Request for Motor Vehicle Transport Logistics Vendors for Buses with Drivers

Abt Associates, a major American business and government research, technical assistance, and consulting company, manages the USAID-funded Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS2 T04) Project, which seeks to reduce the burden of malaria in 14 African countries through cost-effective commodities procurement and logistics systems, access to technical expertise, and implementation of Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS) by its field office located in Lafia, Nasarawa State, Nigeria.

Abt Associates is planning for the next spray campaign in the first quarter of 2013 and desires to utilize the services of potential and responsive organizations in transportation logistics for safe and secure movement of commodities and field staff during the IRS operation.

Scope of Work
The selected bidder shall undertake the dispatch of commodities (spray equipment and materials) from project warehouse in Lafia to 17 operational sites spread across Doma and Nasarawa Eggon LGAs, in Nasarawa State. In addition, the bidder shall be responsible for the daily transportation of field staff from the various-operational sites to the communities for spraying implementation. The duration of operation shall not be more than 40 days. Abt Associates anticipates issuing one fixed price purchase order as a result of this solicitation. Abt Associates hereby solicits quotes from Motor vehicle transport logistics vendors for Buses with Drivers in line with specifications and requirements outlined in the following RFQ.

The minimum specifications and requirement from the bidders are categorized as follow:

Lot 1: Field staff transportation Nassarawa Eggon
Duration: Not more than 40 days
Type: Buses
Qty: 16
Specifications: 18-seater, sound engine, neat cabin, robust chasis, equipped with accessories & service kits, spare tyres, fire extinguisher, valid vehicle and driver’s license and GSM.

Lot 2: Field staff transportation Doma
Duration: Not more than 40 days
Type: Buses
Qty: 16
Specifications: 18-seater, sound engine, neat cabin, robust chasis, equipped with accessories & service kits, spare tyres, fire extinguisher, valid vehicle and driver’s license and GSM.

Lot 3: Commodities transportation
Duration: Not more than 5 days
Type: J5-Loader Bus
Qty: 12
Specifications: Enclosed, neat & spacious cabin, sound engine, neat cabin, robust chasis, equipped with accessories & service kits, spare tyres, fire extinguisher, valid vehicle and driver’s license and GSM.

General Requirements

• Evidence of registration with Corporate Affairs Commission.
• Provide detailed profile of the organization including registered address, functional contact email address and GSM.
• Cost-effectiveness of price quotation.
• Evidence of registration with FIRS and other relevant bodies.
• Verifiable evidence/copy of similar jobs successfully executed in the past.
• Knowledge of the local terrain is a mandatory requirement
• Vendors are required to fully review all instructions and comply with all requirements as specified in this RFQ. Abt reserves the right to reject any and all quotes due to incomplete documentations.

Specific Requirements for IRS

• All vehicles must be in good working condition for movement of field staff throughout the operation.
• All drivers will be trained on the peculiarity of IRS commodities transportation
• Daily schedule of activities is strictly time-bound. Vehicles must be at their operational base as from 6.30a.m to maximum of 6.00p.m
• Emergency vehicle replacement plan within two (2) hours in case of vehicular breakdown.

Conditions for Pre-Qualification

• Presentation of array of vehicles for inspection
• Identifiable park location
• No advanced payment by Abt Associates

Instructions/Submission Procedure
Interested bidders shall propose a fixed price supported by a detailed cost breakdown for the services outlined in this solicitation. The detailed cost breakdown should be sufficient to allow Abt Associates to properly evaluate the proposed fixed price as fair and reasonable, however invoices will be accepted and payments issued solely upon receipt of firm deliverables to be negotiated between Abt Associates and the winning bidder at the time of contract award.

Payments will not be made based on daily rates, actual time expended, or expenses incurred. Rather, payments will be made at prices proposed in response to this solicitation and upon the winning bidders ability to meet a deliverables schedule mutually agreed by both parties at the time of contract award.
The award will be made to the lowest bid determined to be technically acceptable in accordance with the requirements provided in this solicitation. No advanced payments will be provided by Abt Associates.

All quotes must be submitted in two (original and duplicate) in a sealed envelope and marked RFQ18 Seater (Nassarawa Eggon), RFQ-18 Seater (Doma) and RFQ-Loader for Buses and J5 Buses respectively. All quotes must be received by 530pm on or before 10 days from the date of this publication.

All quotes must be submitted in hard copies to:
The Procurement & Logistics Coordinator,
Abt Development Foundation,
Behind Police Commissioner’s House,
Off Shendam Road, Lafia,
Nasarawa State.
Tel: 08069449900

OR

E-mail: lssa_Usman@africairs.net; contract_africairs@yahoo.com
Response will be given to all requests for clarification up to the deadline date stated above. All requests can be referred to the above Abt designee.

Note: This RFQ shall not be misconstrued to be commitment on the part of Abt Associates to award any form of contract to any respondent nor shall it entitle any organization to claim indemnity from Abt Associates