Request for Proposal for the provision of the Learning Management System (LMS) for GELI

New clarification added: Question 58: Environmental Policy -> Since we don’t generate any hazardous waste, is it applicable to us. E-waste (hardware items) generated by us is given to certified e-waste custodianAnswer 58: An environmental policy should state the commitment that the company is making in relation to its use of resources and impact on the environment of its products and/ or services. With the purpose of decreasing the impact on the environment. It should be formally endorsed by  top management. The policy should make clear actions and objectives which take into consideration applicable legal and other requirements.  Question 59: Need more clarity on “Conflict Minerals”.Answer 59: So called conflict minerals (tantalum, tin, gold and tungsten) are sourced from the Democratic Republic of Congo and its neighbouring states. Companies that are at risk of using conflict minerals are required to undertake due diligence on the sourcing and file a conflict minerals report.Question 60: What are specific UN guiding principles business & human rights, we follow all Indian laws/ legislation in this regard.Answer 60: As a company, it is your obligation to Respect human rights, and to Remedy any human rights issue that make your company complicit in human rights abuse. The company should have in place ways to protect workers against possible abuses, the company should implement prevention policies, facilitate open communication, provide training, and allow workers to report incidents of harassment.Question 61: Referring to answer 46, We are not looking for an “off the shelf” product. For future routine updates of the LMS, we would like the ability to conduct routine customizations of the LMS using plugin and apps, without the need to pay for a developer to customize the code within the LMS for minor, routine changes.How do you define ‘routine customisations’, and ‘minor, routine changes’? Are you looking for full-customisation to build third-party components into the LMS? Could you please provide further clarity?Answer 61: Routine customizations include customized logo, banners, color palette, layout, alerts and notifications, mapping the learning journey for participants, activating, archiving and deactivating social learning features such as discussion boards,modifications to layout and types of content on the main page, and customized reports.  Routine changes would include any changes to these listed.

New clarification added: Question 51: G-Cube LMS is an off the shelf, ready built platform which meets all UNOP requirements and is completely configurabe, please confirm if UNOP is fine with Off the shelf platform on a licensed subscription based costing model. If yes, Is UNOP fine with service provider not sharing the source code, please confirm.Answer 51:  GELI is looking for a platform that will alow the customization of the look and feel of the platform to include unique branding, as well as the customizable functionality, active features, and layout.  If the off-the shelf platform provides this level of customization and configurability the we would be open to considering the option.  It is fine to not receive the source code.Question 52:You have mentioned that there are around 6000 personnel spread across the globe however it is also mentioned that at any time there would be around 25 concurrent users. As G-Cube LMS is an off the shelf product and works on a per user Licensing model so we would need a number of licenses UNOP is looking to procure in order to provide a pricing on that.Answer 52:  Please use the costing model included in the returnable bidding forms document to provide pricing. Question 53: We are headquarted in Delhi India and have been working with clients globally including several UN bodies as well. We would like to understand if there is any Onsite implementation support & maintenance is required or UNOP is fine with Offshore implementation & support.Answer 53:  GELI is fine with with offshore implementation and support.Question 54: G-Cube LMS is unicode compliant and can be provided in any of the regional or national languages. Do you also require the platform in Multiple languages.? Answer 54: We would want language scalability  - all content and the platform will be published in English as the first priority, and moving forward potentially French, Arabic and Spanish.  Please provide pricing for both with and without French, Spanish, and Arabic capability, if additional pricing applies.Question 55: Is there any integration required with other systems like HRMS/HRIS or PMS/CRM etc.? Please explain.  Answer 55:  No this system is not expected to integrate with other HRMS/HRIS or PMS/CRM like systems. However, integration is required with Salesforce and a website.  This integration will be undertaken by a third party vendor, but the LMS should be designed that will allow for integration with other platforms.Question 56: G-Cube LMS can be implemented on cloud as well as On-premise, How is UNOP looking to host this application.?  Answer 56:  GELI prefers a cloud-based hosting option.Question 57: Freedom of Association and Right to collective Bargain Policy -> is it referring to On-board/ Off-board as per associate need/ will?Answer 57: Freedom of association refers to the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and to the freedom of association such as to a trade union. Collective bargaining refers to a process of negotiations between the  employer and a group of employees.  

