Section 1 – General Information

Section 2 – Scope of Procurement

Introduction to Offerors:

About CNFA & Feed the Future Rwanda Hinga Wunguke Activity

Cultivating New Frontiers in Agriculture (CNFA) is an international agricultural development organization that specializes in the design and implementation of sustainable, enterprise-based agricultural initiatives. CNFA implements the Feed the Future Rwanda Hinga Wunguke Activity, a USAID-funded $28M five-year (January 2023 - January 2028) initiative with the objective to increase incomes and improve nutritional outcomes by sustainably increasing agricultural productivity and strengthening domestic consumption of and markets for safe, nutritious food products (raw and processed).  

The activity applies a market systems development (MSD) approach to strengthen private-sector engagement through co-investments and partnerships to improve agricultural productivity, markets, farmer incomes, and nutrition. Hinga Wunguke has four complementary Intermediate Results (IRs) referred to as activity components:

• Sustainably increase agricultural productivity
• Access to finance for farmers and agribusinesses increase
• Improve producers’ market and nutrition outcomes
• Strengthen the enabling environment to foster market driven agriculture.   

Hinga Wunguke (HW) is focusing its interventions in thirteen Districts (Zone of Intervention), namely: Bugesera, Burera, Gakenke, Gatsibo, Karongi, Kayonza, Ngoma, Nyabihu, Nyamagabe, Nyamasheke, Ngororero, Rubavu, and Rutsiro. The Activity works with public and private sector actors in rural, urban, and peri-urban areas across Rwanda relevant for a well-functioning system in selected agriculture value chains. Hinga Wunguke is prioritizing value chains which have the greatest potential impact on increasing farmer incomes, MSME (medium and small enterprises) profitability and nutrition outcomes. Its current priority value chains include maize, beans (HIB, French beans, dry & shelled beans), soybeans, Irish potato, peas (dry & green), sweet potato (OFSP), carrot, tomato, mango, avocado, and passion fruit. 

Overview of the Assignment   

The purpose of this Solicitation is to solicit an individual consultant to develop a comprehensive strategic plan that aligns with Rubavu District's vision for enhancing agribusiness and improving nutrition outcomes, ensuring sustainable economic growth and food security for the local population.

Scope of work:  Develop a comprehensive strategic plan that aligns with the district's vision for agribusiness and nutrition by focusing on the following key areas:

• Stakeholder Engagement: Foster active participation and collaboration among stakeholders to ensure that the strategic plan reflects the diverse perspectives, needs, and aspirations of the community.
• Capacity Building and Institutional Strengthening: Enhance the skills and capabilities of District technical staff and private stakeholders to effectively implement the strategic plan and achieve its goals.
• Resource Mobilization and Management: Identify and secure the necessary financial and human resources to implement the strategic plan effectively and sustainably.
• Innovation and Adaptation: Encourage innovative approaches and solutions in agribusiness and nutrition to respond to emerging challenges and changing circumstances.
• Sustainability and Scalability: Ensure that the strategic plan promotes long-term sustainability and the potential for scaling successful interventions beyond the initial context.

Tasks

This Individual Consultant will be responsible for the achievement of the below scope of work:

Inception Phase (1 month) Workstream A: Prepare advisory services to identify, assess, and propose solutions for challenges in agribusiness and nutrition

• Kick-off meeting with HW and Rubavu District Leadership and set-up of communication and cooperation framework.
• Review available documentation including District Development Strategy (2025-2029) focusing on agriculture and nutrition, District performance contracts (Imihigo) for the year 2024-2025, reports from current activities, operational manuals, and propose recommendations to address the gaps, if any.
• Prepare and draft an inception report, include insights from document review, revised methodology and operational plan.
• Rubavu District and HW to review and provide feedback and approval of the inception report.
• Finalize and submit the final version of the inception report.

