Call For Proposals (CFP) for Provision of solar enterprenuership training and distribution of solar portable kits to women Small scale enterprises in Mogadishu.

Introduction

The Nordic International Support Foundation (NIS) is a Norwegian-registered non-profit organization engaged in stabilization and reconciliation initiatives in conflict and post-conflict locations. Our primary areas of intervention are institutional development, public service delivery and conflict resolution. Headquartered in Oslo, Norway, NIS currently implements projects in Somalia, Myanmar and the Sahel.

With funding from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA), NIS is currently implementing a three-year program Public Private Development Partnership (PPDP) for Renewable Energy Skills Training and Women Economic Empowerment Program in Somalia, targeting two locations: Mogadishu in Puntland & Mogadishu in Banadir regional administrations. The Women Economic Empowerment (WEE) component under the PPDP program aims at increasing the economic empowerment of women in targeted locations in Somalia by addressing some of their socio-economic vulnerabilities: lack of access to skills training and lack of access to affordable energy solutions, both which would enable them to either access the job market or increase their shares within the local business market. Through the activities, the WEE component will benefit 426 individuals and 2 women-owned energy solution providers in the project target locations.

In this Call for Proposal, NIS is specifically seeking proposals from a qualified energy solution provider run/owned by women engineers in Mogadishu that are expected to implement the

two main activities under WEE component.

The first activity is Solar Entrepreneurship Training and Mentorship Program focusing on solar PV systems design, installation, maintenance, as well as entrepreneurship skills training. The training and mentorship course will support 13 female trainees from a TVET Center partner based in Mogadishu. The identified trainees , will receive the training in Mogadishu.

Overall, the Solar Entrepreneurship Training and Mentorship Program aims at equipping participants with the knowledge and skills required to establish, operate, and grow a successful solar installation business, covering technical, economic, marketing, operational, and legal aspects of the energy sector – see the detailed proposed course modules in Annex 1. NIS expects that this training will provide women of different ages with the opportunity to secure employment in the renewable energy sector (given the nature of the TVET training) or start their enterprise. Thus, contributing to the economic empowerment of women.

The second activity is the identification of beneficiries and distribution of portable solar PV systems to women-owned SMEs in IDPs and urban poor areas. The qualified women-owned RE SMEs/energy solution providers will undertake the selection, distribution and installation of 200 portable solar lights as well as their maintenance. The system will consist of two types of lights, one with three lamps and another with two lamps (further information on these is provided in Section 4 below), both with charging points – see system details in Annex 2. 1The portable solar PV system will be used for lighting small businesses at night, which will enable them to run their businesses for more hours, and for the charging mobile phones of residents in the IDPs and urban poor areas, both of which are expected to be sources of increased income. The IDPs and urban poor areas and low-income earners will be identified from the various camps and urban poor nieghbourhoods in Mogadishu in consultation with the relevant stakeholders.

The portable light systems will be procured and provided by NIS and will be sold at a subsidized price by the selected energy provider of USD 25 for a 2 light portable solar PV system kit (100 Pcs for each location) and USD 35 for a 3 light portable solar PV system kit (100 Pcs for each location) to women who own small businesses in the IDP settlements on the outskirts of Mogadishu. Payments from women-owned small businesses in the IDPs and urban poor areas will be collected and managed by the training-providing company. These funds will cover the operational and maintenance costs of the portable lights during the warranty period.

Another part of this activity is that the selected women energy solution provider will hire two female trainees from the TVET institution who also participated in the Solar Entrepreneurship Training and Mentorship Program for 6 months in the operationalization and maintenance of the portable solar PV system kits.

Required deliverables from the selected women energy solution provider (Mogadishu).

o   Training 13 female TVET female trainees in each location.

o   Registration of beneficiaries and distribution of kits to the women SMEs beneficiaries (200 pcs).

o   Monthly Incentives of two female technician participating the registration, distribution, and installation of the portable solar PV systems to women-owned SMEs in IDPs and urban poor areas.

Table 1: Table 1: BoQ for the provision of solar entrepreneurship training and distribution of solar portable kits for Mogadishu

Application details:

All interested energy solution providers run/owned by women engineers are required to submit the following documentation: -

A.     Narrative proposal with the following details:

-          Information about the company’s background and relevant expertise/experience in the project

(max 2 pages);

-          Understanding of the ToR (max 1 page);

-          Description of the approach, and methodology for training of 13 female trainees

-          Work plan with timelines for performing the project activities (max 5 pages).

-          The budget proposal budget breakdown for the activities in each location includes:-

•      The Training fee/rate for 13 female engineers / technicians

•      Registration of beneficiries and distribution of kits to the beneficiaries (200 SMEs). All 13 trainees should participate in the registarion and distribution of the kits.

•      6 months internship fees for 2 female solar entrepreneurship graduates who will be involved in the maintenance exercise for portable solar PV systems to women-owned SMEs in IDPs and urban poor areas.

•      The systems will be sold at a subsidized price of USD 25 for a 2 light portable solar PV system kit and USD 35 for a 3 light portable solar PV system kit to women who own small businesses in the IDP settlements on the outskirts of Mogadishu. Payments from women-owned small businesses in the IDPs and urban poor areas will be collected and

managed by the training-providing company. These funds will cover the operational and maintenance costs of the portable lights during the warranty period

•        List and CV of key technical people (at least 2 persons) and trainers (at least 2 trainers) who will be involved in this activity.

B.  Licenses and other required supporting documentsLicences:

•        Valid registration from relevant government authorities/bodies such us Ministry of Commerce and Industry of FGS.

•        Tax compliance certificate: A valid tax compliance certificate (TIN) from Ministry of Finance, FGS.

•        Proof/evidence of company ownership: Shall submit a signed public notary document stating the ownership of the company including names, positions/titles, contacts details and shares owned.

•        Previous similar experience: Shall submit ONLY 3 previous relevant contracts implemented with and/or for International non-governmental organizations (INGOs) or UN agencies.

•        Company Finances: Shall present a dully signed financial/bank statement confirming that the supplier is financially in good position and able to pre-finance the activity as may be necessary.

•        Detailed work plan for the activity: The company shall submit a clear and detailed activity delivery time.

Interested firms/Institutions who meet the criteria described herein are invited to submit their their technical and financial proposals to [email protected] on or before Thursday 15th August 2024. The proposals must be submitted electronically with the subject line “Provision of solar enterprenuership training and distribution of solar portable kits to women Small scale enterprises in Mogadishu.)” - CALL FOR PROPOSALS".

Submissions received after the indicated date and time will be disqualified. Bidders can only apply for one location, otherwise will be subjected to disqualification.

4.  Contact information

Please forward any query to the following e-mail address: [email protected]

NB: NIS Foundation promotes gender equality and social inclusion. Companies only owned by women, female youth, and/or other females from marginalized groups in the two project target locations will ONLY be considered for this activity.

NB: Please be informed that bidders will only qualify to apply for one location. Otherwise, your application will not be considered for next step.