Réf. 0373
Request for Proposal - Baseline Study & Assessment Consultancy - RFP\JOR\2026\729
World University Service of Canada · Jordan - République démocratique du Congo
Publié le 2 octobre 2026Expire le 14 octobre 2026
World University Service of Canada
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Description du poste
**You can download the soft copy of the TOR following this link on Google Drive: (Full copy):**
[https://drive.google.com/file/d/1GNX357RX4HL2TftzKSB_39QY78kSxf7b/view?usp=drive_link](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1GNX357RX4HL2TftzKSB_39QY78kSxf7b/view?usp=drive_link)
[Or Click HERE](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1GNX357RX4HL2TftzKSB_39QY78kSxf7b/view?usp=drive_link)
\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*
**Advertisement – REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL**
WUSC invites proposals for the following «*Baseline Study & Assessment Consultancy»* services:
«*PR\\JOR\\2026\\729* »
The closing date for receipt of proposals will be «*14/10/2026*» at«*16:00 Amman Local time*» *–*
All submissions must be electronically submitted to Jordan procurement email address
**«procurement.jo@wusc.ca»**
For further information, contact WUSC through « procurement.jo@wusc.ca»
**Contents**
Contents
[**INSTRUCTION TO BIDDERS** 2](https://reliefweb.int/#_Toc241576472)
[**1.** **Description of the Procurement** 2](https://reliefweb.int/#_Toc241576473)
[**2.** **Eligibility and Qualification of Bidders** 2](https://reliefweb.int/#_Toc241576474)
[**3.** **Language** **of the Proposal** 2](https://reliefweb.int/#_Toc241576475)
[**4.** **Documents included in the Proposal** 2](https://reliefweb.int/#_Toc241576476)
[**5.** **Clarification and Amendment** 3](https://reliefweb.int/#_Toc241576477)
[**6.** **Modification and Withdrawal** 3](https://reliefweb.int/#_Toc241576478)
[**7.** **Payment and Currency** 3](https://reliefweb.int/#_Toc241576479)
[**8.** **Format**, **signing and submission of Proposals** 4](https://reliefweb.int/#_Toc241576480)
[**9.** **Deadline** **for Submission of Bids** 4](https://reliefweb.int/#_Toc241576481)
[**10.** **Bid** **Opening** 4](https://reliefweb.int/#_Toc241576482)
[**11.** **Evaluation** **of Technical Proposals** 4](https://reliefweb.int/#_Toc241576483)
[**12.** **Evaluation of Financial Proposals** 5](https://reliefweb.int/#_Toc241576484)
[**13.** **Confidentiality** 6](https://reliefweb.int/#_Toc241576485)
[**14.** **Notification of Award** 6](https://reliefweb.int/#_Toc241576486)
[**15.** **Award** **of Contract** 6](https://reliefweb.int/#_Toc241576487)
[**16.** **Signing** **of Contract and Performance Security** 6](https://reliefweb.int/#_Toc241576488)
[**17.** **Settlement** **of Disputes** 6](https://reliefweb.int/#_Toc241576489)
[**18.** **Compliances** 6](https://reliefweb.int/#_Toc241576490)
[**Annex 1: Terms of Reference (TOR)** 7](https://reliefweb.int/#_Toc241576491)
[7](https://reliefweb.int/#_Toc241576492)
## **INSTRUCTION TO BIDDERS**
1. ### **Description of the Procurement**
WUSC intends to procure a **Baseline Study & Assessment Consultancy** as per the Terms of Reference attached in Annex 1.
1. ### **Eligibility and Qualification of Bidders**
1. In order to be awarded the contract, bidders should possess the financial, economic, technical and professional capacity to perform the contract. Bidders should fulfill their tax and social insurance liabilities in the country and should not currently be subject to a debarment penalty.
2. Bidders must adhere to the highest ethical standards, both throughout the bidding process and execution of the contract.
