Country: Senegal
Closing date: 27 May 2019
Shelter For Life International (SFL) is an international faith-based relief and development organization with over 30 years experience in providing sustainable development and humanitarian assistance to post-conflict countries around the world. We are currently operational in Afghanistan, Liberia, and Senegal, with Headquarters located in Minnetonka, MN.
SFL is implementing a USDA-funded Food for Progress (FFPr) program which addresses the cashew value chain in Senegal, The Gambia, and Guinea-Bissau. SFL is issuing this Request for Proposals (RFP) to conduct a second value chain study of the cashew sector in the project’s target geographic areas, which are in Senegal, The Gambia, and Guinea-Bissau.
To view the full RFP on SFL's website, click here.
BACKGROUND
Under USDA/FAS Food For Progress (FFPr), SFL is implementing a six year program in Senegal, the Gambia, and Guinea-Bissau (sometimes referred to as SeGaBi) with a goal to develop and upgrade value chain linkages necessary to support an integrated regional trade network for the cashew value chain. The program will address these linkages in four program components: (1) market infrastructure, (2) financial services, (3) market access and linkages, and (4) on-farm practices. The four components are supported by a data platform based in Salesforce, called LIFFT-Up. The “Linking Infrastructure, Finance, and Farms To Cashew” (LIFFT-Cashew) program aims to construct durable trade infrastructure, increase access to financial services, organize and train smallholder farmers to increase production and bargaining power, and build the capacity of local processors to add value to kernels in the SeGaBi cashew production zone of West Africa. As a result, the program will benefit smallholder farmers, a range of processors, and a variety of other businesses along the cashew value chain.
SFL will conduct a value chain study each year during the life of the project. This will allow SFL to observe trends and changes over time and make programmatic adjustments as necessary. The first value chain study was conducted completed in March of 2018. This report had a wide range of basic information and recommendations for the cashew sector in the SeGaBi region, not all of which may be addressed through this project.
SCOPE OF WORK
Purpose
The purpose of the second Cashew Value Chain Study is to update the national and regional statistics for the SeGaBi cashew sector, evaluate and quantify business opportunities along the value chain, and update and analyze specific policy trends for the region.
Audience & Dissemination
The Value Chain Study report will benefit the LIFFT-Cashew program team, but its audience includes the wider cashew sector, such as potential investors or policymakers. As such, the report should be written as a public document. The report will be organized in such a way that relevant sections can be shared with stakeholders who are interested in specific information. SFL will provide a Table of Contents for the report during the inception phase. The report should also include a PowerPoint presentation and three to five shareable factsheets in English and French.
Methodology
The studies will employ a value chain approach and must be demand-driven, not only cashew kernel demand but including demand for other cashew-related products and services. The study should incorporate quantitative and qualitative data, supplemented by secondary data sources where necessary. Quantitative data collected about plantations, nurseries, processors, and other cashew-related data must be submitted along with the report in a pre-approved format. The fieldwork for this study must be conducted during the cashew harvest and sale season in order to observe the local RCN market in action.
Respondents to this RFP should specify their proposed methodology, but it should include a wide range of interviews with various value chain actors and key stakeholders, and it should include a mapping of the cashew value chain in the target region. Value chain actors include farmers, input suppliers (such nurseries), aggregators and middlemen, exporters and buyers, as well as related businesses and organizations such as transporters, equipment manufacturers, and trade associations. Government, including extension workers, and nongovernmental organizations are also key stakeholders. The study should particularly look at the challenges and opportunities in the key program components: infrastructure, financial services, market access, agricultural practices, and access to market information. As much as possible, the study should document changes in cashew-related policies from each of the three governments, as well as the role of ECOWAS in harmonizing policies and promoting regional trade of cashew.
Key Study Questions
The following questions should be addressed in the research and report:
- What is the profitability and viability of key businesses along the cashew value chain the SeGaBi region?
- What potential do cashew nurseries have for profitability and what are the main obstructions to success? What is the quality and variety of cashew species being grown at nurseries? What other input providers have potential for success?
- What is the demand or potential demand for other cashew related services, such as drying, sorting, storing, grading, etc.?
- What is the demand or potential demand for other cashew related products (shells, etc.)?
- To what extent can kernel processors maximize their profitability through sales of other products?
- What national or regional government policies are critical for harmonization and improvement of the value chain (for example, policies which de-incentivize illegal cross-border trade)?
