Capacity building of MNCH workers (Updated) Replaces the published version of 10th January, 2018
NOTE : This publication replaces the version of 10th January, 2018
Date Issued: 12th Jan. 2018
Request for Proposal: 2018/Supply/9137049
REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL
UNITED NATIONS CHILDREN’S FUND (UNICEF) seeks to engage Research firm for the conduct of strengthening of primary health care and community resilience for improved maternal, new-born, child health and nutrition (MNCHN) outcomes in Adamawa, Bauchi and Kebbi states of Northern Nigeria – as per below
Technical and Financial proposals should be forwarded to UNICEF Nigeria supply section mail box ngrsupply@unicef.org and or hard copies in sealed envelopes and should be dropped in the bid box placed in the reception room at the entrance hall of UNICEF, or be sent through courier service.
Address to: Supply Manager, UNICEF, Old CBN Building, Area 11, Garki, Abuja, Nigeria.
IMPORTANT – ESSENTIAL INFORMATION
The reference RFP - 2018/Supply/9137049 must be shown on your offer.
The proposal format should align with the technical evaluation criteria when replying to this invitation. Failure to submit your bid in this format, or failure to complete the details as requested, will result in invalidation.
Offers MUST be received on or before 14:00hours Nigeria local time on 12th February, 2018 and will be publicly opened at 14:30hours Nigeria local time same day. Proposals received after the stipulated date and time will be invalidated.
Please visit our website www.unicef.org and download our supplier profile form (SPF) and fill same with necessary information to evaluate you
This request for proposal is approved by:
Michael Zanardi
Chief, Supply & Logistics Section
STRENGTHENING PRIMARY HEALTH CARE AND COMMUNITY RESILIENCE FOR IMPROVED MATERNAL, NEW-BORN, CHILD HEALTH & NUTRITION (MNCHN) OUTCOMES IN ADAMAWA, BAUCHI AND KEBBI STATES OF NORTHERN NIGERIA
SUPPORT TO THE CAPACITY BUILDING OF HEALTH CARE WORKERS ON INTERGRATED REPRODUCTIVE, MATERNAL, NEWBORN, CHILD HEALTH AND NUTRITION
REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL 9137049
SECTION A
Summary and Background:
Nigeria is still on the journey to achieving the globally agreed Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with poor health indices, and food shortage due to ongoing insurgency and draught in some States, especially among women and children. Northern Nigeria bears a larger proportion of this burden, particularly in the North West and North East. The current trend of insecurity and insurgence in the North East has worsened the situation in the face of an already poorly functional primary health care system. In order to significantly and sustainably improve the nutritional and health situation of children and women, a multi-pronged approach that will strengthen primary health care systems, build community resilience and strong governance is needed. Integration of interventions in health and nutrition including HIV/AIDS, complemented with water, sanitation, social protection initiatives, and strong governance structures are bound to be more effective and efficient than single or vertical initiatives.
UNICEF is currently accepting proposal to support the Governments of Adamawa, Bauchi and Kebbi States in the design, implementation and monitoring of a programme that will build the capacity of 3,000 health care workers in integrated maternal, newborn, child health and nutrition to improve their skills and competencies for quality service delivery in 774 health facilities, 774 wards, 62 LGAs in 3 States. States will be supported and brought to scale to provide 24 hour integrated MNCHN services.
The Overall Objective is to improve the nutrition and health status of women and children through a sustainable primary health care delivery system and improved community resilience.
Specifically, the proposal is expected to
Design, implement and monitor a programme that will build the capacity of 3,000 health care workers in 3 states
RATIONALE
The maternal and new-born mortality and morbidity in Nigeria is one of the highest in the world with an estimated 576 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births 69 and 128 deaths per 1,000 live births for Infant and under-5 mortality rates in the past five years (NDHS 2013) respectively while Under-5 mortality rate is estimated at 108.8 per 1,000 live births for 2015 as per the interagency model on U5R. Globally, undernutrition contributes to 45% of all under-five deaths in 2011(Black et al, 2013) and this probably holds same for Nigeria. Nigeria contributes about 10% of the global burden of maternal deaths and 10% of burden of children with Severe Acute Malnutrition (NNHS 2014). An estimated 110 Nigerian women die each day with a greater proportion occurring in northern Nigeria where the health indices are poorer.
