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Revised February 3, 2011

Request for Proposals for Training, February 8, 2011 OECS (Saint Lucia) Skills for Inclusive Growth Project

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Request for Proposals for Training

OECS (St. Lucia) Skills for Inclusive Growth Project

Call for Proposals, February 8, 2011

To All Interested Parties:

The Government of St. Lucia, in keeping with the policy to improve employment outcomes for youth

and provide more relevant competency-based training that fills demand in the market place, is

undertaking the execution of the OECS (Saint. Lucia) Skills for Inclusive Growth Project with the

support of a loan from the World Bank. The main objective of the project is to increase the

employability and career mobility of unemployed youth through private-sector driven training. The

Ministry of Education and Culture (MOEC), which is the Implementing Agency for the project, has

entered into a subsidiary agreement with the National Skills Development Centre (NSDC) to

administer the skills training component of the project.

At this time, the NSDC, authorized by the Government of Saint Lucia, invites Training Providers in

consultation with Employers to submit Training Course Proposals (as specified in the Data Sheet for

Delivery of Training that is contained in this package.) Pre-qualified Training Providers are eligible to

submit a proposal. Training Providers who are not pre-qualified should contact the Technical

Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Unit at the MOEC for more information. Applications for

pre-qualification are taken on a rolling basis, and interested parties should inquire with:

Ms. Ruth Charlemagne Project Officer Ministry of Education TVET and Accreditation Unit, 3rd Floor Francis Compton Building Waterfront Castries, St. Lucia. Telephone: (758) 468-5271 (o) or (758) 285-9688 (c)

Training providers may be individuals or firms. Interested parties should prepare training course

proposals relevant for skills development in the Hospitality, Agriculture, Information and

Communication Technology and Construction sectors. Eligible training providers and interested

employers may obtain a complete Request for Proposal (RFP) package at the NSDC Headquarters and

satellite offices.

NSDC Headquarters NSDC

Bisee Industrial Estate Choiseul Arts and Craft Center

Castries, St. Lucia La Fargue, Choiseul

Telephone: (758) 458-1677 Telephone: (758) 459-9691


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Training under the OECS (Saint Lucia) Skills for Inclusive Growth Project will impart life skills, technical

skills in a specific sector, and a traineeship. The NSDC or qualified training providers will provide a

short mandatory training program called Productivity Enhancement Training (PET), with the aim of

teaching life skills to the trainee. Thereafter, the Training Provider will offer group training with the

aim of imparting technical occupational skills. This is followed by a traineeship with a partnering

Employer. The number of trainees for each training course proposal should be between 16 and 20.

Employers in the targeted sectors should review their training needs and capacities. NSDC will

provide a list of pre-qualified training providers to employers.

Proposals can be submitted in one of three ways:

By direct match. Eligible training providers contact employers directly. Providers propose

training and agree with employers to train a certain number of trainees based on their

needs.

With a training broker. A sector business association, such as the Saint Lucia Hotel and

Tourism Association (SLHTA), or another institution coordinates a training proposal for

several (smaller firms)

Employers alone. Employers can submit a request for training of a certain number of

trainees. NSDC will seek to incorporate those requests with other proposals or act as a

broker.

The participation of interested parties in this Call for Proposals indicates your understanding and

commitment to what is required as explained in the RFP and its Annexes, including any clarifications

or amendments that may be issued.

Training Providers shall submit an original, signed proposal, one electronic copy and one (1)

additional hard copies of each Training Course Proposal that they submit. The original and all copies

of the Training Course Proposals shall be placed in a sealed envelope clearly marked “Proposal for

Skills Training”. This envelope shall bear the submission address and other information indicated in

the Data Sheet and be clearly marked, “Do Not Open, Except in Presence of the Steering Committee.

Training Providers and Employers may request a clarification of any of the Guidelines for Proposals

documents up to March 23, 2011. Any request for clarification must be sent in writing by paper mail,

facsimile, or electronic mail to the Project Coordination Unit’s (PCU) address indicated in the Data

Sheet. The PCU will respond by facsimile or electronic mail to such requests on or before March 23,

2011. All parties who have obtained a copy of the RFP will be notified of queries and answers. The

address for requesting clarifications is:

Ms. Cheryl Mathurin, Project Coordinator Project Coordination Unit, Ministry of Finance, Economic Affairs and National Development, American Drywall Building, Castries, Saint Lucia.


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Telephone: (758) 468-5816/5820 Facsimile: (758) 453-0417 Email: [email protected]

The completed Proposals must be submitted no later than the following date and time: March 30,

2011 at 12:00 noon. Any proposal received after the closing time for submission of proposals shall be

returned unopened. The proposal submission address is:

The Office of the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Education and Culture 4th Floor, Francis Compton Building Waterfront Castries, St Lucia. Telephone: (758) 468-5207/8

After the deadline for submission of proposals, the Training Course Proposals shall be opened

immediately by the Permanent Secretary. The Proposals shall be opened publicly in the presence of

the parties submitting the proposal or their representatives who choose to attend. The Client shall

prepare minutes of the public opening.

