Background

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is one of the 4 Implementing Agencies (IA) designated by the Multilateral Fund (MLF) to implement the Montreal Protocol´s Ozone Depletion Substances (ODS) phase-out projects.
 
Under this International Treaty, the Article 5 countries committed to phase-out its ODS consumption, including the total phase-out of the HCFCs by the year 2040. Furthermore, the Parties to the Montreal Protocol agreed under the Decision XIX/6 on the “Adjustment to the Montreal Protocol with regard to Annex C, Group I substances (HCFCs)” to “accelerate the phase-out of production and consumption of the hydrochlorofluorcarbons (HCFCs)”, and the Article 5 (A5) countries have been requested by the ExCom to adopt a staged approach to the implementation of their HCFC Phase-out Management Plans (HPMP).
 
The HPMP implementation involves:
  • Assistance to determine related institutional, policy and legislation framework in line with strategies and action plans for compliance with the 1st Stage;
  • Implementation of investment projects in the Polyurethane (PU) Foams sector for technological and industrial reconversion of HCFC consumers (end-users);
  • Verification of compliance met by the investment projects and finalization of activities (Project Closure Reports).
This Term of Reference (TOR) identifies and specifies the scope of services required for the fulfillment of the above components related to the PU Foam sector, and, therefore, an Individual Contract for Framework Agreement (Long Term Agreement) will be established for the accomplishment of the duties.

Duties and Responsibilities

Long Term Agreement Disclosure
 
UNDP at its own discretion showed interest to enter into a non-binding Framework Agreement/Long Term Agreement (LTA) as a result of this Individual Contract process under the following conditions:
  • The supplier/contractor shall provide the types of services, goods and/or deliverables, quoted in his bidding, which shall be reflected in a non-binding Long Term Agreement in the form attached hereto as the "Model Long Term Agreement for the Provision of Goods and/or Services to the United Nations Development Programme".
  • Such Goods and/or Services shall not be higher than the prices listed in the Price Schedule, and/or Bill of Quantities as applicable, for at least 6 months after entry into force of the LTA, and can be raised with a maximum of 5% per year, after the initial period of 6 months upon the agreement of both parties. 
  • UNDP does not warrant that any quantity of Goods and/or Services will be purchased during the term of this arrangement. 
  • In the event of any advantageous technical changes and/or downward pricing of the Goods and/or Services during the duration of this Agreement, the Supplier/Contractor shall notify UNDP immediately. UNDP will consider the impact of any such event and may request an amendment to the Long Term Agreement.
 Description of Responsibilities:
 
The Expert will work with UNDP, under the direct coordination of the Montreal Protocol Unit (MPU/BDP) Programme Coordinator, and with close collaboration with the Governments´ National Ozone Units (NOU) of Mexico, Dominican Republic & El Salvador and, under the guidance of a Senior Expert, will carry-on the following services:
  • Develop specifications of equipments and support UNDP MPU/BDP and UNDP Country Offices (or the project’s beneficiaries, when required) in the procurement processes in all phases. Maintain technical discussions with companies and equipment suppliers;
  • Provide assistance to the beneficiary companies in their engineering projects associated to the technology conversion;
  • Periodic follow up the project implementation for each assisted company, providing technical evaluations, progress reports and recommendations to assure the achievement of the objectives described in the Project Documents (ProDocs);
  • Undertake final revision and evaluation of installed equipment and civil works associated to each production line, including safeguard issues and production processes;
  • Provide technical assistance to the beneficiary companies on the formulation development and optimization, equipment testing, production trials and initial batches on commercial scale production with the HCFC-free alternative phased-in;
  • Verify that the commercial production free of ODS has taken place prior to the Incremental Operational Costs (IOCs) transfers. Endorse the process and validate the transfer of IOCs to the beneficiaries;
  • Lead the project completion process including the confirmation of HCFC equipment destruction/retrofit, endorsement of payments, preparation and signature of handover protocols and certificates of completion when applicable.
  • Prepare the Project Completion Reports.
Duration:
  • The contract will enter into effect upon signature by both parties, expected to extend for 1 (one) year of services with 2 (two) possible extensions of 1 (one) year each.

Duty Station:

  • Home based, with missions to Mexico, Dominican Republic and El Salvador, as expected in Item 6.

Fees:

  • The consultant will receive the payment based in daily fees.
 
The candidate shall quote his/her services on a per diem amount basis, and this quotation shall include all travel costs needed to the attendance of the tentative missions listed below. Missions not foreseen shall be paid to the consultant as per IC Rules and Principles
 
A Best value for Money approach will be used in the evaluation of the applicants, and will lead to a combined score for technical capabilities and the financial offer.
 
The short listed candidates, based on their technical capabilities, will receive the standard format that they must fill out to submit their financial offer.
 