Health indices in Nigeria are poor due to multiple factors amongst which is human resources incapacity including but not limited to
- Huge funding gaps for PHC service delivery
- Shortage of skilled health personnel especially in the rural areas
- Inadequate, poorly trained health workforce at all levels.
- Incessant health workers strike
- Use of TBAs rather than skilled health personnel for deliveries
- Absence of and poor adherence to SOPs and Job Aids related to MNCH
Systematic approach to the implementation of interventions in health and nutrition, complemented with water, sanitation, and social protection initiatives are bound to be more effective and efficient than single or vertical activities. This integrated package will be based on the NPHCDA Ward Minimum Health Care Package (WMHCP see annexe II). The project will support the provision of services under one PHC per Ward. The main purpose is to strengthen primary health care in the 3 targeted States in northern Nigeria by investing in one main PHC centre per ward approach where health, nutrition, birth registration, water and sanitation, and social protection interventions would converge. This will be realized by gradually dedicating additional resources to fewer, well selected and representative one focal PHC centre per ward in each State. The rationalization will enable these facilities to provide a standard ward minimum PHC package 24 hours, 7 days a week while at the same time supporting integrated high impact PHC outreach services and effective targeting and mobilization of particularly hard to reach settlements and communities in each ward. The minimum PHC package provided in each PHC centre would be as stipulated in the ward minimum health care package for primary health care in Nigeria by the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA).
The Ward Minimum Health Care Package consist of the following health interventions
- Control of Communicable Diseases (Malaria, STI/HIV/AIDS, TB)
- Child survival
- Maternal and Newborn Care
- Nutrition
- Non Communicable Disease Prevention
- Health Education and Community Mobilization
- Birth Registration
Health care providers (Doctors, Nurses, Midwives, CHEWs, CHOs, birth registrars, etc) working the PHC level will require their capacities built and supported to develop skills necessary for delivery of the ward minimum health care package. We envisage an approach that will be a departure from the traditional method, using one or a combination of the following approaches including client/age specific oriented and gender (male and female) friendly components:
- On-the-job Training (OJT) which is linked to the periodic integrated supportive supervision (ISS)
- Self-directed learning by service providers
- Task-shifting tailored to improving capacity of low-cadre health workers
- Clinical mentoring
- CORPs/VCMs Training/mentoring
- Redirecting trainings through our existing Health training Institutions with a view of strengthening their capacities for pre and in-service training on Integrated PHC Services
- Innovative approaches will be emphasized, alongside occasional recourse to conventional technical didactic training. The new approaches will strengthen the capacity development framework and also promote sustainable learning that benefits communities more.
Results
- MNCHN integrated training module and tools developed and approved
- 3,000 health care workers identified, trained and skills improved to provide quality MNCHN services
(840 in Adamawa, 870 in Bauchi and 1290 in Kebbi)
Training report developed and submitted
- necessary, to describe assignments):
State and LGA
- Work with the SMOH, SPHCDA, NPopC and other partners in the identification, coordination and delivery of the training programme in the 3 states.
- Support SMOH and SPHCDA, to develop a capacity building plan for the state and LGA that will be integrated into the state’s annual operational plans in line with the revitalization agenda of the Government.
- Support dissemination and use of approved training modules and guidelines on selected high impact Integrated Maternal New-born Child Health continuum of care interventions such as - Focused Antenatal Care (FANC); Skilled Birth Attendance (SBA); Birth Registration, Emergency Obstetric and New-born Care (EmONC); Essential Newborn Care, Postnatal Care (PNC); Community Based Newborn Care and Integrated Management of Childhood Illnesses (IMCI), PMTCT, IYCF, CMAM, MNP, MNDC, including growth monitoring and promotion, etc
Health Facilities
Priority areas of work to be supported at this level and strategy based on TSS model (Training, Supplies, Supportive Supervision) include but not limited to the following
- Set up and implement a quality of care model for MNCH services in health facilities based on few selected high impact interventions.
