitate the achievement of this objective.
(3) Project Description/Classification
The implementation of the SKC project shall depend on the level of ICT infrastructure and knowledge in each of the beneficiary schools. Accordingly, the Project shall be classified into two (2) categories as follows:
Type A: Target beneficiaries shall be public secondary schools in urban and semi-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: 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 tender document.
(4) Project Lots:
For the purpose of implementation, the project shall be lotted as follows:
| S/N | Zone | Lot Nos |
| 1 | North Central & FCT | Lot l |
| 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 |
The 2 types of SKCs are to be implemented in each of the Lots. Therefore bidders must propose for both types in their selected Lots.
(5) Eligibility Criteria
All Bidders in addition to requirements contained in the Tender Document shall demonstrate the following:
(5.l) Specific Condition:
(i) 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.
(5.2) General Conditions:
All tenders must comply with the requirements of Public Procurement Act, 2007 and must attach the following:
(a) Evidence of incorporation with Corporate Affairs Commission. (Companies must enclose Certified True Copies of Certificate of Incorporation and Form C07.
(b) Submit Certified True Copies of Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Company, which must show that the Company has ICT related activities as part of its objectives.
(c) Must have three year Tax Clearance Certificates (2012, 2013 and 2014).
(d) Evidence of Value Added Tax (VAT) registration certificate and past remittances.
(e) Audited accounts for the last year 2014.
(f) Show evidence of financial capacity to undertake the project.
(g) Have a proper understanding of the ICT industry.
(h) Company profile and organizational structure, including names and resume of key personnel and technical staff with addresses and phone numbers.
(i) Evidence of compliance with Pension Act, 2004 including evidence of remittances and ITF contribution.
(j) Evidence of compliance with the Employee’s Compensation Act which stipulates a remittance of 1% of the total annual emolument of workers to NSITF
(k) Evidence of registration on the National Database of Contractors, Consultants and Service providers. Bidders are requested to submit an Interim Registration Report as the evidence of compliance with this requirement.
(l) A sworn affidavit that the firm is not bankrupt, in receivership or under liquidation or involved in any litigation which can potentially affect the company’s ability to conclusively participate in this engagement.
(6) Bid Bond
All bids must be accompanied by a bid security in line with Section 26 (1) of the Public Procurement Act, 2007.
(7) Collection of tender Documents
Qualified Companies wishing to respond to this invitation must purchase a copy of the bidding document from the Procurement Department, USPF by payment of a non-refundable fee of N50,000.00 (Fifty Thousand Naira Only) per lot, which must be payable in bank draft in favour of “Universal Service Provision Fund, Abuja”. The draft should be submitted to the Funding and Subsidy Department, USPF and copy of the receipt attached to the bid document when submitting the document.
(8) Pre-Bid Meeting
Potential bidders are encouraged to study these documents and submit any questions/clarifications that they might require.
All bidders are to note that a Pre-Bid Meeting will be held to highlight the SKC project and to answer questions that may be there, as follows:
Date: Thursday, July 30, 2015
Venue: NCC Conference Room
Time: 12 Noon.
Minutes of the Pre-Bid meeting would be issued within five work-days after the meeting.
(9) Method of Submission of Bids
Interested and qualified bidders are required to collect tender documents from the Procurement Department of USPF Secretariat upon presentation of receipt evidencing the payment of a non-refundable tender fee of Fifty Thousand Naira (N50, 000.00) in bank draft made payable to “Universal Service Provision Fund”.
(i) The Bidders shall submit three (3) copies of the 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”.
(ii) Each Bid Package shall be clearly marked with the following information:
- Technical Bid marked ‘USPF/TD/LOT x TYPE xx SKC/2015/TECHN1CAL at the top right hand corner.
- Financial Bid ‘USPF/TD/LOT x TYPE xx SKC /2015/FINANCIAL at the top right hand corner.
- Name of Proponent.
- Contact Name, Phone Number and E-Mail Address.
(iii) 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).
(iv) A CERTIFIED-TRUE-COPY of the tender fee receipt endorsed by Head, Procurement Department MUST be submitted in a separate envelope and marked TF/ LOT x SK.C/2015.
(v) All copies of the bids shall be duly signed by an authorised representative of the Proponent. In the event of any discrepancy between copies, the original shall govern.
(vi) All submissions shall be packaged together in a single container box or 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 non-compliance 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 or B)
All tender documents must be Hand Delivered and should reach the office of the undersigned on or before Wednesday, September 9, 2015 (6 weeks from the date of the pre bid meeting) by 3.00pm.
(KINDLY NOTE THAT BIDS WILL BE OPENED IMMEDIATELY ON THE SAME DAY)
The Secretary
Universal Service Provision Fund
Universal Service Provision Secretariat
Nigerian Communications Commission Head Office 9th Floor, 423, Aguiyi Ironsi Street Maitama District, Abuja
Failure to comply with the tendering instructions shall lead to disqualification.
(10) Disclaimer
(a) Late submissions shall be rejected.
(b) The Fund will not be responsible for any cost or expenses incurred by any interested party in connection with any response to an inquiry nor shall it entitle any party submitting documents to claim any indemnity from the Fund.
(c) The Fund is not bound to shortlist any bidder and reserves the right to annul the bidding process at any time without incurring any liabilities and assigning any reason thereof.
(d) This advertisement is published for information purposes only and should not be construed as a commitment or obligation on the part of the Fund to award a contract.
For further clarification on this advertisement, please email: uspfbids@ncc.gov.ng or uspfprocurement@ncc.gov.ng
Signed: Secretary,
Universal Service Provision Fund
Nigerian Communications Commission Head Office, 9th Floor, Plot 423, Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama District, Abuja, FCT. www.uspf.gov.ng