A technical evaluation committee for each sector will review the training proposals and ensure that

the proposals meet the eligibility criteria. This body will consist of well-respected and independent

individuals who have no conflict of interest with the training proposals. In particular, the members

cannot be linked to any submitted training proposal. The committee, as a minimum, will consist of: a

training expert from NSDC, a pedagogy specialist, and a recognized sector specialist. The technical

evaluation committee submits its recommendations for approval to the Steering Committee that will

make the final selection.

All Training Providers and Employers that submit Training Course Proposals will be notified whether

or not their proposals have been approved by the Steering Committee by May 11, 2011. All

proposals will be reviewed against the eligibility and technical criteria. Proposals are expected to

meet at least the minimum requirements of the Standards for Level One Certification (CVQ) in

competency-based training. The Standards for training and Learning Guides (where available) can be

obtained from the MOEC’s TVET Unit. Training Providers and Employers with successful Training

Course Proposals will sign contracts for delivery of those training courses. Commencement of

training should take place on or about June 27, 2011.

Please see the table of contents of this package to locate further information, including the

Guidelines, Data Sheet, and Technical Proposal – Standard Forms.


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Timeline Call for Training Course Proposals

Skill Areas: Hospitality, Agriculture, Information and Communication Technology and Construction

Process Dates

Training Course Proposal Packages available for Pre-qualified Training Providers and Employers

February 8, 2011

Training sessions on Proposal Writing

January 26, 2011, Conference Room, Ministry of Finance, Economic Affairs and National Development, 2nd Floor, American Drywall Building, Castries

Orientation for Employers who will be mentoring trainees during traineeship.

January 25, 2011, Conference Room, Ministry of Finance, Economic Affairs and National Development, 2nd Floor, American Drywall Building, Castries.

Period to seek consultations or clarifications on proposal writing

Up to March 23, 2011

Written responses to queries provided by the PCU

On or before March 23, 2011

Closing date for Submission of Proposals and Public Opening

March 30, 2011 at 12:00 noon , at the Office of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, 4th Floor, Francis Compton Building, Waterfront, Castries

Evaluation of Training Course Proposals April 6, 2011

Notification of Awards by Steering Committee

May 11, 2011

Sign Training Contracts May 25, 2011

Matching Process June 4, 2011

Notification to Trainees, Training Providers and Employers

June 11, 2011

Sign Tripartite Agreements: Training Providers, Employers and Trainees

November 14, 2011

Training Courses can commence as early as:

June 27, 2011

Approximately, November 14, 2011: Life skills (PET) and Technical Skills classroom training

Approximately, February 2012 – Completion of Traineeship

Graduation – February, 2012.


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

Part I

Introduction…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… i

Timeline………………………………..……………………………………………………………………………………………………….. iv

A. PROJECT DESCRIPTION…………………………………………………………………………………….…………………… 1

1. Background and Context………………………………………………………………………………………………….… 1

2. Program Objectives……………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 2

3. Implementation and Components of the Project..…………………………………..………………………... 3

B. GUIDELINES FOR PROPOSALS………………………………………………..……………………………………………… 7

1. Introduction…………………………………………………………………………………………………………..…………... 7

2. Clarification of Guidelines …………………………………………………………… …………………………….……… 11

3. Preparation of Proposals………………………………………………………………………………………………….... 11

4. Submission, Receipt, and Opening of Proposals…………………………...…………………….……………… 14

5. Proposal Evaluation……………………………………………………………………………………………………..…….. 15

6. Verification…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….…… 16

7. Award of Contract………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 17

8. Confidentiality………………………………………………………………………………………………………….………… 17

C. INFORMATION FOR TRAINING PROVIDERS……………………………………………………………………….…… 18

1. Data Sheet………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 18

2. Proposal Evaluation & Scoring……………………………………………………………………………………………. 22

Part II

D. TECHNICAL PROPOSAL – STANDARD FORMS.…………………………………………………………………..….. 23

1. List of Standard Forms to be submitted as the Technical Training Course Proposal ………….. 23


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A. PROJECT DESCRIPTION

1. Background and Context

The economy of Saint Lucia has undergone a dynamic shift over the last decade marking a transition

from a mono-crop based economy to a service oriented one, driven by the tourism and related

construction. This transition has been manifested in a decline in the share of the agriculture sector in

gross domestic product (GDP) from 14.5 percent in 1990 to 3.3 percent in 2005. In contrast, the

tourism sector has moved from a share in GDP of 9.6 percent in 1990 to 13.6 percent in 2005.

Consequently, the portion of the workforce employed in agriculture sector moved from 21.9 percent

in 1995 to 12 percent in 2005. In contrast, the portion of the employed who work in the hotel and

restaurant sub-sector moved from 9.9 percent in 1995 to 12.2 percent in 2005.