- Train health workers using approved training modules and guidelines on selected high impact Integrated Maternal New-born Child Health continuum of care interventions with assistance of state and LGA based TOTs. - Focused Antenatal Care (FANC); Skilled Birth Attendance (SBA); Birth Registration Services, Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (EmONC); Essential Newborn Care, Postnatal Care (PNC); Community-based Newborn Care, Integrated Management of Childhood Illnesses (IMCI), PMTCT, IYCF, CMAM, MNP, MNDC, including growth monitoring and promotion, etc
- Develop and strengthen strategies and mechanisms for On the Job Training, Supportive Supervision and mentoring of health workers.
- Regular training of health workers on gender responsive health care service delivery, ensuring sustainability of the impact
- Support end user monitoring of equipment and supplies provided to health facilities - exploring the possibility of the current Rapid SMS technology.
Submit monthly reports on the Status of training implementation to UNICEF
End Result
By the end of the assignment the following outputs will be expected:
- 3,000 healthcare workers trained and their skills improved to provide quality MNCH services along the continuum of care
- Training manuals, SOPs and relevant teaching aids developed and disseminated and being used in all 774 Health facilities
- Monthly reports on updates of trainings implementation submitted
The firm shall be responsible for the production and submission of reports and all other deliverables expected in the course of the assignment. UNICEF will not proceed with the final payment to the consultant(s)/firm until:
- Final report is submitted and approved by UNICEF providing quantitative and qualitative analysis of the pre-project implementation status in the implementing states as well as evidence-based clear recommendations
The overall deliverables have been certified by UNICEF
Duty Station: Adamawa, Bauchi and Kebbi States
- Supervisors: MNCH Manager - Abuja
Health Specialist – Adamawa, Bauchi and Kebbi
Qualifications or specialized knowledge/experience required
A reputable research consultant/firm with:
- Proven track record and a minimum of 10 years’ experience in relevant field.
- Evidence of having conducted and reported on gender responsive capacity building and training of health care workers within the last 10-15 years.
Evidence of previous experience working with other development and or donor organizations in a similar work area is an advantage.
Estimated time of consultancy and deadline for submission of end product:
Maximum of 12 Months
Official Travel involved: (itinerary and duration, if applicable)
Travel
Budget line items
- Professional fees
- DSA to trainers
- Transportation Costs
- Terminal expenses for trips
- Institutional Administrative charges
Payment Schedule: To be agreed based on the delivery of outputs
INSTRUCTIONS TO BIDDERS
Marking and returning of proposal
SEALED PROPOSALS must be securely closed in a suitable envelope, clearly MARKED on the outside with the RFP NUMBER and despatched to arrive at the UNICEF office indicated NO LATER THAN the CLOSING TIME AND DATE.
Proposals shall be submitted in English, and shall be sealed in 1 outer and 2 inner envelopes and all envelopes shall indicate the bidders name and address. The outer envelope shall be addressed as follows:
UNICEF
Attn: Supply Manager
Old CBN Building, Prefab 5, Area 11, Garki, Abuja.
RFP#: RFP- 2017/Supply/9137049
DUE: 14:00 am local time on 12th February, 2018
Technical Proposal
The first inner envelope shall be marked Technical Proposal and addressed in the same manner as the outer envelope.
The Bidder must provide sufficient information in the proposal to demonstrate compliance with the requirement set out in each section of this Request for Proposal.
- the Bidder General Information form and relevant supporting documentation
- the list of management and team staff and their CV’s;
- a detailed organization chart of the company including the location and staffing of existing and planned offices;
- the firm financial information
- the list of projects in Hand and their financial values (at least two)
- a list of references (at least three) for the past five years with a particular emphasis on similar Consultancy Services
- the list of current litigations (if any)
- A proposed methodology, schedule of activities and staff deployment plan
Financial proposal
The 2nd inner envelope shall be marked Financial Proposal and addressed in the same manner as the outer envelope, and shall contain the following documentation:
- the detailed budget
In ADDITION, proposal in PDF ONLY should also be send to Supply Chief ONLY by the deadline at: ngrsupply@unicef.org
Time for receiving proposal
Sealed Proposals received prior to the stated closing time and date will be kept unopened. The Officer of the Bid Opening Unit will open Proposals when the specified time has arrived and no Proposal received thereafter will be considered.
