United Nations Development Programme Tender

Cfp-001-20 Call For Proposals For Low-value Grants Instructions I.background This Call For Proposals (cfp) Is Specifically Related To The Undp Project ‘supporting Recovery And Stability In Iraq Through Local Development’ (srs-ld). A.the Project ‘supporting Recovery And Stability In Iraq Through Local Development’ (srs-ld) The Srs-ld Project Is Funded By The European Union And Implemented By Undp Iraq. It Aims To Assist The Government Of Iraq (goi) In Restoring The Legitimacy Of The Country's Institutions And Updating The Social Contract Between The Citizens And The State. The Project Objectives Are In Line With The Priorities Set Out In The Eu Strategy For Iraq Endorsed By The Eu Member States In January 2018 And The Provisions Of The Eu-iraq Partnership And Cooperation Agreement (pca)[1]. The Project Is Fully Compliant With The Objectives Of The National Development Plan Of The Government Of Iraq[2]. It Contributes To The Progressive Achievement Of The Sdg 11[3], While Promoting Progress Towards Sdg 5[4], Sdg 7[5] And Sdg 8[6].[7] B.the Civil Society Component Of The Srs-ld Project Experience From Ladp Ii[8] Has Demonstrated That The Csos In Iraq Work Through Small Grants Mainly On Activities Related To Environment, Livelihoods, Refugees And Idps As Well As Culture And Are Actively Engaged At The Community Level. The Establishment Of More Structured Mechanisms For The Participation Of The Civil Society Is Needed To Allow The Sector To Function As Key Driver For Local Development And As A Check On Local Government Transparency And Accountability. 1.the Local Civil Society Dialogue Grant Scheme (lcsd) – Part I As Part Of The Measures Under The Srs-ld Project, The Lcsd Grant Scheme – Part I: Cso Actions At Cluster Level Is Implemented In Nine Iraqi Governorates (anbar, Basrah, Duhok, Erbil, Misan, Nineveh, Salah Al-din, Sulaimaniya, And Thi Qar) And Aims At Supporting Financially Proposals Of Non-governmental And Other Civil Society Organisations Focused On: Intensifying The Dialogue Between Csos, Academics And Public Institutions On Further Democratisation And Socioeconomic Development Of Iraq, So The Country Can Continue To Make Progress In Achieving The Sustainable Development Goals[9] In Midterm And Long-term Perspective, Promoting And Empowering The Instrumental Role Of The Civil Society At Local Level In The Development And Monitoring Of Public Policies Of Critical Importance For The Community, Including But Not Limited To Socioeconomic Integration Of Youth, Women And Vulnerable Groups, And Supporting The Authorised Public Institutions In The Provision Of Urgent And Efficient Response To Covid-19 Pandemic And Its Implications On The Socioeconomic Life In A Comprehensive As Well As Equitable And Inclusive Way, So That No One Is Left Out[10]. 2.the Civil Society Support Team (csst) In Parallel To The Financial Support Under The Lcsd Grant Scheme, A Team Of Highly Qualified Professionals Will Provide: To Potential Applicants: Capacity To Introduce Efficient Methods And Tools For Sustaining The Local Cross-sectorial Dialogue Between Civil Society Organisations And Relevant Public Institutions, Knowledge About Effective Approaches In Establishing Beneficial For The Community Partnerships With Local Authorities, Universities, Media And Other Businesses, Consultations On Cso Networking And Support Mobilisation For Socially Important Causes And Community Initiatives At Local Level, Technical Support In Development Of Ready-to-submit Project Proposals (full Applications); To Awarded Grand Beneficiaries: Consultations On Project Management, Implementation And Reporting (narrative And Financial), Assistance In Secondary Procurement Of Services And Supplies For The Action, Expert Support In Ensuring Project Visibility And Promotion Of The Results Achieved, Professional Guidance In Preparing And Conducting Advocacy And Lobbing Campaigns At Local Level. Ii.objectives And Priorities The Global Objective Of