REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS -IRI عودة إلى الفرص

Background 

The International Republican Institute (IRI) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, organization  dedicated to advancing freedom and democracy worldwide. Since 1983, IRI has worked to  develop democratic institutions and ideals, carrying out a variety of international programs  to promote freedom, self-government and the rule of law worldwide. IRI provides technical  assistance in the areas of political party strengthening, developing civic institutions and open  elections, promoting democratic governance and advancing the rule of law.  

IRI’s work in Tunisia focuses on improving civil society organizations’ ability to fulfill their  mission, strengthen their mandate of advocating on behalf of marginalized groups, and  improving the narrative of civil society’s work in Tunisia. 

To achieve this, IRI-Tunisia is seeking a media organization to produce articles, radio shows,  and online video content that highlights the work of civil society organizations in Tunisia. All  contractors will report to and work in close collaboration with IRI-Tunisia program staff  who oversee our various programs.   

Period of Performance 

One year from the date of signature. 

Statement of Work 

Online Media Articles: The contractor will work with IRI program staff to identify and  select civil society organizations in Tunisia to write and publish written online media  articles about. The articles will detail the impact that each civil society organization has had  in the community/communities that they work in. These media articles will detail where  the civil society organization works, what groups (such as youth, persons with disabilities,  elected officials, women, or other marginalized groups). The media articles should be  between 250 – 1000 words and can be complemented by photos, videos, or other media. 

Production of Radio Shows: The contractor will work with IRI program staff to identify  and select civil society organizations to produce and air radio shows highlighting their  

A nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing democracy worldwide 

impact on the communities they work with in Tunisia. Radio shows will include  information about the history of each highlighted civil society organization, interviews with  organization staff or beneficiaries of programming, and a detailed description of the work  and impact of each organization. Radio shows can vary in length, with IRI expecting radio  shows to last between 30 minutes and two hours. 

Production of Videos: The contractor will work with IRI program staff to identify and  select civil society organizations to produce and post videos on social media that inform  viewers on the impact of civil society organizations in Tunisia. Videos will include shots  

from each civil society organizations implemented work, testimonials of individuals who  have benefited from the work, and details of the organization’s mission and work. The  videos will be published on contractor’s social media sites for mass distribution across  Tunisia. Videos should range from short form (one to five minutes) or longer form should  contractor decide it is more appropriate (five to thirty minutes). 

Technical Proposals 

All proposals submitted to IRI must include: 

1. Information addressing Bidder’s experience in providing each of the services  identified in the above Statement of Work and Bidder’s proposed specific approach  for providing those services to IRI under this contract, including sufficient  information to determine a clear definition of services as it relates to other providers  that may be involved. 
2. The name, address, and telephone and facsimile numbers of the Bidder (and  electronic address if available). If the Bidder is a firm, name(s) should be provided for  individuals authorized to conduct business on behalf of the firm.  
3. Bidders may provide a list of up to three references for work performed of a similar  nature during the last three years, along with contact details. IRI may contact the  references to evaluate past performance. 
4. If the Bidder is a U.S. organization/resident, or a foreign organization/resident which  has income effectively connected with the conduct of activities in the U.S. or has an  office or a place of business or a fiscal paying agent in the U.S., the information  submitted must contain Bidder’s Taxpayer Identification Number. 
5. At least two examples of past work detailing experiences writing, producing radio  shows, and publishing videos on human interest stories, highlighting organizations  or businesses, or communicating about political topics.  
6. Proposals will not exceed 10 pages (not including cover page) and may be submitted  in English, French, or Arabic. The bid should include legal registration and banking  information for organizations.  
7. Bid should include details related to previous work within the civil society field in  Tunisia and relevant work to the proposal activities.  
8. The bidder must meet the minimum mandatory technical criteria in order to be  considered for further review as follows: 
9. At least three years experience in media product creation and production b. Professional fluency in English, French, or Arabic 
10. Registered to work in Tunisia 

Price Proposals 

Bidders must propose a firm-fixed Unit Price for each of the deliverables identified below  and in the format of the table below. The Bidder’s pricing must be valid for at least 60 (sixty) 

calendar days after the due date for proposal submission. The proposed Unit Price should be  fixed and inclusive of all costs to perform, including transportation, lodging, meals, and  incidentals import duties (if any), and other levies as no other expense will be covered. To  the extent that a Bidder proposed to include any pricing not reflected in the table below, such  pricing must be fully described in the proposal. Proposals must be submitted in TND,  payments under any resulting contract will be made in this currency by wire transfer upon  acceptance of the contractor’s invoice and training deliverables. Bids should include pricing  information for each medium in which the bidder can provide services. Organizations  specializing in one medium but not another are encouraged to submit bids, indicating which  medium they will present content through.  

Example pricing table for awareness raising campaign using television, radio, or social  media.  

