Call for Expression of Interest For Establishment/Strengthening of Nutrition Stabilization Centers (NSCs) (EU PINS Program)

1.1    Introduction

Action Against Hunger has been working in Pakistan since 1979, delivering programs to address undernutrition and its underlying causes. Action Against Hunger specializes in integrated programs of Nutrition, Food Security and Livelihoods (FSL) and, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) maintaining its presence in the provinces of KPK and Sindh with the assistance of various international donor organizations.

To support the Accelerated Action Plan (AAP) of Government of Sindh, Action Against Hunger is implementing a three year long “Program for Improved Nutrition in Sindh Province (PINS)”, funded by the European Union. The PINS program aims to sustainably improve the nutritional status of under five children (U5) and of pregnant and lactating women (PLW) by addressing malnutrition through provision of effective nutritional services at the community and facility level that meet nationally and internationally recommended minimum standards of care for the population. The program is implemented in 10 districts of Sindh including Shikarpur, Tando Allah Yar, Thatta, Sujawal, Matiari, Jamshoro, Dadu, Qambar Shahdadkot, Tando Mohammed Khan and Larkana. It will contribute to the ten year goal of AAP i.e. to reduce stunting from 48% to 30% in first five years (by 2021) and 15% by 2026 in Sindh by increasing and expanding coverage of multi-sectoral interventions.

Nutrition specific interventions are the main pillar for treatment of severe acute malnutrition (SAM) and prevention of stunting. In the PINS program, Action Against Hunger will facilitate and coordinate the implementation of nutrition specific interventions in collaboration with partner organizations.

1.2 Context

Over the past 3 years, the Government of Sindh (GoS) has taken a strong political stance and launched large scale programs for treatment of malnutrition and for addressing its underlying causes. The Nutrition Task Force has been formed within the Planning and Development Department in linkage with the Department of Health (DoH) and AAP Task Force secretariat. The Inter-Sectoral Nutrition Strategy for Sindh has been developed to incorporate the multi-sectoral approach to nutrition. The strategy focuses on mainstreaming nutrition programing into government departmental activities and policies for long-term sustainability. In order to augment the efforts, the GoS contracted out the management of Taluka and District level hospitals through Public Private Partnership to independent organizations. This has proven to be an efficient solution, but still there is dearth of resources to fill the service delivery gap. Recognizing the need, PINS nutrition specific intervention led by Action Against Hunger aims to strengthen the existing health system through establishment of Nutrition Stabilization Centres (NSCs) in District and Taluka level health facilities for facilitating access and management of SAM cases with complications.

1.3 Objectives of the EOI

As part of the PINS program interventions, Action Against Hunger will strengthen/establish Nutrition Stabilization Centres (NSCs) in the ten target districts including Shikarpur, Tando Allah Yar, Thatta, Sujawal, Matiari, Jamshoro, Dadu, Qambar Shahdadkot, Tando Mohammed Khan and Larkana.

The objectives are:

Ø  Establishment and management of NSCs in 10 districts of Sindh (including Shikarpur, Tando Allah Yar, Thatta, Sujawal, Matiari, Jamshoro, Dadu, Qambar Shahdadkot, Tando Mohammed Khan and Larkana ) under the nutrition specific component of PINS program in Taluka or District level hospitals.

Ø  Provision of 24/7 in-patient treatment to SAM cases with complications in accordance with good quality service standards, through provision and management of human resources (HR), equipment and supplies.

Ø  Establishment of an effective reporting, referral and follow up mechanism between NSC and OTP sites established in the district.

1.4    Project Working Areas:

Action Against Hunger will support the strengthening/establishment of NSCs in 10 districts of Sindh including Shikarpur, Tando Allah Yar, Thatta, Sujawal, Matiari, Jamshoro, Dadu, Qambar Shahdadkot, Tando Mohammed Khan and Larkana.

1.5    Project Implementation Modality

This call for the EOI aims at receiving applications from capable Organizations/Institutions that are interested in carrying out the implementation of the project activities in all 10 districts /any of the project district. Interested Organizations/Institutions will be expected to demonstrate their competence and experience in Health and Nutrition related programming.

