Invitation to Tender - Maldives Online Course Development

WFD Maldives is looking for a vendor to design and conduct an online course on parliamentary oversight and legislative scrutiny.

Overview

Description of company

Westminster Foundation for Democracy (“WFD”) is the UK public body dedicated to supporting democracy around the world. WFD partners with UK political parties, parliaments, electoral and financial audit institutions to help over 30 developing countries make their governments fairer, more effective and accountable.

WFD’s head office is based in London, Whitehall, and the organisation currently has approximately 140 staff working from its head office and 30 country offices worldwide.

The aim of this Invitation to Tender

WFD is issuing this Invitation to Tender (“ITT”) to procure goods/services in accordance with the conditions detailed in this document.

WFD Maldives is looking for a vendor to design and conduct an online course on parliamentary oversight and legislative scrutiny. The proposed course is to familiarise Majlis officials, CSOs and Media with basic theories and practical methods on parliamentary oversight functions and understanding their role in the process. The is an advanced-level course and is planned to conduct in English for about 30 participants including parliament officials, CSOs and Media.

This course is structured into 7 topics with expert introductions, videos, presentations, readings, live discussions, forum posts, quizzes, and short assignments. Expected time for each topic is 2-3 hours. The vendor is expected to undertake all the tasks related to the facilation of e-platform and course conduct including engaging with experts and trainers, and developing content and materials.

The closing date for this ITT will be 28 October 2022. WFD intends to issue a contract for the above goods/services, to be completed to WFD’s satisfaction, by 10 November 2022.

Bid submission

All bids should be in a format that complies with the requirements of this ITT.

Bids should be submitted by email to: WFD Maldives at procurement@wfd.org. We recommend that bids are submitted in PDF format where possible, except spreadsheets.

Bids should refer clearly to the ITT reference number.

Should you require any further information or clarifiation on this ITT, please contact WFD Maldives at procurement@wfd.org.

Tender information

Introduction

This document is an ITT and it forms part of the procurement exercise to support the selection of a supplier, to enter into a contract. The aim of this document is to identify functional and commercial requirements and provide instructions for submitting responses. This document will also provide vital information as it relates to evaluation criteria and forms the basis for contractual arrangements.

This ITT is not an offer to contract; it is a definition of specific requirements and an invitation to submit a response addressing such requirements. WFD may modify these requirements in whole or in part and/or seek additional bidders to submit information/bids. WFD will not be liable to you for any losses or damages suffered by you as a result of the specific requirements or any amendment to such requirements.

Detailed Scope and Specification of this ITT

Introduction

Maldives stakeholders, including parliament, CSOs and media have highlighted the existing limitations around technical skills and knowledge in engaging with the parliament and supporting with its government oversight functions. Maldives parliament is advancing its role and functions in government scrutiny, and lack of technical capacity to provide support is one of the challenges for democratic advancement. An e-learning opportunity would equip them with necessary skills and knowledge to provide effective support to the parliament and build collaborations for the advancement of democratic process.

WFD in conjunction with the McGill University conducted an introductory course on Parliamentary Oversight and Legislative Scrutiny for civil society organisation representatives and parliamentary officials. This course examined the role of parliament in overseeing a variety of government operations, including gender, human rights, the environment, climate change and corruption and provided the participants an opportunity to understand the theories and practices of principal parliamentary concepts, best practices and methods of engagements between stakeholders and parliament.

The second phase of this programme will be an advanced course which focuses on providing more in-depth knowledge of the processes of parliament as well as active engagement and inclusivity in the committee practices in practice, focusing on current realities of the Maldivian parliamentary processes and expanding on the knowledge from the introductory course. The target audience shall be participants who have passed the previous introductory course or have undertaken similar training or have significant experience in working with the parliament.

Objectives

The objective of the proposed advanced course is to familiarise Majlis officials, CSOs and Media with theories and practical methods on parliamentary oversight functions and understanding their role in the process.

To assist participants in better understanding of key Maldives legislation, Majlis Standing Orders, Government Rules of Procedures, governance practices, legislative drafting and quality assurance, policies on accountability and oversight in the Maldives
To assist in relationship building amongst key Maldives stakeholders and the parliament and implement successful strategies of engagement to increase inclusivity in parliamentary processes, including in but not limited to the budget cycle.
To provide best practices (from Asia and globally) and practical approaches to conducting post-legislative scrutiny and other parliamentary oversight functions in the Maldivian context
To assist in expanding of parliamentary research and library functions in the Majlis through discussions in thematic policy making and implementing gender-sensitive design and delivery

Scope

The scope of this engagement is to build capacity of Majlis officials, CSOs and Media with theories and practical methods on parliamentary oversight functions and provide opportunity to their role in the process, in reflection to practices elsewhere such as UK or other parliaments. The consultant will be expected to draw on experience and practices of UK or other parliaments and, where practical, adapt them into the Maldives parliamentary context.