3. WUSC has a zero tolerance for unethical behavior/corrupt practices including:
- Bribery: the act of unduly offering, giving, receiving or soliciting anything of value to influence the procurement process;
- Extortion or coercion: the act of attempting to influence the process of procuring goods or services, or executing contracts by means of threats of injury to person, property or reputation;
- Fraud: misrepresentation of information or facts for the purpose of influencing the procurement process;
- Collusion: an agreement between bidders designed to result in bids at artificial prices that are not competitive;
- Guilt of misrepresentation in supplying the information required by the contracting authority as a condition of participation in the contract procedure or failing to supply this information;
- Anti-terrorism: support of any terrorist or terrorist group as defined by donors;
- Other civil, criminal acts or otherwise illegal activity which would be detrimental to the financial interests of WUSC
1. WUSC may declare the consultancy firms, their boards of directors and/or individual personnel ineligible to register with the organization either indefinitely or for a stated period of time.
2. WUSC will reject a proposal if it establishes that the bidder recommended for award has engaged in corrupt, fraudulent, collusive or coercive practices in competing for the contract.
3. Consultancy firms only are eligible for this RFP. **(Registered and located in Jordan)**
2. ### **Languageof the Proposal**
The Proposal as well as all correspondence and documents related to the proposal shall be written in English Language.
1. ### **Documents included in the Proposal**
The proposal will be prepared, submitted and evaluated in two parts as follows:
1. **Technical Proposal Format and Content**
The Technical Proposal shall be prepared using the format provided below and shall comprise the documents listed\*\*.\*\* The Technical Proposal shall not include any financial information. A Technical Proposal containing material financial information shall be declared non-responsive.
**Section 1** (In case of an open tender where the suppliers are not known to WUSC; the following documents should be requested) for eligibility and compliance check/evaluation
- Covering letter on firms headed paper giving complete details including email addresses, telephone contacts, office location where applicable; not required for freelance bidders.
- Copy of Certificate of incorporation/registration **(Commercial registration)**
- Valid Tax compliance certificate (where applicable)
- Copy of Current Trading License **(Vocational license)**
Failure to submit the documents requested in section 1 will lead to rejection of the proposal.
1. **Financial Proposal format and content**
The Financial Proposal shall be prepared in the format below and it shall list all costs associated with the assignment, including (a) remuneration for Key Experts and Non-Key Experts, (b) reimbursable expenses as follows:
- Summary of Costs
- Breakdown of Remuneration of the key experts proposed
- Reimbursable expenses if any
4.2.1 The prices given in the financial proposal must include all taxes and duties in accordance with the laws of the country.
4.2.2 The price offered must remain fixed during the contract performance.
4.2.3 The bid price must be in the requested Currency, which is *Jordanian Dinar (JOD).*
1. ### **Clarification and Amendment**
WUSC will, within 5 working days, respond in writing or electronic mail to any request clarification received in writing or electronic mail no later than 7 days before expiry of the deadline for submission of the bid. The response will be distributed to all bidders without identifying the source of the request. All enquiries should be written to WUSC through (procurement.jo@wusc.ca)*.*
1. ### **Modification and Withdrawal**
1. The bidder may submit a modified bid or a modification to any part of it at any time prior to the proposal submission deadline. The bidder’s withdrawal notice must be marked as “Modification”. No modifications to the bid shall be accepted after the deadline.
2. The bidder may submit a bid withdrawal notice to any part of it at any time prior to the proposal submission deadline. The bidder’s withdrawal notice must be marked as “Withdrawal”. No withdrawals to the bid shall be accepted after the deadline.
2. ### **Payment and Currency**
1. Payment under the Contract shall be made in the currency or currencies in the bid which is *(JOD)*
2. Payment will be made within 30 days upon submission of invoice and satisfactory receipt of goods.
3. ### **Format**, **signing and submission of Proposals**
1. An authorized representative of the bidder shall sign the original submission letters in the required format as one original.
