FORMIS II CALL FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST IMPLEMENTATION OF CAPACITY NEEDS ASSESSMENT The Development of Management Information System for Forestry Sector in Viet Nam – Phase II (hereinafter referred to as ‘FORMIS II’) project invites candidates (hereinafter referred to as ‘the candidate’) to submit Expressions of Interest for the implementation of Capacity Needs Assessment (hereinafter referred to as ‘the CNA) Framework Contracts will be concluded between the FORMIS II and one, three or more tenderers for a period of one year for the implementation of the CNA The procurement is based on the Finnish legislation Background FORMIS II project is implemented by the Viet Nam Administration of Forestry (VNFOREST) under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) The purpose of FORMIS II is to develop a fully integrated Management Information System (MIS) for sustainable management of forest resources and in this way contribute to the alleviation of poverty in the socio-economic development framework of Viet Nam FORMIS II key activities are to create information standards and information sharing mechanisms for forestry sector, to develop and maintain a centralized Information and Technology (IT) platform and portal within VNFOREST, to create capacity for forest related information management and to set up a Forest Information Centre/ IT Unit within VNFOREST The project is funded by the Government of Viet Nam and the Government of Finland Niras Finland Oy as a lead consultant, in collaboration with GFA and Green Field Development, provides technical assistance services for the project FORMIS II, started in May 2013, is implemented during the period of years (2013-2018) The project continues the work started in FORMIS Phase I (2009-2013) FORMIS II key targets are to develop a modern information system to manage forest resource data, to create information standards and information sharing mechanisms for forestry sector, to create capacity for forest related information management and to set up a Forest IT Unit within VNFOREST Capacity building is one of the core results of the FORMIS II For sustainable reasons, the capacity of VNFOREST shall be sufficient to maintain and to operate the modern information system In order to prepare the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) infrastructure investment plan, training plan and curricula, the CNA will be conducted The tentative objectives for the CNA are as follows: - To identify training needs for the staff to perform the expected functions and roles in the use of the new information system efficiently, while as appropriate recommendations on capacity strengthening (staffing level, portfolios, etc.) can be provided; - To define the present status of technical infrastructure, the gap between the present situation and the new information system requirements and to give recommendations regarding the development of IT technical infrastructure The CNA shall be carried out in the 63 provinces; Regional Offices of Forest Protection Department (FPD) based in Quang Ninh, Thanh Hoa and Binh Duong provinces; and VNFOREST The assignment also covers the implementation of training courses for provincial stakeholders on the CNA skills The scope of this work will be divided into three rounds The first round will be conducted in 18 provinces, FPD Regional Offices and VNFOREST; the second round in 25 provinces and the third round in 20 provinces These assignments are expected to commence from December 2014 to August 2015 Expression of Interest and Tendering Interested candidates are invited to send an Expression of Interest to the FORMIS II The Expression of Interest should give evidence of the ability to respond to the requirements The candidates may establish a Joint Venture to ensure availability of required competence In such case the tenderer should identify one party as the leading partner Based on the Expressions of Interests, the FORMIS II will make a shortlist of a minimum of five candidates, if there are a sufficient number of suitable tenderers, for tendering Invitation to Tenders and Instructions to tenderers will, according to the tentative plan, be sent out in late October 2014 Submission of tenders is expected in late November 2014 Upon the evaluation of tenders, framework contracts between the FORMIS II and one, three or more tenderers will be concluded for a period of minimum year to implement the CNA According to the tentative plan, the CNA will be implemented in three different assignments A mini tendering for the first assignment is expected in early December 2014 among service providers with whom the FORMIS II has signed framework contracts The first CNA assignment will commence by the successful tenderer in December 2014 Criteria for Shortlist Compulsory requirements: • • • • • Minimum of five years of working experience in providing Training Needs Assessment and/or CNA services; Fully understanding of relevant policies relating to the forestry sector; Minimum of three relevant projects of similar nature; Proven experience in working with the information and GIS systems; Experts involved in the CNA shall: have at least bachelor's degree in a field relevant to the assignment; have expertise in forestry, information technology and capacity building and related fields; be familiar with the adult training principles and techniques involved in needs assessment; have minimum five years of working experience in delivering needs assessment related activities Lead consultant of the CNA shall have minimum of ten years of similar working experience; Experts involved in the CNA training courses, besides the education and expertise requirements as abovementioned, shall have minimum five years of working experience in delivering training courses or training-related activities Lead consultant of the CNA shall have minimum of ten years similar working experience; Experts involved are able to communicate in both English and Vietnamese in a clear and concise verbal and written manner Preferable requirements: 10 11 Relevant experience in working with existing IT systems within VNFOREST; Experts involved have higher education than the minimum requirement of bachelor's degree; Proven track record in the successful delivery of training activities and/ or training needs assessment; Knowledge of VNFOREST administrative and IT system The Expression of Interest dossier in English and Vietnamese should include: Letter of Expression of Interest; Concise description of the company’s/institution’s profile, with references of minimum relevant projects of similar nature to the tendered project during the past years, with declaration that FORMIS II is permitted to check references; CVs of experts involved; Notary copy of Certificate of Registration of the business; Notary copy of Tax Registration and Tax Payment Certificate evidencing that the company pays the required taxes and not having any unclear issues with tax authorities; Full financial report of the company’s financial state from the two last years that are available; Joint Venture Commitment Letter (signed and stamped by legal representatives of the joint companies), which nominates the Leading Partner, in case of a joint proposal In case of a joint proposal/venture, the tenderer will have to submit the above-required documents also from its subcontractors Deadline for Expression of Interest submission is 5PM (Ha Noi local time), October 24th 2014 The Expression of Interest should sent to bids.formis2@gmail.com or delivered to the following address: Development of Management Information System for the Forestry Sector in Viet Nam, Phase II (FORMIS II) Floor 2, West Lake Suites, No 31 Hoang Hoa Tham Street, Ngoc Ha Ward, Ba Dinh District, Ha Noi Tel: (84) 3722 8733 Attn: Procurement Advisor Subject: Expression of Interest for Implementation of the CNA Inquiries for additional information should be addressed to bids.formis2@gmail.com or fax (84) 3722 8735 Only shortlisted service providers will be invited for the next bidding stage General information on this Call for Expression of Interest and the FORMIS II is at the Viet Nam Forestry Information Portal http://formis.vnforest.gov.vn ... August 2015 Expression of Interest and Tendering Interested candidates are invited to send an Expression of Interest to the FORMIS II The Expression of Interest should give evidence of the ability... the next bidding stage General information on this Call for Expression of Interest and the FORMIS II is at the Viet Nam Forestry Information Portal http://formis.vnforest.gov.vn ... training needs assessment; Knowledge of VNFOREST administrative and IT system The Expression of Interest dossier in English and Vietnamese should include: Letter of Expression of Interest;