RFP Consultancy Services For Enhancing Batteries' Supply Chain for Electric Vehicles, Solar PVs, and Energy Storage Systems

New clarification added: Query 1.  Reference from RFP: B Qualification criteria - 3. Financial capacity / financial stabilityClarification requested : Confirm whether both annual turn over criteria and liquidity to be satisfied by bidder. Also, liquidity criteria (current ratio) shall be calculated by UNOPS based on financial statements submitted by bidder. In case of consortium bid, only lead bidder to submit the financial statements. Please confirmAnswer: The bidder should submit 2 years audited financial statements.  The financial capacity/stability requirement can be fulfilled by any of the JV member.  If the lead bidder can satisfy the criteria requirements, UNOPS will accept the audited financial statement from the lead bidder.Query 2. Reference from RFP: Other key information to be considered (Page 18 of ToR).The consultant must consider and highlight specific gender considerations in their proposalClarification requested : Please clarify on this requirement in terms of quantifiable metric.Answer: The consultant is required to factor in gender considerations and demonstrate them in their proposal where appropriate.Query 3.  Reference from RFP . Clause VIII. Qualification and Experience of service provider. The bidder should also assign a Contract Manager who would liaise on the non-technical part of the contract implementation, including coordination, liaising with key counterparts, liaising with UNOPS on submission of invoice and payment-related documentsClarification requested : Please clarify whether a separate billable CV position for Contract Manager is needed or any of the key proposed personnel ( section 3, page 27 of the ToR) can be used for the position of Contract Manager alsoAnswer: Any of the existing key personnel can be assigned as the contract manager, provided that they can play the role of the Contract Manager as specified in the tender document Query 4: Scoring matrix for key personnelClarification requested: please provide break up of points/ score against all minimum requirements for experience. Ex: additional marks for experience in Vietnam shall be indicatedAnswer: The marks for qualifications and education are assessed separately (with score being indicated in the TOR). The marks for experience in Vietnam are integrated into the overall qualification score.Query 5: Financial proposal- Please indicate a budget for the engagement, if available or specify the total man month inputs envisaged for the key personnel for a level playing field in the financial evaluation.Answer: UNOPS are not allowed to disclose any budget / ceiling amount. UNOPS cannot disclose the estimated man-days since it would depend on the approach employed by each bidder / proposal.Query 6: Extension for RFP submission - From the day of clarifications, provide a week for submission of proposals.Answer: We extended submission deadline to Monday 26 August 2024 at noon.

New clarification added: 1) With respect to Deliverable 4 “A  comprehensive understanding  of  the supply  chain  of batteries,  EVs, solar PVs, and other RE power plants”, Are we to focus primarily only on Lithium Ion battery technology? Are we to assess other battery technologies as well? Answer: Please provide a comprehensive study of the supply chain of batteries in Vietnam relevant to the context of the TOR2) Further for deliverable 4, Is the consultant expected to conduct end to end analysis whilst covering technology aspects, commercial aspects and policy aspects? Answer: The consultant is expected to deliver a comprehensive mapping and assessment of the existing supplychain of batteries, particularly for the development and integration of EVs, solar PVs, and BESS. This will be based on deliverable 3 and key regulatory documents including the Power Development Plan VIII and its implementation plan. The areas of focus should include the identification of knowledge gaps and comparison of domestic and imported raw materials for battery production in Vietnam. It will also focus on stakeholder mapping, reviewing the status quo of the battery upstream and downstream, and the identification of potential partners in which Vietnam can diversify its supply chain3) Further for deliverable 4, For technology are we to delve deep into solar supply chain as well such as delving deep into polysilicon, ingot, wafer, cell, module, stationary? Further are we to delve deep into solar ancillary manufacturing (solar glass, wires, frame, mounting structures, etc.)?Answer: No - the consultant is not required to delve deep into solar supply chain. Please refer back to the TOR for the specifics. 4) Will the consultant be allowed to charge UNOPS based on actuals for the use/purchase of data from the credible data sources (IEEE, ISO, data factbooks, etc.)?Answer: The consultant is responsible for factoring the data collection cost in their financial proposal.5) Can UNOPS provide consultants the data from the credible data sources (IEEE, ISO, data factbooks, etc.) based on data request raised by the consultant?Answer: The consultant is responsible for factoring the data collection cost in their financial proposal. No further costs outside of the financial proposal will be provided by UNOPS/ETP.6) Can you please provide detailing for the expected macroeconomic analysis being envisaged to be conducted by the consultant? What factors are to be considered?Answer: The consultant is required to conduct a macroeconomic analysis of the benefits for Vietnam in developing the battery supply chain and uses pertinent factors to the Vietnamese landscape. 

New amendment added #2: Extend the submission deadline 26th August 2024.

New clarification added: Please could we kindly request an extension of the submission date?Answer: We can extend submission deadline to Monday 26th August 2024 at noon.

New amendment added #1: adding prebid meeting minute and presentation