UNICEF will accept no responsibility for the premature opening of a Proposal which is not properly addressed or identified.
Modification to sealed Proposals already submitted in a sealed envelope, will be considered if received prior to the closing time and date.
Public opening of proposal
Bidders, or their authorized representative, may attend the public opening of the RFP at the time, date and location specified. The only envelope that will be opened at public bid opening is the Technical Proposal.
Validity
Proposals shall remain valid for a period of ninety (90) days from the date of closing of the Proposals.
Changes and/or Alterations
All requests for changes or alterations to the Request for Proposal or requests for clarifications must be submitted in writing by fax or e-mail to the UNICEF Construction Management Specialist. Information provided verbally will not be considered a fundamental change and will not alter this Request for Proposal.
Inquiries received less than three (3) working days prior to the Proposal closing date cannot be guaranteed any response. Only written inquiries will receive an answer. All inquiries and answers will be provided to all invitees in writing, regardless of the source of the inquiry.
Subcontracting
Bidders shall identify on their offer, any services, which may be subcontracted to another firm. A Technical Proposal as described hereafter must be submitted for all subcontractors and will be considered as being part of the bid.
Rights of UNICEF
UNICEF reserves the right to accept any proposal, in whole or in part; or, to reject any or all proposals. UNICEF also reserves the right to negotiate with the Bidders. UNICEF shall not be held responsible for any cost incurred by the Bidder in preparing the response to this Request for Proposal. The Bidder agrees to be bound by the decision of UNICEF as to whether her/his proposal meets the requirements stated in this Request for Proposal. UNICEF reserves the right to award the agreement to one or more contractor(s).
Property of UNICEF
This Request for Proposal, inquiries and answers and the Proposals are considered the property of UNICEF. All materials submitted in response to this Request shall remain with UNICEF.
Language of Proposal
The proposals prepared by the Bidder as well as all correspondence and documents relating to this document shall be written in the English Language. Any printed literature furnished by the Bidder written in another language will only be considered if accompanied by accurate English translation of the relevant passages for purposes of interpretation.
Proprietary Information
Information, which the Bidder considers proprietary, must be marked clearly "proprietary" next to the relevant part of the text, and UNICEF will then treat such information accordingly.
Evaluation of proposal
Following closure of the RFP, proposals will be evaluated by a UNICEF evaluation team to assess their merits. The evaluation will be restricted to the contents of the Proposals and the reference checks.
First, the Technical Proposals will be evaluated. The Technical Proposal was allocated a total possible value of 70 points. Technical Proposals receiving 50 points or higher, will be considered technically responsive and the Price Proposal will be opened. Proposals which are considered not technically compliant and non-responsive, will not be given further consideration.
The Consulting firm will be selected upon the following criteria:
- Technical proposal (weightage 70%):
Evaluation Criteria
Category Max Point Minimum
1. Mandatory Requirements (Pass or Fail)
OVERALL RESPONSE
- Understanding of, and responsiveness to, UNICEF Nigeria Country Office requirements
- Understanding of scope, objectives and completeness of response
- Overall concord between UNICEF requirements and the proposals 5 point
STANDARD STRATEGY/METHODOLOGY FOR EVALUATION
- Proposed approach integrated lessons from previous evaluation studies
- Proposed approach is effectively addressing the four bias to validity: construct, statistical, internal and external
- Approach is feasible: recognition of direct as well as risks/peripheral problems and methods to prevent and manage risks/peripheral problems; 29 points
PROPOSED TEAM EXPERIENCE
- Experience and qualifications based on previous evaluation project(s)
- Experience and qualifications of proposed team 36 points
Total 70 points
Financial 30 Points
Second the Financial Proposal will be evaluated. The total number of points allocated for the Financial Proposal is 30. The maximum number of points will be allocated to the lowest price proposal that is opened and compared among those bidders which obtain the threshold points in the evaluation of the Technical Proposals. All other Price Proposals shall receive points in inverse proportion to the lowest price.