This Cfp Is To Contribute To The Stability And Further Socio-economic Development Of Iraq. The Specific Objective Of This Cfp Is To Support The Involvement Of The Csos In Mobilising Support For Improving The Living Conditions At Local Level. The Priorities (p) Of The Cfp Are: P1:   Provision Of Quality Public Services Accessible For Everybody. P2:   Socioeconomic Integration Of Youth, Women, And Vulnerable Groups (including Through Measures For Increasing Their Functional Literacy[11] And Employability). P3:   Protection Of Environment And Sustainable Management Of Natural Resources. P4:   Mobilisation Of Volunteers And Broad Community Support In Addressing Issues Of Critical Societal Importance At Local Level. P5:   Implementation Of Innovative Ideas And Alternative Modalities Complementing The Measures Of Urgent Response To Covid-19 Pandemic And Addressing Its Midterm And Long-term Consequences. Preference Will Be Given To Applications Considering Two Or More Of The Priorities Of This Call. Iii.eligibility & Qualification Criteria The Parameters That Will Determine Whether An Application Is Eligible To Be Considered By Undp Will Be Based On The Information Provided In The Concept Note (cn) (annex 2.1 To The Cfp-instructions). Detailed Description Of The Eligibility Criteria For Both The Applicants And The Proposals Is Provided In The Tor (annex 1 To The Cfp-instructions). Iv.proposals As Provided In The Tor (annex 1 To The Cfp-instructions), The Application Process Under This Cfp Is Organised In Three Stages: Stage 1: Concept Note, Stage 2: Full Application, And Stage 3: Verification Of Eligibility. 1.stage 1: Concept Note (cn) At This Stage, Using The Format In Annex 2.1: Cn To This Cfp, The Applicants Shall Describe Their Project Ideas Following The Instruction In The Cn-template: A) Of The Project Idea (1)the Context Provoking The Project Idea Information About The Sector/country/regional Context (including Key Challenges) Provoking The Applicant(s) To Apply With The Proposed Project Idea. (2)justification Of The Project Objectives Explanation Of The Project Objectives And The Expected Contribution To Resolving The Problem Or Taking The Opportunity Identified. (3)proposed Intervention Strategy Main Activity Groups, Expected Results And Impact. Of The Key Stakeholder Groups And Their Attitudes Towards The Proposed Project Idea. Expected Outputs, Outcome(s) And Impact. Main Risks And Assumptions Towards The Achievement Of Expected Results. (4)activities Planned Types Of Activity Proposed, Including A Description Of Linkages/relationships Between Activity Clusters. Mainstreaming Relevant Crosscutting Issues (human Rights, Gender Equality, Democracy, Good Governance, Socioeconomic Integration Of Youth And Women, Environmental Sustainability, And Combating Covid-19 Pandemic). (5)project Budget And Duration Overall Budget (in Usd), Financial Support Requested (amount And Percentage Of The Eligible Costs Accepted). Indicative Project Duration (in Months). B)relevance Of The Project Idea (1)to The Objective(s) And Priority(ies) Of The Cfp Justification Of The Relevance Of The Project Objectives To The Objectives And The Priorities Of The Cfp. (2)to Needs And Constraints Of The Target Country, Region(s) And/or Relevant Sectors Pre-project Situation. Analysis Of The Problems Identified. Plans Undertaken At National, Regional And/or Local Level Relevant To The Action. (3)target Groups And Final Beneficiaries Brief Presentation Of Each Of The Target Groups And Final Beneficiaries Addressed. Of Their Needs And Constraints. Justification Of The Relevance Of The Project Idea To The Needs And Constraints Of The Target Groups And Final Beneficiaries. C)added Value Elements Specific Added-value Elements Of The Action, E.g. Innovation And Creativity In Proposed Implementing Modalities And Reach Out To Target Groups. Only The Cn-forms (annex 2.1 To This Cfp) Will Be Evaluated. It Is Therefore Of Utmost Importance That This Document Contains All Relevant Information Concerning The Project Idea. No Additional Annexes Should Be Sent. Applicants Pre-selected At The Cn-stage Will Be Invited To Submit Full Applications. 