Request for Proposals for Institutional Contract Assessment of neonatal health services

The UNICEF in Panama from Americas region had released this tender for Assessment of neonatal health services 1. BACKGROUND UNICEF promotes the rights and welfare of all children and adolescents in everything we do. Together with our allies, we work in 190 countries and territories to transform this commitment into practical actions that benefit all children, especially focusing our efforts on reaching the most vulnerable and excluded, worldwide. The UNICEF Latin America and the Caribbean Regional Office (LACRO) is based in Panama, operating in 36 countries and territories, covered by 24 country offices. UNICEF works to put the rights and well-being of the most disadvantaged children at the heart of the social, political, and economic agenda. For more information about UNICEF and its work. (www.unicef.org/lac). While neonatal mortality rates in the LAC region are low on average (9 per 1,000 live births in 2021, down from 16.3 in 2000) and in most countries, there are significant inter- and intra-country inequities. The 14 countries with the highest rates (and above the regional average) are, in order of magnitude, Dominica (28.3), Haiti (24.3), Dominican Republic (22.9), Grenada (10.3), Guyana (16.9), Venezuela (15.0), Bolivia (13.2), Saint Lucia (13.0), Guatemala (10.8), Suriname (10.7), Trinidad and Tobago (10.3), Jamaica (10.3), Saint Kitts and Nevis (9.8) and Paraguay (9.7). At regional level, the main causes of neonatal mortality are prematurity (36%), congenital anomalies (21%), birth asphyxia and birth trauma (15%) and sepsis and other infectious conditions (12%). UNICEF LACRO plans to undertake an assessment of newborn services and facilities in four selected countries: Bolivia, Dominican Republic, Guatemala and Paraguay. The countries are selected based on availability of UNICEF staff working on Health, absence of similar initiatives by other partners, and absence of fragile country contexts. The results of this assessment will be used to craft interventions to improve the situation, including technical assistance and communication and advocacy activities. PURPOSE: Under the overall supervision of the Regional MNCH/eMTCT Specialist and in close collaboration with the UNICEF staff in the participating countries and focal points of respective government partners, the institutional consultancy team is requested to assess the availability, accessibility of newborn services and facilities in the participating countries, and to craft recommendations for improving the situation to reduce mortality and morbidity, including through technical support as well as communication and advocacy activities. 2. SOLICITATION 2.1 The purpose of this Request for Proposals for Services (#RFPS#) is to invite proposals for the " Assessment of neonatal health services detailed in the Terms of Reference/Statement of Work attached at Annex B. 2.2 This RFPS document is comprised of the following: - This document LRPS-2023-9182604 - The UNICEF General Terms and Conditions of Contract (Services) which are attached as Annex A - The full Terms of Reference/Statement of work attached at Annex B - MDM Vendor Template Annex C - Online registration to UNGM -United Nations Global Market # link: https://www.ungm.org/Account/Registration - Instructions to bidders: 191125 - UNICEF e-submissions instructions to Bidders (7).pdf 2.3 This RFPS is an invitation to treat and shall not be construed as an offer capable of being accepted or as creating any contractual, other legal or restitution rights. No binding contract, including a process contract or other understanding or arrangement, will exist between the Proposer and UNICEF and nothing in or in connection with this RFPS shall give rise to any liability on the part of UNICEF unless and until a contract is signed by UNICEF and the successful Proposer. PART II PROPOSAL SUBMISSION PROCESS 1. PROPOSAL SUBMISSION SCHEDULE CONTRACTUAL PROCESS The schedule of the contractual process is as follows: ACTIVITIES SCHEDULE: 1.Send Proposal: 11.05.2023 2.Questions and Answer if necessary: Until May 19th, 2023, before 23:59 (Panama Time) 3.Consolidates Q & A posted in UNGM: May 23rd, 2023. 4.Deadline for Proposals: June 01st, 2023, before 23:59 (Panama Time) 5.Proposals Review: June 02nd #09th, 2023, approximately 6.Award Notice sent and posted in UNGM: June 10th,2023 approximately 7.Contract begins June 15, 2023, approximately. 1.1 Acknowledgement of receipt of RFPS. Proposers are requested to inform UNICEF as soon as possible send it through UNGM platform and if you prefer you can also send by email to at lacro-ops@unicef.org . IMPORTANT: PROPOSALS ARE NOT TO BE SENT TO THE EMAIL ADDRESS STATED ABOVE # ANY PROPOSALS SENT TO THE ABOVE EMAIL ADDRESS WILL BE DISQUALIFIED. 1.2 Questions from Proposers. Proposers are required to submit any questions in respect of this RFPS by UNGM platform. And if you prefer you can also send by email at LACRO-OPS@UNICEF.ORG 1.3 The deadline for receipt of any questions is May 19th, 2023. BEFORE 23:59 PANAMA TIME. IMPORTANT: PROPOSALS ARE NOT TO BE SENT TO THE EMAIL ADDRESS STATED ABOVE # ANY PROPOSALS SENT TO THE ABOVE EMAIL ADDRESS WILL BE DISQUALIFIED. Proposers are required to keep all questions as clear and concise as possible. with tender notice no. 9182604 published on 12 May 2023. The tender expired on 01 Jun 2023. This tender is sourced from United Nations Global Marketplace and is eligible for suppliers interested in Health services. Interested bidders can obtain further information including complete bid documents or ways to participate by registering on Tender Impulse and referencing via Tender Impulse ID 3116884.