RFP for establishment of Long Term Agreements (LTAs) for provision of Third-party labor services (“3PL”) in high risk areas

New clarification added: Clarification 15 (cont.)Question 19: If Employer responsibility related to payroll taxes  for National Consultants  are NOT  to be included in the HR monthly management Fee, can UN clarify how will contractor bill for these amounts?Answer 19.  Please see Answer 13.Question 20: If payroll taxes  for the National Consultants  are  to be included in the HR monthly management Fee but considering the actual wages are  based on are  unknown of this time , can UN clarify how will the Contractor recoup the additional costs related to the payroll taxes once the actual wages are  known?Answer 20.  Please see Answer 13.Question 21: If the payroll taxes cost for National Consultants  are to be included in the HR monthly management Fee will UN provide average wages to be used so all bidders are equally positions/fair competition?Answer 21.  Please see Answer 13.  

New clarification added: Clarification 15. RFP and Form F-Financial Proposal Form: HR Management Fee: should include Insurance, HR Management, Payroll services and Invoicing:Question 1: Can UN clarify if medical insurance cost  for International Consultants is to be included in the HR monthly management Fee?Answer 1. Yes. As indicated in the Form F, Commercial insurance coverage (medical, MEDEVAC, life, malicious acts) must be included in the Monthly HR Management Fee per Form F.  Question 2: If medical insurance cost  for International Consultants  is NOT to be included in the HR monthly management Fee, can UN clarify  how will Contractor bill for the medical insurance cost ?Answer 2. Please see reply Answer 1.Question 3: Can UN clarify if wages for International Consultants are to be included in the HR monthly management Fee?Answer 3. No. As per the instructions in the Form F, wages are not to be included in the HR management fee.Question 4: If wages for International Consultants are to be included in the HR monthly management Fee, can UN provide average International Consultant wages to be used so all bidders are equally positioned for fair competition?Answer 4. Please see reply Answer 3.Question 5: If wages for International Consultants  are NOT to  be included in the HR monthly management Fee, can UN clarify how will the Contractor bill for the International Consultants wages?Answer 5.  In accordance with Section II (Schedule of Requirements - TOR Clause 4.2.8.1), consultant net take-home fees and statutory obligations arising from applicable local laws (e.g., statutory taxes, mandatory social security contributions, or end-of-service benefits) are calculated and adjusted in the specific Call-Off Orders (COOs) based on actual verified cost. Question 6: Can UN clarify if social  insurance cost for International Consultant  is to be included in the HR monthly management Fee?Answer 6.  Commercial insurance coverage (medical, MEDEVAC, life, malicious acts) must be included in the Monthly HR Management Fee per Form F. For mandatory local social security/social insurance contributions required by host-country law, please see reply A5.Questions 7: If the  social  insurance cost for International Consultant  is to be included in the HR monthly management Fee but considering the actual wages the social insurance calculation is based on is  unknown of this time, can UN clarify how will the Contractor recoup the additional costs related to the social insurance costs once the actual wages are  known?Answer 7.  Consultant net fees/salaries are determined internally by UNOPS for each specific assignment following the official UN/ICSC salary scales (taking into account position grade, location hardship, cost of living, and experience), in accordance with Section II (TOR Clause 4.1.4). Bidders do not propose consultant salaries or wage bands in this tender. The Contractor's fixed Onboarding Fee and Monthly HR Management Fee should be calculated based on the Contractor's administrative, sourcing, and HR management operational costs, rather than the consultant's underlying salary amount.Question 8: If the  social  insurance cost for International Consultant  is to be included in the HR monthly management Fee will UN provide average wages to be used so all bidders are equally positions/fair competition?Answer 8.  Please see Answer 7.Question 9: Can UN clarify if wages for National Consultants are to be included in the HR monthly management Fee?Answer 9. No. In accordance with Form F, wages for National Consultants are NOT to be included in the HR monthly management fee.Question 10: If wages for National Consultants  are NOT to  be included in the HR monthly management Fee, can UN clarify how will the Contractor bill for the National Consultants wages?Answer 10. Please see reply Answer 5.Question 11: If wages for National Consultants are to be included in the HR monthly management Fee, can UN provide average National Consultant wages to be used so all bidders are equally positioned for fair competition ?Answer 11.   Please see Answer 7.Question 12: Can UN clarify if social  insurance for National Consultant  staff is to be included in the HR monthly management Fee?Answer 12.  Commercial insurance coverage (medical, MEDEVAC, life, malicious acts) must be included in the Monthly HR Management Fee per Form F. For mandatory local social security/social insurance contributions required by host-country law, please see reply A5.Question 13: Can UN clarify if Employer responsibility related to payroll taxes  for International Consultants  are  to be included in the HR monthly management Fee?Answer 13.  Please clarify what you mean by payroll taxes. In accordance with Section II (Schedule of Requirements - TOR Clause 4.2.8.1), consultant net take-home fees and statutory obligations arising from applicable local laws (e.g., statutory taxes, mandatory social security contributions, or end-of-service benefits) are calculated and adjusted in the specific Call-Off Orders (COOs) based on actual verified cost.  Question 14: If Employer responsibility related to payroll taxes  for International Consultants  are NOT  to be included in the HR monthly management Fee, can UN clarify how will contractor bill for these amounts?Answer 14. Please see Answer 13.Question 15: If payroll taxes  for the International Consultants  are  to be included in the HR monthly management Fee but considering the actual wages are  based on are  unknown of this time , can UN clarify how will the Contractor recoup the additional costs related to the payroll taxes once the actual wages are  known?Answer 15.  Please see Answer 13.Question 16: If the  payroll taxes cost for International Consultants  are to be included in the HR monthly management Fee will UN provide average wages to be used so all bidders are equally positions/fair competition?Answer 16.  Please see Answer 13.Question 17: If Employer responsibility related to payroll taxes  for International Consultants  are NOT  to be included in the HR monthly management Fee, can UN clarify how will contractor bill for these amounts?Answer 17.  Please see Answer 13.Question 18: Can UN clarify if Employer responsibility related to payroll taxes  for National Consultants  are to be included in the HR monthly management Fee?Answer 18.  Please see Answer 13.Note: Answers to Questions 19 to 21 will be published separetly due to lack of space (word count) in this text box.

New clarification added: Clarification 15. Question 1.We have compiled a matrix summarizing our understanding of the required submission forms for this RFP and their applicability specifically, whether each form must be submitted once as a General requirement (applicable to all lots under the Main Tender) or separately for each Lot as a Lot-Specific requirement. Could UNOPS please review and confirm whether the Form Submission Matrix below accurately reflects the intended submission structure?If any form has been incorrectly categorized, we kindly request that UNOPS provide the correct designation (General or Lot-Specific) for each form.Form D: Joint Venture Partner Information Form:General: YesFor Lot 4 – Iraq: Not requiredFor Lot 14 - Syria: Not requiredForm E: Proposal Submission FormGeneral: YesFor Lot 4 – Iraq: Not requiredFor Lot 14 - Syria: Not requiredForm F: Financial Proposal FormGeneral: Not requiredFor Lot 4 – Iraq: YesFor Lot 14 - Syria:YesForm G: Technical Proposal FormGeneral: Section A onlyFor Lot 4 – Iraq: Section B onlyFor Lot 14 - Syria: Section B onlyForm J: Performance Statement FormGeneral: YesFor Lot 4 – Iraq: Not requiredFor Lot 14 - Syria: Not requiredForm L: Self Disclosure FormGeneral: YesFor Lot 4 – Iraq: Not requiredFor Lot 14 - Syria: Not requiredAnswer 1. Offerors are kindly referred to the "Checklist" tab in eSourcing, which explicitly details whether each document/form must be uploaded under the Main Tender (General Submission) or under a Specific Lot (Lot-Specific Submission).Please ensure that all forms are uploaded strictly into their corresponding document placeholders as designated in the eSourcing Checklist prior to the submission deadline.

