Background

1.     Background:

The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer has the objective to phase-out the ozone depleting substances (ODSs) that are released to the atmosphere. Contrary to the Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) that pursue reductions in the emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG), the Montreal Protocol focuses on the elimination of the sources of these ODS: their production and consumption (imports);

Under the Montreal Protocol, the A-5 countries are eligible to receive financial support to comply with the phase-out ODS consumption by deploying a series of technical assistance and industrial conversion projects, at country level, so producing and consuming sectors can abandon the use of these substances.

Being one of the 4 (four) Implementing Agencies (IA) designated by the Multilateral Fund (MLF), The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) supports developing countries operating under its Article 5 (A-5) to implement the Montreal Protocol´s ODS phase-out projects, which include activities related to industrial conversion of polyurethane foam manufacturing sector in order to eliminate the use of the blowing agent HCFC-141b replacing it by environmentally friendly alternatives.

These Terms of Reference (TOR) identify and specify the scope of services required for the fulfillment of the above components related to the PU Foam sector plans, and, therefore, UNDP would like to engage an International Consultant in the Polyurethanes (PU) Foam.

The Expert is expected to be engaged by 01 February 2018 through a non-exclusive Framework Agreement formalized through an Individual Contract (IC). A Framework Agreement is known in UNDP as an agreement that establishes the terms, conditions and prices that will govern future engagement (by issuing Purchase Orders) arising from the said Agreement, which could be issued at any time within the duration of the Framework Agreement/IC. 

It is important to note that, at the time of the issuance of the IC that serves as the Framework Agreement, both parties understand that no financial obligation or commitment is formed on the part of UNDP, and that such an agreement is non-exclusive (i.e., it does not prohibit UNDP from entering into another such framework agreement with another individual or entity).  Financial commitments will only be established each time the services are requested within the scope of the IC, through the agreed triggering action or document (Purchase Order) that signals the commencement of an engagement. 

This IC is intended for on-call intermittent engagement for a maximum of 95 (ninety-five) working days spread over a period of 36 months (3 years). Any extension is subject to satisfactory performance review, project funding situation or other factors impacting the project operating environment.

 

2.    Framework Agreement Disclosure

UNDP, at its own discretion, demonstrated interest to enter into a non-binding Framework Agreement as a result of this Individual Contract process under the following conditions:

a)     The individual contractor shall provide the types of services, quoted in this bidding, which shall be reflected in a non-binding Framework Agreement.

b)     UNDP does not warrant that any quantity /days of work will be contracted during the term of this arrangement.

c)     In the event of any advantageous changes and/or downward costs for Services during the duration of this Agreement, the Individual Contractor shall notify UNDP immediately. UNDP will consider the impact of any such event and may request an amendment to the Framework Agreement.

Duties and Responsibilities

 3.    Duties and Responsibilities:

The International Consultant will work with UNDP, reporting to the UNDP MPU´s Regional Programme Officers (Task Managers) for the Asia, based in the Regional Hub of Bangkok, who also acts as Framework Agreement Monitor.

The Consultant is expected to assist the countries of Malaysia, India, Egypt and Nigeria, supporting the Government Officials (National Ozone Units), private sector and other stakeholders to implement System House and end-user levels activities related to technology transfer towards: oxygenated hydrocarbons (HCOs) and hydrocarbons (HCs) in PU foam manufacturing processes through implementation and completion of relevant projects activities.

4.        Key Expected Outputs:

a)   A pour-in-place testing and training delivered, including results collected and assessed;

b)     Effective assistance delivered for the HPMP Stage 2 Projects in the issues related to:

  •  Manufacturing sites visited and assessed;
  •  Implementation activities coordinated with recipient company;
  •  Data required for industrial reconversion collected;
  •  Oversight and monitoring visits/activities carried out;
  •  Steps required to carry on Safety Audit done.

c)     Technical assistance delivered to prepare Investment/demonstration projects including:

  •  Data collected and assessed for end-users;
  •  Project formulation/review/peer review;
  •  Guidance to UNDP´s MPU or Governments on project negotiation, adjustment and technology review.

d)     “Hand-holding” activities to beneficiary companies delivered, including:

  • Relevant technology issues assessed;
  • Conversion plans prepared;
  • PU products development plans implemented;

5.     Duration

The Contract (Framework Agreement) will enter into effect upon signature by both parties and expected for 1 (one) year of duration. The Framework Agreement can be extended up to 2 (two) additional periods of 1 (one) year each.

