1. Do tendering parties have to propose ‘in house’ consultants or they could be freelance hired ad hoc?
It is possible to propose consultants that are freelance. Naturally the Country Team (CT) will value continuity of the same consultants over the contract period to reduce transaction costs of getting to know staff in the CT, the focus of the Swedish programs and the working environment in Tanzania. However, if the tendering party can ensure the same continuity and institutional support with a free lance consultant as with a consultant belonging to a bidding firm it will make no difference in the assessment.
2. Is there any minimum number of consultants to be proposed?
Yes, at least two consultants need to be proposed.
3. How many resources have been budgeted for the entire Framework Contract?
It is a competitive bidding and the guidance given is only in an approximate number of person weeks (110 -130) for the whole assignment.
4. Is there currently such a consultancy service to the Tanzanian country team ongoing (or has there been such services in the past), and if so, who are/were the members making up the team and which company is/was the contract party to the embassy?
No, this is a new initiative.
5. Do consulting firms have the chance to team up (build consortia) in order to strengthen their teams?
Yes.
6. Will the framework contract be signed with one consulting company, in charge of every further TA request; or on the contrary, several firms will be hired and will compete among themselves for each request thereafter?
The Contract will be signed with one consulting company that will be in charge of staffing respective teams for each assignment. However, as stated in question 1, the CT will value continuity of staff over the period and the request is to provide one team leader who will take the responsibility for carrying out the analytical work. Naturally we expect the team leader to be the same over the contract period. However in the draft agreement it says “When carrying out an assignment, the non-availability of an individual must not affect the consultant’s ability to supply the agreed competence or resources. The consultant shall in such case be able to provide persons with similar competence and experience when carrying out the assignment.” Also, in the tender document it is stated that “If the proposed personnel do not have the above referred sector competences the tendering firm may propose how such competence can be accessed from within the firm, or outside.” These writings are to allow for some flexibility in the staffing of the teams especially with reference to the needs for special competences.
Please note that it will be difficult for the CT to evaluate tendering bids with long lists of proposed personnel who may, or may not, be available for the respective assignments.