The assignment includes the following services from vendor:

Development of the course curriculum and facilitation of platform
Facilitation and engaging of course experts, speakers and trainers
Drafting of course manual for participants
Collecting and providing reading materials
Preparing expert-presentations, videos, readings, short assignments and other teaching materials
Facilitating online live discussions with and among participants to reflect teaching content and their experience and practies
Responding to forum posts and written queries
Evaluating and preparing certificates
Collecting course feedback of the participants

Role of WFD Maldives

WFD Maldives team is responsible for sharing and mobilising participants for the course, coordinating any arrangements required during course conduct, and delivering certificates for the participants. The team is also responsible for arranging any consultations with local stakeholders, facilitation of meetings during the development of the course and for collection of any long term feedback from participants.

Course content

Expected time for each topic is 2-3 hours and participants are expected to complete the course in 6 -12 weeks (1-2 weeks per each module).:

Content and Structure

This advanced level course is structured into 7 topics with videos, presentations, readings, live discussions, forum posts, quizzes, and short assignments. Expected time for each topic is 2-3 hours. The course will be conducted in English language. Examples of topics (though not limited to these) include the following:

Introduction to Maldives Parliament

An overview of the modules and an overall understanding of various governance models and parliament’s, interest group’s role in democratic process.
Provides a thorough understanding of the role of the Parliament in the Maldivian context, and the codified processes of its functions. (May enlist the help of the Majlis Secretariat or the Attorney General’s Office to provide information)

Committee Processes – Theory and Practice

Overview of the codified rules of committee processes of the Maldivian Parliament and the practical consequences. This will also help to understand gaps between theory and practice.
Best practice methods from comparative jurisdictions on increasing engagement with key stakeholders in the committee process including vulnerable and marginalised groups.
Oversight functions of the committees including the budget cycle, Maldives government procedures and practices in compiling the draft budget, Majlis procedures and practice of the annual budget approval, role of Public Accounts Committee in oversight on expenditures and public debt, public engagement in the budget process.

Evidence based research and decision-making

Introduce research methods and use of data and evidence in parliamentary policy and law making eg briefing MPs, ToRs
Conducting inquiries, engaging with and as witnesses, collaborative approach to decision making and impartial data interpretation and outreach
Best practices of research functions and evidence submissions from comparative jurisdictions

Legislative scrutiny of laws and policies, including Post-Legislative Scrutiny

The law-making process in Maldives, government Rules of Procedures and practice in law drafting by the government, quality assurance and role of different government stakeholders in law drafting.
Oversight mechanisms in parliament, such as motions / resolutions, oral and written questions, thematic inquiries by parliament committees, petitions.
Role of parliament committees and CSOs in reviewing and evaluation of legislation, its implementation and impact.
Familiarising with the best practices developed by other countries to address Post-Legislative Scrutiny (PLS) as a parliamentary function
Suggest principles or a practical manual on PLS for the Majlis.

Gender and inclusive policy & law making

Inclusive policy making concepts and practices, methods and tools for targeted consultations and policy making.
Knowledge of how gender-sensitive scrutiny can be conducted across the life cycle of legislation

Stakeholder engagement strategies and accountability

Stakeholder engagement skills and practices, types of stakeholders and engagements, short-term/long-term relationships, working with vulnerable groups
Explore methods and strategies for outreach. Parliament’s collaboration with CSOs and Media. Two-way communication benefits and methods.
Open Parliament concepts and tools for creating accountability and transparency, reference to OGP.

Parliamentary institution building

Transitioning from one parliament to the next parliament, best practices of parliamentary induction programmes
Mechanisms and best practices of ethics in parliament and government. Code of Conduct and Ethics for parliament staff and parliamentarians.
Options in developing strategic plans for parliament; and the role of parliament administration in supporting the implementation of the parliament strategic plans, role of civil society and media in monitoring the strategic plan.

Recommended budget

The financial proposal of the bidder be within the budget range of £22,000 to £25,000.

Expected project timeline

Kick-off meeting	10 Nov 2022
First draft of modules	15 Dec 2022
Internal & external review of modules	01 Jan 2022
Course conduct	20 Jan 2022

Timescales

Below is the proposed timescale for the tendering process. Please note the dates are indicative and subject to change.