New clarification added: Question 49: In Form D: Technical Proposal Form, could you clarify if you want all Key Personnel Proposed to have something from the Terms of Reference document listed under them or if we have included them all in our Proposal, do we keep this column all N/A?"Requirements as per Terms of reference. Copy the requirements in the TOR. If you are proposing additional personnel not included in the min. structure, please make this column as N/A"Answer 49: Please copy the minimum requirements of the Project Manager stated in the TOR under the "Requirements as per Terms of reference" column. For other positions, please make the column as N/A. Question 50: In Form D: Technical Proposal Form you mention the below, we are unable to locate the Statement of Exclusivity and Availability form in Section I: Instruction for Offerers nor in the Section III: Returnable Bidding Forms. Could you advise of its exact location?"Qualifications of key personnel proposed  For each of the names identified above, attach his/her CV using the format in Form F: Format for Resume of Proposed Key Personnel. If so required in Section I, also attach his/her Form I: Statement of Exclusivity and Availability"Answer 50: Please disregard Form I: Statement of Exclusivity and Availability". 

New clarification added: Question 45: Reference to Clause as per RFP document: Outputs Page no. 3 Clause as per RFP document: Integration with LinkedIn learning resources for GELI Alumni focused on the GELI Alumni Leadership pathway; Request for Clarification: The Required API access will be provided by UNOPS? Please confirmAnswer 45:  API access will not be provided by UNOPS. However, API will be a necessary function of the LMS to retrieve data from third party platforms such as Survey Monkey and Salesforce, other third party learning platforms, and the GELI website. API Integration streamlines the administrative burden of working with multiple systems while ensuring the information in all systems are current and up to date and evaluation metrics are able to be tracked and managed on all systems.Question 46: Reference to Clause as per RFP document: Outputs Page no. 3 Clause as per RFP document: Does not require coding to customize or update features and content of the LMS. Request for Clarification: Does this mean, you are looking for a "off the shelf" product? Please confirm.Answer 46: We are not looking for an “off the shelf” product. For future routine updates of the LMS, we would like the ability to conduct routine customizations of the LMS using plugin and apps, without the need to pay for a developer to customize the code within the LMS for minor, routine changes.Question 47: Reference to Clause as per RFP document: Activities Page no. 3 Clause as per RFP document: Technical Workshop: The contractor will facilitate discussion during an initial technical workshop to further define LMS requirements for GELI, offer a demo of various capabilities to support the brainstorming process, and make suggestions around potential options. Request for Clarification: The Technical Workshop will be online keeping in view the current COVID-19 travel and social distancing restrictions. Kindly confirmAnswer 47: We confirm the technical workshop can be conducted online/virtually.Question 48: Reference to Clause as per RFP document: Timing Clause as per RFP document: The period of performance is 3 months, to include design, development, and customization; soft launch; full launch; and transition of to GELI for management.Answer 48: We assume that the hosting of the LMS will be taken care by UNOPS  / GELI post the transition. Kindly confirm.Response: Hosting will be provided by the selected vendor. AWS and Azure are acceptable hosting platforms. If another host is offered, justification should be provided. 

New clarification added: Question 41: Reference to Clause as per RFP document: Outputs Page no. 3 Clause as per RFP document: Synchronous Learning support;Request for Clarification: This requirement can be met with 'Live Chat'. Kindly confirm that our understanding is correct.Answer 41: Synchronous learning support should be provided in virtual and non-virtual formats to accommodate users and a range of potential system support issues.Question 42: Reference to Clause as per RFP document: Outputs Page no. 3 Clause as per RFP document: 24/7 Technical Support; level 1 & 2 supports to include train the trainers;Request for Clarification: What is meant by Level 1&2 supports to include train the trainers?Answer 42:Level 1 includes a service desk to resolve basic repetitive issues, like password resets and account information updates.Automation and self-service may be used to support users and connect support agents operating on subsequent levels. Level 2 handles more complex issues that require support from technical personnel. Support agents should have a deep knowledge in solving common complex issues facing end-users. The “train the trainers” refers to the training of assigned administrators in the ability to resolve level 1 types of issues in the event technical support is not available.Question 43: Reference to Clause as per RFP document: Outputs Page no. 3Clause as per RFP document: Capability to keep the LMS independent from other agencies;Request for Clarification: Request you to kindly elaborate more on this requirement. What is meant by "keep the LMS independent from other agencies?"Answer 43:  Acknowledging that some vendors have active contracts with UNOPS itself or other UN agencies, this statement is meant to clarify that GELI is independent and the LMS platform will remain independent  in lieu of building on an existing contract.Question 44: Reference to Clause as per RFP document: Outputs Page no. 3 Clause as per RFP document: Ability to have ports for external as well as internal users.Request for Clarification: Does this mean that there should be two instances, one for internal users and one for external users? Please define internal and external usersAnswer 44: We will have users accessing different tracks via the LMS, dependent on the courses they register for under GELI’s three track programme. Internal users are those participating in at least one track of the three track programme, but should only have access to materials for their specific track. There should also be external access for users who will have access to more general information provided through GELI (i.e. access to a webinar that was developed for a specific track, but also accessible to external users. We would like password protected ports for each track. Admin rights should not be port specific and should have access/oversight across the entire LMS.