New clarification added: Clarification 14 (Cont.)Question 3.Clause 4.2.8.3  Reimbursable costs: costs related to and directly arising from deployment of the Consultants. These costs will be reimbursed on a monthly basis based on actual underlying invoices documenting each expense. Acquisition and provision by the Contractor of all reimbursable items is subject to prior approval by the relevant delegation of authority holders within the UNOPS office. The reimbursable costs will include:a.    Expenses related to Travel to Join and Repatriation Travel (mobilisation and demobilisation flights/travel costs; transit visas; transit accommodation);b.    Consultant’s in-Country travel (work related);c.    Movement permits;d.    Leave-related flights, prior agreement of UNOPS as may be stipulated in the Call-Off Order;e.    Rest and recuperation travel for international Consultants, prior agreement of UNOPS as may be stipulated in the Call-Off Order;f.    Visas and work permits as well as any other costs associated exclusively with their issuance;g.    UN ID Cards;h.    Daily Subsistence Allowance (DSA), when applicable;i.    Communication allowances including internet or phone credit including airtime for satellite phones;j.    Laptops;k.    Phones (including Satellite Phones);l.    Personal Protective Equipment (PPE);m.    Cost of rented vehicle (s) (for work related matters and subject to appropriate recording in vehicle’s logbook and approval by UNOPS);n.    Accommodation rental (at duty station) - under 50k USD per annum;o.    Cost of fuel bought for UNOPS vehicle (s) (subject to appropriate recording in vehicle’s logbook and approval by UNOPS);p.    Consultant expenses directly arising from performance of his/her duties and responsibilities for UNOPS, if authorized by UNOPS in advance and properly documented as per UNOPS procedures;q.    Extraordinary War Risk Surcharge: In the event that a location's risk rating increases significantly, causing 'War Risk' insurance premiums to exceed the baseline by more than 10%, the Contractor may submit the excess premium cost as a direct reimbursable expense, subject to UNOPS prior written approval and open-book verification.r.    Any other expenses incurred by the Contractor with the prior agreement of UNOPS as may be stipulated in the Call-Off Order.Q: Can UN confirm that unit rates in the Form F Financial Proposal Form should exclude all costs related to the items presented in the section 4.2.8 ?Answer 3Yes, subject to the explicit cost breakdown defined below.In accordance with Section II (Schedule of Requirements, Section 4.2.8) and Form F (Financial Proposal Form), unit rates quoted by Offerors must observe the following cost boundaries:(a) Excluded Costs (Must NOT be included in Form F unit rates): (i) Consultant Take-Home Fees (Section 4.2.8.1): Offerors must exclude consultant salaries/net fees. Base take-home fees and statutory liabilities (taxes, mandatory social security, end-of-service benefits) are determined and funded through individual Call-Off Orders.  (ii)  Direct Reimbursable Costs (Section 4.2.8.3): Offerors must exclude all pass-through reimbursable expenses listed under 4.2.8.3 (items a–r). These items (including travel/flights, movement permits, visas/work permit issuance fees, UN ID cards, DSA, communications credit, laptops, phones, PPE, rented vehicles, accommodation under $50k/yr, fuel, and extraordinary war risk surcharges >10%) are reimbursed by UNOPS at actual cost against approved invoices.  (iii)  Costs Subject to Secondary Competition (Section 4.2.8.4): Offerors must exclude dedicated transport fleets, security escorts, or accommodation exceeding USD 50,000 per Call-Off Order.(b) Included Costs (What Form F unit rates MUST cover):(i) Onboarding Fee Unit Rates (Form F, Items 1–4):  Must cover contractor corporate overheads for background checks/vetting, induction/training, IT onboarding, and administrative processing fees for international visas and labor cards. (Note: Medical checks are excluded as consultants cover them directly). (ii) Monthly HR Management Fee Unit Rates (Form F, Items 5–7): Must cover contractor corporate overheads, required insurance coverage (Service-Incurred Illness/Injury/Death/Disability, Medical/MEDEVAC, and Malicious Acts/War Risk up to baseline limits), payroll administration, MHPSS/wellness programs, invoicing, and contract management.Question 4.Clause 4.1.4 Contractor’s International Consultants International Contractor’s ConsultantsInternational - A    Junior Specialist    0 to <5 years’ relevant experience. Bachelor’s usually required    IICA-1(ICSC-8 - ICSC-9)International - B    Specialist    5 to <7 years’ relevant experience. Bachelor’s or Master’s degree usually required    IICA-2 (ICSC-10)International - C    Senior Specialist    7 to <15 years’ relevant experience. Bachelor’s or Master’s degree usually required    IICA-3 (ICSC-11 - ICSC 12)International - D    Principal Specialist    12 or more years’ relevant experience. Master’s degree or Higher usually required    IICA-4 (ICSC-12 - ICSC 14)Q1: Which level should bidders include in the Pricing Form?             Q2: If bidders should include unit rates for each level (1 through 12) will UN provide revised pricing form where bidders can include rates for each of the 4 levels: junior Specialist, Specialist, Senior Specialist, Principal Specialist? Answer 4. Q1. Bidders do not bid on or propose unit rates for specific consultant seniority levels (International Levels A through D or National LICA Levels 1 through 12) in Form F.  Consultant salaries and fee ranges across all levels (Junior Specialist through Principal Specialist) are calculated and set internally by UNOPS based on internal grade scales (ICSC), hardship classifications, and duty station scales.  Bidders compete strictly on two administrative fee categories in Form F:  - Onboarding Fee: Fixed flat rate per person (one-off).  - Monthly HR Management Fee: Fixed monthly rate per person (tiered by volume brackets: 1–50, 51–100, >100 active personnel).  Q2. UNOPS will publish an Amendment revising Form F (Financial Proposal Form) to separate HR Management Fees for National and International consultants.