In addition, over the last ten years economic growth in Saint Lucia has been largely driven by the

production of services. Traded services accounted for 71.9 percent of GDP in 1995 and moved to

83.9 percent in 2005. Given the dominance of traded (private sector) services in GDP, Saint Lucia and

the other OECS countries must undertake reforms that will improve the employability of the labour

force in order to sustain high levels of economic growth which will facilitate development.

Globally, youth unemployment is 2-3 times larger than adult unemployment. In Saint Lucia youth

unemployment stood at 39 percent in 2004 compared to 19 percent for the whole workforce. Youth

unemployment undermines the prospects for growth and development to a society via forgone

earnings and increased probability of deviant behavior among unemployed youth.

Better preparation of young people through more relevant education and training should improve

employment outcomes for youth. Education is a key factor for a successful career in the OECS. For

example, in St. Lucia, a worker with secondary education has on average a 73 percent higher wage

than one with only primary education, while a worker with post secondary education earns a wage

146 percent higher than a primary education holder.

The Government of Saint Lucia has taken strong actions to reap these returns by advancing universal

secondary education. However, schooling seems insufficiently focused on labour market skills and

overly oriented towards an academic career. For example, teaching does not impart life skills

demanded by the services sectors. Life skills refers to a large group of psycho-social and

interpersonal skills which would assist trainees in making informed decisions, communicate

effectively, and develop coping and self-management skills that may help them lead a healthy and

productive life. Life skills may be directed toward personal actions and actions toward others, as well

as actions to change the surrounding environment to make it conducive to health.

There is no definitive list of life skills. The choice of, and emphasis on, different skills will vary

according to the topic and local conditions (e.g., decision-making may feature strongly in HIV/AIDS

prevention whereas conflict management may be more prominent in a peace education program).


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Though the list suggests these categories are distinct from each other, many skills are used

simultaneously in practice. For example, decision-making often involves critical thinking ("what are

my options?") and values clarification ("what is important to me?"). Ultimately, the interplay

between the skills is what produces powerful behavioural outcomes, especially where this approach

is supported by other strategies such as media, policies and health services.

In an attempt to meet the needs of the OECS skills for Inclusive Growth Project the following psycho-social and interpersonal skills are considered important:

Communication and Interpersonal Skills Interpersonal communication skills Negotiation/refusal skills Empathy Cooperation and Teamwork Advocacy Skills

Decision-Making and Critical Thinking Skills Decision making / problem solving skills Critical thinking skills

Coping and Self-Management Skills Skills for increasing internal locus of control Skills for managing feelings Skills for managing stress

Work and Ethics

Healthy Lifestyle

Teamwork

Customer Service Skills

Job Search Skills

Approximately 15 percent of secondary school age graduates enroll in tertiary education in St. Lucia.

This means that approximately 85 percent of secondary school graduates could enter the labour

market. Thus, there is a need for an effective mechanism to align the education system to the needs

of the labour market. Improving curricula and teaching in secondary and tertiary education to better

reflect a labour market demand is perhaps the best option to attain this objective. However,

curriculum reform and development takes time and may not always eliminate difficulties in

transitioning from school to work. Thus, the need for a training program specifically designed to

assist and prepare secondary school graduates with low academic qualifications to gain their first job.

Training is often organized by employers and delivered by private companies. However, those

companies are not usually accredited by a recognized body. The lack of accreditation undermines

the ability of prospective employers to assess trainees on the basis of the training provided. In light

of this, there is a need to introduce a system for assessment and accreditation of training providers

in an effort to improve the portability of training. Trainees can then work towards a recognized

training certification.


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The Government Strategy clearly states that skills training and unemployed youth are priority policy

goals. This was clearly articulated in the inaugural address (upon assuming office following the 2006

General Elections) by the Prime Minister on December 15, 2006:

“….. We have promised to target the creation of at least 7,000 new jobs in the growth sectors of

tourism, information technology.” …All of our efforts to create new jobs will depend heavily on

having a trained workforce and in this regard, we will invest heavily in the training and retraining of

our people to enable them to meet the requirements for employment in this era of globalization and

of the CSME”

To support the transition from school to work especially for low skilled, unemployed youth, the

recently approved OECS Skills for Inclusive Growth Program aims to increase the employability of

youth through the development of private-sector driven training programs. To ensure that young

people will have the skills demanded by employers, the Project will support the creation of a

common framework for competitive and private-sector driven training in the OECS conducive to

increasing regional collaboration within this area as the OECS moves towards the CSME. The

demand-driven approach will encourage close public-private partnerships and ensure that training is

designed to fit the industry needs, increasing the impact of investments in training and leveraging

private resources. It will provide technical assistance to introduce regionally approved occupational

standards to increase the quality and value of training, and allow for certification, recognition, and

portability of competency-based skills.

2. Program Objectives

The main objective of the project is to increase the employability and career mobility of unemployed

youth through private-sector driven training. The objective has three intermediate outcomes:

- Increasing quality and market value of training through the introduction of occupational standards, competency based training and certification.