Expected Outputs and missions for the duration of the LTA:
 
Mexico: Technical Assistance of up to 96 days of work for the fulfillment of the expected activities
  •  Polyurethane (PU) System Houses converted to a non-HCFC alternative, equipments retrofitted and formulations developed, including PU end-users reconverted to adopt HCFC-free pre blended systems, equipment retrofitted and trails performed.
  • Domestic Refrigerator Company reconverted, equipment retrofitted and trails performed, safety audit reviewed and Certificates of Completion (COC) and Project Completion Report (PCR) prepared.
  • HCFC-free production of end-users verified, Incremental Operational Costs (IOCs) endorsed, COCs and PCRs for end-user projects prepared. Quality assurance of projects concluded.
  • Implementation of 1 (one) comprehensive Study on flammability of HCFC-free blowing agent completed.
  • Mission 1: Mexico City / January, 2013 (5 days length);
  • Mission 2: León / February, 2013 (3 days length);
  • Mission 3: Mexico City / March, 2013 (10 days length);                     
  • Mission 4: Lomas de Chapultepec / June, 2013 (5 days length);
  • Mission 5: Monterrey / November, 2013 (5 days length).
El Salvador: up to 68 days of work
  • Technical support delivered to the development of Memorandum of Agreements with beneficiary companies, technologies assessed and end-users reconverted to adopt HCFC-free pre blended systems, equipment retrofitted and trails performed.
  • HCFC-free production of end-users verified, IOCs endorsed, COCs and PCRs for end-user projects prepared. Quality assurance of projects concluded.
  • Mission 1: San Salvador / March, 2013 (5 days length);
  • Mission 2: San Salvador / July, 2013 (5 days length);
  • Mission 2: San Salvador / December, 2013 (5 days length);
Dominican Republic: up to 87 days of work:
  • Technical support delivered to the development of Memorandum of Agreements with beneficiary companies, technologies assessed and end-users reconverted to adopt HCFC-free pre blended systems, equipment retrofitted and trails performed.
  • HCFC-free production of end-users verified, IOCs endorsed, COCs and PCRs for end-user projects prepared. Quality assurance of projects concluded.
Mission 1: Santo Domingo / March, 2013 (5 days length);
Mission 2: Santo Domingo / July, 2013 (5 days length);
Mission 3: Santo Domingo / October, 2013 (3 days length);
Mission 4: Santo Domingo / December, 2013 (3 days length);

Competencies

  • Working experience in research/development/technical assistance of PU Foams formulations;
  • Knowledge of foaming equipment use, retrofit, installation, design;
  • Knowledge on use and application of HCFC-free PU foam blowing agents,
  • Knowledge of Montreal Protocol related policy/issues is desirable;
  • Working experience in developing countries is desirable.
  • Experience int he use of flammable substances.
Core Competencies:
  • Demonstrate integrity by modeling UN values and ethical standards
  • Promote the vision, mission, and strategic in goals of the UNDP and the CPR Unit
  • Displays cultural, gender , religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
  • Treats all people fairly without favoritism

Required Skills and Experience

Education:
  • Engineering or Equivalent Degree in Chemistry, Mechanics, Electrical or related field;
  • Advanced degree in relevant discipline is desirable;
Experience:
  • Working experience of at least 5 years in research/development/technical assistance of PU Foams formulations;
  • Knowledge on the use of  foaming equipment, its applications and/or installation and/or retrofit;
  • Knowledge on HCFC-free PU foam blowing agents at industry level;
  • Knowledge of Montreal Protocol related policy/issues is desirable;
  • Working experience with PU investment/reconversion/implementation projects in developing countries is desirable;
  • Working knowledge with flammable substances, its use and safety related issues is desirable 
Language Requirements:
  • Proficiency in Spanish
  • Working knowledge in English is desirable.
 Evaluation Criteria:
 
Technical Capabilities (70%):A Best value for Money approach will be used in the evaluation of the applicants, and will lead to a combined score for technical capabilities and the financial offer.
 
Score of the best qualified candidate * 0.70 / Candidate Score
 
Criteria:
  • Engineering or Equivalent Degree in Chemistry, Mechanics, Electrical or related field. 15 pts.
  • Advanced degree in relevant discipline (desirable). 10 pts.
  • Working experience of at least 5 years in in research/development/technical assistance in PU Foam area. 15 pts.
  • Working experience of 6 years or more in PU Foam area (1 additional point for each 1 year of additional experience). 10 pts.
  • Knowledge on use of foaming equipment, installation, retrofits. 10 pts.
  • Knowledge on use and application of PU foam blowing agents. 10 pts.
  • Knowledge of Montreal Protocol issues (desirable). 10 pts.
  • Working experience with in related projects in developing countries(desirable). 10 pts
  • Working knowledge with flammable substances, its use and safety related issues (desirable). 10 pts.
  • Proficiency in English. 5 pts.
  • Proficiency in Spanish. 5 pts
Maximum score 100 pts.
PS: Candidates with punctuation of 60 points or less will be disqualified
 
Economic Proposal (30%):

The short listed candidates, based on their technical capabilities, will receive the standard format that they must fill out to submit their financial offer.
 
Less Expensive Quotation * 0.30 / Candidate Quotation
 
Final Score:

The final score of the candidate will be calculated by the sum of the score under the Educational and Professional Background and the Economic Proposal
 
Final Score = (Technical Capabilities) + (Economic Proposal)