Invitation to Tender for the Implementation of School Knowledge Centre (SKC) Formerly Known as School Access Project (SAP) in Selected Schools across the Country at Universal Service Provision Fund
Universal Service Provision Fund
Universal Service Provision Secretariat
Nigerian Communications Commission Head Office, 9lh Floor, Plot 423, Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama District, Abuja, FCT
Invitation to Tender for the Implementation of School Knowledge Centre (SKC) Formerly Known as School Access Project (SAP) in Selected Schools across the Country
(i) 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 services to Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) 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.
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 2013 budget for this purpose. The USPF plans to partner with competent firms to facilitate the realization of this objective.
Objectives of the Project
(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. In this regard, the USPF has designed a project termed School Knowledge Centre to facilitate the achievement of the above objective.
(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 a 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 | Zone | Lot Nos |
| 1 | North West | Lot 1
|
| 2 | North East
|
Lot 2 |
| 3 | N/Central + FCT
|
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 types in their selected Lots
(v) Eligibility Criteria
All Bidders in addition to requirements contained in the RFP shall demonstrate the following:
1. Specific Condition:
a. 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.
2. 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 Co7.
b) Submit 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) Must have three year Tax Clearance certificates (2010, 2011 and 2012).
d) Evidence of Value Added Tax (VAT) registration certificate and past remittances.
e) Audited accounts for the last three years.
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.
j) 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 affect the company’s ability to conclusively participate in this engagement.
Interested and qualified bidders are required to collect RFP documents from the Procurement Department of the USPF Secretariat upon presentation of receipt evidencing the payment of a non-refundable tender fee of Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira (N250, 000.00) in bank draft made payable to “Universal Service Provision Fund.
(vi) Method of Submission of Bids
i. The Bidders shall submit three (3) copies of the Technical Bids and Financial Bids, in separate sealed envelopes marked the first copy “Original Bid” and the 2nd and 3rd, copies as “Copy of Bid”.
ii. Each Bid Package shall be clearly marked with the following information:
- Technical Bid marked ‘USPF/RFP/LOT x TYPE xx SKC/2013/Technical at the top right hand corner.
- Financial Bid USPF/RFP/LOT x TYPE xxSKC /2013/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 MUST be submitted in a separate envelope and marked TF/LOT x SKC/2013
v. 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.
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,B or C)
All tender documents must be Hand Delivered and should reach the office of the undersigned on or before Thursday 28th November,2013 by 5.00pm.
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
Signed:
Secretary
Universal Service Provision Fund