Implementation Phase (1month) Workstream 1: Strategic planning and stakeholder engagement

• Conduct a SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) to understand the current landscape.
• Facilitate workshops with stakeholders to define strategic priorities.
• Draft a strategic plan document outlining goals, timelines, and responsible parties
• Identify key stakeholders, including government agencies, NGOs, community leaders, and private sector partners.
• Organize stakeholder meetings to gather input and foster buy-in for the strategic plan.
• Develop a stakeholder engagement plan detailing roles, responsibilities, and communication strategies.

Implementation Phase (2 months) Workstream 2: Resource mobilization and management, Innovation and adaptation

• Conduct a resource mapping exercise to identify existing resources and gaps.
• Research potential funding sources, including grants, partnerships, and community contributions.
• Develop a resource mobilization strategy that outlines approaches for securing necessary funding
• Encourage innovation and experimentation in the design and implementation of initiatives.
• Remain adaptable and responsive to changing circumstances, including shifts in policy, market trends, or community needs.

Work Package (1 month) 3: Capacity building and institutional strengthening

• Assess the capacity needs of district staff and institutions involved in agribusiness and nutrition initiatives considering social inclusion. (youth, women and people with disabilities)
• Provide training, coaching, and mentoring to enhance the skills and capabilities of staff and institutions

Work Package 4. Monitoring, Evaluation and learning, Sustainability and Scalability  

• Establish a robust monitoring and evaluation (M&E) framework to measure the impact of initiatives.
• Use data and lessons learned to inform decision-making, adjust strategies, and improve outcomes.
• Develop strategies to ensure the sustainability and scalability of initiatives over time.
• Consider how initiatives can be replicated or expanded to reach more beneficiaries and achieve greater impact.

Work Package 5. STTA Closure (Final week)

• Handover of all materials and deliverables
• STTA closure meeting.
• Finalize the report
• Submission of the final report (including recommendations) to Rubavu District and Hinga Wunguke management for final approval.

Deliverables and Schedule:

The individual consultant will contribute to the creation of several key reports as follows:

The overall allocation of the work to be done by the consultant will be managed by the Hinga Wunguke Enabling Environment Director

Section 3 – Evaluation Methodology and Criteria

CNFA will use a Weighted Trade-Off Analysis, Including Cost Criteria evaluation methodology for this solicitation. Weighted Trade-Off Analysis selects the offeror providing the best overall value to CNFA, considering both price and technical factors, according to the assigned weights provided in the evaluation criteria. The Technical Evaluation Committee (TEC) will assess offer acceptability in accordance with the following criteria:

Note: Only selected applicants will be contacted for further negotiations.  

Section 4 – Offer Format Instructions

Offers in response to this solicitation must comply with the following instructions:

• Submissions will be accepted in the following language(s): English
• Include the following in the offer footer:
• Offeror name
• Solicitation Number
• Page Numbers
• Offer in the format provided in Annex 1

Section 5 – Complete Offer

A complete offer must include the following documents:

• Completed Annex 1 – Offer Template
• Copy of the Offeror’s business license – if an individual, a copy of personal identification
• CV/Resume

Section 6 – CNFA Terms and Conditions

Ethical and Business Conduct: CNFA is committed to integrity in procurement, and only selects offerors based on objective business criteria such as price and technical merit. CNFA does not tolerate fraud, collusion among offerors, falsified proposals/bids, bribery, or kickbacks. Any organization or individual violating these standards will be disqualified from this solicitation, barred from future procurement opportunities, and may be reported to both CNFA’s Client – as applicable – and the appropriate Office of the Inspector General.

Employees and agents of CNFA are strictly prohibited from asking for or accepting any money, fee, commission, credit, gift, gratuity, object of value or compensation from current or potential vendors or suppliers in exchange for or as a reward for business. Employees and agents engaging in this conduct are subject to termination and will be reported to CNFA’s Client – as applicable – and the appropriate Office of the Inspector General. In addition, CNFA will further inform these agencies of any Offerors’ offers of money, fee, commission, credit, gift, gratuity, object of value or compensation to obtain business.