New clarification added: Question 36: Can you please elaborate on: "The initial contract duration is 3 months as noted in the RFP. There will be a follow-on for hosting the LMS after the initial contract duration of an initial period of three years, with one option year". Do you mean a 3-month pilot which automatically extends to a 3-year contract based on hitting success metrics, or do you intend to sign only for 3 months initially? If its 3 months initially, is this open to negotiation?Answer 36:  The initial contract will provide 3 months for the development of the LMS this will include training staff on navigating the platform. After the development phase, a separate agreement will cover the ongoing hosting of the LMS for a 3 years contract base.  We anticipate using the same contractor for the development and hosting.Question 37: Reference to Clause as per RFP document: Outputs Page no. 2 of Section II: Schedule of Requirements eSourcing reference: RFP/2020/15140 Terms of Reference for the Learning Management System (LMS) for GELI Clause as per RFP document :  An instructor-led training (ILT) feature set to facilitate self-service enrollment and track attendanceRequest for Clarification: Are you looking for Virtual class room functionality?Answer 37:  No, we are looking for the ability to register and track course participation and completion for instructor led classes. We would also envision the need to have virtual resources such as articles, videos, etc.  linked to instructor led courses to support pre-work assignments.Question 38: Reference to Clause as per RFP document: Outputs Page no. 2Clause as per RFP document : Learner-generated/shared/rated content (upload documents, videos, articles, etc.) for dynamic types of learning assignments;Request for Clarification: Any approval workflow to be designed for this component?​Answer 38: Currently this capability will be limited to designated administrators, so an approval workflow will not be needed in the initial phase. However, an approval workflow capabilities should be included as an LMS functionality should we need workflows in the near future.Question 39: Reference to Clause as per RFP document: Outputs Page no. 2Clause as per RFP document: Course evaluation and survey toolsRequest for Clarification: This would be 'Course rating' by the users?Answer 39: The course evaluation will be complete by users, and should be customizable to support the development of program specific and course specific questions.  Other survey tools may include facilitator evaluation and coaching evaluations through the use of an integrated tool such as Survey Monkey.  It is envisioned that LMS would store both embedded and third party evaluation data to support centralized reporting.Question 40: Reference to Clause as per RFP document: Outputs Page no. 2Clause as per RFP document: Communication between: facilitators-learners, learner-learner, administrators-leaners, and administrators-facilitators;Request for Clarification: This can be done uses Internal message / chat. Kindly confirm that the same is acceptableAnswer 40: The staff and participants represent many different organizations so the use of a centralized email system is not feasible. However, we confirm that we would like the LMS to host chat and discussion board features that allow the exchange between facilitators-learners, learner-learner, administrators-learners, and administrators-facilitators.   

New clarification added: Q34: We are not part of UN Global Compact and we don’t have a participant number. Will this impact our submission evaluation?A34: No, it will not impact the evaluation. However, we are encoraging all the vendors to be part of the UN Global Compact.Q35: Do we need to provide the following details in DRiVE Supplier Sustainability Questionnaire_2019_Final Version_Eng or should we leave it blank .. fields in excel file in question are "UN Global Compact Participant, Participant Number, Date of last COP, Level of COP"Q35: If it is not applicable, please leave it blank.  