Only Financial offers of Firms scoring at least 52 points in the technical proposal will be opened.
- The financial proposal (weightage 30%) including all cost of transaction and related fees (honorarium, daily subsistence allowance in Nigeria with all suggestions) and other estimated expenditures (logistic; international transport (flights in economic fare and terminal expensive, local flight and ground transportation, communication (telephone, mobile phones, internet…) to be reimbursed
The amount of the lowest financial offer will be awarded the maximum score of 30 points. And the proportionality rule will be applied to the financial offers of other Consulting firms.
The total number of points will be: sum of the number of points obtained in the evaluation of technical and financial offer. UNICEF reserves the right to select the most advantageous overall offer submitted by any of the Consulting firm.
UNICEF will not be held responsible for any duties, taxes or other levies including Value Added Tax for which the Firm may be liable in the course of the contract. UNICEF is exempted from all duties, taxes, or other levies must not be included in the fees as shown in the Financial Proposal.
The cost of all items in the Financial Proposal shall be calculated and shown in Nigerian Naira.
Liability and Indemnification
The Consultant is advised that UNICEF will not undertake any liability for taxes, duty or other contributions payable by him/her on payments made under the contract and UNICEF will not issue a statement of earnings
‘Indemnification’ clause of any UNICEF contract, is a part of the general terms and conditions are shared during the bidding process, At contract preparation level, these are system generated, standard insertions, including the one on “Indemnification”.
FURTHER RFP TERMS AND CONDITIONS
This RFP and any responses thereto, shall be the property of UNICEF. In submitting a proposal, the bidder acknowledges that UNICEF reserves the right to:
- Visit and inspect the bidder’s premises;
- Contact any/all referees provided;
- Request additional supporting or supplementary information;
- Arrange interviews with the proposed project team/consultants;
- Reject any/all of the proposals submitted;
- Accept any proposals in whole or in part;
- Negotiate with the most favourable bidder;
- Award contracts to more than 1 bidder, as UNICEF considers being in its best interests.
Bidders shall bear all costs associated with the preparation and submission of proposals, and UNICEF shall not be responsible for these costs, irrespective of the outcome of the bidding process.
GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS
1. Acknowledgment copy
Signing and returning the acknowledgment copy of a contract issued by UNICEF or beginning work under that contract shall constitute acceptance of a binding agreement between UNICEF and the Contractor.
2. Delivery Date
Delivery Date to be understood as the time the contract work is completed at the location indicated under Delivery Terms.
3. Payment Terms
(a) UNICEF shall, unless otherwise specified in the contract, make payment within 30 days of receipt of the Contractor's invoice which is issued only upon UNICEF’s acceptance of the work specified in the contract.
(b) Payment against the invoice referred to above will reflect any discount shown under the payment terms provided payment is made within the period shown in the payment terms of the contract.
(c) The prices shown in the contract cannot be increased except by express written agreement by UNICEF.
4. Limitation of Expenditure
No increase in the total liability to UNICEF or in the price of the work resulting from design changes, modifications, or interpretations of the statement of work will be authorized or paid to the contractor unless such changes have been approved by the contracting authority through an amendment to this contract prior to incorporation in the work.
5. Tax Exemption
Section 7 of the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations provides, inter alia, that the UN, including its subsidiary organs, is exempt from all direct taxes (including service tax) and is exempt from customs duties in respect of articles imported or exported for its official use. Accordingly, the Vendor authorizes UNICEF to deduct from the Vendor's invoice any amount representing such taxes or duties charged by the Vendor to UNICEF. Payment of such corrected invoice amount shall constitute full payment by UNICEF. In the event any taxing authority refuses to recognize the UN exemption from such taxes, the Vendor shall immediately consult with UNICEF to determine a mutually acceptable procedure.