Please contact the designated Point of Contact on the Solicitation Cover Page with any questions or concerns regarding the above information or to report any potential violations. Potential violations may also be reported directly to CNFA’s Fraud Hotline in writing via email at FraudHotline@cnfa.org or you may make an anonymous report by phone, text, or WhatsApp to the CNFA Global Fraud Hotline at 202-991-0943.

Terms and Conditions: This Solicitation is subject to CNFA’s standard terms and conditions. Any resultant award will be governed by these terms and conditions; a copy of the full terms and conditions is available upon request. Please note the following terms and conditions will apply:

• CNFA’s standard payment terms are 30 calendar days after receipt and acceptance of any commodities or deliverables. Payment will only be issued to the entity submitting the offer in response to this Solicitation and identified in the resulting award; payment will not be issued to a third party.
• No commodities or servicesmay be supplied that are manufactured or assembled in, shipped from, transported through, or otherwise involving any of the following countries: Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Syria.
• Any international air or ocean transportation or shipping carried out under any award resulting from this Solicitation must take place on U.S.-flag carriers/vessels unless otherwise approved by CNFA.
• United States law prohibits transactions with, and the provision of resources and support to, individuals and organizations associated with terrorism. The selected offeror under any award resulting from this Solicitation must ensure compliance with these laws.
• United States law prohibits engaging in any activities related to Trafficking in Persons. The selected offeror under any award resulting from this Solicitation must ensure compliance with these laws.
• The title to any goods supplied under any award resulting from this Solicitation shall be passed to CNFA following delivery and acceptance of the goods by CNFA. The risk of loss, injury, or destruction of the goods shall be borne by the offeror until title passes to CNFA.
• The offeror is prohibited from providing certain telecommunications equipment or services as a substantial or essential component of any system, or as a critical technology as part of any system, produced by the following covered companies, and their subsidiaries and affiliates, in the performance of any resulting award: Huawei Technologies Company; ZTE Corporation; Hytera Communications Corporation; Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology Company; Dahua Technology Company; and any other company as determined by the United States Government. The offeror certifies it will not provide covered telecommunications equipment or services to CNFA in performance of the resulting award. If covered telecommunications equipment or services are offered, the offeror must disclose it.

Disclaimers: This is a Solicitation only. Issuance of this Solicitation does not in any way obligate CNFA, its project(s), or its client(s) to make an award or pay for costs incurred by potential offerors in the preparation and submission of an offer. In addition:

• Offerors are responsible for ensuring their offers are received by CNFA in accordance with the instructions, terms, and conditions described in this Solicitation; failure to adhere to instructions may lead to disqualification
• CNFA may cancel the Solicitation and not award at any time
• CNFA may reject any or all responses received
• Issuance of the Solicitation does not constitute award commitment by CNFA
• CNFA reserves the right to disqualify any offer based on offeror failure to follow the Solicitation instructions
• CNFA will not compensate offerors for response to the Solicitation
• CNFA reserves the right to issue award based on initial evaluation of offers without further discussion
• CNFA may negotiate with offerors for their best and final offer and/or request clarifications from any offeror prior to award
• CNFA reserves the right to increase or decrease its order for quantities or units with the selected offeror
• CNFA may reissue the Solicitation or issue formal amendments revising the original Solicitation specifications and evaluation criteria before or after receipt of proposals
• CNFA may modify the specifications without issuing a formal notice to all offerors when the revisions are immaterial to the scope of the Solicitation
• CNFA may choose to award only part of the activities in the Solicitation, or issue multiple awards, if in the best interest of CNFA
• CNFA reserves the right to waive minor offer deficiencies that can be corrected prior to award determination to promote competition
• Offerors understand that CNFA’s Client(s) is not a party to this Solicitation and the offeror agrees that any protest hereunder must be presented – in writing with full explanations – to CNFA for consideration. CNFA’s Client(s) will not consider protests regarding procurements carried out by CNFA. CNFA, at its sole discretion, will make a final decision on any protest for this procurement.