New clarification added: Clarification 14 Question 1.Clause 6.10.2.5 Communications and Field Infrastructure a. Mobile and Satellite Communications: In alignment with LTA Section 1.3.13, the Contractor shall provide all necessary mobile and satellite telephone hardware to its Consultants as a reimbursable operational expense. Mobile and satellite lines shall utilize pre-paid SIM cards or scratch cards only, up to the authorised financial limit defined in writing by the respective UNOPS Project Manager.Q: Can UN confirm the communication associated costs are reimbursable, as such should not be included in the rates presented in Form F?Answer 1. Confirmed. In accordance with Clause 6.10.2.5 (a) and Clause 4.2.8.3 (i), communication costs (including mobile/satellite hardware, airtime, phone credit, SIM cards, and internet credit up to the authorized financial limit defined in writing by the UNOPS Project Manager) are treated as direct reimbursable operational expenses.  These reimbursable expenses must be excluded from the unit rates entered into Form F (Financial Proposal Form). Reimbursable items will be processed against actual, verified underlying invoices during contract execution under individual Call-Off Orders. Question 2. Clause 6.10.2.1 End-User IT Equipment (Contractor Responsibility)The Contractor shall be solely responsible for provisioning, financing, and maintaining all primary end-user IT hardware (including laptop computers and smartphones) required by the Consultants for the execution of their duties. The Contractor must provide full lifecycle management for these devices, including endpoint security, antivirus/EDR deployment, operating system patching, software licensing, and direct helpdesk support. UNOPS IT Operations will provide no ongoing technical support, hardware troubleshooting, or software provisioning for Contractor-owned devices, except for the one-time security assessment required under clause 6.10.2.2 where internal network access is requested.Q: Can UN confirm the IT associated costs are reimbursable, as such should not be included in the rates presented in Form F?Answer 2.Confirmed for primary IT hardware provision (laptops/phones); Excluded from Form F. - IT  Hardware Provisioning (Laptops & Smartphones): As outlined in Clause 4.2.8.3 (j) & (k) and Clause 6.10.2.1, the acquisition and provision of primary IT hardware (laptops and phones) for deployed Consultants are classified as reimbursable costs upon prior written approval by UNOPS, and must not be included in the Form F unit rates. - IT Administrative Overhead & Software Licensing: In accordance with TOR Section 4.2.8.2, general corporate endpoint management, helpdesk support, and basic corporate IT software licensing costs associated with the Contractor's administrative team are covered under the Contractor's Onboarding Fee and Monthly HR Management Fee in Form F. Note: Answers to Questions 3 & 4 will be published separetly due to lack of space (word count) in this text box. 

New clarification added: Clarification 13 (cont.)Question 4. 4.2.8.3 Reimbursable costs: costs related to and directly arising from deployment of the Consultants. These costs will be reimbursed on a monthly basis based on actual underlying invoices documenting each expense. Acquisition and provision by the Contractor of all reimbursable items is subject to prior approval by the relevant delegation of authority holders within the UNOPS office. The reimbursable costs will include:a. Expenses related to Travel to Join and Repatriation Travel (mobilisation and demobilisation flights/travel costs; transit visas; transit accommodation);b. Consultant’s in-Country travel (work related);c. Movement permits;d. Leave-related flights, prior agreement of UNOPS as may be stipulated in the Call-Off Order;e. Rest and recuperation travel for international Consultants, prior agreement of UNOPS as may be stipulated in the Call-Off Order;f. Visas and work permits as well as any other costs associated exclusively with their issuance;g. UN ID Cards;h. Daily Subsistence Allowance (DSA), when applicable;i. Communication allowances including internet or phone credit including airtime for satellite phones;j. Laptops;k. Phones (including Satellite Phones);l. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE);m. Cost of rented vehicle (s) (for work related matters and subject to appropriate recording in vehicle’s logbook and approval by UNOPS);n. Accommodation rental (at duty station) - under 50k USD per annum;o. Cost of fuel bought for UNOPS vehicle (s) (subject to appropriate recording in vehicle’s logbook and approval by UNOPS);p. Consultant expenses directly arising from performance of his/her duties and responsibilities for UNOPS, if authorized by UNOPS in advance and properly documented as per UNOPS procedures;q. Extraordinary War Risk Surcharge: In the event that a location's risk rating increases significantly, causing 'War Risk' insurance premiums to exceed the baseline by more than 10%, the Contractor may submit the excess premium cost as a direct reimbursable expense, subject to UNOPS prior written approval and open-book verification.r. Any other expenses incurred by the Contractor with the prior agreement of UNOPS as may be stipulated in the Call-Off Order.Q1: Can UN confirm that Social Insurance One Time Registration Fee and other similar one time fees applicable at certain location is cost reimbursable and shall not be included in the Onboarding Fee?Answer 4. Q1. Confirmed.-In accordance with Section II (TOR Clause 4.2.8.2), the Onboarding Fee in Form F covers strictly background checks and vetting, induction and training, IT licensing costs, and the Contractor's administrative fee related to obtaining Visas and Labour Cards.Direct Reimbursable Costs (TOR Clause 4.2.8.3): In accordance with Section II (TOR Clause 4.2.8.3, items 'f' and 'r'), mandatory administrative levies and official government fees imposed directly by local authorities—such as statutory local registration levies, official visa/work permit issuance fees, and statutory social insurance one-time registration fees—are classified as Direct Reimbursable Costs. These shall be reimbursed at actual verified cost under the respective Call-Off Order upon presentation of official third-party payment receipts.Follow Up questions Clarification 1.Section III Schedule of Requirement and Form F Financial Proposal FormQuestion 5. Clarification on Pricing ModelThe financial proposal appears to require a fixed management fee applicable to both national and international personnel across all grades.Given that several cost components particularly insurance premiums and certain statutory obligations vary significantly based on the consultant's location, category, and compensation level, would UNOPS consider allowing a percentage-based HR/Management Fee instead of a fixed fee, or an alternative pricing mechanism that more accurately reflects the varying cost structure across different consultant categories?UNOPS Response: Answer 5. The financial form indeed requires a fixed management fee applicable to both national and international personnel accross all grades. UNOPS has been using this pricing model for many years now successfully therefore an alternative pricing mechanism is not of interest at this point in time. As a reminder, the financial forms are unique to each lot / country. This means that a bidder is free to propose a different price for the fixed management fee for each country.FOLLOW UP QUESTIONS: Q1. Considering statutory obligations and insurance premiums vary by nationality, also by region within the same country, will UNOPS reconsider changing Form F?Q2: Considering insurance cost and statutory obligations are also function of pay, can UN provide pay bands for all Local Nationals and International levels presented in Section III Paragraphs 4.1.3 and 4.1.4?Follow Up questions UNOPS Clarification 1, Question 5, Answer 5. Q1.  UNOPS will publish an Amendment revising Form F (Financial Proposal Form) specifically to separate the HR Management Fees between National and International consultants.Q2. No. UNOPS will not provide specific pay bands or salary scales.

