RFP for Consultancy Services - Enhancing the Spot Market to Attract Investments to Renewables

New clarification added: QUESTION:We would like to request the following clarifications: 1. Is the power market simulation modelling in deliverable 4 expected to be done on the same open source platform that deliverable 6 training is to be conducted in?  We ask as open source solutions for power market simulations do not have the full range of functions / capabilities as found in commercial products.   As an alternative approach, could a commercial / specialised market simulation software product be used for deliverable 4 (with the database being handed over, but not the software product to run it), and then have the training done using an open-source / customised package (that would be handed over in its entirety)?2. In regard to the 3 x face-to-face training simulation sessions for 30 participants; is the intention for this to be the same group of 30 perople being trained on increasingly more advanced topics over 3 sessions, or is the intent to repeat the same training course 3 times but to different groups of 30 participants?ANSWER:For question number 1, it is desirable to use opensource tools to ensure that the beneficiaries can access them. The bidder is open to propose other tools, providing sufficient justification and indication of subscription costs for the beneficiary.For question number 2, it is intended that the same group of around 30 people be trained over 3 sessions or more. The bidder is open to propose the length and scope of the workshops. The three workshops for 30 participants serve as a guide for the preparation of the financial proposal.Best Regards, 

New clarification added: 1. QUESTION:In the TORs, Table 1 specifies that press releases should be issued and that these must result in publication. Please confirm whether the intention is that these are paid for adverts, or press releases subject to editorial decision making (in which case the consultant will not be able to determine whether the press release results in publication)?ANSWER:These may be paid press releases or articles, which should result in publications. The estimated cost of the publication should be included in the budget.There are no foreseen advertisements under this project.2. QUESTION:Is it expected that the consultant will procure the services of a marketing or communications agency?ANSWER:Bidders may consider procuring the services of a communications agency or personnel. The estimated costs for the agency/personnel to support the publication of articles/press releases as stipulated above, should be included in the budget. Bidders are encouraged to balance the costs for their communication strategy as it will affect the score of their financial proposal.3. QUESTION:At the bottom of p8 in the TORs it is noted that “the project will not cover the cost of the subscription” for any simulation model. Please confirm:Whether it is a requirement that the model used in completing Deliverable 4 also uses an open source platform, as with Deliverable 6.Whether there is any openness to modelling solutions (for either Deliverable 4 or Deliverable 6) that are low cost to maintain but not open source? ANSWER:It is desired that the an opensource platform/tool be used to ensure that this is accessible to the beneficiaries. The bidder is open is to propose other low cost alternatives. It would be advantageous to provide justifications and indication of the price of the alternative option.4. QUESTION:Please confirm whether the findings and recommendations from Deliverable 4 are intended to act as a key component of the publishable study that results from Deliverable 5, or whether Deliverable 4 is intended to result in a separate report/study?ANSWER:Deliverable 4 and Deliverable 5 are separate reports. Deliverable 4 may have sensitivities and the beneficiary may intend this to be a confidential report.Deliverable 5 is a public -facing report. It may draw from the analysis of Deliverable 4, but any results that will be released to the public should be approved by the beneficiary.5. QUESTION:Deliverable 6 is referred to as a “Price simulation training report”, but no mention is made of a report in the description that follows. Please confirm that the output for this deliverable is not a report.ANSWER:The output will be a documentation of the training to be provided by the beneficiaries. The outputs are both the conduct of training and the tranining report.6. QUESTION:Deliverable 6 refers to three training workshops. Does ETP have any specific requirements regarding (a) the length of the three workshops (e.g., is it intended that the total training period is for 3 days?), or (b) whether the workshops happen over consecutive days or are spread over a longer period? Finally, can ETP confirm that the intention is that the same 30 participants attend each of the three events?ANSWER:The bidder is open to propose the length and scope of the workshops. The bidder is also free to propose the spread of delivery of the workshops. It is expected that the same participants will attend the workshops.The three workshops for 30 participants serve as a guide for the preparation of the financial proposal. Bidders may propose more than 3 workshops.7. QUESTION:Deliverable 7 requires “a report documenting the dissemination event”. Please confirm that this is simply a write-up of the event, and that Deliverable 5 is in effect the ‘final report’ for this assignment.ANSWER:Deliverable 7 is a documentation of the dissemination event.A separate final report is expected, which is a concise summary of the project, highlighting the key findings, activities, lessons learned, and recommendations. 

New amendment added #1: to upload PPT and minutes pre-bid meeting, and to slightly change the criteria mentioned in the platform as per TOR (JV on Qualification criteria, and technical criteria section 2.1)

New clarification added: QUESTIONDear Sir,We received the opportunity and thank you for the same. We have work extensively in this area and are highly interested in pursuing this opportunity. However, we would need time to process our internal approvals, given the holiday season. Therefore, request an extension on the deadline until January 2, 2024.ANSWERPlease be advised that the submission deadline for this tender is on 12 January 2024. Best regardsUNOPS