- Enhancing institutional capacity to implement and plan training programs and social assistance to the unemployed youth. This will be pursued through regional collaboration within the area of training, investing in institutional strengthening, and developing of policy action plans.

- Contributing to a better match between provisions of education and training with labor market demand. This will be pursued by piloting a new modality for demand-driven training delivered through a public-private partnership, and by increasing coordination between employers and education and training institutions.


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3. Implementation and Components of the Project

Implementation The Ministry of Education and Culture (MOEC), which is the Implementing Agency for the project, has

entered into a subsidiary agreement with the National Skills Development Centre (NSDC) to

implement the skills training component of the project. The NSDC will handle the administrative

aspects of the training component and will serve as a broker for the competitive selection of the

training providers. The soft skills may be delivered by the NSDC and there will be a subcontracting

competitive process to outsource the hard skills training. The NSDC will then organize for the

traineeships.

The Project Coordination Unit (PCU) will assist the NSDC with the coordination of the Call For

Proposals.

The project will consist of the following components related to training:

Component 1 - Skills Training for Unemployed Youth

This sub-component seeks to provide training for unemployed youth in Agriculture, Construction,

Information Communication Technology (ICT), and Hospitality through the establishment of a

training scheme Priority Areas for Training:

The training will, in partnership with the private sector, equip youth with technical and life skills that

the labor market demands. Each “round” of training entails the following steps: (i) outreach to

unemployed youth (trainees), firms and training providers to inform these target beneficiaries of the

training scheme; (ii) call for training proposals; (iii) matching eligible trainees, firms and providers; (iv)

provision of pre-service training (classroom/technical training), which will last about four months; (v)

completion of a traineeship lasting approximately four months; (vi) certification of trainees’ skills;

and (vii) monitoring and evaluation. After the end of the traineeship, it is at the discretion of the

employer and the trainee whether they will enter into a job contract.

The project sets the eligibility criteria for participation of youth:

Eligibility Criteria Verification

Youth

Currently those unemployed

between the ages of 16-40

Verification relies on self-selection to a large extent, but there will

be:

verification of regular pension contributions to The National Insurance Corporation database;

communication with community officers in case of doubt; and

signed statement certifying that the trainee is unemployed.

Maximum of 6 months work

experience in sector of

Relying on self-selection to a large extent, but it will be verified with sector associations


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training

No previous training in sector

of training

verification through training records of major training providers

Four passes or less at the

Caribbean Secondary

Education Certificate (CSEC)

Exam

The Ministry of Education’s examination records.

Component II - Strengthening the policy framework for training

The project will introduce a system for assessment and accreditation of training by setting standards

for training based on regionally approved standards and assessing the quality of it. It will also

establish public knowledge of the assessment rules and target stakeholder knowledge. The system

will facilitate the portability of training, and support its quality. This includes introducing

occupational standards, certification and quality assurance in four areas: Agriculture, Construction,

Hospitality and Information and Computer Technology, and accreditation of training providers and

quality assurance of training.

Quality assurance will involve both registration of training providers and oversight of the assessment

process to ensure it meets the standards. The intention is to formally accredit training providers.

However in the interim a system of pre-qualification will be established and regulated by the

Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) & Accreditation Unit of the MOEC. Training

Providers and employers will participate in training workshops to acquaint them to the

implementation of the standards based approach.

The pre-qualification system will be employed and used until the full accreditation system can be

implemented under the project. Training providers will be pre-qualified using a list of established

criteria as stated in section 1.12 of these guidelines. Within the context of the project, accreditation

refers to the adherence to standards (facilities, experience, qualifications, and programmes) by

training providers and trainers. Pre-qualification of training providers will be undertaken by the TVET

Unit’s Accreditation Officer. Training providers may apply to be assessed for pre-qualification on a

rolling basis. Please contact the Ministry of Education and Culture’s TVET and Accreditation Unit for

further information.

Ms. Ruth Charlemagne Project Officer Ministry of Education and Culture TVET and Accreditation Unit 3rd Floor Francis Compton Building Waterfront Castries, Saint Lucia Tel: 758-468-5271 (o) or 758-285-9688 (c)


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B. GUIDELINES FOR PROPOSALS

1. Introduction 1.1. The Client is the Government of St Lucia, herein represented by the

National Skills Development Center (hereinafter referred to as

NSDC), and duly authorized so to act.

The NSDC’s offices are located at:

NSDC Headquarters

Bisee Industrial Estate,

Castries, Saint Lucia.

Tel: (758) 458-1677

1.2. Training Providers in consultation with Employers are invited to

submit a Proposal, as specified in the Data Sheet for Delivery of

Training (Section C, Part 1). The winning proposal will be the basis

for contract verification and ultimately for a signed contract with

the Training Provider.

1.3. Training under the OECS Skills for Inclusive Growth Project will

impart both life skills, technical skills, and a traineeship. The NSDC

or other training providers with this capacity will provide a short

mandatory training program, called Productivity Enhancement

Training (PET), with the aim of teaching life skills to the trainee.