2.stage 2: The Proposal – Full Application (fa) Following The Pre-selection Of Their Project Ideas, The Proposers Invited To Submit A Full Application Might Participate At This Second Stage. In Preparing Their Proposals, The Invited Applicants May Use The Online-consultations Provided By The Civil Society Support Team (section I.b.2), Then Should Keep Strictly To The Fa-format In Annex 2.2 (for The Technical Proposals) And Annex 2.3 (for The Financial Offer) And Fill In The Paragraphs And Pages In Order: A)detailed Description Of The Action Relevance To The Project Objectives, Priorities, Sectors/themes, And To The Needs/constraints Of Targeted Region/territory. Relevance To The Needs/constraints Of Identified Target Groups/final Beneficiaries. Analysis Of Key Stakeholders’ Attitudes And Capacities. Intervention Logic Proposed Including Assumptions And Risks Identified. Activity Groups And Their Relevance To The Results Expected. Justification Of Modification(s) (if Any) Of The Information In The Cn. B)implementation Approach Management Structure And Key Personnel (by Function). Justification Of Individual Roles Of Those Involved. Monitoring Arrangements. Activities Planned To Insure Visibility Of The Action And The Undp Support. C)action Plan And Project Timeline Time Sequence Of Main Activity Groups And Distribution Of Individual Responsibilities (action Plan Format). D)sustainability Of The Action Expected Impact On Target Group And Final Beneficiaries. Risk Analysis And Contingency Plan. Sustainability After Completion (financial, Institutional, Policy Level, Environmental). Dissemination Plan And Possibilities For Replication, Extension. E)logical Framework Internal Logic Of The Intervention: Activities – Results – Objectives; Indicators; Assumptions (annex 2.4 To The Cfp-instructions). F)budget Of The Action Detailed Breakdown, Support Requested, Justification Of The Costs And Values, Other Sources, And In Kind Contribution (if Any). G)relevant Previous Experience (max. 10 References) (1)lead Applicant’s Previous Project Experience Relevant Project Experience In The Past Three Years. Other Projects Implemented In The Past Three Years. (2)co-applicants’ (if Any) Previous Project Experience Relevant Project Experience In The Past Three Years. Other Projects Implemented In The Past Three Years. V.evaluation Criteria & Methodology 1.evaluation Criteria For Submitted Concept Notes (cn): A)administrative Compliance Check Of The Cn Technical Compliance Of The Proposal (language, Format, Completeness, Size Of Budget), Eligibility Of The Proposer(s), The Project Idea, And The Amount Of Support Requested; The Concept Notes That Pass This Check Will Be Further Evaluated On Their Relevance And Design. B)relevance Of The Project Idea To The Objectives And Priorities Of The Cfp, To The Needs/constraints Of The Target Group(s) And Direct/final Beneficiaries Identified; C)overall Design Of The Proposed Intervention Strategy Coherence Of The Overall Design (activities-results-effect), Feasibility Of Activities Planned And Results Expected, Innovation And Creativity In Proposed Implementing Modalities, Integration Of Crosscutting Elements In The Proposed Strategy. Summary Of The Proposal Evaluation Score Weight Points Obtainable 1. Administrative Compliance Yes/no N/a 2. Relevance Of The Project Idea 40% 20 3. Overall Design Of The Proposed Intervention Strategy 60% 30 Total 50 Detailed Sub-criteria Are Provided In Annex 2.1: Cn 2.evaluation Criteria For Submitted Full Applications (fa): A)administrative Compliance Check Of The Fa Language, Format, Completeness, Size Of The Budget. The Full Applications That Pass This Check Will Be Further Evaluated On Their Quality, Including The Budget. B)technical And Operational Capacity Of The Applicant(s) Management Capacity, Professional Competencies