Expression of Interest (EOI) for the Development of Fundable Business Proposals from Micro and Small-sized Enterprises under the Facility for Growth of EPP IV

PN: 20.2105.3-001

Background of Employment Promotion Programme IV (EPPIV)

The Employment Promotion Programme IV in Sierra Leone is co-financed by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the European Union (EU). The programme is steered and hosted by the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development (MoPED) and implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH. EPP IV comprises of TVET and private sector development components with the overall module objective stating that “the employability of young people on both the supply (TVET) and demand (private sector) side has improved. To achieve this objective until April 2024, the following outputs will be delivered:

1. Rapid Skills: Commercial and basic skills are rapidly strengthened
2. PPP Education: An effective training partnership with the private sector has been established
3. TVET Governance: The governance of the vocational training sector has been strengthened
4. TVET Service Quality: The service quality of vocational education and training has improved
5. SME Support: Local SMEs are strengthened

Areas of Implementation

The implementation will largely focus on the four (4) traditional districts, namely: Koinadugu, Falaba, Kono and Kailahun. However, the implementation will be extended to Kenema, Bo Moyamba, Tonkolili, Karene, Bombali and Port-Loko districts based on need and consolidation of previous efforts.

Strategy / Approach

Facility for Growth (F4G) is an intervention that offers a wide range of support including technical assistant to strengthen and improve local businesses. According to F4G screening processes, only best performing SME Loop beneficiaries will be pre-selected for business model/proposal development and pitching. This stage allows consulting firm to accompany the beneficiary in the elaboration of the business idea and provide coaching opportunities to help the beneficiary present his/her business idea. Essentially, the process will include the following:

• Identification of key areas of support to the business idea implementation
• Consultant to jointly elaborate with the SME Loop beneficiary the business idea: on site visit to determine the suitability of enterprise location; review of the existing business idea and sector stakeholder consultation
• Determine growth potentials of the business idea, availability of key equipment, raw materials, market trends and other needed processing/production facilities
• Prepare and guide the SME Loop beneficiary for the pitching in front of the selection panel

Purpose of consultancy

EPPIV management will make available on continual basis best performing SME Loop beneficiaries according to internal assessment criteria. This list of beneficiaries will be provided in a progressive manner to the consulting firm from August 2021 to July 2022.   

The following among other viable economic sectors are considered in the implementation of the F4G:   

1. Agribusiness/ Fisheries
2. Renewable energy
3. Tourism
4. Information and Communication Technologies
5. Transport and merchandising and other productive enterprises that socially and environmentally friendly.

Consulting firms (with sectoral and business strategic planning experts) will be hired to accompany preselected SME Loop beneficiaries to develop fundable business models/proposals and prepare the beneficiaries to pitch their business ideas to an independent selection panel with expertise in various sectoral disciplines. The panellists (chosen in scrutiny by EPPIV management) come from different sectors of the economy and are very knowledgeable in MSMEs operations in the country.

Deliverables during the assignment

• Up to 285 Business models/proposals developed using reporting templates of EPPIV.
• Support SME Loop beneficiaries to pitch their business ideas to an independent selection panel

Timeframe

The consultancy is expected to span from August 2021 to July 2022

Eligibility /Expertise/Documents to be submitted

• The service provider/consulting firm gives poof of good standing, commercial qualification, payment of taxes and social benefits: Clearance certificate of NRA and NASSIT
• The service provider (national/international) is based and registered in Sierra Leone: Certificate of Business Registration
• The service provider should have at least 5 years’ experience on similar tasks / interventions in at least five targeted districts in Sierra Leone including Koinadugu, Falaba, Kono and Kailahun and show a wide understanding of the topic. A brief company profile that details the experience in delivering similar tasks is required in not more than four pages using font and font size of Arial and 11 respectively.

• The main proposed personnel should be experienced/ knowledgeable in any two of the thematic areas/sectors including agribusiness.

Bidding process

Eligible consulting firms and/or institutions, NGOs should submit their “Expression Of Interest” in a plain sealed envelope in the Tender Box situated at the GIZ Country Office Reception –32d Wilkinson Road, Freetown or via Email to rebecca.sesay@giz.de not later than 2^nd August 2021, 4:30 PM local time, clearly marked with “EOI/Facility for Growth (F4G) 8338636’’

Only prequalified bidders will be contacted with detailed Terms of Reference and tender documentation for submission of technical and financial bids.