New clarification added: Clarification 13Question 1. Section 4.1 states: The Contractor shall be responsible to provide suitably qualified Consultants for any and all positions that may be required by UNOPS. The Contractor shall be responsible for the: (i) hiring; (ii) deployment activities; (iii) termination; (iv) payroll; (v) insurance; (vi) safeguarding; and (vii) employment relationship and administration of Consultants (e.g. life support, communications,  travel arrangements, per diems, accommodation, claims, etc.Q1: Can UN clarify if actual wages and payroll taxes, social insurance, etc. are to be included in the HR Management Fee?Q2: If answer to question above is "yes", considering payroll burdens/taxes are based on wages and nationalities can UN provide a revised Form F whare bidders can include separate HR Management Fees based on nationalities and category levels presented in Section III, Paragraphs  4.1.3 and 4.1.4.Answer 1. Q1.No. Actual consultant salaries (net take-home fees), payroll taxes, social security contributions, end-of-service/severance entitlements, and mandatory host-country statutory obligations must NOT be included in the Contractor’s HR Management Fee quoted in Form F. In accordance with Section II (TOR Clause 4.2.8.2 - Contractor's Fee), the fixed unit rates quoted in Form F for the Onboarding Fee (which includes background checks, vetting, induction/training, IT licenses, and administrative handling of visas/labour cards) and Monthly HR Management Fee cover strictly the Contractor’s administrative overhead, insurance, HR management, payroll services, and invoicing.In accordance with Section II (TOR Clause 4.2.8.1 - Remuneration and Statutory Obligations), consultant net "take-home" remuneration and mandatory obligations arising from applicable local host-country legislation (e.g., statutory taxes, mandatory social security, or statutory severance/end-of-service entitlements) are calculated, funded, and adjusted exclusively within individual Call-Off Orders (COOs) based on actual verified cost.Q2. To accommodate baseline cost and insurance risk profile differences between National and International deployments, UNOPS will publish an Amendment revising Form F (Financial Proposal Form) to separate HR Management Fees for National and International consultants.Question 2.4.1.3 Contractor’s National Consultants: The levels within the National Consultants category are aligned to the International Civil Service Commission (ICSC) grades and defined as per below:LICA Support Levels: LICA-1 | ICSC-1 LICA-2 | ICSC-2 LICA-3 | ICSC-3 LICA-4 | ICSC-4 LICA-5 | ICSC-5 LICA-6 | ICSC-6 LICA-7 | ICSC-7LICA Specialist Levels: LICA-8 | ICSC-8 LICA-9 | ICS C-9 LICA-10 | ICSC-10 LICA-11 | ICSC-11 LICA-12 | ICSC-12                                                                                                            Form F Financial Proposal form is not structured to reflect different levels of qualifications presented in.Q1: For properly calculating Onboarding and HR Management fee, will UN please provide the pay (wage) bands for each of the National consultants? Answer  2. UNOPS will not provide internal UN/ICSC salary scales or fixed pay/wage bands in the solicitation documents, nor will wage bands be introduced in Form F.Q1. In accordance with Section II (TOR Clause 4.2.8.1), National Consultant (LICA) minimum and maximum fee ranges for a given assignment and country are calculated and established internally by UNOPS following the ICSC scale, taking into account the position's grade/level (LICA-1 to LICA-12 per TOR Clause 4.1.3), length of relevant work experience, cost of living, and hardship classification.Because consultant net "take-home" fees and host-country statutory obligations are managed and funded directly under individual Call-Off Orders (TOR Clause 4.2.8.1), Offerors do not require internal UNOPS salary scales to quote their fixed administrative management fees in Form F. In accordance with TOR Clause 4.2.8.2, Offerors must quote their fixed commercial unit rates in Form F based on their operational structure and administrative overhead.Question 3.4.1.4 Contractor’s International Consultants International Contractor’s ConsultantsInternational - A    Junior Specialist: 0 to <5 years’ relevant experience. Bachelor’s usually required IICA-1(ICSC-8 - ICSC-9)International - B    Specialist: 5 to <7 years’ relevant experience. Bachelor’s or Master’s degree usually required IICA-2 (ICSC-10)International - C    Senior Specialist: 7 to <15 years’ relevant experience. Bachelor’s or Master’s degree usually required IICA-3 (ICSC-11 - ICSC 12)International - D    Principal Specialist: 12 or more years’ relevant experience. Master’s degree or Higher usually required    IICA-4 (ICSC-12 - ICSC 14)Q1: For properly calculating Onboarding and HR Management fee, will UN please provide the pay (wage) bands for each of the International consultants? Answer 3. Q1. Consultant net fees/salaries are determined internally by UNOPS for each specific assignment following the official UN/ICSC salary scales (taking into account position grade, location hardship, cost of living, and experience), in accordance with Section II (TOR Clause 4.1.4). Bidders do not propose consultant salaries or wage bands in this tender. The Contractor's fixed Onboarding Fee and Monthly HR Management Fee should be calculated based on the Contractor's administrative, sourcing, and HR management operational costs, rather than the consultant's underlying salary amount.Note: Answers to Questions 4 and Follow up Question 5 will be published separetly due to lack of space (word count) in this text box.

New clarification added: Clarification 12Question 1. Section 4.3.13 Communications equipment. Does the Client have a preferred mobile communications solution, or is the selection at the contractor's discretion, provided that the proposed solution complies with all applicable regulations and licensing requirements within the relevant country, region, or area of operation?Answer 1.  Not fully at contractor discretion. Per 6.10.2.5, the contractor selects the provider, but mobile/satellite lines must use pre-paid SIM or scratch cards only (no postpaid), and spend is capped by a financial limit set in writing by the UNOPS Project Manager per Call-Off Order - in addition to the regulatory/licensing compliance the bidder already referenced. Question 2. 6.10.2.1 End-User IT Equipment (Contractor Responsibility)Can the Client specify any preferred or mandated brands, makes, models, and technical specifications for contractor-provided equipment required by consultants during contract performance.  Additionally, please confirm whether the Client requires compatibility with any specific systems, software suites, operating systems, security standards, or government-approved applications.Answer 2. No, the Client does not specify preferred/mandated brands, makes, models, or specs - per 6.10.2.1 this is entirely the contractor's responsibility, including full device lifecycle management (endpoint security, Antivirus/EDR, patching, licensing, helpdesk). No specific OS or government-approved application list is required. Default connectivity is via the UNOPS Guest Network (no audit required) for web-based tools like email/Google Workspace/ERP. Internal network access is only granted exceptionally, subject to ITG security audit. Question 3. 6.10.3.1 Ground transportation servicesDoes the Client have a minimum protection standard for B6 armoured vehicles that must be met when transporting consultants, should the preferred vehicle type be unavailable? If so, please confirm the minimum acceptable armouring level, vehicle specification, and any applicable certification requirements.Answer 3. An Amendment to Section III Schedule of Requirements will be issued to reply to this question.Question 4. 6.2 b.v Contractors Security Responsibilities: GPS and TrackingPlease confirm whether secure communications are a contractual requirement? If secure communications are required, please advise the minimum acceptable standard, including any encryption, licensing, interoperability, or regulatory requirements applicable to the area of operations.Answer 4. Secure communications are required only where dictated by the operational environment and interoperability requirements with UNOPS and the wider UN Security Management System (UNSMS). Any communications equipment provided by the contractor shall comply with applicable host-country licensing and regulatory requirements and be interoperable with UNOPS/UNSMS systems where operationally required (e.g. TETRA or other locally deployed systems).Question 5. 6.2 b.vi Contractors Security Responsibilities: MedicalCan the Client please confirm the minimum medical standard required for deployed personnel?                                                      Specifically, please advise whether team members are required to hold a recognized medical qualification (e.g., First Aid at Work, FREC 3, FREC 4, EMT, Paramedic, or equivalent) and whether there is a minimum number of medically qualified personnel required per team, vehicle, or shift?Answer 5. There is no uniform requirement for medical training for UN personnel. In some locations UN personnel are required to have Individual First Aid Kit training and will be equipped with personal IFAKs while deployed. Depending on the environment Emergency Trauma Bag training (paramedic/EMT) is required for personnel performing designated functions. This differs from location to location in accordance with the respective Security Risk Management-Measures.Question 6. Recruitment Request Form -Contractor Led Selection: Support of assignment requiring carrying of weaponOther than the weapon requirements specified within the tender documentation, can the Client please confirm whether there is a preferred weapons system or calibre to be used by contracted personnel?Answer 6. Any weapons (lethal or less-lethal) carried or used by contractor personnel shall comply with all applicable host-country laws and regulations, the terms of the contract, and any applicable UNOPS security requirements. Where armed contractor personnel are proposed, their deployment shall be subject to prior coordination with UNOPS Security in accordance with applicable UNOPS and UNSMS procedures and host-country requirements.Question 7. BPE and PPEDoes the Client have a minimum required standard for Body Protective Equipment (BPE) and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) if these items are to be provided by the Contractor?Answer 7. An Amendment to Section III Schedule of Requirements will be issued to reply to this question.Question 8. Section II - SOR - Pge 28: 4.2.9.1 Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) and other trainings Can UNOPS please confirm they shall provide PSEA training Media?Answer 8. Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse: PSEA and other trainings. Confirmed. In accordance with Section 4.2.9.1, UNOPS will define, provide, or update the definitive list of required courses (including UNOPS-proprietary modules or standard United Nations organization courses) along with platform access instructions upon contract signature or prior to individual consultant deployment. Alternatively, the Contractor may offer equivalent training modules provided by a recognized Training Institution or qualified subcontractor, subject to prior written review and formal approval by UNOPS. Question 9 Section II - SOR - Pge 28: 5.1.2 Online Contract Management and Reporting PortalCan UNOPS please confirm who is responsible for ensuring BSAFE 1 hour & SSAFE 3 day training is completed by consultants and is this completed prior to deployment?Answer 9. An Amendment to Section III Schedule of Requirements will be issued to reply to this question. 