Evaluation and Award Process 

1. IRI may contact any Bidder for clarification or additional information, but Bidders are  advised that IRI intends to evaluate the offers based on the written proposals, without  discussions, and reserves the right to make decisions based solely on the information  provided with the initial proposals. IRI may but is not obligated to conduct additional  negotiations with the most highly rated Bidders prior to award of a contract, and may  at its sole discretion elect to issue contracts to one or more Bidders. 
2. Mathematical errors will be corrected in the following manner: If a discrepancy exists  between the total price proposed and the total price resulting from multiplying the  unit price by the corresponding amounts, then the unit price will prevail and the total  price will be corrected. If there is a discrepancy between the numbers written out in  words and the amounts in numbers, then the amount expressed in words will prevail.  If the Bidder does not accept the correction, the offer will be rejected.  
3. IRI may determine that a proposal is unacceptable if the prices proposed are  materially unbalanced between line items or sub-line items. Unbalanced pricing  exists when, despite an acceptable total evaluated price, the price of one or more  contract line items is significantly overstated or understated as indicated by the  application of cost or price analysis techniques. A proposal may be rejected if IRI  determines that the lack of balance poses an unacceptable risk.  
4. IRI will conduct a source selection based as follows: 

IRI intends to make an award to the responsible Bidder based on the following evaluation factors:

IRI intends to evaluate Bidders’ proposals in accordance with these factors and make an  award to the responsible Bidder whose proposal is most advantageous to the program.  

5. If a cost realism analysis is performed, cost realism may be considered in evaluating  performance or price.  

Submission Instructions 

Bids must be submitted via email to Chaima Fartoun at cfartoun@iri.org with the subject line  “MENA2024T02o” by the deadline listed above. 

RFP Terms and Conditions 

1. Prospective Bidders are requested to review clauses incorporated by reference in the  section “Notice Listing Contract Clauses Incorporated by Reference”. 
2. IRI may reject any or all proposals if such is within IRI’s interest. 
3. Proof of costs incurred, such as but not limited to receipts, pictures and financial  documents, may be requested during and for up to three years after the end of the  contract period.  
4. The Bidder’s initial proposal should contain the Bidder’s best offer.
5. 5. Payment will be made upon receipt of invoices and deliverables/services.
6. 6. Discussions with Bidders following the receipt of a proposal do not constitute a  rejection or counteroffer by IRI. 
7. IRI will hold all submissions as confidential and submissions shall not be disclosed to  third parties. IRI reserves the right to share proposals internally, across divisions, for  the purposes of evaluating the proposals.  
8. For any currency conversion, the exchange rate to US Dollars listed on oanda.com on  the closing date of this solicitation shall be used.  
9. Every contract will contain provisions governing termination for cause and  termination for convenience. 
10. By submitting a proposal, offeror agrees to comply with all terms, conditions, and  provisions included in the solicitation and agreement to the services identified above,  and will specifically identify any disagreement with or exceptions to the terms,  conditions, and provisions. 
11. Offerors confirm that the prices in the proposal/proposal/application/quote have  been arrived at independently, without any consultation, communication, or  agreement with any other Bidder or competitor for the purpose of restricting  competition.
12. By applying to this RFP, applicant is certifying that if it is awarded a contract, none of  funds payable under the resulting contract will be used to
13. (1) procure or obtain,  extend or renew a contract to procure or obtain;
14. (2) enter into a contract (or extend  or renew a contract) to procure; or
15. (3) obtain the equipment, services, or systems  that uses covered telecommunications equipment or services as a substantial or  essential component of any system, or as critical technology as part of any system in  compliance with the National Defense Authorization Act. Covered  telecommunications equipment and services mean any of the following: 
16. Telecommunications equipment produced by Huawei Technologies Company  or ZTE Corporation (or any subsidiary or affiliate of such entities). 
17. For the purpose of public safety, security of government facilities, physical  security surveillance of critical infrastructure, and other national security  purposes, video surveillance and telecommunications equipment produced by  Hytera Communications Corporation, Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology  Company, or Dahua Technology Company (or any subsidiary or affiliate of  such entities). 

iii. Telecommunications or video surveillance services provided by such entities  or using such equipment. 

200. Telecommunications or video surveillance equipment or services produced or  provided by an entity that the Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the  Director of the National Intelligence or the Director of the Federal Bureau of  Investigation, reasonably believes to be an entity owned or controlled by, or  otherwise connected to, the government of a covered foreign country. (2 CFR 200.216). 
201. Bidders agree to disclose as part of the proposal submission: 

o Any close, familial, or financial relationships with IRI staff and agents. For  example, the Bidder must disclose if a Bidder’s mother conducts volunteer  trainings for IRI. 

o Any family or financial relationship with other Bidders submitting proposals.  For example, if the Bidder’s father owns a company that is submitting another  proposal, the Bidder must state this. 

o Any other action that might be interpreted as potential conflict of interest. 

Notice Listing Contract Clauses Incorporated by Reference 

IRI is required to make the contractor subject to certain flowdown clauses of the prime  award. This awarded contract will incorporate one or more clauses by reference, with the  same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Where “flow-down” to the contractor  is applicable, references to “USAID/Department of State” shall be interpreted to mean “IRI”,  “Recipient” to mean “Contractor”, and “Subrecipient” to mean “lower-tier subcontractor.”  Included by reference are the applicable provisions contained in Appendix II to 2 CFR Part  200 and USAID Standard Provisions for Non-US Non-governmental Organizations/US  Department of State Standard Terms and Conditions. 

IRI Obligations 

Issuance of this RFP does not constitute an award commitment on the part of IRI, nor does it  commit IRI to pay for costs incurred in the preparation and submission of a proposal or  quotation. 

Required Certifications 

The following certificates need to be signed by all Bidders. These certifications are an  integral part of the quotation/proposal. Please print them off and send back to us with your  proposal after signature on each certificate. They are:  

• Certification regarding debarment, suspension, ineligibility and voluntary exclusion  lower tier covered transactions  
• Authorized Individuals 
• Certification Regarding Lobbying

PR3883- MENA2024T02o – Civl Society Contracts RFP Draft