This will last approximately one to two weeks. Thereafter, the

Training Provider will offer the technical skills training that meet at

least the minimum criteria for level one certification of the CVQ

(about 340 hours of technical training or approximately four

months). This will be followed by an estimated three to four

months of a structured traineeship with the partnering

public/private employer that is monitored by the training provider.

During the traineeship, the Training Provider will supervise the

Trainee. Further, each Employer is required to designate a mentor

who will guide the Trainee. Throughout the traineeship,

certification of the Trainee’s competences will take place.

1.4. The training shall be implemented in accordance with the training

steps indicated in the Data Sheet. The NSDC will review

performance of the Training Provider under each step of training.


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1.5. Training Providers must be familiar with local conditions and these

conditions should be considered in the preparation of training

course proposals. To obtain first hand information on the training

scheme and on the local conditions, Training Providers are

encouraged to visit the NSDC before submitting a proposal and to

attend a workshop on Proposal Writing as specified in the Data

Sheet. Attending the workshop on Proposal Writing is optional,

but nonetheless is highly recommended. Training Providers and

Employers should contact the officials named in the Data Sheet to

obtain additional information on the workshop on Proposal

Writing.

1.6. The project will pay each Trainee a modest stipend. The stipend

would be based on the established rates will be given to all

Trainees. Stipend will cover at minimum meals and transportation

and will be provided to each Trainee. The minimum stipend is set

at EC$300.00 (US$112.00) per month. This stipend is based on the

trainee’s attendance. The training scheme will finance the stipend

during the pre-service and traineeship.

1.7. A unit cost of EC$2,850 (US$1,056) that covers four months of

technical skills training per Trainee is calculated based on the

actual costs of training provided by St Lucia’s National Skills

Development Centre (NSDC). The unit cost is composed of the

Training Provider’s fee (based on sixteen (16) Trainees per

course), materials and equipment, and a stipend payable to

Trainees for transportation. The unit cost will be reviewed

annually to ensure that it remains in sync with average market

rates for training.

1.8. Training Providers will be paid based on outcomes. The number of

trainees to each proposal should be between sixteen and twenty.

The remuneration should be worked out this way: the number of

trainees times the unit cost for four months of training minus the

value of the stipend. Thus, the training provider will earn

EC$1,500 per trainee. Based on a class of 16 to 20 trainees the

potential payment is in the range of EC$24,000 to EC$30,000 per

course. Training Providers will be paid 40 percent of the fee

payable to them upon commencement of training and 30 percent

upon completion of the technical classroom training. The

remaining 30 percent will be disbursed only for those Trainees

who successfully complete the full training including the

traineeship and obtaining certification. This payment schedule


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provides a strong incentive for Training Providers to offer quality

training that ensures their Trainees learn and become certified.

Regional and International experience shows that a small

percentage of trainees may not finish the entire training.

1.9. Please note that (i) the costs of preparing the proposal and of

negotiating the contract, including attendance at the Proposal

Writing Workshop, are not reimbursable as a direct cost of the

assignment; and (ii) the NSDC is not bound to accept any of the

proposals submitted.

1.10. Government of Saint Lucia (GOSL) policy requires that Training

Providers provide training with the highest standard of

professional and ethical competence and integrity, and at all times

hold the NSDC’s interests paramount, without any consideration

for future work, and strictly avoid conflicts with other assignments

or their own corporate interests. Training Providers or their

affiliates shall not be hired for any assignment that would be in

conflict with their prior or current obligations to other clients, or

that may place them in a position of not being able to carry out

the training in the best interest of the NSDC.

1.11. The Eligibility Criteria for Training Providers is as follows:

Provider has met the pre-qualification criteria: (i) Completed the pre-qualification process; or (ii) Accredited by a well-known foreign training

accreditation body. The eligibility criteria for accepting Employers to participate in this

project is set forth below:

(i) Be registered in a National Database (ii) Have personnel assigned as mentors to trainees

participate in a Mentor Training workshop (iii) Have the ability to keep records on the training and

each trainee.

1.12. It is the GOSL’s policy to require that Awarded Parties (Training

Providers and Employers) under GOSL-financed contracts observe

the highest standard of professional and ethical competence and

integrity during the execution of such contracts. In pursuance of

this policy, the GOSL:

a) defines, for the purposes of this provision, the terms set forth


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below as follows:

(i) “corrupt practice” means the offering, giving, receiving, or

soliciting, directly or indirectly, of anything of value to

influence improperly the action of a another party in the

selection process or in contract execution; and

(ii) “fraudulent practice” means any act or omission, including

a misrepresentation of facts that knowingly or recklessly

misleads, or attempts to mislead, a party to obtain a

financial or other benefit or to avoid an obligation; It

includes collusive practices (prior to or after submission of

proposals) designed to establish prices at artificial,

noncompetitive levels and to deprive the GOSL of the

benefits of free and open competition.

