The Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition



Terms of Reference for Consultancy/Research Firm/Institution to conduct a dipstick audit to estimate reach and coverage based on sales pattern of Multiple Micronutrient Supplementation (MMS) in Bangladesh 1. BACKGROUND Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) is a Swiss-based foundation launched at the UN in 2002 to tackle the human suffering caused by malnutrition. GAIN’s vision is to have a world without malnutrition, in which all people have access to and consume nutritious safe food. Its mission is to advance nutrition outcomes by improving the consumption of nutritious safe food for all people, especially the most vulnerable to malnutrition. For more details, please visit: www.gainhealth.org. GAIN Bangladesh, in partnership with the public and private institutions, has initiated a maternal nutrition project "One MMS a Day and a Healthy Baby is on the Way" to enhance maternal nutrition including the utilization of Multiple Micronutrient Supplementation (MMS) through private Ante-Natal Care (ANC) platforms, as part of a market-based model. The overarching vision of this project is to improve maternal nutrition service delivery through the private sector ANC platform, thereby reducing Low Birth Weight (LBW) and increasing the sales and uptake of MMS. To strengthen the business model for MMS, GAIN Bangladesh plans to monitor MMS sales by initially understanding consumption patterns among pregnant women who purchase MMS from pharmacy. This sales monitoring data can be used to estimate approximate customer reach and coverage as Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) of the project. The primary objective of this terms of reference is to conduct half-yearly dipstick audit across 30 clusters out of the 64 districts in Bangladesh. This audit will involve the random selection of 150 pharmacy outlets from the list, including 50 Gold Star Members (female entrepreneurs). 2. SCOPE OF WORK (SoW): It is expected that the Consultancy/ Research Firm/Institution will provide all necessary services for doing the assignment, which includes, but not limited to: - Develop a detailed operational plan comprising methodology, sampling designs, and implementation procedure with a Gantt chart. - Understanding pharmacy outlet characteristics such as the average number of daily customers and purchase sizes. Determining the gestational age of Pregnant Women (PW) during the MMS Tablet purchase by the customers or care givers. Estimate nationwide reach by analysing sales distribution and data obtained from dipstick audit and utilizing primary sales data from marketing company. Outline procedures for data validation and quality control to ensure data accuracy and consistency throughout all phases of data collection, quality assurance, data entry, cleaning, management, and analysis. 3. TIMEFRAME FOR SERVICE: The proposed timeframe for this assignment will be from 15 December 2023 to 31 May 2024. 4. SUBMISSION OF PROPOSAL: Complete proposals should be submitted to apply to GAIN.Bangladesh@gainhealth.org by 18 December 2023, with a clear reference line to: Dipstick audit to identify MMS sales pattern, reach and coverage. Required components for proposal submission are: Detailed technical proposal explaining how the task mentioned in Scope of Work will be addressed. Proof of relevant experience & expertise, and previous work reference Profiles/CVs of the personnel (mention a brief bio in the proposal also). Financial proposal outlining a narrative budget in BDT including applicable Tax, VAT, bank charges etc. Risk and mitigation strategy Timeline 5. REQUIRED COMPETENCIES The consultancy/research firm/institution should have at least ten years of experience in research and evaluation. The firm/institution must have the necessary manpower to reflect its organizational strength related to research activities. The team leader holds at least a Masters/PHD in Nutrition/ Public Health / Development Studies/statistics/Applied statistics from a reputed university. The team leader at least has 10-12 years research experience in market-based research of public health products, business model of public health nutrition etc. Technical competencies to analyse and interpret large data sets. Excellent English writing and communication skills and the ability to reflect and interpret the data collected for providing recommendations is imperative. Client-focused as well as the ability to prioritize work well under pressure to meet deadlines. Experience in teaching, facilitating, and supervising survey enumerators and data entry operators to gather and input data according to high-quality standards. Experienced in conducting similar studies in Bangladesh. 6. GENERAL TERMS & CONDITIONS NOTICE OF NON-BINDING SOLICITATION GAIN reserves the right to reject all proposals/bids received in response to this solicitation and is in no way bound to accept any proposal. The Authority additionally reserves the right to negotiate the substance of the successful applicants’ proposals, as well as the option of accepting partial components of a proposal if deemed appropriate. CONFIDENTIALITY All information provided as part of this solicitation is considered confidential. In the event that any information is inappropriately released, GAIN will seek appropriate remedies as allowed. Proposals, discussions, and all information received in response to this solicitation will be held as strictly confidential. RIGHT TO FINAL NEGOTIATIONS ON THE PROPOSAL GAIN reserves the right to negotiate on the final costs, and the final scope of work of the proposal. GAIN reserve the right to limit or include third parties at sole and full discretion in such negotiations. GAIN reserves the right to contact the individual and firm in order to verify the information provided as part of the proposal. COMMUNICATION All communication regarding this solicitation shall be directed to appropriate parties at email mentioned in the ToR. Contacting third parties involved in the ToR, or any other party may be considered a conflict of interest and could result in disqualification of the proposal. FINAL ACCEPTANCE Award of a Proposal does not imply acceptance of its terms and conditions. GAIN reserves the right to negotiate on the final terms and conditions including the costs and the scope of work when negotiating the final contract to be agreed between GAIN and the applicant. VALIDITY PERIOD The offer of services will remain valid for a period of 60 days after the Proposal closing date. In the event of award, the successful applicant will be expected to enter into a contract subject to the Authority’s terms and conditions. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY Subject to the terms of the contract to be concluded between GAIN and the applicant, the ownership of the intellectual property related to the scope of work of the contract, including technical information, know-how, processes, copyrights, models, drawings, source code and specifications developed by the applicant in performance of the contract shall vest entirely with the Authority. SCOPE OF CHANGE Once the contract is signed, no increase in the liability of GAIN or in the fees to be paid by the GAIN for the services resulting from any change, modification or interpretation of the documents will be authorized or paid to the applicant unless such change, modification or interpretation has received the express prior written approval of GAIN.