2. The original Technical Proposal shall be clearly marked “TECHNICAL PROPOSAL” Title of the attachment.
3. The original Financial Proposal shall be clearly marked “FINANCIAL PROPOSAL” Title of the attachment. **(Note : Technical and financial proposals must be submitted in one email with separate attachments). Submitting technical & financial proposal in one attachment will lead to disqualification of the whole proposal.**
4. ### **Deadlinefor Submission of Bids**
The proposal must be submitted through the email with the subject of “Baseline Study & Assessment Consultancy- RFP reference number” and must be received by WUSC by 14/10/ *2026 16:00.* Bids received after this date will be rejected.
Proposals submitted must be valid for 90 days from the bid submission date.
1. ### **BidOpening**
1. WUSC evaluation committee shall conduct the opening of the proposals immediately after the bid submission time. The opening date will be 15/10/ 2026.
2. At the opening of the proposals, only the Technical proposal shall be opened, while the Financial Proposal shall remain at the procurement department and shall be securely stored. bids the following shall be read out: (i) the name and the country of the bidder (ii) any modifications to the bid submitted prior to the proposal submission deadline; (iii) any other information deemed appropriate. This information will be filled in the bid opening form.
2. ### **Evaluationof Technical Proposals**
1. The evaluators of the Technical Proposals shall have no access to the Financial Proposals until the technical evaluation is concluded.
2. The tender committee shall evaluate the Technical Proposals on the basis of their responsiveness to the Terms of Reference and the RFP, applying the evaluation criteria, sub-criteria, and point system specified below. 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 RFP or if it fails to achieve the minimum technical score.
During evaluation of bids, WUSC may request the bidder, in writing using mailing address or email address, to provide clarification of his bid. No change in price or substance of the bid shall be sought, offered or permitted.
**Proposal Evaluation Criteria**
Criteria, sub-criteria, and point system for the evaluation of the Technical Proposals:
Points
1. Technical (which includes; Relevance of experience, Experience in conducting similar studies and researches, collecting data and producing quality baseline study reports, for international non-profit organizations or multilateral agencies, Experience in management of large amounts of qualitative and quantitative data from a variety of sources(70 points)
2. Financial Proposal (30 points)
**Total points for the four criteria**\*\*\*:\*\*\* **100**
**The minimum technical score (St) required to pass is: 65**
**The minimum Overall score 70**
1. ### **Evaluation of Financial Proposals**
1. The Financial Proposals of the bidders who attain the minimum technical scores are opened and the summary of cost prices read out and recorded in the bid opening form by the tender committee. All other Financial Proposals are returned unopened after the Contract negotiations are successfully concluded and the Contract is signed.
2. Arithmetical errors will be rectified in the following manner. If there is a discrepancy between the unit price and the total price, obtained in multiplying the unit price by quantity, the unit price will prevail. If there is a discrepancy between the words and figures, the amount in words shall prevail. If the bidder disagrees with such his bid will be rejected.
**Proposal Evaluation Criteria**
**The lowest evaluated Financial Proposal (Fm) is given the maximum financial score (Sf) of 100.**
**The formula for determining the financial scores (Sf) of all other Proposals is calculated as follows:**
Sf = 100 x Fm/ F, in which “Sf” is the financial score, “Fm” is the lowest price, and “F” the price of the proposal under consideration.
*\[or replace with another inversely proportional formula acceptable to the WUSC\]*
**The weights given to the Technical (T) and Financial (P) Proposals are**:
**T** = \[70\], and
**P** = \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\[30\]
Proposals are ranked according to their combined technical (St) and financial (Sf) scores using the weights (T = the weight given to the Technical Proposal; P = the weight given to the Financial Proposal; T + P = 1) as following: S = St x T% + Sf x P%.
1. ### **Confidentiality**
1. No bidder will contact WUSC on any matter related to his bid except for requests related to clarifications of the bid. Information concerning procurement process and evaluation of bids is confidential. Any clarification related to the selection process shall be done only in writing.
2. Any attempt by the bidder to influence improperly WUSC officials in the evaluation of the bid or Contract award decisions may result in the rejection of its bid, and may be subject to the application of prevailing WUSC’s debarment procedures.