New clarification added: Clarification 11Question 1.  4.1.1.2 Deployment of personnel: With regard to the requirement to deploy personnel within 10 days. Will allowance be given for the time delay required in some countries for the approval of valid visas?Answer 1. Yes. While Clause 4.1.1.2 and KPI 3 establish a baseline deployment requirement of ten (10) working days following final candidate endorsement and background check clearance, UNOPS recognizes that statutory visa and work permit issuance timelines in certain high-risk duty stations are beyond the Contractor’s direct control. Where deployment delays are caused solely by official governmental or administrative visa processing times, an allowance will be made—provided the Contractor applied for the visa promptly upon selection, actively tracked the process, and submitted written evidence of the delay to the UNOPS Project Manager. Such documented delays will not be penalized as a failed KPI.

New clarification added: Clarification 10Question 1. Evaluation Criteria: LOT 14 - Syria states the following: Experience - Offeror should be in continuous business of providing third-party labor services during the last 5 years (demonstrated by copy of Company registration certificate and at least 2 previous contracts / client letters of reference for similar services provided in the last 5 years in the country).    Considering that Syria remained largely inaccessible to international commercial companies for approximately 14 years and that the relevant security licensing framework was not available until recently, could the Client kindly confirm that the requirement for five years of experience at this specific location will be waived or revised, as bidders could not reasonably have obtained the required licence or accumulated five years of local experience?Answer 1. The requirement for 5 years of continuous experience in the lot country remains applicable to Lot 14 (Syria). However, Offerors lacking direct 5-year local incorporation in Syria may participate by forming a formal Joint Venture/Consortium (Form D) with a qualified local Syrian partner. Under UNOPS evaluation rules, JV members are permitted to pool their operational experience and local registration documents to satisfy the qualification criteria for that Lot.Question 2. PRICING: Prices quoted by the Offeror shall be fixed during the Offeror’s performance of the Contract and not subject to variation on any account, unless otherwise specified in Section I: RFP Particulars. A Proposal submitted with an adjustable price shall be treated as non-compliant and shall be rejected, pursuant to Instructions to Offerors Article 27. However, if in accordance with Section I, prices quoted by the Offeror shall be subject to adjustment during the performance of the Contract, a Proposal submitted with a fixed price quotation shall not be rejected, but the price adjustment shall be treated as zero.Considering at each of the location labor laws and payroll taxes change almost every year, will UN allow price adjustments related to changed in local (host country) labor laws?Answer 2. Bidders should keep in mind the distinction between contractor management fees and consultant salaries/statutory liabilities:- Contractor Management & Onboarding Fees: The fixed unit rates quoted in Form F for onboarding and monthly HR management fees are evaluated in this tender and stay fixed in USD for the first 3 years of the contract. Price reviews can only be requested upon contract extension after the initial period of 3 years, capped at a maximum of 10% and subject to UNOPS approval, as stated in Section Particulars under "Scope of Proposals".  - Consultant Take-Home Fees &  Statutory obligations: In accordance with Section II (Schedule of Requirements - TOR Clause 4.2.8.1), consultant net take-home fees and statutory obligations arising from applicable local laws (e.g., statutory taxes, mandatory social security contributions, or end-of-service benefits) are calculated and adjusted in the specific Call-Off Orders (COOs) based on actual verified cost.  Obligation to Notify: The Contractor is required to inform UNOPS of any mandatory changes to local labor laws and regulations, as well as the financial effect on existing Call-Off Orders, immediately upon enactment and no later than the effective date of the new legislation. Question 3. PERFORMANCE SECURITYThe successful Offeror, if so specified in Section I: RFP Particulars shall furnish a Performance Security in the amount and form specified therein, within the specified number of days after receipt of the Contract from UNOPS. UNOPS shall promptly discharge the Proposal Securities of the unsuccessful Offerors pursuant to Instructions to Offerors Article 19.Failure of the successful Offeror to submit the above-mentioned Performance Security or sign the Contract shall constitute sufficient grounds for the annulment of the award and forfeiture of the Proposal Security. In that event UNOPS may award the Contract to the next lowest evaluated Offeror, whose offer is substantially responsive and is determined by UNOPS to be qualified to perform the Contract satisfactorily. Can UN clarify the value (amount and /or percentage)  of the performance security requirement?Answer 3. As specified in Section I (RFP Particulars) -  in e-sourcing - , no Performance Security is required for this Long-Term Agreement framework. The general references to Performance Security contained in Article 35 of Section I (Instructions to Offerors) represent standard framework template provisions that apply only when explicitly stipulated as required in the RFP Particulars Section in e-sourcing.Question 4. PROPOSAL SECURITYThe Offeror shall furnish as part of its Proposal, a Proposal Security, if required in Section I: RFP Particulars. The Proposal Security shall be in the amount and form specified in Section I: RFP Particulars and shall:(a)    Be in the same currency as stipulated in Instructions to Offerors, Article 17.(b)    Be valid for thirty (30) days beyond the period of Proposal validity prescribed by UNOPS pursuant to Article 13, Proposal Validity Period. A proposal that does not include a Proposal Security in the amount and form described above may be rejected by UNOPS.Unsuccessful Offerors’ Proposal securities will be discharged/returned as promptly as possible, but no later than thirty (30) days after the expiration of the period of Proposal validity prescribed by UNOPS pursuant to Article 13, Proposal Validity Period.The successful Offeror(s)’ Proposal securities will be discharged/returned upon the Offeror executing the contract, pursuant to Article 34, Signing of Contract. The Proposal security may be forfeited:a.    If a Offeror withdraws its Proposal during the period of Proposal validity specified by the Offeror on the Proposal submission form; orb.    In the case of the successful Offeror, if the Offeror fails to sign the contract in accordance with Article 34, Signing of Contract.Can UN clarify the value (amount and /or percentage)  of the proposal security requirement?Answer 4. Please, see answer 3.  