6.     Duty Station

Home based, with expected missions to:

a)     India (25 mission days total):

  •     February, 18 to 22 of 2019 (5 days)
  •      March, 11 to 15 of 2019 (5 days)
  •     May, 20 to 24 of 2019 (5 days)
  •     June, 17 to 21 of 2019 (5 days)
  •      August, 5 to 9 of 2019 (5 days)

b)     Malaysia (15 mission days total):

  •      March, 25 to 29 of 2019 (5 days)
  •     May, 27 to 31 of 2019 (5 days)
  •     June, 17 to 21 of 2019 (5 days)

7.     Fees

The consultant will receive payment based on daily fees, for the maximum of 95 (ninety five) working days under this assignment.  The candidate shall quote his/her services on a per diem amount basis that shall include all other mission travel related costs of the foreseeable missions related in them Items 5 and 6, above, as part of his/her professional daily fee.

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 candidates, must submit their financial offer alongside the technical offer.

Competencies

8.     Core Competencies

  • Demonstrate integrity by modeling UN values and ethical standards
  • Promote the vision, mission, and strategic in goals of the UNDP and the BPPS
  • Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
  • Treats all people fairly without favoritism

Required Skills and Experience

9.     Qualifications and Requirements:

Education

  • Bachelor (or equivalent) degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering or related field
  • Masters or advanced degree in relevant discipline is desirable;

General Experience:

  •  Working experience of at least 10 years with activities in the PU Foam sector, including Technical support on polyurethane systems development;
  • Working experience in the implementation of PU Foams technical conversion projects, is desirable.
  • Knowledge of Montreal Protocol related issues and its associated Policies and Agreements is desirable;
  • Experience in industrial and environmental-related projects in developing countries is desirable.

Communication Skills:

  • ·Oral proficiency in English.

 

10.      Application Procedures (Instructions to Applicants)

Failing to comply with the submission process may result in disqualifying the applications. Interested individual consultants must submit the following documents:

  • Offer including personal and professional experiences and qualifications and brief description of why the individual considers him/herself as the most suitable for the assignment. Indicate available start date.
  • Submission of Financial Proposal: all applicants are requested to submit a financial proposal following the  Financial Proposal Templateas integral part of the Offer.

10.1.     Scope of Price Proposal and Schedule of Payments:

Financial proposals must be all inclusive and must be expressed on the basis of “a daily fee” in USD for this consultancy, using the financial proposal template available here: http://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_file.cfm?doc_id=45780. The proposals should be sent via email with the following subject heading: “Financial Proposal for Expert in PU Foams Sector" by the deadline informed. Proposals to be received after the deadline may be rejected.  In order to assist the requesting unit in the comparison of financial proposals, the financial proposal should be all-inclusive and include a breakdown.

Payment will be made upon submission of a certificate of payment request, indicating outputs achieved and days worked to be verified and cleared for payment by the supervisor.

The term ‘all inclusive” implies that all costs (professional fees, communications, utilities, consumables, insurance, etc.) that could possibly be incurred by the Contractor are already factored into the final amounts submitted in the proposal

In the case of unforeseeable travel, payment of travel costs including tickets, lodging and terminal expenses will be agreed upon, between UNDP and Individual Consultant, prior to travel and will be reimbursed. In general, UNDP will not accept travel costs exceeding those of an economy class ticket. Should the IC wish to travel on a higher class he/she should do so using their own resources.

10.2.    Criteria for selection of individual consultant for award of contract:

The selection of the best offer from the shortlisted candidates will be based on a Combined Scoring method – where the qualifications and experienced will be weighted a maximum of 70 points and combined with the price offer which will be weighted a max of 30 points out of 100 points

Method: Cumulative analysis method will be used to evaluate proposals.

When using this weighted scoring method, the award of the contract will be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

  • Responsive, compliant, acceptable; and
  • Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation

Technical Criteria weight: 70%

Financial Criteria weight: 30%

10.3.Contract Award

Candidate obtaining the highest combined scores in the combined score of Technical and Financial evaluation will be considered technically qualified and will be offered to enter into contract with UNDP.

10.4.Institutional arrangement

The Consultant will be given access to relevant information necessary for execution of the tasks under this assignment;  The Consultant will be responsible for providing her/his own laptop. 

10.5. Payment modality

  • Payments will be made upon satisfactory delivery of outputs, certification of payment form, and acceptance and confirmation by the Task Manager on outputs satisfactorily delivered.
  • Payment to the Individual Contractor will be made based on the actual number of days worked, (or deliverables accepted, if applicable) and upon certification of satisfactory completion by the Task Manager.
  • Payments will be made upon satisfactory achieved deliverables and submission of time sheet in accordance with number of days worked and certification of payment. All payments are subject to the clearance and approval of the direct supervisor. The contract price is fixed regardless of changes in the cost of components.

Annexes (click on the hyperlink to access the documents):