And Qualifications Required To Complete The Proposal. C)relevance Of The Proposal Score Transferred From The Concept Note Evaluation Result. D)design Of The Proposed Intervention Appropriateness Of Proposed Activities And Their Consistency With Expected Results. Analysis Of The Problems And Stakeholders’ Capacities. Alternative And Innovative Modalities In Risk-prevention. E)implementation Approach Feasibility Of The Proposed Activities And Project Timeline, Effectiveness And Efficiency Of The Monitoring System, Co-applicants’ Level Of Involvement[12]. F)sustainability Of Expected Results Expected Impact On The Target Group(s), Multiplier Potential Of The Action. G)budget And Cost-effectiveness Coherence Between Technical And Financial Offers (activities ® Budget). Efficiency Of Proposed Action (activities ¬ Budget). Summary Of The Proposal Evaluation Score Weight Points Obtainable 1. Administrative Compliance Yes/no N/a 2. Technical And Operational Capacity 15% 15 3. Relevance Of The Proposal 20% 20 4. Design Of The Proposed Intervention 20% 20 5. Implementation Approach 15% 15 6. Sustainability Of Expected Results 15% 15 7. Budget And Cost-effectiveness 15% 15 Total 100 Detailed Sub-criteria Are Provided In Annex 2.2: Fa 3.evaluation Methodology: Quality Based Under Fixed Budget Selection (qb-fbs) The Qb-fbs Methodology (divided In Two Stages) Implies That All Proposals Have The Same Maximum Overall Price (which Cannot Exceed A Known Fixed Budget Amount), Focusing The Selection On The Quality Of The Proposal And The Cso/ Ngo Proposed Approach And Methodology. At Both Stages (cn And Fa), The Evaluation Of Submitted Proposals Shall Be Carried Out In Accordance With Below Outlined Evaluation Criteria. Proposals Have To Translate Community Needs Into Implementable Activities By The Ngos/csos. Under Qb-fbs, Assessment Focuses On Maximising Transfer Of Value To The Beneficiary User Within A Given Budget. 4.funds Available, Financial Contribution And Duration A)funds Available The Overall Indicative Amount Made Available Under This Call For Proposals Is Usd 1,500,000. B)undp Contribution Any Grant Requested Must Fall Between The Following: Minimum Usd 30,000 And Maximum Usd 150,000 (amount Of Undp Contribution)[13], And Minimum 75% And Maximum 90% Of The Total Eligible Costs Accepted (percentage Of Undp Contribution). C)indicative Project Duration The Project Duration Should Be At Least 6 months And May Not Exceed 12 months, As Of The Date On Which Both Parties Have Signed The Low Value Grant Agreement (annex 5: Lvga To This Cfp).     Vi.selection Process The Undp Will Review Proposals Through A Five-step Evaluation Process Organised In Three Selections Stages: A.stage 1: Concept Note (cn) Determination Of The Eligibility And Administrative Compliance Of Submitted Project Ideas; Pre-selection Of The Best Eligible Project Ideas Based On The Assessment Criteria Outlined In The Previous Section (until Funds Available); B.stage 2: Full Application (fa) Determination Of The Administrative Compliance Of Submitted Full Applications; Scoring And Pre-selection Of The Best Administratively Compliant Fas Based On The Assessment Criteria Outlined In The Previous Section To Identify Best Project Proposals (until Funds Available); C.stage 3: Verification Of Eligibility (voe) Eligibility Verification Of Proposers Pre-selected At The Fa-stage Based On The Documentary Proofs Submitted In Reply To The Request Of Information (annex 3: Rfi To This Cfp); Vii.submission Process Applications Must Be Submitted In Accordance With The Instructions Provided In The Cn/fa-template (annex 2.1/2.2 To These Cfp-instructions). Applicants Must Apply In English Or Arabic Or Kurdish. Applicants Must Submit Their Cns/fas To The Following Email Address: Civil.society.lot1@undp.org . The Subject Of The Submission-email Must Bear The Title Of The Call For Proposals In English: Lcsd-1: Cso-actions At Cluster Level. In The Body Text Of The Submission-email, The Applicants Shall Specify