2. ### **Notification of Award**
1. The Consultant with the Most Advantageous Proposal, which is the Proposal that achieves the highest combined technical and financial scores, will be notified of award of contract by WUSC in writing.
2. At the same time WUSC notifies the successful bidder, WUSC will notify all other unsuccessful bidders and provide a debrief where one is sought in writing within 5 days.
3. The notice of acceptance will be given by the successful bidder within 7 days of the notification of award.
3. ### **Awardof Contract**
1. WUSC will award the contract to the bidder whose bid is determined to be substantially responsive and who offered the best evaluated bid.
2. WUSC reserves the right to accept or reject any bid or all bids and to cancel the bidding process at any time prior to award of the contract without thereby incurring any liability to bidders without being required to inform the bidders of reasons for such actions.
4. ### **Signingof Contract and Performance Security**
1. WUSC will send the successful bidder the Contract. The bidder will sign and date the contract and return to WUSC within 14 days of receipt of the notice of award.
2. Together with the signed Contract, the bidder will furnish WUSC with a Performance Security, if required to do so.
3. If the successful bidder fails to submit the performance security, if required to do so, within 14 days, then it shall be sufficient grounds to revoke the award of the contract. In this case, WUSC will award the contract to the next bidder.
4. A performance security may be required in cases where the supplier is given an advance payment. Performance Security must be in the form of a Bank Guarantee or a bond from an Insurance Company licensed by the Bank.
5. ### **Settlementof Disputes**
Disputes that may arise during the performance of the Contract shall be settled in accordance with the laws of the country, by arbitration or mutual agreement between the parties.
1. ### **Compliances**
Bidders must submit valid certificates of compliances from the relevant bodies as requested.
## **Annex 1: Terms of Reference (TOR)**
**Terms of Reference – Baseline Study & Assessment Study**
**Nurturing, Advancing and Sustaining High-potential Women-led Microenterprises through Innovations Accelerating growth in Jordan (NASHMIA)**
1. **Introduction**
WUSC is a Canadian global development organization dedicated to creating a world where all young people can thrive, belong, and shape their own futures. We catalyze positive education and economic outcomes for youth by working with a diverse network of partners—including students, volunteers, schools, governments, not-for-profits, and businesses—to transform the systems that hold young people back. We champion inclusive, youth-centered solutions, with a particular focus on women and displaced populations. With a longstanding history of resettling refugees to Canada through the Student Refugee Program, WUSC continues to advance innovative and sustainable responses to forced displacement globally. WUSC currently operates in over 30 countries across Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as in Canada, with an annual budget of approximately CAD $65 million. Our 350-strong team delivers a diverse portfolio of programs in partnership with multilateral and bilateral donors and philanthropic foundations.
WUSC, in consortium with ECO Consult, is implementing the Nurturing, Advancing, and Sustaining High-potential Women-led Microenterprises through Innovations Accelerating growth in Jordan (NASHMIA) project in Jordan. NASHMIA is a five-year initiative (2026–2031) funded by Global Affairs Canada with a budget of CAD $10 million that aims to improve economic well-being for women and female youth in Jordan, particularly refugees and those living with disabilities (ultimate outcome). The project will support 3,000 women climate entrepreneurs across six targeted governorates: Balqa (Jordan Valley), Mafraq, Ajloun, Jerash, Karak, and Ma’an and is expected to reach approximately 300 staff of Jordanian intermediary organizations and 20,000 community members. NASHMIA takes a market systems and gender-transformative approach that engages and supports local stakeholders from government, Enterprise Serving Organizations (ESOs), financial institutions, the private sector, and communities to drive systemic changes that address business, financial, and gender-specific barriers preventing women from participating in and leading within Jordan's green economy.
WUSC is now seeking a qualified consulting firm to conduct a comprehensive , gender and environment and climate-responsive baseline study for the NASHMIA project.