Accordingly, the Contractor authorizes UNICEF to deduct from the Contractor’s invoice any amount representing such taxes, duties, or charges, unless the Contractor has consulted with UNICEF before the payment thereof and UNICEF has, in each instance, specifically authorized the Contractor to pay such taxes, duties or charges under protest. In that event, the Contractor shall provide UNICEF with written evidence that payment of such taxes, duties or charges has been made and appropriately authorized.
6. Legal Status.
The Contractor shall be considered as having the legal status of an independent contractor vis-a-vis UNICEF. The Contractor’s personnel and sub-contractors shall not be considered in any respect as being the employees or agents of UNICEF.
7. Contractor’s Responsibility for Employees
The Contractor shall be responsible for the professional and technical competence of its employees and will select, for work under this Contract, reliable individuals who will perform effectively in the implementation of the Contract, respect the local customs and conform to a high standard of moral and ethical conduct.
8. Indemnification
The Contractor shall indemnify, hold and save harmless and defend, at its own expense, UNICEF, its officials, agents, servants and employees, from and against all suits, claims, demands and liability of any nature or kind, including their costs and expenses, arising out of the acts or omissions of the Contractor or its employees or sub-contractors in the performance of this Contract. This provision shall extend, inter alia, to claims and liability in the nature of workmen’s compensation, product liability and liability arising out of the use of patented inventions or devices, copyrighted material or other intellectual property by the Contractor, its employees, officers, agents, servants or sub-contractors. The obligations under this Article do not lapse upon termination of this Contract.
9. Insurance and Liabilities to Third Parties
(a) The Contractor shall provide and thereafter maintain insurance against all risks in respect of its property and any equipment used for the execution of this Contract.
(b) The Contractor shall provide and thereafter maintain all appropriate workmen’s compensation and liability insurance, or its equivalent, with respect to its employees to cover claims for death, bodily injury or damage to property arising from the execution of this Contract. The Contractor represents that the liability insurance includes sub-contractors.
(c) The Contractor shall also provide and thereafter maintain liability insurance in an adequate amount to cover third party claims for death or bodily injury, or loss of or damage to property, arising from or in connection with the provision of work under this Contract or the operation of any vehicles, boats, airplanes or other equipment owned or leased by the Contractor or its agents, servants, employees or sub-contractors performing work or services in connection with this Contract.
(d) Except for the workmen’s compensation insurance, the insurance policies under this Article shall:
(i) Name UNICEF as additional insured;
(ii) Include a waiver of subrogation of the Contractor’s rights to the insurance carrier against UNICEF;
(iii) Provide that UNICEF shall receive thirty (30) days written notice from the insurers prior to any cancellation or change of coverage.
(e) The Contractor shall, upon request, provide UNICEF with satisfactory evidence of the insurance required under this Article.
10. Source of Instructions
The Contractor shall neither seek nor accept instructions from any authority external to UNICEF in connection with the performance of its services under this Contract. The Contractor shall refrain from any action which may adversely affect UNICEF or the United Nations and shall fulfil its commitments with the fullest regard to the interests of UNICEF.
11. Encumbrances/Liens
The Contractor shall not cause or permit any lien, attachment or other encumbrance by any person to be placed on file or to remain on file in any public office or on file with UNICEF against any monies due or to become due for any work done or materials furnished under this Contract, or by reason of any other claim or demand against the Contractor.
12. Title to Equipment
Title to any equipment and supplies which may be furnished by UNICEF shall rest with UNICEF and any such equipment shall be returned to UNICEF at the conclusion of this Contract or when no longer needed by the Contractor. Such equipment when returned to UNICEF, shall be in the same condition as when delivered to the Contractor, subject to normal wear and tear.
13. Copyright, Patents and Other Proprietary Rights
UNICEF shall be entitled to all intellectual property and other proprietary rights including but not limited to patents, copyrights and trademarks, with regard to documents and other materials which bear a direct relation to or are prepared or collected in consequence or in the course of the execution of this contract. At UNICEF's request, the Contractor shall take all necessary steps, execute all necessary documents and generally assist in securing such proprietary rights and transferring them to the UNICEF in compliance with the requirements of the applicable law.
