Request for Proposals

Seeking Proposals for the following Technical Assistance:

1. Marketing, Branding and Packaging

2. Feed Formulation/Processing

3. Quality Standards

4. Gap Analysis and Certification for Export Markets

Reference No.: RQ202405

Date Published: May 07, 2024

Due Date for Responses: May 23, 2024

Background

Agova is a women-led Zambian impact-driven consultancy firm that develops inclusive growth strategies for businesses and solves problems tied to this. Since 2014, Agova has been delivering strategic and technical advice to the business and development sector in Zambia and Southern Africa to develop inclusive business models that have economic, social, and environmental benefits. Agova offers a package of consulting services which include research-based services (market research, business diagnostics, impact measurements), planning & feasibility services (business planning, financial modeling, feasibility studies), and implementation-based services (project management and capacity building).

Agova has worked with companies and organisations such as USAID, UNCDF, FCDO, Agova, Syngenta, Mt Meru, Starke Ayres, and a range of SMEs and micro-enterprises has resulted in reaching over 100,000 low-income customers with innovative and commercially viable services and products that improve their livelihoods.

Program Description:

Agova is implementing the USAID-funded Enterprise Development and Growth Enhanced (EDGE) project. EDGE is a five-year activity implemented by ACDI/VOCA in partnership with Agova and Open Capital Advisors (OCA) that aims to create jobs and increase profitability of agricultural Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in Zambia. To this end, EDGE works to improve SMEs’ competitiveness and access to finance. EDGE uses a facilitative approach and works closely with and through local partners to drive lasting systemic changes that create sustainable impact at scale. EDGE also applies an inclusive market systems lens which addresses root causes rather than the symptoms of a poorly performing market.

Objective 1: Increased access to finance for agricultural SMEs. ACDI/VOCA works to strengthen the ability of banks and microfinance institutions (MFIs) to serve SMEs and catalyze the growth of non-bank financial institutions. EDGE works to build the capacity of financial service providers (FSPs) to introduce new financial products that enable them to develop tailored loan and investment products to cover the entire range of SME financial needs.

Objective 2: Increased competitiveness for SMEs’ products. To make SMEs’ products more competitive, one must increase the competitiveness of elements along the value chains (VC), including SMEs. EDGE works to accomplish this by strengthening SME management and marketing capacity and improving network input/output relationships. Through a business advisor (BA) network, ACDI/VOCA works to support agricultural SMEs to reduce costs and increase efficiency by strengthening managerial capacity and improving their ability to seek and qualify for loans. More efficient SMEs with access to goods and services needed for growth, including adequate financial solutions, will generate a feedback loop that will improve SME competitiveness and increase employment, especially for youth and women. This approach will increase the profitability of agricultural SMEs by facilitating greater revenue through increased sales and expanding access to new markets with premium sales prices.

Scope of Work

Agova’s leads EDGE’s Objective 2 and is seeking to recruit consultants to facilitate the technical support to MSMEs on the project in the following focus areas: marketing and branding, feed formulation and processing, quality standards and certification for export markets. See the high-level scope of work for each of the consultants below:

1. Marketing, Branding and Packaging Consultant:

The Consultants Role:

The program requires a consultant to work closely with 15-25 SMEs across different value chains, in Lusaka, Eastern and Central provinces to identify and provide technical support to improve their marketing, branding and packaging strategies to improve the competitiveness of their products.

The proposed details of the assignment (subject to refinement):

1. Identify specific needs of each SME for marketing, branding and packaging and provide tangible recommendations for improvement

2. Provide one-to-one tailored support for each SME, helping them navigate implementation of the proposed recommendations

3. Final report, outlining support provided for each SME and recommendations for further improvement

4. The duration of the assignment is to be determined

Anticipated Start Date

1 June 2024

Performance Location

Lusaka, Eastern, Central Provinces – remote support option is available

Additional Information

Qualifications and Experience:

The successful consultant should have the following qualifications and experience:

1. At least five years of experience in the marketing, branding and packaging field.

2. Bachelor’s degree in marketing and branding, business administration or related field

3. Previous experience providing business development services to SMEs, at least 5 years

4. Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication

5. Track record conducting similar assignments

6. Ability to work independently and responsively

7. Previous experience working on USAID funded projects preferred, but not required

2. Quality Standards Consultant:

The Consultants Role:

The consultant will work closely with 10-15 SMEs across multiple value chains in Lusaka, Eastern and Central provinces to provide quality standards support, ensuring regulatory compliance and quality control procedures are being followed during production.

The proposed details of the assignment (subject to refinement):

1. Assess individual SME needs and gaps in quality standards with their business

2. Conduct tailored training to SMEs, outlining standard quality control measurements, including QMS, developing standard operating procedures (SOPs), quality control measures, and documentation protocols.

3. Provide one-to-one tailored support to oversee the practical application of training material, including, but not limited to, the development of QMS, SOPs, documentation protocols, etc.

4. Final report, outlining support provided for each SME and recommendations for further support

5. The duration of the assignment is to be determined

Anticipated Start Date

1 June 2024

Performance Location

Eastern, Central and Lusaka Provinces – may include some remote support

Additional Information

Qualifications and Experience:

The successful consultant should have the following qualifications and experience:

1. At least five years of experience in quality assurance, quality control, or a related field is usually necessary. This may include experience in food production, agriculture, manufacturing, or regulatory compliance

2. A bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as food science, agricultural science, biology, chemistry, or a related field

3. Familiarity with quality management principles, methodologies, and standards is essential. This includes knowledge of ISO 9001, HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points), GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices), and other relevant quality management frameworks.