1. **Background of NASHMIA Project**
Nurturing, Advancing, and Sustaining High-potential Women-led Microenterprises through Innovations Accelerating growth in Jordan (NASHMIA) is a five-year initiative (2026–2031) funded by Global Affairs Canada with a budget of CAD $10 million, led by World University Service of Canada (WUSC) in consortium with ECO Consult. NASHMIA is designed to empower women entrepreneurs—including women with lived refugee experience and women with disabilities—to lead in Jordan’s green economy. Operating across six targeted governorates **(Balqa \[Jordan Valley\], Mafraq, Ajloun, Jerash, Karak, and Ma’an)**, the initiative helps women strengthen, formalise and grow environmentally sustainable businesses and start new ones where a clear opportunity exists in priority sectors: climate-smart agriculture and agro-processing, eco- and community-based tourism, and the circular economy, with renewable energy, water technologies and digital solutions as cross-cutting enablers.
The project achieves this by tackling both business and social barriers. NASHMIA will apply a gender-sensitive and intersectional approach that goes beyond women’s participation to address unequal gender relations, decision-making power, control over economic resources, and the different barriers faced by women with disabilities and women with lived refugee experience. On the enterprise side, NASHMIA provides women climate businesses with practical upskilling, digital tools, market linkages, and improved access to green financing. On the social side, it creates safe co-working spaces, offers targeted grants, and provides essential community support services like childcare and psychosocial care so women can fully participate in the economy.
By aligning with Jordan’s national economic strategies and Canada’s foreign assistance priorities, NASHMIA brings together local partners, financial institutions, and policymakers to build an inclusive support system. Ultimately, the project aims to contribute to improved economic well-being for women and female youth in Jordan, particularly refugees and those living with disabilities, through enterprises that are more competitive and more resilient to climate risk.
NASHMIA is delivered in partnership with Jordanian and international technical partners:ECO Consult, as consortium co-lead, leading the entrepreneurial ecosystem assessment and contributing climate and green economy expertise across the project; Arab Women Organization (AWO) leading social norm transformation and community protection, Arcan Impact leading business upskilling, and Seedstars deploying the AI-powered digital coaching tool (SIGMA).
**2.1 The project’s Outcomes**
The project’s ultimate outcome is to improve economic well-being for women and female youth in Jordan, particularly refugees and those living with disabilities. Two intermediate outcomes contribute to this goal:
- **Intermediate Outcome 1100:** Enhanced competitiveness and sustainability of women climate Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), including those led by women with disabilities and refugees in target governorates.
- **Intermediate Outcome 1200:** Reduced gender-specific barriers to women’s climate entrepreneurship and participation in the green economy, including women with disabilities and refugees in target governorates.
WUSC and partners' interventions are expected to contribute to the above intermediate outcomes through the achievement of five immediate outcomes: i) enhanced capacity of ecosystem actors to drive competitiveness and sustainability of women climate MSMEs(Immediate Outcome 1110) ii) increased capacity of financial institutions and private sector actors to provide gender- and climate-responsive financial services(Immediate Outcome 1120) iii) increased capacity of ecosystem actors to provide market expansion and enterprise development services(Immediate Outcome 1130) iv) increased availability of information, networking, and business development opportunities(Immediate Outcome 1210) and v) enhanced community support enabling women’s climate entrepreneurship (Immediate Outcome 1220). All five are stated here in abbreviated form; the full outcome statements, together with the output level and the associated indicators, are set out in the Performance Measurement Framework annexed to this Terms of Reference.
**2.2 Theory of Change**
NASHMIA’s Theory of Change is based on the premise that while women’s early-stage entrepreneurial activity in Jordan has risen significantly (reaching 20% in 2024), women’s representation among established business owners remains stalled at only 2% (compared to 7% for men) according to the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) – Jordan 2024/2025. This high attrition rate is not accidental; it is produced by two interconnected systemic forces that NASHMIA addresses simultaneously: **Capability (Intermediate Outcome 1100)** and **Conditions (Intermediate Outcome 1200).**
Rather than relying solely on direct service delivery to individual women, NASHMIA applies an inclusive market systems development and gender-transformative approach. It delivers interventions that enable local ecosystem actors—including Enterprise Serving Organizations (ESOs), financial institutions, private sector buyers, municipalities, and community-based organizations—to drive sustainable, systemic changes across six high-poverty target governorates (Balqa/Jordan Valley, Mafraq, Ajloun, Jerash, Karak, and Ma’an).