b) will reject a proposal for award if it determines that the

Training Provider/Employer recommended for award has

engaged in corrupt or fraudulent activities in competing for the

contract in question;

c) will declare a Training Provider ineligible, either indefinitely or

for a stated period of time, to be awarded a GOSL-financed

contract if it at any time determines that the Training Provider

has engaged in corrupt or fraudulent practices in competing

for, or in executing, a GOSL –financed contract; and

1.13. Training Providers shall be aware of the provisions of fraud and

corruption stated in 1.12


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2. Clarification of

Guidelines for

Proposals

Documents

2.1 Training Providers and Employers may request a clarification of any

of the Guidelines for Proposals documents up to the date indicated

in the Data Sheet before the proposal submission date. Any

request for clarification must be sent in writing by paper mail,

facsimile, or electronic mail to the Project Coordination Unit’s

(PCU) address indicated in the Data Sheet. The PCU will respond by

facsimile or electronic mail to such requests.

3. Preparation of

Proposals

3.1. Training Providers are requested to submit a proposal (paragraph.

1.2) written in the language(s) specified in the Data Sheet.

3.2. Generation of proposals by employers and eligible Training

Providers

a) Eligible employers review their training needs and capacities

b) NSDC provides a list of pre-qualified training providers to firms and also provides a list of interested employers to training providers.

c) Proposals may be submitted in one of the following three

ways: (i) By direct match. Eligible Training Providers contact

employers directly to obtain information on their training needs. Providers propose training courses based on information obtained and agree with employers to training a certain number of trainees.

(ii) With a training broker. A sector business association, such

as the St. Lucia Hotel and Tourism Association (SLHTA), or another institution coordinates a training proposal for several (smaller) employers. The Association /Organization gathers the information on the training needs and acts as a liaison between the Training Provider(s) and the Employers.

(iii) Employers alone. Employers can submit a request for

training of a certain number of trainees. NSDC will seek to incorporate those requests with other proposals or act as a broker.


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d) The training proposals are submitted to The Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education and Culture as specified in the Data Sheet. These proposals are binding to the training providers and employers. This means that, if they are approved for funding, training providers and employers are bound to execute the training. Potential sanctions include exclusion from participation in future calls for proposals.

3.3. In preparing the Proposal, Training Providers are expected to refer

to this document, the Request for Proposal for Training, in detail.

Material deficiencies in providing the information requested may

result in rejection of a proposal.

3.4. While preparing the Proposal, Training Providers must give

particular attention to the following:

(i) If a Training Provider does not have all the expertise for the

assignment, he/she may obtain a full range of expertise by

associating with other approved Training Providers and/or

entities in a joint venture or sub consultancy, as appropriate.

The Training Providers are encouraged to seek the

participation of local consultants by entering into a joint

venture with, or subcontracting part of the assignment to,

national consultants.

(ii) It is desirable that the majority of the key professional staff

proposed be permanent employees of the Employer or have an

extended and stable working relationship with it.

(iii) Proposed professional staff must meet the Prequalification Criteria.

3.5. The Proposal shall provide the following information using the

attached Technical Proposal – Standard Forms (Section D):

(i) A brief description of the Training Provider’s experience

relevant to this assignment. For each assignment an outline

should indicate, inter alia, the profiles of the staff proposed,

and Training Provider’s involvement and commitment.

(ii) A description of the methodology and training plan for delivery

of the training which must be for the duration specified in the

Data Sheet (Form D5).

(iii) A list of proposed staff that would be used in association with


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the delivery of the training course by their respective specialty

and the tasks that would be assigned to each staff member,

must be submitted (Form D7).

(iv) The list of the proposed mentors that would be assigned to

each trainee during the mentorship and training.

(v) CVs recently signed by the proposed professional staff and the

authorized representative submitting the proposal (Form D8).

Key information should include number of years of relevant

working experience in the sector and degree of responsibility

held in various assignments during the last three to five (3 – 5)

years.

(vi) A detailed description of the proposed methodology, staffing,

and monitoring of training is required as a major component of

the assignment.

(vii) Estimates of the total staff input (professional and support

staff; staff time) needed to carry out the assignment, showing

the time proposed for each professional staff team member

(Form D7).

(viii) Any additional information requested in the Data Sheet.

3.6. The Data Sheet indicates how long the proposals must remain valid

after the submission date. During this period, the consultant is

expected to keep available the professional staff proposed for the

assignment. The Evaluation Committee(s) will make its best effort

to complete the evaluation of proposals and matching process

within this period. If the NSDC wishes to extend the validity period

of the proposals, the consultants who do not agree have the right

not to extend the validity of their proposals.


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4. Submission,

Receipt, and

Opening of

Proposals

4.1 The original proposal shall be prepared as a typed document and

signed in indelible ink. It shall contain no interlineations or

overwriting, except as necessary to correct errors made by the

parties submitting the proposal. Any such corrections must be

initialed by the persons or person who sign(s) the proposals.