New clarification added: Clarification 9.Question 1. Please advise if, as stated in Stage 3 Qualification & Evaluation - "Offeror should be in continuous business of providing third-party labor services during the last 5 years (demonstrated by copy of Company registration certificate and at least 2 previous contracts / client letters of reference for similar services provided in the last 5 years in the country)."  This requirement applies to ALL LOTS, and therefore, a supplier MUST have delivered labour services in that specific country/lot within the last 5 years for any of the lots they wish to bid for?Answer 1. Lot-by-Lot Application:This qualification criterion applies on a Lot-by-Lot basis. For each individual country/lot an Offeror chooses to bid for, the Offeror must demonstrate that it (or jointly with its formal Joint Venture partner) has been in the continuous business of providing third-party labor (3PL) or similar services in that specific country during the last five (5) years.Modality for Bidders Lacking Direct Local 5-Year Experience:- Joint Venture (JV) / Consortium Modality: If an international firm lacks direct 5-year local experience or registration in a specific lot country, it is permitted to submit a proposal as a formal Joint Venture (JV) / Consortium (using Form D) with a qualified local partner. As clarified during the Pre-Bid Meeting, members of a Joint Venture are permitted to pool their qualifications and operational experience to satisfy the Qualification Criteria for that lot.- Subcontractor Modality Note: While bidders are permitted to engage local subcontractors, a subcontractor’s past experience or turnover cannot be used to satisfy this Qualification Criterion on behalf of the lead offeror; capacity-pooling applies strictly to formal JV partners.Bidding Flexibility & Structural Consistency Rules:- Offerors are not required to bid on all 18 countries; they may choose to bid on a single lot, a select group of lots, or all lots for which they meet the qualification criteria.- If bidding as a Joint Venture across multiple lots, the JV must maintain a single, identical structural and partner configuration across all submitted lots to prevent automatic disqualification due to a Conflict of Interest under Section I, Article 4 (same company bidding in different offers, either as the lead partner or a JV member, constitutes a conflict of interest as per UNOPS policy).

New clarification added: Clarification 8. Question 1. Would "Company X" be permitted to enter into teaming or partnership discussions with more than one prospective lead firm in relation to this tender, prior to a final teaming agreement being signed with a single lead firm? Alternatively, is "Company X"  expected to commit exclusively to one lead firm from the outset of discussions? We would appreciate your clarification on this matter to ensure full compliance with the tender requirements.Answer 1. Pre-Submission Teaming Discussions:UNOPS does not regulate or restrict preliminary, exploratory, or commercial discussions that an entity (such as a sub-consultant, local partner, or service provider) may hold with multiple prospective lead bidders prior to the official submission of proposals.Rules at Official Proposal Submission (Conflict of Interest Constraints):- Subcontractor Role: In accordance with Section I (Instructions to Offerors, Article 4 - Offeror Eligibility) and clarifications provided in the pre-bid meeting, a firm may be included as a subcontractor in more than one bid. Serving as a non-exclusive subcontractor for multiple lead offerors does not automatically constitute a conflict of interest, provided that the subcontractor is not a lead offeror or JV partner in another proposal for the same lot. Conflict of Interest: a firm cannot act as a bidder (whether as a sole bidder or as a Joint Venture partner or JV lead partner) in one bid while simultaneously acting as a subcontractor in another bid for the same lot (multiple lot tender) or same tender (1 lot tender). This situation is prohibited and constitutes a conflict of interest.- Joint Venture (JV) / Lead Bidder Role: If the teaming arrangement results in a formal Joint Venture (JV) or Consortium (using Form D), a single entity cannot submit more than one proposal structure across the tender.

New clarification added: Clarification 7.Question 1. Could you please clarify whether Form J for each lot needs to be signed by the client, or is it sufficient for the bidder to provide the required details only?Answer 1. Yes, Form J must be signed and stamped by an authorized representative of the Offeror.  

New amendment added #3: Amendment to:Extend the deadline for the tender and for clarifications by 2 weeks. Correct the numbering of the KPIs to align between section 4.2.4 and Annex I of the TORs.Correct a typo in the Particulars tab on eSourcing: 10% cap (and not 10$ cap) on price adjustment after the initial 3 yearsCorrect the allocation of points in eSourcing to align it with the bidding documents, and clarify the point allocation in the Section II: Evaluation Criteria of the bidding documentsUpdate Section V-3 UNOPS sample contract for Long-Term AgreementAll amendments to the bidding documents are highlighted in yellow and written in red color. 

New clarification added: Clarification 6.Question 1. 4.1.3 Contractor’s National Consultants: The levels within the National Consultants category are aligned to the International Civil Service Commission (ICSC) grades and defined as per below:LICA Support Levels: LICA-1 | ICSC-1 LICA-2 | ICSC-2 LICA-3 | ICSC-3 LICA-4 | ICSC-4 LICA-5 | ICSC-5 LICA-6 | ICSC-6 LICA-7 | ICSC-7LICA Specialist Levels: LICA-8 | ICSC-8 LICA-9 | ICS C-9 LICA-10 | ICSC-10 LICA-11 | ICSC-11 LICA-12 | ICSC-12                                                                                                                                                Form F Financial Proposal form is not structured to reflect different levels of qualifications presented in.Q1: Which level should bidders include in the Pricing Form?              Q2: If bidders should include unit rates for each level (1 through 12) will UN provide revised pricing form where bidders can include rates for each of the 12 levels? Answer 1.Q1: Bidders do not bid on or propose unit rates for specific national consultant levels (LICA-1 through LICA-12) or international levels in Form F (Financial Proposal Form).Consultant take-home fees across all levels (LICA-1 to LICA-12) are calculated and set internally by UNOPS in accordance with International Civil Service Commission (ICSC) grade scales and local market classifications. Bidders compete strictly on two administrative cost categories in Form F:- Onboarding Fee: Fixed one-off flat rate per person.- Monthly HR Management Fee: Fixed monthly rate per person, structured by volume headcount brackets (1–50, 51–100, and >100 active personnel).Q2: No revised financial proposal form will be issued. The structure of Form F is intentional. The administrative Onboarding Fee and Monthly HR Management Fee apply uniformly regardless of the consultant’s specific technical grade or LICA level. Bidders should average their corporate administrative overheads across consultant categories within the designated lot-specific fee cells in Form F.Question 2. Section 4.1 is stating The Contractor shall be responsible to provide suitably qualified Consultants for any and all positions that may be required by UNOPS. The Contractor shall be responsible for the: (i) hiring; (ii) deployment activities; (iii) termination; (iv) payroll; (v) insurance; (vi) safeguarding; and (vii) employment relationship and administration of Consultants (e.g. life support, communications,  travel arrangements, per diems, accommodation, claims, etc.Q1: Can UN confirm that UN will not be providing life support/accommodation, local transportation., internet services, communication equipment etc.?Q2: Can UN clarify if monthly rates are to be inclusive of life support, communications,  travel arrangements, per diems, accommodation, etc./Answer 2. Q1. Confirmed. UNOPS will not directly provide life support, accommodation, local transport, IT hardware, or communications equipment, except where explicitly stated for specific operational duty stations in an individual Call-Off Order (COO). The Contractor is responsible for administrative and logistical provisioning as outlined in Section 4.1 and Section 6.10..Q2. No, monthly rates in Form F must NOT be inclusive of pass-through operational expenses. - Form F Monthly HR Management Fees: Must cover strictly the Contractor’s administrative overheads, payroll management, MHPSS/wellness programs, and required insurance coverage (Service-Incurred Illness/Injury/Death/Disability, Medical/MEDEVAC, and baseline War Risk).- Reimbursable Operational Costs: In accordance with TOR Section 4.2.8.3, operational items such as mobilization/demobilization travel, work-related local transport, per diems/DSA, communications allowances, laptops, smartphones, PPE, and accommodation rentals under USD 50,000/year are direct reimbursable expenses. These costs will be authorized and reimbursed by UNOPS at actual cost against approved invoices under individual Call-Off Orders and must not be built into the fixed Form F rates.Question 3. Form F Financial Proposal Form: Column D ,  items 1  through 7:Q1: Can un clarify if the monthly rate should include rotator costs?Q2: If rotator costs is not to be included in column D, where should bidders include the costs associated with backfill /rotators costs to cover leave rotation?Q3: Can UN clarify if rotators are to be billed/priced separately?Answer 3. Q1: No. The Monthly HR Management Fee in Form F (Column D) must not include the base remuneration, travel, or per diem costs of rotation/backfill personnel. Form F unit rates apply strictly to active, deployed headcount positions managed per month.Q2: Costs associated with backfill or rotation personnel (e.g., travel flights for Rest & Recuperation/leave rotation and DSA) are managed as follows:- Consultant Remuneration during Leave/Rotation: Base fee payments during approved contractual leave are covered through the active consultant’s established Call-Off Order rate.- Rotation Travel & Mobilization: Travel costs for rotation/backfill personnel are treated as direct reimbursable expenses under TOR Section 4.2.8.3 (a) & (e) upon prior written approval by the UNOPS Project Manager.- Contractor Administrative Overhead for Backfills: The administrative handling of backfills is covered under the established Onboarding Fee (if a new backfill consultant requires onboarding) or the active Monthly HR Management Fee for the position headcount.Q3: Yes, rotation costs are billed separately under individual Call-Off Orders. Mobilization flights, transit accommodation, and authorized allowances for rotating personnel are invoiced as pass-through reimbursable expenses based on actual, verified underlying expenses, and are not billed through the fixed Form F unit rates. 