Deliverables and Timetable
The fieldwork for second value chain study must be conducted during the 2019 cashew market season. Based on lessons learned from the previous study, the second study will be 8 to 10 weeks in length, including at least 4 weeks of fieldwork in the SeGaBi countries. All fieldwork for this study must be carried out by the end of July 2019. At least one key SFL staff member per country will participate in the field work. This will increase the level of learning for the project team. The details will be finalized in the inception phase.
Inception period (1-2 weeks)
- Description of basic context based on project documents and literature review
- Finalized methodology for study
- Workplan / timeline Data collection tools
Field Work (4 weeks)
- Quantitative and qualitative data gathering
- Observation of cashew markets
- Mapping of value chain linkages
- Research and quantify business opportunities along the chain
- Network analysis of value chain Stakeholder workshop to review findings and discuss assumptions (should include key SFL staff)
Stakeholder Workshop (1 day)
- Conduct a one-day workshop in the field (preferably Ziguinchor) to review findings and assumptions with key SFL staff and stakeholders. This will help triangulate findings and provide additional insight.
Draft of Cashew Value Chain Report (3 weeks)
- Draft report in MS Word format for review and feedback; should include all the components described for the final report. After submitting to SFL, a verbal debriefing session should be conducted to discuss (via phone or skype)
Final version of Cashew Value Chain Report (English) (1 week)
- Narrative description of the value chain
- Mapping (visual depiction) of value chain
- Network analysis of value chain
- Key weaknesses in the value chain
- Recommendations for the program
- Statistical information for each country, broken down by appropriate administrative districts (varies in each country)
Raw Data (submit w/ final report)
- Production
- Sales (quantity and value)
- Profitability forecast (nurseries and other businesses including agricultural services)
- Processing (volume and value) Consumption (local and international)
PowerPoint Presentation (French and English) (submit w/ final report)
- Presentation of a summary of the value chain with key findings which can be shared externally – both a French and Portuguese version of the presentation must also be submitted
Supplementary Materials (submit w/ final report)
- Executive summary of key findings and recommendations in English, French and Portuguese
- 3-5 factsheets highlighting key business opportunities in English, French and Portuguese as appropriate
SELECTION CRITERIA
The consultant or consultancy firm will be selected based on the following criteria:
Expertise and knowledge of the firm or individual (40%)
- Knowledge of and experience in cashew sector
- Knowledge of and experience in West Africa
- Deep understanding of value chain / experience working in value chain projects or assessments
- Clarity of thought processes and writing style, as demonstrated in the proposal
- Ability to communicate in local languages is desirable
- Existing contacts and knowledge of the local cashew sector
Proposed approach and workplan (30%)
- Appropriateness of proposed methodology
- Proposed timeframe
Cost competitiveness (30%)
- Clear cost proposal, including justification for each item
- Realistic budget for achieving the workplan – SFL has allocated $40,000-$45,000 USD for this study
- Value for money; cost-savings with quality deliverables
RESULTING CONTRACT
SFL will enter into a firm fixed-price contract for this value chain study. The fixed-price contract will be payable on specific deliverables outlined in this document which will be attached to the contract as a Scope of Work (SOW); the payment schedule associated with the deliverables will be determined during the finalization of the contract with the selected evaluator.
To view the full RFP on SFL's website, click here.
How to apply:
Please see the proposal submission guidelines in the RFP on SFL's website here.**
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
Interested applicants should submit a proposal for the work described above to info@shelter.org with the subject “RFP-5302-007”. Proposals must be submitted electronically by email; paper or faxed applications will not be accepted. The proposal must be in English and should include the following:
Detailed technical proposal which includes the following:
- Description of methodology of study
- Proposed workplan, including timeframes
- Description of past performance of consultant(s)
Financial proposal:
- Itemized budget
- Narrative explanation of line items
- All travel and logistical costs should be covered by the contractor’s budget
References from applicable organizations or companies (prefer at least two references)
SFL reserves the right to select any or none of the applicants submitted. Proposals must be submitted by May 27, 2019 at 5:00pm CDT, as outlined above. SFL will notify the selected consultant in writing via email. Other applicants will be informed of the decision by email.
If you have any questions about this RFP, you may direct them to the email address listed above.
Please see the proposal submission guidelines in the RFP on SFL's website here.