New clarification added: Q 21:  Offline Content - Low bandwidth, up to 3 materials to be available offline on the device for participants. A 21: There is no limit to the number of content that can be available offline.  Participants should have the ability to download podcasts, videos, articles etc. for offline access to material even when they have limited access to the internet/wifi.Q 22:  Integration for survey monkey, salesforce - List down the objectives of thisA 22:  Integration streamlines the administrative burden of working with multiple systems while ensuring the information in all systems are current and up to date and evaluation metrics are able to be tracked and managed on all systems.  An API must be implemented so that the LMS can interact with Survey Monkey, Salesforce, etc.Q 23: Technical Workshop – Only held onlineA 23: Yes, this can be held only online.Q 24: Server Hosting - Any specific guidelines or AWS/Azure is fine. A 24: AWS and Azure are fine.  If another host is offered, justification should be provided.Q 25: We understand UNOPS is considering option to integrated the LMS with 3rd party application/tools in a secured manner. Can you please mention expected third party tools/applications being considered for integration (apart from SurveyMonkey and Salesforce)? (Ref: Integrated with 3rd parties in a secure manner -Page#5) A 25: This also includes an external facing website.Q 26: Requirement says tool to have 'Built-in content authoring capability (page# 6)'. Can you please describe what kind of content is to created?A 26: Content may include self-directed online learning modules which will not involve live facilitation.Q 27: Can you please confirm the languages in which LMS will be required? A 27: We would want language scalability  - all content will be published in English as the first priority, and moving forward potentially French, Arabic and Spanish  Please provide pricing for both with and without French, Spanish, and Arabic capability.Q 28: We understand L1 & L2 support activities will be taken care by UNOPS resources, and only L3 support will be required from the vendors. Does UNOPS need this support in 24X7 model? A 28: Yes, this is needed on a 24/7 model.Q 29: Will access to the LMS application be required by registered as well as non-registered users? If yes, is separate port required for registered and non-registered users? (Ref: Ability to have ports for external as well as internal users. -page 3)A 29: Only registered users.Q 30: We understand UNOPS is not looking for course development services under this RFP, kindly confirm. A 30: Yes, we confirm that UNOPS is not looking for course development.Q 31: What is the expected number of users accessing LMS?A 31: The user volume will be approximately 2,050 users per year, with users becoming inactive throughout the course of the year as courses are completed.Q 32: Does UNOPS want vendor to provide hosting services for LMS? A 32: Yes, we would like the vendor to provide hosting services for the LMS on a cloud-based system. Q 33: Is Disaster recovery plan expected to cover hosting related activities as well or LMS component only?A 33: It is expected to cover both.  We want the capability to download all of our content and user accounts in an accessible format.

New clarification added: Q11:   SalesForce importing data – any specific modules and assume UNOPS uses NPSPA 11: Cohort participant demographic information, as well as partners’ information as it relates to course instructors.  Content data must by SCORM compliant.  Any exported data must be JSON, XML or CSV.  An API must be implemented. Q 12:    Communication between Participants - Through the LMS System only and not through Whatsapp or SMS.A 12: Ideally, this could be fostered through both platforms - the LMS system and potentially WhatsApp.  However, through the LMS via email is mandatory. Please provide separate pricing for WhatsApp.Q 13: 24/7 Support - GELI participants country wise or distribution across continents. A 13: Across continents.Q 14: Multi Language Feature – What languages are needed – for admin and learner? A 14: We would want language scalability for the learner - all content will be published in English as the first priority, and potentially moving forward French, Arabic and Spanish. Please provide pricing for both with and without French, Spanish, and Arabic capability.  Admin can be English only.Q 15:  Payment StructureA 15:  We are keeping the payment structure as outlined in the RFP.Q 16:  Sign up any course online - Only the programs already available in LMS. A 16: This question is not clear.Q 17: Send Reminders - You want the LMS System to be able to send reminders through LMS or through sms/WhatsApp as well. A 17: Sending reminders from LMS via email is mandatory and the possibility by sms /whatsapp a potential additional feature.  Please identify this as optional pricing on these possibilities.Q 18: Content authoring Web-based reporting interface - You are referring to being able to generate reports Content Author wise. A 18: Please include pricing for both systems generated and custom reporting. Q 19:  Administrator/privileged users to generate custom or ad hoc reports - This we assume that is ability to extract already available reports only and not create new reports. A 19: Extracting already available reports is mandatory.  However, we also want the ability to create custom reports.  We are looking for a provider who can offer this functionality without the need for extensive amounts of coding.  Please price the custom reporting function separatelyQ 20: Ports for external and internal users - Can you please elaborate this requirementA 20: We will have users accessing different tracks via the LMS, dependent on the courses they register for under GELI’s three track programme.  Internal users are those participating in at least one track of the three track programme, but should only have access to materials for their specific track.   There should also be external access for users who will have access to more general information provided through GELI (i.e. access to a webinar that was developed for a specific track, but also accessible to external users.  We would like password protected ports for each track.  Admin rights should not be port specific and should have access/oversight across the entire LMS. 