New clarification added: Clarification 5Question 1. We respectfully requests a two-week extension to the current submission deadline of 4th August for the above-referenced solicitation. We propose a new submission deadline of 18th August 2026. This additional time will allow us to prepare a comprehensive and fully compliant proposal that best addresses your requirements. We would be grateful if you could confirm whether this extension can be granted.Answer 1. UNOPS Evaluation Team is analyzing your request. In case of an extension an Amendment will soon be published.

New clarification added: Clarification 4. Question 1. For Lots where local registration is not mandatory, please confirm whether an international company that is not locally incorporated may serve as the Lead Partner in a Joint Venture/Consortium with a locally established partner. Will such a consortium satisfy the eligibility requirements for those Lots, assuming all other qualification criteria are fulfilled?Answer 1. Yes, an international company that is not locally incorporated in the lot country may serve as the Lead Partner of a Joint Venture (JV) / Consortium. 

New clarification added: Clarification 3. Question 1. Would UNOPS consider allowing a pricing model with separate HR/Management fees for Local Consultants and International Consultants, reflecting the differing levels of effort and administration associated with each category? Answer 1.  No. In accordance with the financial proposal structure (Form F) and as clarified during the Pre-Bid Meeting, the proposed Onboarding Fee and Monthly HR Management Fee must be the same for both local and international consultants within a specific lot.  Bidders must calculate and average their administrative overhead across consultant categories for each lot-specific rates entered in the designated cyan-blue cells of Form F. Offers proposing alternative percentage-based markups or separate fee tables outside the required Form F structure will not be accepted. Please do not make any modification to Form F as it might lead to the disqualification of your offer, only fill in the cells in cyan blue.Question 2. Is it permissible for a bidder to partner with different consortium members for different Lots, or must the consortium composition remain the same across all Lots for which a proposal is submitted?Answer 2. The consortium composition must remain strictly identical across all submitted Lots. As clarified in the Pre-Bid Meeting Minutes and in accordance with Section I (Instructions to Offerors, Article 4 - Offeror Eligibility), an Offeror (including any member of a Joint Venture/Consortium) may submit only one bid structure across the entire tender.A single entity cannot act as a lead partner in one lot, a non-lead JV member in another, or a subcontractor in a third, nor can a JV change its partner composition or percentage shares between different lots. Doing so constitutes a Conflict of Interest under UNOPS Procurement Policy and will result in the automatic disqualification of all associated proposals.Question 3. For proposals submitted as a consortium:Sub-question (a) Are all consortium members required to submit the complete set of eligibility documents, including financial statements and supporting documentation.Sub- answer (b) Eligibility & Formal Documents: Yes. Each member of the Joint Venture/Consortium must meet the basic eligibility conditions outlined in Instructions to Offerors, Article 4. Every member must provide its respective registration documents, Questionnaire responses, and Form L (Self-Disclosure Form). All JV partners must sign the Form D (JV Form).Sub-question (b) Must each consortium member demonstrate experience in similar services? and (c) Is Form J – Performance Statement required to be submitted by each consortium partner, or only by the lead partner? Sub-answer (b)  Experience in Similar Services & (c) Form J: Experience and past performance can be demonstrated collectively by the JV partners. To satisfy the 5-year local experience requirement (or revenue thresholds) for a specific lot, the JV members may pool their past performance records. Form J (Performance Statement Form) should be submitted to reflect the combined relevant experience of the JV partners supporting the proposal for that lot.Question 4. Are bidders required to possess any specific corporate or operational certifications as part of the eligibility or technical evaluation? If so: Which certification documents should be submitted with the proposal? In the case of a consortium, are these certifications required from all consortium members or only the lead partner? Answer 4. Required Certifications:(a) Business Licenses / Registration: Under Criterion 1.4, holding active local company incorporation and required operating licenses/accreditations is mandatory at submission for Lots 1, 4, 6, 10, 11, 12, 15, and 18 (and desirable for Lots 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 9, 13, 14, 16, 17). (b)Security Subcontractor Standards: Where security subcontractors are utilized, the contractor must demonstrate ISMA (International Security Management Association) membership or ISO 18788 certification.  (c) EOD / HMA Technical Roles: As per TOR Section 4.1.2, specialists in Humanitarian Mine Action / Explosive Ordnance Disposal must hold formal professional certifications strictly aligned with IMAS / IATG standards.Consortium Application: In the case of a Joint Venture/Consortium, the required local business license or operational certification may be held by any member of the JV (or the designated local partner) that is legally operating in the lot country to fulfill the requirement for that lot.Question 5. Are the financial qualification requirements, including submission of financial statements, solvency calculations, and liquidity ratios, applicable to each consortium member individually, or can they be demonstrated collectively by the consortium? Answer 5. Financial qualification requirements can be demonstrated collectively by the Joint Venture/Consortium. As clarified in the Pre-Bid Meeting, JV partners are permitted to pool their financial capacity (audited financial statements) to satisfy the Qualification Criteria in Section II (such as the USD 1 Million / USD 10 Million annual revenue thresholds, positive net solvency, and the Liquidity Ratio ≥ 1.0$).Note: Subcontractor financial capacity cannot be used to meet financial qualification thresholds; pooling applies strictly to formal JV partners who sign Form D and assume joint and several liability. In the case of a JV, each JV partner must submit their audited financial statements.Question 6. Where a proposal is submitted as a consortium consisting of an international company and a locally registered company, can the international company act as the lead/primary contractor, or is the locally registered company required to serve as the lead contractor for the respective country/Lot?Answer 6.  Yes, the international company can serve as the Lead Partner. UNOPS does not mandate whether the local or international entity serves as the lead partner. However, the following rules apply:a. The designated Lead Partner must be the bidding entity registered on eSourcing and UNGM.b. The Lead Partner must individually meet all basic eligibility criteria and will be the entity with whom UNOPS signs the contract and routes payments.c. To meet the local business licensing requirement (Criterion 1.4) or 5-year local experience  for a specific lot, the JV submission must include the local partner's registration certificates and Form D signed by all partners, establishing joint and several liability. Question 7. We kindly request a two-week extension to the proposal submission deadline. The additional time will enable us to prepare a more comprehensive and competitive proposal for UNOPS' requirements.Answer 7. UNOPS Evaluation Team is analyzing your request. In case of an extension an Amendment will soon be published.

