CLIMATE RESILIENT, INCLUSIVE & SUSTAINABLE EDUCATION SYSTEMS IN CAMEROON AND SIERRA LEONE (CLIMATE-RISE)

Dear Potential Bidders, Please see below request for clarifications and response for this proposal We kindly request an extension of 2 (two) weeks in the deadline for submission of proposals, until 20 March 2026. This will allow us to mobilize local partners and develop a proposal to the quality the Client expects. We have already extended up to the 10th of March, and therefore we would not be able to extend further. Can the Client confirm what is the maximum budget available for the project? We understand this question is about the total available amount under the ‘Adaptation Fund” available for Sierra Leone. If that’s the case, the ceiling is likely to be $20-25 million. Can the Client confirm that the CRVA for the education sector in the two countries does not include the quantification of damage to assets (i.e., schools)? To clarify, the CRVA under this consultancy is not about post-disaster assessment, but rather about whether school buildings are equipped with climate-resilient infrastructure. The CRVA for this assignment is expected to assess climate risks, vulnerabilities, exposure, and priority adaptation needs for the education sector. The assessment is not expected to include detailed quantification or monetary valuation of damage to physical assets (e.g., school infrastructure) Instead, the CRVA should provide sufficient evidence to understand how climate hazards affect the education system and to inform adaptation pathways and proposal design. Is there a minimum expected number of field visits to each country for the project? The Terms of Reference (TOR) assign responsibility to the bidder or consulting team. Ideally, at least two missions should be undertaken: one focused on Inception and Stakeholder Engagement/Consultations, and another on the Validation and Finalisation of the Proposal Documents, each tailored to the specific context or country. However, when teams collaborate with strong local counterparts, the number of field visits may be reduced to a single mission per country. Is there already a list of stakeholders defined for engagement in each country? If so, can this list please be shared? Not at this stage. The information should be available during the inception phase. The consultancy firms are expected to make an informed estimate based on their understanding of Sierra Leone’s context. Can the Client confirm that all deliverables and stakeholder consultation materials need to be delivered only in English? Can the Client confirm if all Team Members (with exception of the Team Leader) need to be Fluent in English and French? Or as long as enough members speak French, this should be sufficient? For both countries, all the deliverables should be in English. If a French version is needed, a translated version we will be provided. The anticipated timeline for the project is 8-9 months according to the TOR. Can the Client confirm if there is a specific deadline / target for submission of the concept notes for the Adaptation Fund that we should be aware of? The eight to nine-month implementation period reflects the anticipated duration of the assignment. Additionally, there is a matrix of timeframes for key deliverables outlined in the ToR. However, bidders are requested to propose a realistic sequencing of deliverables within this timeframe. Should a specific submission window be confirmed during implementation, the workplan may be refined accordingly.

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