Establishment of NSCs is part of the nutrition specific interventions of PINS program. It will follow Government standards and the Health System Strengthening (HSS) approach of GoS. Through this EOI, Action Against Hunger aims to contract out the establishment, management and service provision of NSCs in 10 districts of Sindh (including Shikarpur, Tando Allah Yar, Thatta, Sujawal, Matiari, Jamshoro, Dadu, Qambar Shahdadkot, Tando Mohammed Khan and Larkana). Action Against Hunger will provide financial support for the establishment and management of NSCs as per agreed and approved proposal submitted by the organization/s which covers staff salaries and operational/management expenses including running cost of NSCs such as drinking water, stationary, utilities, minor repair and maintenance and cleaning material for each NSC .

For each NSC, Action Against Hunger will be responsible for the procurement of:

·         Key equipment (Medical and Non-medical) of NSC kit (details annexed as 1)

·         Nutrition supplies including (F-75, F-100 and RUTF),

·         Essential medicines (details annexed as 2)

·         Social behavior change communication (SBCC) and information, education and Communication (IEC) material,

·         Reporting tools.

Action Against Hunger will also provide overall supervision of services provided at NSCs and technical support to the management Organizations/Institutions, particularly in terms of their capacity building and reporting systems. Through continuous technical backstopping and an effective monitoring and supervision mechanism, Action Against Hunger will ensure the quality of services provided at each NSC. The NSCs will be supported by the respective THQ/DHQ hospital, under the supervision of Medical Superintendent (MS) to ensure the effectiveness and sustainability of intervention. Action Against Hunger will ensure that stakeholders from various levels in the DoH and the GoS will be engaged in the monitoring process to ensure commitment towards sustainability and smooth handover of the NSCs to GoS at the end of program.

The organizations/Institutions interested in undertaking establishment and management of NSCs in one or more of the ten districts mentioned under the objectives are expected to do the following:

·         Develop and sign a contract with Action Against Hunger and memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the administration of THQ or DHQ hospital of respective district/s.

·         Set up NSC/s as per standard protocols of NSC service delivery (as per WHO guidelines)

·         Hire staff, including 2 medical officers, 3 nurses, 3 support staff and 2 cleaner /sanitary workers for each NSC or on need basis, whatever the case may be.

·         Ensure participation of NSC staff in trainings provided by Action Against Hunger for NSC management and reporting.

·         Comply with reporting requirements of Action Against Hunger.

·         Maintain stocks and patient registers at each NSC.

·         Display SBCC and IEC material provided by Action Against Hunger.

·         Facilitate monitoring/supervision visits by Action Against Hunger and other stakeholders including members from DoH, GoS and donor agencies such as the European Union.

·         Service delivery (24/7 in-patient treatment) of SAM cases with complications as per standard protocol.

·         Establishment of an effective referral and follow up mechanism between NSCs and OTP sites established in the district.

·         Monthly and quarterly reporting.

1.6    Organization Selection Process

A two-phase selection process will be put in place, which includes:

a) Submission of Expression of Interest (EOI) and

b) Institutional Assessment / Due Diligence of the shortlisted  

    Organization/Institutions.

Based on the evaluation of EOI, the Institutional Assessment / Due Diligence will be carried out for the shortlisted Organizations/Institutions.

1.7 Duration of work

Establishment, management and 24/7 service provision at each of the ten NSCs will extend over a period of 28-30 months after the contract.

1.8    Eligibility Criteria for Expression of Interest

 Organizations/Institutions with the following knowledge and skill set are eligible to apply:

·         Excellent knowledge and nationally/internationally recognized expertise in healthcare, particularly treatment of malnutrition, CMAM service delivery and nutrition specific project implementation.

·         At least 03 years of experience in managing NSCs or health facilities

·         Demonstrated ability to maintain patient records.

·         Demonstrated ability to comply with regular reporting requirements.

·         Capacity to manage stocks.