4.2 If other than the Principal, an authorized representative of the

parties submitting the proposal shall initial all pages of the

proposal. The representative’s authorization is confirmed by a

written power of attorney accompanying the proposal.

4.3 For the proposal, the Training Provider shall prepare the number of

copies indicated in the Data Sheet. Each Proposal shall be marked

“ORIGINAL” or “COPY” as appropriate. If there are any discrepancies

between the original and the copies of the proposal, the original

governs.

4.4 The original and all copies of the Proposal shall be placed in a

sealed envelope clearly marked “Proposal for Skills Training”. This

envelope shall bear the submission address and other information

indicated in the Data Sheet and is clearly marked, “DO NOT OPEN,

EXCEPT IN PRESENCE OF THE STEERING COMMITTEE.”

4.5 The completed Proposals must be delivered at the submission

address on or before the time and date stated in the Data Sheet.

Any proposal received after the closing time for submission of

proposals shall be returned unopened.

4.6 After the deadline for submission of proposals, the Proposal shall

be opened immediately by the Permanent Secretary.

4.7 The Proposals shall be opened publicly in the presence of the

parties submitting the proposal or their representatives who

choose to attend. The Client shall prepare minutes of the public

opening.


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5. Proposal

Evaluation

5.1. From the time the proposals are opened to the time the contract

is awarded, if any Training Provider or Employer wishes to contact

the PCU on any matter related to its proposal, it should do so in

writing at the address indicated in the Data Sheet. Any effort by

the Training Provider or Employer to influence the NSDC in the

proposal evaluation, proposal comparison or contract award

decisions may result in the rejection of the Training Provider’s

proposal.

5.2. The Evaluation Committee, appointed by the Client as a whole, and

each of its members individually, evaluates the proposals on the

basis of its responsiveness to the Request for Proposal for training

and applying the evaluation criteria. Each responsive proposal will

be given a technical score. A proposal shall be rejected at this

stage if it does not respond to important aspects of the Request

for Proposal for training or if it fails to achieve the minimum

technical score indicated in the Data Sheet.

5.3. Selection of winning proposals

a) The MOF sets the annual budget availability for the project.

b) A technical Evaluation Committee for each sector will review the training proposals and ensure that the proposals meet the eligibility criteria. This body will consist of well-respected and independent individuals who have no conflict of interest with the training proposals. In particular, the members cannot be linked to any submitted training proposal. The Evaluation Committee, as a minimum, will consist of: a training expert from NSDC, a pedagogy specialist, and a recognized sector specialist. The technical Evaluation Committee submits its recommendations for approval to the Steering Committee that will make the final selection.

c) NSDC verifies the number of trainees required from the

winning proposals.

d) NSDC and training providers select and allocate the matching number of trainees from the database with the winning proposals. The NSDC works alongside the training provider to ensure that each trainee matches the requirements of the chosen training. The training provider will be rewarded based on its trainee’s completion rate. The provider will therefore have an incentive to match the trainee’s capacities and attitudes with the requirements. Although, this may lead to


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“cream-skimming” among the unemployed, i.e. the best-prepared among the unemployed will receive a traineeship, this mechanism will: (i) maximize the success of getting a young person hired and permanently out of unemployment, which will create a reputation of program success; (ii) align the incentives of Employer, training provider, and NSDC; and (iii) best contribute to the Employer’s competitiveness by providing the best suitable candidate among the unemployed youth.

6. Verification 6.1 Verification will be held at the address indicated in the Data Sheet

with all parties with approved proposals. The aim is to reach

agreement on all points and sign a contract.

6.2 Verification will include a discussion of the Proposal, the proposed

methodology (training plan), staffing, and clearly defining the

inputs required from the NSDC to ensure satisfactory delivery of

the training. The agreed training plan will be incorporated in the

description of services and form part of the contract. Verification

will include a clarification (if any) of the firm’s tax liability in the

Client’s country, and the manner in which it will be reflected in the

contract.

6.3 Having selected the proposal on the basis of, among other things,

an evaluation of proposed key professional staff, the NSDC expects

to sign a contract on the basis of the experts named in the

proposal. Before contract verification, the NSDC will require

assurances that the experts will be actually available. The NSDC

will not consider substitutions during contract verification unless

both parties agree that undue delay in the selection process makes

such substitution unavoidable or that such changes are critical to

meet the objectives of the training. If this is not the case and if it is

established that key staff were offered in the proposal without

confirming their availability, the firm may be disqualified.

6.4 The verification will conclude with a review of the draft form of the

contract. To complete verification the NSDC and the Training

Provider will initial and sign the agreed contract.


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7. Award of Contract 7.1 The contract will be awarded following verification.

7.2 The Training Provider is expected to commence the training on the

date specified in the Data Sheet and at the location specified in the

Proposal.

8. Confidentiality 8.1 Information relating to evaluation of proposals and

recommendations concerning awards shall not be disclosed to the

parties who submitted proposals or to other persons not officially

concerned with the process, until the parties submitting the

winning proposals have been notified that he/she/they have been

awarded the contract.