14. Confidential Nature of Documents
(a) All maps, drawings, photographs, mosaics, plans, reports, recommendations, estimates, documents and all other data compiled by or received by the Contractor under this Contract shall be the property of UNICEF, shall be treated as confidential and shall be delivered only to the UN authorized officials on completion of work under this Contract.
(b) The Contractor may not communicate any time to any other person, Government or authority external to UNICEF, any information known to it by reason of its association with UNICEF which has not been made public except with the authorization of the UNICEF; nor shall the Contractor at any time use such information to private advantage. These obligations do not lapse upon termination of this Contract with UNICEF.
15. Force Majeure; Other Changes in Conditions
(a) In the event of and as soon as possible after the occurrence of any cause constituting force majeure, the Contractor shall give notice and full particulars in writing to UNICEF of such occurrence or change if the Contractor is thereby rendered unable, wholly or in part, to perform its obligations and meet its responsibilities under this Contract. The Contractor shall also notify UNICEF of any other changes in conditions or the occurrence of any event which interferes or threatens to interfere with its performance of the Contract. On receipt of the notice required under this Article, UNICEF shall take such action as, in its sole discretion, it considers to be appropriate or necessary in the circumstances, including the granting to the Contractor of a reasonable extension of time in which to perform its obligations under the Contract.
(b) If the Contractor is rendered permanently unable, wholly, or in part, by reason of force majeure to perform its obligations and meet its responsibilities under this Contract, UNICEF shall have the right to suspend or terminate this Contract on the same terms and conditions as are provided for in Article 14, “Termination”, except that the period of notice shall be seven (7) days instead of thirty (30) days.
(c) Force majeure as used in this Article means acts of God, war (whether declared or not), invasion, revolution, insurrection or other acts of a similar nature or force.
16. Termination
If the Contractor fails to deliver any or all of the deliverables within the time period(s) specified in the contract, or fails to perform any of the terms, conditions, or obligations of the contract, or should the Contractor be adjudged bankrupt, or be liquidated or become insolvent, or should the contractor make an assignment for the benefit of its creditors, or should a Receiver be appointed on account of the insolvency of the contractor, UNICEF may, without prejudice to any other right or remedy it may have under the terms of these conditions, terminate the Contract, forthwith, in whole or in part, upon thirty (30) days notice to the Contractor.
UNICEF reserves the right to terminate without cause this Contract at any time upon thirty (30) days prior written notice to the Contractor, in which case UNICEF shall reimburse the Contractor for all reasonable costs incurred by the Contractor prior to receipt of the notice of termination.
In the event of any termination no payment shall be due from UNICEF to the Contractor except for work and services satisfactorily performed in conformity with the express terms of this contract.
Upon the giving of such notice, the Contractor shall have no claim for any further payment, but shall remain liable to UNICEF for reasonable loss or damage which may be suffered by UNICEF for reason of the default. The Contractor shall not be liable for any loss or damage if the failure to perform the contract arises out of force majeure.
Upon termination of the contract, UNICEF may require the contractor to deliver any finished work which has not been delivered and accepted, prior to such termination and any materials or work-in-process related specifically to this contract. Subject to the deduction of any claim UNICEF may have arising out of this contract or termination, UNICEF will pay the value of all such finished work delivered and accepted by UNICEF.
The initiation of arbitral proceedings in accordance with Article 22 “Settlement of Disputes” below shall not be deemed a termination of this Contract.
17. Sub-Contracting
In the event the Contractor requires the services of subcontractors, the Contractor shall obtain the prior written approval and clearance of UNICEF for all sub-contractors. The approval of UNICEF of a sub-contractor shall not relieve the Contractor of any of its obligations under this Contract. The terms of any sub-contract shall be subject to and in conformity with the provisions of this Contract.
18. Assignment and Insolvency
1. The Contractor shall not, except after obtaining the written consent of UNICEF, assign, transfer, pledge or make other dispositions of the Contract, or any part thereof, of the Contractor's rights or obligations under the Contract.
2. Should the Contractor become insolvent or should control of the Contractor change by virtue of insolvency, UNICEF may, without prejudice to any other rights or remedies, terminate the Contract by giving the Contractor written notice of termination.
