10th EDF Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS) Project Support to the Caribbean Forum of ACP States in the implementation of Commitments Undertaken Under the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA): Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures
Title of the EOI:
Capacity Building of Public and Private Sector Stakeholders in the CARIFORUM Region in Food Safety Risk Analysis
- Date of this EOI: November 11th, 2015
- Closing Date for Receipt of EOI: November 27, 2015
- EOI Reference: CaRC/BB/SPS-EOICB03/15
- Address EOI Response by fax or e-mail for the Attention of: SPS Project Manager
- Fax Number: 246-271-9213
- E-mail Address: sps.project@iica.int
Description of the action
1. The Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), the implementing agency for the 10th EDF Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Measures Project is seeking a qualified and experienced company/firm to build the capacity of Public Sector Professionals and Private Sector Stakeholders in Food Safety Risk Analysis to support implementation of SPS measures and increase trade opportunities in CARIFORUM countries.
Specific Outcomes from the Action include:
- Public Sector: Increased number of regulatory professionals and technicians trained in Food Safety Risk Analysis and available to offer services to stakeholders. Manuals, handbooks and other relevant material developed and available for continuous on-the-job training.
- Private Sector: Increased number of industry professionals and technicians trained in Food Safety Risk Analysis with an increased number of firms/operations implementing improved quality assurance systems and hence the production of safe, high quality food that meets international standards.
The action should be conducted over twelve months; January 2016 – December 2016.
2. The main task/activities are as follows:
a. Design and implement an introductory programme in the conduct of food safety risk analysis (for public and private sector). An interactive modular programme should be developed and implemented which outlines the principles and practice of Food Safety Risk Analysis and its role in the implementation of food safety management systems (3-5 days). The training programme should also highlight key methodologies and tools for conducting risk analyses, solving risk management problems and introduce participants to risk communication. Linkages should be made to actual requirements for accessing international markets (such as the EU and North America). The training should provide opportunities for participants to be evaluated on the knowledge and skill acquired during the sessions and apply the knowledge gained through design of country projects. These projects would include both the public and private sectors. The training materials developed should be CODEX compliant and aligned to the issues facing CARIFORUM Countries.
b. Integration of food safety risk analysis into regulatory agencies and private sector companies. The six most feasible country projects should be identified and supported to integrate the principles and concepts of Food Safety Risk Analysis into six Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs; private sector) and public sector. Regular monitoring of the status of implementation should be conducted and technical assistance provided to guide the alleviation of any constraints that may arise.
c. Regional forum for knowledge sharing
A Regional workshop should be hosted to share with all CARIFORUM countries the outcomes of the integration of Food Safety Risk Analysis into regulatory agencies and private sector companies (as described in section b above). The “lessons learnt” from the actions in the countries should be developed into an information product that will be used to guide countries in the development and management of food safety risk systems.
d. Design and implement a Monitoring and Evaluation System for the Action. For each of the proposed actions, assessments should be conducted on (but not limited to), the usefulness of the information provided, the knowledge and skill acquired, improvements in efficiency and compliance with SPS requirements by firms etc. Factors impacting the sustainability of the action should also be identified and recommendations made on corrective actions that should be taken to ensure attainment of the goal.
Specific requirements/information
1. Proposals must be written in Standard English and consist of a technical proposal and a financial proposal.
2. The Technical Proposal shall provide the following information:
a. A description of the company’s experience on comparable assignments
b. A detailed description of work plan/schedule for performing the assignment
c. Recent CVs of principal/key staff members
d. A detailed description of the proposed methodology
3. The Financial Proposal should list all costs associated with the assignment. It would be helpful if these costs are broken down by activity.
4. The following contact information must be provided:
a. Legal Name of Company/Individual
b. Company’s Authorised Representative(s) (Name/Title) ( in the case of a Firm)
c. Full address
d. Telephone and Fax numbers
e. Skype Address
f. Email address
g. Website
h. Number of technical persons in the company
5. At least three client references, with information regarding similar services must be provided along with contact information (name, telephone numbers and e-mail addresses).
6. The cost of preparing the proposal is not reimbursable as a direct cost of the assignment.
7. IICA is not bound to accept any of the proposals submitted.
8. IICA’s policy requires that respondents provide professional, objective, impartial advice and at all times, hold IICA’s interests paramount without any consideration for future work, and strictly avoid conflicts with other assignments or their own corporate interests. Respondents shall not be hired for any assignment that would be in conflict with their prior or current obligations to other clients, or that may place them in a position of not being able to carry out the assignment in the best interest of IICA.
Submission, receipt, and evaluation of proposals
1. Proposals shall be evaluated taking into consideration the requirements as listed below, but not limited to:
i. The company’s general experience and capacity in institutional development.
ii. Proven expertise in and understanding of the agricultural health and food safety systems in CARIFORUM countries and the policies that govern them.
iii. The company’s organisational and personnel capacity, operating standards and control systems.
2. The completed proposal must be submitted via email to sps.project@iica.int; Attention: SPS Project Manager; by end of business November 27, 2015. Proposals submitted after this date will not be evaluated.
3. Respondents will be notified within twenty-one (21) days after the closing date of submission of proposals as to the outcome of the evaluation.