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C. INFORMATION FOR TRAINING PROVIDERS

1. Data Sheet

Clause Reference

1.1 The name of the Client is: The Government of Saint Lucia, herein represented

by The National Skills Development Center (hereinafter referred to as NSDC)

and duly authorized so to act.

1.2

The name, objectives, and description of the assignment are:

This Request for Proposals is soliciting the submission of Training Course(s)

Proposals that are demand-driven.

Training providers in partnership with Employers are encouraged to submit

proposals that would deliver a technical training course in a specific training

area that meets at least the minimum standards for Caribbean Vocational

Qualification.

The objective is to improve employment outcomes for youth and provide more

relevant competency-based training that fills demand in the market place. The

training course will equip youth (ages 16 – 40) with technical and life skills

training and a traineeship with a partnering employer. During the traineeship,

the Employer will provide mentoring and the Training Provider will monitor the

Trainee.

1.4 The training will be executed in three steps:

Step 1 – Life Skills Training (Productivity Enhancement Training, PET),

Step 2 – Technical Skills Training (Classroom), and

Step 3 – Traineeship with an Employer (on site).

1.5 Pre-proposal workshops will be held for proposal writing: Yes

Pre-proposal orientations for Employer’s on their role in mentoring during the

traineeship will be held: Yes

Training in Proposal Writing for Pre-qualified Training Providers – One set dates

and others upon request:

1. January 18, 2011 at 10:00 a.m.


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Orientations for Employers on their role in mentoring during the traineeship –

Two set dates and others upon request:

1. January 25, 2011 at 10:00 a.m.

The name(s), address(es), and telephone numbers of the Project’s official(s) are:

NSDC’s General Manager – Ms. Selma St. Prix

The Project Manager – Ms. Faith Harry-Jn Baptiste

NSDC Headquarters,



Main Line: 758- 458-1677

Cell phone for Ms. Harry-Jn Baptiste: 758-285-9689

The Project Officer – Ms. Ruth Charlemagne

Ministry of Education and Culture

TVET Unit, 3rd Floor, Francis Compton Building

Waterfront

Castries, St. Lucia

Tel: 758 468-5263 (o); 758-285-9688 (c)

2.1 Clarifications may be requested up to March 23, 2011.

Contact information for requesting clarifications is:

Ms. Cheryl Mathurin Project Coordination Unit, Ministry of Finance, Economic Affairs and National Development, American Drywall Building, Castries, St. Lucia. Telephone: (758) 468-5816

Facsimile: (758) 453-0417

Email: [email protected]

3.1 Proposals should be submitted in the following language(s): English Language

3.2 Training proposals shall be submitted to:

The Office of the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Education and Culture 4th Floor, Francis Compton Building Waterfront Castries, St. Lucia Telephone: (758) 468-5207/8

Information on the outer envelope should also include: “Proposal for Skills


19

Training”. This envelope shall bear the submission address listed above and be clearly marked, “DO NOT OPEN, EXCEPT IN PRESENCE OF THE STEERING COMMITTEE.”

3.4 Entities may associate with other firms: Yes

3.5 The training is estimated to be approximately :

Eight (8) months duration comprising of:

- Approximately two weeks of life skills training (Productivity

Enhancement Training Modules, PET)

- About 340 hours of occupational skills training (roughly equivalent to

four months at four hours a day), and

- Three to four months traineeship (at the Employers’ Establishment)

3.6 Proposals must remain valid ninety (90) days after the closing date, June 27,

2011.

4.3 Training Providers must submit a signed original proposal, one electronic copy

and one (1) additional hardcopy of each proposal: Yes

4.4 The proposal submission address is:

The Office of the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Education and Culture 4th Floor, Francis Compton Building Waterfront, Castries, St Lucia. Telephone: (758) 468-5207/8

Information on the outer envelope should also include: “Proposal for Skills

Training”.

This envelope shall bear the submission address and is clearly marked,

“DO NOT OPEN, EXCEPT IN PRESENCE OF THE STEERING COMMITTEE.”

4.5 The Proposal(s) must be submitted no later than the following date and time:

March 30, 2011 at 12:00 noon at the address listed in 4.4.

A public opening of all proposals will be held at 12:01 pm at the same location.

5.1 From the time the proposals are opened until the time the contract is awarded,

any training provider or employer wishing to make contact regarding their


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proposal should inquire with:

Ms. Cheryl Mathurin The Project Coordination Unit Ministry of Finance, Economic Affairs and National Development, American Drywall Building, Castries, Saint Lucia. Tel: (758) 468-5816

6.1 The address for verification is:

NSDC Headquarters,



(758) 458-1677

7.2 The assignment is expected to commence on or about: June 27, 2011.


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2. Proposal Evaluation and Scoring [DO NOT COMPLETE THIS FORM – FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY]


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The minimum qualifying technical score to pass is 70 points.

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