Description	Date
Issue ITT	28 Sep 2022
Deadline for submitting questions and clarifications	10 Oct 2022
Closing date for receipt of completed tender proposals	28 Oct 2022
Shortlisting of bids	30 Oct 2022
Supplier interviews/presentations to selection panel (if applicable)	01 Nov 2022
WFD announces preferred supplier	05 Nov 2022
Contract finalised and signed	10 Nov 2022

Evaluation Criteria

WFD does not provide a mathematical formula by which bids will be evaluated, but the selection panel will consider the following criteria, among others in the evaluation of all responses:

Solution fit (to the specification and organisation)
Quality of bid
Quality, capacity, and track-record of bidders based on references and similar previous projects
Pricing factors
Quality of the implementation and support approaches
Bidder’s reputation and organisational profile

Each criterion will be scored using the following table:

0	The proposal submitted omits and fundamentally fails to meet WFD’s scope and specifications. Insufficient evidence to support the proposal to allow WFD to evaluate. Not Answered
1	The information submitted has a severe lack of evidence to demonstrate that WFD’s scope and specifications can be met. Significant omissions, serious and/or many concerns. Poor
2	The information submitted has some minor omissions in respect of WFD's scope and specifications. The tender satisfies the basic requirements in some respects but is unsatisfactory in other respects and raises some concerns. Satisfactory.
3	The information submitted provides some good evidence to meet the WFD’s scope and specifications and is satisfactory in most respects and there are few concerns. Good.
4	The information submitted provides good evidence that all of WFD's scope and specification can be met. Full and robust response, any concerns are addressed so that the proposal gives confidence. Very Good.
5	The information submitted provides strong evidence that all of WFD's scope and specification can be met and the proposal exceeds expectation i.e. exemplary in the industry. Provides full confidence and no concerns. Outstanding

Submitting a bid

In general, the bid should include the following:

Organisational profile
Technical proposal (response to the scope of work, proposed solution and how it meets the specification)
Financial proposal
References
Confirmation of compliance with Conditions of Tendering

Organisational profile:

Company profile, including brief history and financial overview
Case studies/credentials demonstrating relevant experience and skills profile
Names and brief biographies of key staff and Chair of the Board

WFD is particularly keen to receive bids from organisations which are – or are working towards becoming – living wage employers and that have a broadly representative and balanced Board from gender and ethnicity perspectives.

Technical Proposal (proposed solution):

Clear explanation as to the proposed approach to meeting the specification set out in this ITT.
Detailed project plan, including timelines, assumptions and dependencies, resourcing and risks.
Reflections and feedback on the substance and content of the course.
Methodology for the course including participant and lecturer engagement
Names and bio of experts and technical staff who will be involved in the delivery of the Course.
Mention if any previous engagement with WFD on similar projects and plans on how already developed platforms and courses can be adjusted into Maldives context.

Financial proposal:

Full breakdown costings in UK Pound
Separate accounting of VAT and/or any other applicable tax, duty, or charge.
Detailing of any discount applied in view of WFD’s not-for-profit status.
A separate financial costing option if the supplier has previously developed a similar course for WFD, provided that existing course and platform can be redesigned and adapted to fit Maldives context.

References:

The bid should include details of two references relating to similar goods/services provided in the last three years. Please note – referees will only be contacted once Preferred Bidder status is assigned.

Confirmation of acceptance of Conditions of Tendering:

All bids should include a signed copy of the Confirmation of Compliance form as annexed to this ITT.

All bidders should also note the following:

all bids should be submitted in English;
all bids should be submitted in electronic form;
this ITT and the response may be incorporated in whole or in part into the final contract;
only information provided in response to questions set out in this documentation will be taken into consideration for the purposes of evaluating the ITT;
bids which are poorly organised or poorly written, such that evaluation and comparison with other submissions is notably difficult, may exclude the bidder from further consideration;
any bids which do not fully comply with the requirements of this ITT may be disregarded at the absolute discretion of WFD.

All bids should be submitted as follows:

Closing Date	23:59 28th October 2022
Contact Name	WFD Maldives
Email Address	procurement@wfd.org

Tender Queries

Any questions related to this tender should be addressed to the person named below.

Contact Name	WFD Maldives
Email Address	procurement@wfd.org

Equal Information Policy

Should any Supplier raise a question that is of general interest, WFD reserves the right to circulate both question and answer to other respondents. In this event, anonymity will be maintained.

Annual reports

Please provide a link or copy of your company’s latest audited annual accounts.

Other information

If the potential supplier believes that there is additional information that has not been requested in the ITT but is relevant to your bid, please include that information as a separate attachment and explain its relevance to this ITT.

Term

It is proposed that any agreement resulting from this ITT process shall be for an initial period of 6 months.

Link to the event:

https://www.wfd.org/vacancy-supplier/invitation-tender-maldives-online-course-d…