The Title Of The Proposed Project Idea, As Well As The Full Name And Address Of The Lead Applicant, All Of Them Written In English. Where Applicants Submit Several Proposals, They Shall Send A Separate Submission-email For Each One Of Them. The Following Documents (e-copies) Must Be Attached To The Submission-email In Order For The Submission To Be Considered By The Undp: A.stage 1: Concept Note (cn) Concept Note Form (annex 2.1: Cn To This Cfp) Checklist For The Cn (section 2 Of Annex 2.1 To This Cfp) [signed And Stamped] Declaration By The Lead Applicant For The Cn (section 3 Of Annex 2.1 To This Cfp) B.stage 2: Full Application (fa) Full Application Form (annex 2.2 To This Cfp) [signed And Stamped] Mandate(s) Of Co-applicant(s) (if Any) (section 4 Of Annex 2.2 To This Cfp) Checklist For The Fa (section 6 Of Annex 2.2 To This Cfp) [signed And Stamped] Declaration By The Lead Applicant For The Fa (section 7 Of Annex 2.2 To This Cfp) Budget Of The Action (annex 2.3 To This Cfp) Logical Framework (annex 2.4 To This Cfp) C.stage 3: Verification Of Eligibility Documentation Requested With The Request For Information (rfi) (filled In, Signed And Stamped) Once The Application Is Complete And Submitted, Revised Versions Of Proposal Documents Will Not Be Accepted. Applicants Shall Bear All Costs Related To Proposal Preparation And Submission. Submission Deadline Proposers May Start Submitting Their Concept Notes After The Date Of Publishing This Cfp. Applications Will Be Reviewed On Bi-monthly Basis (by 14:00 Hrs On 15 And End Of Each Month), Until Funds Available.     Potential Applicants Should Refer To The “frequently Asked Questions” Posted On The Undp’s Website: Https://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/procurement.html . For Additional Questions About These Cfp Instructions Or Application Formats, Please E-mail To Mohammed.ababs@undp.org. Note: Undp Reserves The Right Not To Fund Any Proposals Arising From This Call For Proposals. Estimated Competition Timeline Below Is An Estimated Timeline For This Cfp.              [cfp-publication Date (cfp-pd)]:   Call For Proposal Opens And Relevant Documents Are Posted Online.                       [14 Days After The Cfp-pd]:   Starting Date For Organisations To Submit Their Cns.          [10 Days After The Cn-submission]:   Selected Applicants Receive Invitation To Submit Their Fas.             [15 Days After The Fa-invitation]:   Deadline For Submission Of The Fa.           [10 Days After The Fa-submission]:   Information On The Results Of Fa-evaluation.              Pre-selected Applicants Receive Rfi About Documentary Proofs (dp).             [5 Days After The Dp-submission]:   Notification Of Award. Viii.important Additional Information Undp Implements A Policy Of Zero Tolerance On Proscribed Practices, Including Fraud, Corruption, Collusion, Unethical Practices, And Obstruction. Undp Is Committed To Preventing, Identifying And Addressing All Acts Of Fraud And Corrupt Practices Against Undp As Well As Third Parties Involved In Undp Activities. (see Http://www.undp.org/content/dam/undp/library/corporate/transparency/undp_anti_fraud_policy_english_final_june_2011.pdf And Http://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/operations/procurement/protestandsanctions/ For Full Description Of The Policies). In Responding To This Call For Proposals, Undp Requires All Proposers To Conduct Themselves In A Professional, Objective And Impartial Manner, And They Must At All Times Hold Undp’s Interests Paramount. Proposers Must Strictly Avoid Conflicts With Other Assignments Or Their Own Interests, And Act Without Consideration For Future Work. All Proposers Found To Have A Conflict Of Interest[14] Shall Be Disqualified. Without Limitation On The Generality Of The Above, Proposers And Their Project Partners (if Any), Shall Be Considered To Have A Conflict Of Interest With One Or More Parties In This Solicitation Process, If They: Are Or Have Been Associated In The Past, With A