New clarification added: Clarification 2.Question 1.  Parts A and B of the Technical Proposal are on the same form, yet the instructions are to submit Part A separately, and Part B with each Lot submission. Should the whole form be submitted with each Lot, or should Part A be removed from the form before submitting Part B with each Lot? And should Part B be removed from the form when submitting Part A?Answer 1. Form G - Part A (General Information):- Part A covers general, non-country-specific organizational information (e.g., firm history, SOPs, global QA, sustainability/PSEA policies).- How to submit: Part A must be completed ONCE and submitted under the "Main Tender" / General Document Checklist section in the eSourcing portal. You do not need to re-upload Part A for each individual Lot.Form G - Part B (Country/Lot Specific Information):- Part B covers lot-specific technical information (e.g., local infrastructure, local roster capacity, country-specific security & evacuation plans).- How to submit: A separate, dedicated Form G - Part B must be completed for EACH individual Lot/Country you wish to bid for. Each Part B file must be uploaded under the corresponding Lot Placeholder / Lot Checklist in eSourcing.

New clarification added: Clarification 1. Question 1. Request for Extension. We kindly request an extension of two (2) weeks to the proposal submission deadline to allow sufficient time for preparing a comprehensive and compliant response.Answer 1. As the procurement process is expected to be lengthy and we aim to have a new contractor in place by 1 January 2027, we have decided not to extend the submission deadline at this stage. If, at the beginning of August, it becomes apparent that we have not received a sufficient number of bids, we may consider extending the deadline at that time. Thank you for your understanding.Question 2. Clarification on Lots and Job Categories. The Schedule of Requirements (TOR) does not reference any Lots. However, the document "RFP_2026_63543 - Sections I, II, III, IV and V.docx" contains multiple references to Lots and their corresponding countries. Could UNOPS please confirm whether the Lot structure and country mapping provided in the RFP document are applicable to this solicitation? Additionally, we would appreciate it if UNOPS could provide the job categories/profiles covered under each Lot, along with indicative Job Descriptions (JDs) or representative Terms of Reference (ToRs), where available.Answer 2. The TOR refer to the list of countries covered under this tender as outlined point 2. Background, Table: "Regions & Countries". Each lot represents a specific country. The tender has 18 lots. You can see the lot structure on eSourcing under Tender Information / Particulars / Manage lots. Please also refer to the eSourcing Vendor Guide to navigate the platform (the guide is attached as part of the tender documents). Regarding job categories and profiles, please note the following:Indicative Profiles: A range of representative job profiles frequently utilized under this LTA framework—including Civil Engineers, Construction Management Engineers, Electrical/Mechanical Engineers, Security personnel, Drivers, Logistics, and Psychosocial Support specialists—are detailed in Annex 2 (Sample of Terms of Reference) of the TOR.Scope: These indicative profiles apply across all 18 lots.Finalized Job Descriptions: As specific position needs arise during implementation, the responsible UNOPS Hiring Manager will provide exact, finalized Terms of Reference (ToRs) tailored to the project's requirements at the time of issuing each individual Recruitment Request (Call-Off Order).Question 3. Clarification on Local Registration Requirement. Requirement #5 (Page 17) states that the Offeror must have been in continuous business providing third-party labour services in the respective Lot country during the last five years, demonstrated through a company registration certificate and at least two previous contracts or client reference letters for similar services delivered in that country.We have successfully delivered comparable third-party labour services in several of the Lot countries over the past five years. However, we do not maintain local company registration in all of those countries. Could UNOPS please clarify whether copies of contracts, purchase orders, completion certificates, and/or client reference letters demonstrating successful service delivery in the respective countries would be considered acceptable evidence of experience in lieu of a local company registration certificate?Answer 3. No, past performance documents (contracts, POs, or reference letters) cannot be accepted in lieu of a local company registration certificate. While copies of contracts, purchase orders, completion certificates, and/or client reference letters demonstrating successful service delivery are required to demonstrate effective experience in the country, they cannot substitute a local company registration certificate where this is required. Criteria 1.4 states that "Offeror is incorporated and maintains all required licenses and certifications to operate as required by law in the country(ies) for which the offeror submits proposal. This has to be documented through provision of copies of adequate licences or accreditation. This requirement is mandatory for lots 1,4,6,10,11,12,15, 18 and desirable for the remaining lots 2,3,5,7,8,9,13,14, 16, 17."UNOPS established this criterion based on its experience contracting third-party labour in the past. The local company registration is mandatory only for the lots / countries where based on past experience, it is required to be able to provide third-party labour services legally in the country.Question 4. Clarification on Daily Timesheet RequirementThe TOR refers to the maintenance of daily timesheets. Could UNOPS please clarify whether the Contractor is expected to obtain daily signed and approved timesheets from deployed personnel, or whether the requirement is to maintain daily attendance records, with consolidated monthly timesheets signed and approved at the end of each reporting period?Answer 4.  Consultants must complete attendance timesheets daily (preferably electronically), as stated in clause 4.3.7 Timesheet Approval of "Section 2 - Schedule of Requirements". These timesheets are to be submitted to the Consultant's supervisor, and must be presented by the Consultant's representative to the UNOPS Project Manager on a weekly basis for official review and approval. This weekly approval process is critical to support the KPI targets and to ensure the rapid, accurate processing of payroll and monthly invoicing, preventing administrative delays at the end of the reporting period.Question 5. Clarification on Pricing ModelThe financial proposal appears to require a fixed management fee applicable to both national and international personnel across all grades.Given that several cost components—particularly insurance premiums and certain statutory obligations—vary significantly based on the consultant's location, category, and compensation level, would UNOPS consider allowing a percentage-based HR/Management Fee instead of a fixed fee, or an alternative pricing mechanism that more accurately reflects the varying cost structure across different consultant categories?Answer 5. The financial form indeed requires a fixed management fee applicable to both national and international personnel accross all grades. UNOPS has been using this pricing model for many years now successfully therefore an alternative pricing mechanism is not of interest at this point in time.As a reminder, the financial forms are unique to each lot / country. This means that a bidder is free to propose a different price for the fixed management fee for each country. 

New amendment added #2: Amendment to:Publish the prebid meeting minutesClarify the award setup: one main LTA and one back-up LTA for each lot / country (18 lots / countries)

New amendment added #1: Extension of the deadline for the tender and for clarifications by 7 days