REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

TO PARTNER IN FEED THE FUTURE ZONE

SUBJECT: Request for Expressions of Interest to partner with the Feed the Future Bangladesh Cereal Systems Initiatives for South Asia Mechanization Extension Activity (CSISA-MEA) in the Feed the Future Zone.

The Feed the Future Bangladesh Cereal Systems Initiatives for South Asia Mechanization Extension Activity (CSISA-MEA) is seeking Expressions of Interest (EOI) from private companies engaged in agricultural mechanization, agricultural inputs, or manufacturing of agricultural machinery and equipment to partner with the project in the Feed the Future Zone. The project anticipates signing agreements with one or more successful partner(s), subject to alignment with CSISA-MEA and USAID’s priorities, due diligence, and agreement on terms.

PROJECT BACKGROUND

CSISA-MEA is a five-year project, funded by USAID and implemented by CIMMYT and its partners: iDE and Georgia Institute of Technology. The project aims to support the growth and expansion of agricultural mechanization in Bangladesh so that smallholder farmers can affordably access cost and resource-saving sowing, irrigation, harvesting, and other types of machinery. CSISA MEA supports market actors along the entire value chain including machinery manufacturers, ag machinery importers and retailers, dealers, mechanics, spare parts vendors, and machinery “local service providers” who provide services directly to farmers.

SCOPE OF WORK

CSISA-MEA is inviting companies/firms which are interested in designing new and innovative business models and activities targeting the jute producing farmers of the working area. All concepts are expected to focus on the overarching areas of -

• Establishing/expanding/improving/innovating business models to support underserved market actors in the rural areas (e.g., women, youth) so that they can set up Ashkol-type jute machinery service businesses.
• Training LSPs and farmers in the use, maintenance, and repair of these machines. CSISA-MEA will provide the selected companies/firms with technical support with the implementation of this training and the preparation of training materials.
• Address a specific market challenge that may not be resolved without the intervention.
• Ability to scale up the concept beyond the project support.

The proposed business concepts must adhere to and support the following:

• Promotion and demand creation of agricultural machinery
  • Market expansion through creating market demand activities including preselling, advertising, demonstration, machinery service provider meetings for Ashkol-type machines in underserved areas.
  • Develop the capacity of machine mechanics and operators by providing technical and entrepreneurial training.
  • Develop the capacity of the Local/Machine Service Providers (LSP/MSP) or machine owners by providing technical and entrepreneurial training.
  • Develop training materials including videos.
  • Create and deploy alternate models for mechanic services (mobile mechanics).

Working area: CSISA-MEA will only support activities implemented in,  Gopalganj, Madaripur, Shariatpur, Faridpur, Rajbari districts in the Dhaka division, Jessore, Chuadanga, Magura, Meherpur, Jhenaidah in Khulna division, Bogra, Natore, Sirajganj, Pabna in Rajshahi division and Rangpur, Nilphamari, Kurigram, Lalmonirhat, and Gaibandha in the Rangpur division.

Application and Submission Information:

• Please see the details of the EOI and scope of work in the link.
• All applications must be submitted following the template and instruction provided in Annex for the EOI application form, technical and financial proposal.
• Application Format: Applications must be submitted in English and using 11-point font size.
• All costs associated with responding to this solicitation shall be the sole responsibility of each applicant.
• CSISA-MEA reserves the right not to make any award from this solicitation.
• Legal documents: This should include documents mentioned in the eligibility section and any other documents that relate to your functioning in Bangladesh.

Please submit your application to Ms. Meher Niger (m.niger@cgiar.org) copying Mr. Dhonraj Lama (d.lama@cgiar.org) with the subject line ‘CSISA-MEA Feed the Future Expression of Interest’. The submission deadline is 10th December, 2021 at 5 PM Bangladesh Standard Time. Only shortlisted firms will be contacted for the next round of the selection process. For any queries regarding the EOI and application process, please contact Kafil Uddin, MSME Market System Development Coordinator, email: k.uddin@cgiar.org.