19. Use of UNITED NATIONS and UNICEF Name and Emblem
The Contractor shall not use the name, emblem or official seal of the United Nations or UNICEF or any abbreviation of these names for any purpose.
20. Officials Not To Benefit
The Contractor warrants that no official of UNICEF or the United Nations has received or will be offered by the Contractor any direct or indirect benefit arising from this Contract or the award thereof. The Contractor agrees that breach of this provision is a breach of an essential term of the Contract.
21. Prohibition on Advertising
The Contractor shall not advertise or otherwise make public that the Vendor is furnishing goods or services to UNICEF without specific permission of UNICEF.
22. Settlement Of Disputes
Amicable Settlement
The Parties shall use their best efforts to settle amicably any dispute, controversy or claim arising out of, or relating to this Contract or the breach, termination or invalidity thereof. Where the parties wish to seek such an amicable settlement through conciliation, the conciliation shall take place in accordance with the UNCITRAL Conciliation Rules then obtaining, or according to such other procedure as may be agreed between the parties.
Arbitration
Any dispute, controversy or claim between the Parties arising out of this Contract or the breach, termination or invalidity thereof, unless settled amicably under the preceding paragraph of this Article within sixty (60) days after receipt by one Party or the other Party’s request for such amicable settlement, shall be referred by either Party to arbitration in accordance with the UNCITRAL Arbitration Rules then obtaining. The arbitral tribunal shall have no authority to award punitive damages. In addition, the arbitral tribunal shall have no authority to award interest in excess of six percent (6%) and any such interest shall be simple interest only. The Parties shall be bound by any arbitration award rendered as a result of such arbitration as the final adjudication of any such controversy, claim or dispute.
23. Privileges and Immunities
The privileges and immunities of the UN, including its subsidiary organs, are not waived.
24. Child Labour
UNICEF fully subscribes to the Convention on the Rights of the Child and draws the attention of potential suppliers to Article 32 of the Convention which inter alia requires that a child shall be protected from performing any work that is likely to be hazardous or to interfere with the child's education, or to be harmful to the child's health or physical, mental, spiritual, moral or social development.
25. Anti-Personnel Mines
UNICEF supports an international ban on the manufacture of anti-personnel mines. Anti-personnel mines have killed and maimed thousands of people, of whom a large proportion are children and women. Anti-personnel mines present a serious obstacle to the return of populations displaced from their residences by fighting around their villages and homes. UNICEF has, therefore, decided not to purchase products from companies that sell or manufacture anti-personnel mines or their components.
26. Authority to Modify
No modification or change in this Contract, no waiver of any of its provisions or any additional contractual relationship of any kind with the Contractor shall be valid and enforceable against UNICEF unless provided by an amendment to this Contract signed by the authorized official of UNICEF.
27. Replacement of Personnel : UNICEF reserves the right to request the Contractor to replace the assigned personnel if they are not performing to a level that UNICEF considers satisfactory. After written notification, the Contractor will provide curriculum vitae of appropriate candidates within three (3) working days for UNICEF review and approval. The Contractor must replace the unsatisfactory personnel within seven (7) working days of UNICEF’s selection.
If one or more key personnel become unavailable, for any reason, for work under the contract, the Contractor shall (i) notify the project authority at least fourteen (14) days in advance, and (ii) obtain the project authority’s approval prior to making any substitution of key personnel. Key personnel are designated as follows:
(a) Personnel identified in the proposal as key individuals (as a minimum, partners, managers, senior auditors) to be assigned for participation in the performance of the contract.
(b) Personnel whose resumes were submitted with the proposal; and
(c) Individuals who are designated as key personnel by agreement of the Contractor and UNICEF during negotiations.
In notifying the project authority, the Contractor shall provide an explanation of circumstances necessitating the proposed replacement(s) and submit justification and qualification of replacement personnel in sufficient detail to permit evaluation of the impact on the engagement.
Acceptance of a replacement person by the project authority shall not relieve the Contractor from responsibility for failure to meet the requirements of the contract.
All the other terms and conditions are hereby accepted. The agency will conform to the requirements as listed out by UNICEF