·         Practical experience in managing short term projects and/or donor grants.

·         Experience of working with Government health department.

·         The organization should be registered with SECP or with any government authority acceptable to Action Against Hunger

·         International organizations shall be required to submit MOU from the competent authorities of federal and provincial governments of Pakistan to operate in designated districts.

·         The Organization/Institution must be registered with FBR and Sindh Revenue Board

·         Organization/Institution uphold and promote the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct at all times, and ensure protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse in its all forms whilst working with communities, stakeholders and staff to build trust and confidence of the public, donors, and other stakeholders

·         Organization/Institution must recognize gender equality as a fundamental condition for the full enjoyment of human rights by women, girls, boys and men.

·         Organization/Institution will have to comply with the law of land for the prevention of child abuse and exploitation, whilst also advocating child protection throughout their activities.

·         Organization/Institution to take all reasonable steps to ensure that they are not providing and will not provide material support or resources to any individual or entity that commits, attempts to commit, facilitates or participates in terrorist acts.

·         All applicable taxes (federal and Provincial) will be deducted as per prevailing law. In other case, the organization will furnish proof of tax exemption whatever the case may be

·         This contract will be awarded for one year initially and will be renewed on yearly basis subject to the satisfactory performance and compliance with the standards of Action Against Hunger

·         Demonstrated ability to work in Sindh

1.9 EOI and its Evaluation

·         EOI must include the following:

Ø  Cover letter: stating the organization’s experience suitable for the scope of work (max 1 page)

Ø  Narrative outline for the establishment, management and service provision of NSC in one or more of the ten districts of Sindh and proposed work plan (max 3 pages).

Ø  Organization profile along with CVs of proposed individual(s) who will be overseeing the contract and sample of similar work carried out previously (abbreviated is adequate).

·         Detailed financial proposal for the activity including taxes.

·         This contract will cover management cost at 18-20% of overall cost proposed for NSCs establishment and management

Note: The applicant must submit proof of each eligibility criteria.

The EOI will be evaluated based on the following broad criteria. The broad criteria will further be sub-categorized into objective evaluation to minimize or avoid subjective judgment.

Evaluation criteria

S. No.

Particular

Score Value 1

Minimum Requirements

•  Organizations/Institutions Registration Certificate issued from the respective Provincial/District Administration office

•  NTN Number

•  Tax Exemption Certificate or latest tax clearance certificate.

•  Audit Reports (last 03 years fiscal report).

•  Copies of Previous Project NOCs for the target areas

•  Organizations/Institutions Profile

Yes/No

Yes/No

Yes/No

Yes/No

Yes/No

Yes/No

2

Organizational Experiences - Number of project implemented. Number of years of experience, Geographical coverage within district, working experience with local government?

25

3

Relevant working experience in the field of:

1. Nutrition

2. Health  

35

4

Organizational profile

Composition of Executive Committee, existing human resources, number of staff members working in the relevant field, financial transaction and financial volume.

20

5

Office Management, Financial and Administrative Management and Internal control system

Financial and administrative policies, timely auditing, internal auditing system, assets management and inventory system, accounting software

20

1.10 General Information

a)    The applicant should submit the EOI accompanied by copies/originals of all the documents listed (Minimum Requirements) in the table above. The documents shall be received in hard and soft copies within the deadline.

b)    The applicant may contact Action Against Hunger for clarification of any issues related to the EOI, if required. All inquiries need to be made in writing to (tender.pk@acf-international.org) within the notification period. Any verbal or telephone inquiries may not be entertained.

c)    The result of the short listing will be notified to the selected applicants in writing.

d)    Institutional assessments and Due Diligence will be done only for the shortlisted Organizations/Institutions.

e)    Failure to submit the necessary documents (as listed in evaluation criteria table point 1. Minimum Requirements) and/or submission of false documents will disqualify the respective organization from the current and prospective processes.

f)     Action Against Hunger reserves all rights to cancel the EOIs process without giving any reasons whatsoever.

Deadline:

·         Application deadline: COB (15 working days after advertisement)