Firm Or Any Of Its Affiliates Which Have Been Engaged Undp To Provide Services For The Preparation Of The Design, Terms Of Reference, Cost Analysis/estimation, And Other Documents To Be Used In This Competitive Selection Process; Were Involved In The Preparation And/or Design Of The Programme/project Related To The Services Requested Under This Call For Proposals; Or Are Found To Be In Conflict For Any Other Reason, As May Be Established By, Or At The Discretion Of, Undp. In The Event Of Any Uncertainty In The Interpretation Of What Is Potentially A Conflict Of Interest, Proposers Must Disclose The Condition To Undp And Seek Undp’s Confirmation On Whether Or Not Such Conflict Exists. Ix.application Documents A.application Templates 1.at Stage 1: Cn (concept Note) Please, Prepare And Submit In Separate Files The Documents Listed In This Section. A)concept Note (section 1 Of Annex 2.1) Please, Be As Detailed As Possible In Providing The Information Requested. B)checklist For The Cn (section 2 Of Annex 2.1) Please, Tick-off All Correct Answers. C)declaration (cn) By The Lead Applicant (section 3 Of Annex 2.1) Please, Carefully Read, Fill In, Print, Sign, Stamp And Scan. 2.at Stage 2: Fa (full Application) Only For Those Invited In Writing. Please Prepare And Submit In Separate Files The Documents Listed In This Section. A)full Application (section 1 And Section 2 Of Annex 2.2) Please, Be As Detailed As Possible In Providing The Information Requested. B)identity Of The Lead Applicant (section 3 Of Annex 2.2) C)identity And Mandate By The Co-applicant(s), If Any (section 4 Of Annex 2.2) Please, Fill In, Print, Sign, Stamp And Scan. D)identity Of The Associate(s), If Any (section 5 Of Annex 2.2) E)checklist For The Fa (section 6 Of Annex 2.2) Please, Tick-off All Correct Answers. F)declaration (fa) By The Lead Applicant (section 7 Of Annex 2.2) Please, Carefully Read, Fill In, Print, Sign, Stamp And Scan. G)logical Framework (annex 2.3) Please, Fill In Carefully All Three Worksheets: 1. Budget, 2. Justification, And 3. Expected Sources Of Funding. H)budget Of The Fa (annex 2.4) Please, Fill In Carefully All Requested Information: Activities, Outputs, Outcomes, Impact; Result Chain, Indicators, Target Values, Sources Of Verification, And Assumptions. 3.at Stage 3: Voe (verification Of Eligibility) Only For Those Invited In Writing. Please Prepare And Submit In Separate Files The Documents Listed In This Section. A)documentary Proofs Listed In The Rfi (annex 3) Please, Prepare And Verify (signature And Stamp) All Documentary Proofs Requested With The Rfi. B)declaration Of Honour (annex 4) Please, Carefully Read, Fill In, Print, Sign, Stamp And Scan. B.standard Grant Contract Documents Standard Low Value Grant Contract (annex 5) Standard Terms And Conditions (annex B) Project Document (annex C) Reporting Formats (annex D) C.list Of Annexes To The Cfp-instructions    Annex 1:   Tor (terms Of Reference) Annex 2.1:  Cn (concept Note) Annex 2.2:  Fa (full Application) Annex 2.3:  Budget (budget Of The Proposal) Annex 2.4:  Logframe (logical Framework)    Annex 3:   Rfi (request For Information)    Annex 4:   Doh (declaration Of Honour)    Annex 5:   Lvgc (low Value Grant Contract) Annex A:  Accepted Grant Proposal Annex B:   Stc (standard Terms And Conditions) Annex C:   Pd (project Document) Annex D:  Rf (reporting Formats)     [1] The Partnership And Cooperation Agreement (pca) Between The European Union And The Republic Of Iraq (oj L204/20, 31.7.2012) Signed In Brussels On 11 May 2012 And Entered Into Force In August 2018. [2] The National Development Plan (2018-2022) Of The Government Of Iraq, Published In June 2018. [3] Sdg 11: Make Cities And Human Settlements Inclusive, Safe, Resilient And Sustainable. [4] Sdg 5: Achieve Gender Equality And Empower All Women And Girls. [5] Sdg 7: Ensure Access To Affordable, Reliable, Sustainable And Modern Energy For All. [6] Sdg 8: Promote Sustained, Inclusive And Sustainable Economic Growth, Full And Productiv