Prior information notice
This notice is for prior information only
Section I: Contracting
authority
I.1) Name and addresses
Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office
King Charles Street
London
SW1A 2AH
UK
Telephone: +44 2070080932
E-mail: Martha.Selvaratnam@fcdo.gov.uk
NUTS: UK
Internet address(es)
Main address: https://fcdo.gov.uk
I.3) Communication
Additional information can be obtained from the abovementioned address
I.4) Type of the contracting authority
Ministry or any other national or federal authority, including their regional or local subdivisions
I.5) Main activity
General public services
Section II: Object
II.1) Scope of the procurement
II.1.1) Title
Occupied Palestinian Territories Independent Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (OPTIMEL)
II.1.2) Main CPV code
75211200
II.1.3) Type of contract
Services
II.1.4) Short description
OPTIMEL aims to provide a wide range of monitoring, research, and analysis services to support the delivery of the whole of FCDO’s development and diplomatic portfolio in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. This will cover the humanitarian response to Gaza, our support to UNWRA, recovery and reconstruction, improved governance and reform and protection of rights. Independent Monitoring will verify results and projects delivered by FCDO’s implementing partners, collect beneficiary feedback data and monitor compliance with FCDO’s agreements and expectations. OPTIMEL will also provide ad hoc research and rapid assessments, assess whether FCDO is delivering impact, embed learning across the consulate and share with it with partners, and ensure our portfolio is coherent and optimised to deliver our country plan.
II.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots:
No
II.2) Description
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
75211200
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
IL
Main site or place of performance:
Occupied Palestinian Territories
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
The OPTIMEL programme aims to support the FCDO to meet the following objectives:
• Core Objective – Independent Monitoring (IM) of FCDO’s overseas development assistance (ODA) portfolio in OPTs: FCDO’s ODA portfolio supports the humanitarian response, recovery and reconstruction, economic development, improved governance and reform, securit capability. IM will verify results and projects delivered by FCDO’s implementing partners, collect beneficiary feedback data and monitor compliance with FCDO’s agreements and expectations.
• Research and Evaluation: The research will be multi-disciplinary in nature, using quantitative and qualitative methodologies as appropriate. Some research will be ad hoc as required by teams, and some will be continuous. Evaluations will mainly be impact level to assess whether our interventions are working as intended.
• Learning and coherence: Support the whole portfolio to embed learning from the programme through dissemination of findings, specific learning sessions, and through reporting at country board. Ensure the portfolio is coherent and well aligned to deliver the country plan.
• Transparency: Enhance transparency and accountability of FCDO’s ODA portfolio in OPTs
The core objective for this programme is the delivery of IM as noted above. However, FCDO wishes to be innovative in its approach and the EME will consult on the following broad questions:
• How can this programme be designed to capitalise on the strength of OPTs civil society and/or community initiatives for independent monitoring?
• How can this programme be designed to ensure that the FCDO’s ODA delivery in OPTs is held accountable by the communities and beneficiaries it supports?
• What is the best approach to delivering on the research, evaluation and learning objectives of this programme – while maintaining its core-objective for IM?
• What procurement route and partnership structures are most likely to be able to deliver the programme? FCDO want to understand market capacity to develop effective supply chains or consortium partners in OPTs to meet the programme objectives.
II.3) Estimated date of publication of contract notice:
11/11/2024
Section IV: Procedure
IV.1) Description
IV.1.8) Information about Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement:
Yes
Section VI: Complementary information
VI.3) Additional information
FCDO will be hosting an Early Market Engagement event about the planned programme and the anticipated services required from interested parties. We would welcome those with experience in the following areas:
• Independent monitoring of international donor programming in OPTs (field and remote monitoring).
• Primary and secondary research, evaluation and data-analysis (quantitative and qualitative)
VI.5) Date of dispatch of this notice
13/08/2024