New clarification added: Q 1: "Ability to have ports for external and internal users." This above feature requires clarification.  To our understanding, it means access to the application by different user through different ports. If so, we should create two virtual ports for internal user and external user pointing to the application.A 1: We will have users accessing different tracks via the LMS, dependent on the courses they register for under GELI’s three track programme.  Internal users are those participating in at least one track of the three track programme, but should only have access to materials for their specific track.   There should also be external access for users who will have access to more general information provided through GELI (i.e. access to a webinar that was developed for a specific track, but also accessible to external users.  We would like password protected ports for each track.  Admin rights should not be port specific and should have access/oversight across the entire LMS. Q 2: "Ability to host discussion boards and virtual chats." Our understanding: Discussion Board: A blog Kind of page topic based.  A chat box within the blog for registered users only. Not for any assistance or help for the entire application.A 2: Discussion boards are envisioned to be specific for each course to permit instructors and participants to exchange information related to the courses taught.  Virtual chats should permit discussions between the coaches and lead facilitator as it relates to guidance regarding the virtual engagement.  Finally, blog capability should enable core GELI staff to post blogs for the public that will allow us to share recent events, best practices, and other information to promote the program.  The team views these three distinct capabilities. Q 3: Please confirm the user volumes for the LMS?A 3: The user volume will be approximately 2,050 users per year, with users becoming inactive throughout the course of the year as courses are completed.Q 4: It is assumed that the platform would be a cloud hosted SAAS solution. Pl confirm.A 4: Yes.  We are interested in a cloud-hosted SAAS platform.  We do not envision any system administration responsibilities.Q 5: Which languages are you likely to require the LMS to support? A 5: We would want language scalability  - all content will be published in English as the first priority, and moving forward potentially French, Arabic and Spanish  Please provide pricing for both with and without French, Spanish, and Arabic capability.Q 6:  SAS or Product Sale Contract –A 6:       a.    SAS - Contract duration?  We would like SAS.  The initial contract duration is 3 months as noted in the RFP.  There will be a follow-on for hosting the LMS after the initial contract duration of an initial period of three years, with one option year.b.    1-time Product sale –Source Code – NoQ 7:  Custom Branding – Need for Specific app downloaded by GELI participants in Android or IOS?A 7: Custom branding is not required.  However, any mobile app developed for the LMS should be compatible with both mobile platforms (Android and IOS), to include modern operating systems.  It should also be compatible with responsive web design (RWD). Q 8:  LMS Systems - Does UNOPS use other LMS Systems – which ones. A 8: This is not applicable for GELI, as GELI is a program hosted by UNOPS but will not link with existing systems. This LMS should be customized for the use of GELI and not build on the models of other LMS programs within the UN which serve a different population for a different purpose.Q 9: Output of Launching webinars, live/recorded sessions - Links for the same should be available within the LMS and participants should be able to consume through LMS A 9: Yes, the LMS is the central portal where all learning is hosted and accessed. We would prefer if platforms such as Zoom or other virtual meeting platforms could be integrated into the LMS for the ability of posting and tracking participation. An API must be implemented for future integrations.Q 10:  Advanced audience targeting - Pre training assessments to ascertain levelsA 10:  No

New amendment added #2: To update the Schedule of Requirements and the structure of Form C: Financial Proposal Form. The following requirements have been updated: 1. Outputs and: 2 Schedule of Payments.  Also to extend the submission deadline by 1 week.  

New amendment added #1: To extend the submission deadline by two weeks.