4. Previous experience providing business development services to SMEs, at least 5 years

5. Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication

6. Track record conducting similar assignments

7. Ability to work independently and responsively

8. Previous experience working on USAID funded projects preferred, but not required

3. Feed Formulation and Processing Consultant:

The Consultants Role:

The consultant will work closely with 10-20 SMEs in the poultry and animal feed value chains, in Lusaka, Eastern and Central provinces to conduct a practical training on feed formulation and processing, providing valuable experience and knowledge to reduce animal feed costs and provide opportunities for revenue generation.

The proposed details of the assignment (subject to refinement):

1. Identify specific needs / knowledge / ability of each SME to process animal feed

2. Provide in-person practical training in small groups to selected SMEs

3. Final report, outlining support provided for each SME and recommendations for further support

4. The duration of the assignment is to be determined

Anticipated Start Date

1 June 2024

Performance Location

Primarily Eastern Province, but may include SMEs in Central and Lusaka Provinces

Additional Information

Qualifications and Experience:

The successful consultant should have the following qualifications and experience:

1. At least five years of experience in feed formulation and processing

2. A bachelor’s degree in animal science, animal nutrition, agricultural science, feed science, or a related field

3. Previous experience providing business development services to SMEs, at least 5 years

4. Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication

5. Track record conducting similar assignments

6. Ability to work independently and responsively

7. Previous experience working on USAID funded projects preferred, but not required

4. Export Market Consultant:

The Consultants Role:

The consultant will work closely with 5-10 SMEs across different value chains in Lusaka, Eastern and Central provinces to provide technical support to SMEs in the agriculture sector on exporting goods, navigating export regulations, market entry strategies, and logistics while ensuring compliance with international standards and certifications, ultimately facilitating their successful expansion into global markets. They will offer guidance on product adaptation, quality assurance, trade financing, and promotional activities to enhance export readiness and competitiveness.

The proposed details of the assignment (subject to refinement):

1. Assess SMEs’ export readiness.

2. Conduct market research to identify potential export opportunities.

3. Provide guidance on export regulations and compliance.

4. Assist with product adaptation and quality assurance.

5. Offer ongoing support to ensure successful export operations and market penetration.

6. Final report, outlining support provided for each SME and recommendations for further support

7. The duration of the assignment is to be determined

Anticipated Start Date

1 June 2024

Performance Location

Lusaka, Central and Eastern Provinces

Additional Information

Qualifications and Experience:

The successful consultant should have the following qualifications and experience:

1. Bachelor’s degree in international business or related field, with extensive experience in international trade and export management, preferably in the agriculture sector.

2. In-depth knowledge of export procedures, regulations, and market dynamics, coupled with experience in developing export strategies and conducting market research.

3. Understanding of quality assurance principles and regulatory compliance requirements for agricultural products in export markets.

4. Previous experience providing business development services to SMEs, at least 5 years

5. Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication

6. Track record conducting similar assignments

7. Ability to work independently and responsively

8. Previous experience working on USAID funded projects preferred, but not required

Application Process:

Interested and qualified candidates should submit their applications, which should include the following:

1. An expression of interest,

2. Curriculum Vitae with details of qualifications and related experience.

3. Financial proposal quoting only the daily rate in Zambian Kwacha.

Note that only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

Response Instructions

To ensure consideration, all responses must be submitted no later than 23 May 2024, written in English with prices stated in USD. All responses must:

Contain a detailed cost with applicable taxes and other charges clearly identified.

Provide requested payment terms and conditions.

Include a contact name, email address, and telephone number.

Only include attached files that are 10 MB or smaller in size. Do not include compressed (ZIP, RAR), executable, or other unusual file formats as these will be rejected.

Submit responses to: heather@agovasv.com with the subject line of the Consulting position you are applying for. For example: Export Market Consultant – EDGE Project

Note: DO NOT email your response to any employee of Agova or deliver your response in hard copy to the Agova office. Failing to adhere to these instructions may make your response ineligible for consideration.

Terms and Conditions

This solicitation shall not be construed as an offer by Agova

Responses must be submitted on or before the date indicated.

Any quotes that are unresponsive will be summarily rejected.

Responses to this solicitation shall be deemed binding offers and must remain valid for acceptance for no less than 90 days from the closing date of this solicitation.

Any purchases resulting from this solicitation will be governed by Agova contractual terms and conditions, and may be subject to additional terms as required by donors funding the purchase.

Agova expressly reserves the right to accept or reject any quote or to cancel the solicitation process at any time without explanation, with no liability to any respondent.

Agova may, at its discretion, accept all or part of a respondent’s offer.

All information provided by Agova in this solicitation is given in good faith; however, details are subject to change. Agova may require respondents to enter into a non-disclosure agreement as a prerequisite for consideration. Respondents bear sole responsibility for all costs incurred in connection with the preparation of their response, including any third- party expenses.

All responses shall become the property of Agova.

Respondents must fully disclose any conflicts of interest pertaining to this solicitation. Failure to comply may result in disqualification.