Request for Expression of Interest

The Feed the Future Bangladesh Rice and Diversified Crops (RDC) activity is a USAID-funded project designed to catalyze market system changes that promote a diversified farm management approach oriented to intensified rice production and higher-value, nutrient-rich crops to increase incomes and improve food security and nutrition in the Khulna and Barisal division and greater Faridpur region of Dhaka division of Bangladesh (RDC zone). RDC’s goal is to increase rural incomes by catalyzing a process that leads to competitive and inclusive rice based market systems. RDC is implemented by ACDI/VOCA in partnership Action for Enterprise (AFE).

RDC is looking for service provider/consulting firm(s) to assist in conducting two assessments:

  • The role and potential of regional seed companies in existing market systems
  • Barriers to the adoption of new rice varieties and hybrids

These assessments will include both a written report and PowerPoint presentation. The final results will also be presented at a workshop to be organized for representatives from relevant companies, government departments and donor and development organizations.

Competitive candidates will demonstrate knowledge and experience with the following:

Role and Potential of Regional Seed Companies

  • National level seed companies and the products they sell
  • Government of Bangladesh seed policy
  • Role GOB plant breeding institutes and their relationship with private seed companies
  • The relationship between regional seed companies and national seed companies.
  • Operations of regional seed production and sales (both formal and informal)
  • Production processes and costs of producing vegetable, rice, wheat, mungbean, lentil, mustard and sesame seed.
  • Production processes and costs of producing hybrid seeds.

Barriers to the adoption of new rice varieties and hybrids

  • Production and commercialization of both foundation and certified seed
  • Factors influencing farmer seed preferences
  • History of hybrid rice seed market in Bangladesh (both private sector and government)
  • Commercial challenges to the adoption of hybrid rice seeds
  • Abiotic stress factors such as salinity tolerance including their importance to yield and grain quality, and importance for farmers.
  • Factors such as income, food security, taste, etc. that influence farmer household decision making regarding which crops and crop varieties to plant in rice based cropping systems. Role of women in these decision making processes.
  • Role of women in these decision making processes.

Applicants can submit expressions of interest for conducting either one or both assessments

Each expression of interest should be no more than three pages and include the following:

  • Company profile and copy of trade license
  • Specific qualifications and experience that make you qualified to conduct the assessment(s) based on the points above
  • Examples of similar work you have done in the past
  • Brief description of the methods the company will use to conduct the assessment(s)
  • Qualifications of staff or consultants that would conduct this work

Expressions of interest can be submitted in hard copy at RDC project office Ventura Iconia, House#37, Road#11, Block # H, Banani, Dhaka1213 or by email format at infordc@acdivocardc.org no later than March 31, 2018. Companies that best meet the above-mentioned criteria will receive the full TOR and be invited to submit a full proposal.

*Issuance of this request for expressions of interest (REOI) in no way constitutes a commitment by RDC to execute any agreement or to pay any costs incurred by firms that respond to this REOI.