**Building Capability (Enterprise & Ecosystem Level):** Women micro, small, and medium climate enterprises (WCEs/WLCMSMEs)—as well as the ecosystem serving them—lack tailored green skills, digital tools, formal market integration, and appropriate financing. In alignment with Central Bank of Jordan (CBJ) and GIZ standards, NASHMIA categorizes target formal and informal MSMEs by full-time equivalent (FTE) employees into microenterprises (1–4 employees), small enterprises (5–19 employees), and medium enterprises (20–99 employees).
Aligned with the 2x criteria, an industry standard for gender-lens investing (GLI), the project definition of “women climate MSMEs” will consider women’s business ownership and leadership alongside women’s employment, supply chain make-up, and products and services which enhance the well-being of women, foster climate-smart entrepreneurship and drive gender equality. Specifically, women MSMEs includes:
- Women-led enterprises - a business or organization that is managed by a woman or a group of women (e.g., leadership roles such as CEO, Director, Manager).
- Women-
[https://drive.google.com/file/d/1GNX357RX4HL2TftzKSB_39QY78kSxf7b/view?usp=drive_link](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1GNX357RX4HL2TftzKSB_39QY78kSxf7b/view?usp=drive_link)
[Or Click HERE](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1GNX357RX4HL2TftzKSB_39QY78kSxf7b/view?usp=drive_link)
\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*
**Advertisement – REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL**
WUSC invites proposals for the following «*Baseline Study & Assessment Consultancy»* services:
«*PR\\JOR\\2026\\729* »
The closing date for receipt of proposals will be «*14/10/2026*» at«*16:00 Amman Local time*» *–*
All submissions must be electronically submitted to Jordan procurement email address
**«procurement.jo@wusc.ca»**
For further information, contact WUSC through « procurement.jo@wusc.ca»
**Contents**
Contents
[**INSTRUCTION TO BIDDERS** 2](https://reliefweb.int/#_Toc241576472)
[**1.** **Description of the Procurement** 2](https://reliefweb.int/#_Toc241576473)
[**2.** **Eligibility and Qualification of Bidders** 2](https://reliefweb.int/#_Toc241576474)
[**3.** **Language** **of the Proposal** 2](https://reliefweb.int/#_Toc241576475)
[**4.** **Documents included in the Proposal** 2](https://reliefweb.int/#_Toc241576476)
[**5.** **Clarification and Amendment** 3](https://reliefweb.int/#_Toc241576477)
[**6.** **Modification and Withdrawal** 3](https://reliefweb.int/#_Toc241576478)
[**7.** **Payment and Currency** 3](https://reliefweb.int/#_Toc241576479)
[**8.** **Format**, **signing and submission of Proposals** 4](https://reliefweb.int/#_Toc241576480)
[**9.** **Deadline** **for Submission of Bids** 4](https://reliefweb.int/#_Toc241576481)
[**10.** **Bid** **Opening** 4](https://reliefweb.int/#_Toc241576482)
[**11.** **Evaluation** **of Technical Proposals** 4](https://reliefweb.int/#_Toc241576483)
[**12.** **Evaluation of Financial Proposals** 5](https://reliefweb.int/#_Toc241576484)
[**13.** **Confidentiality** 6](https://reliefweb.int/#_Toc241576485)
[**14.** **Notification of Award** 6](https://reliefweb.int/#_Toc241576486)
[**15.** **Award** **of Contract** 6](https://reliefweb.int/#_Toc241576487)
[**16.** **Signing** **of Contract and Performance Security** 6](https://reliefweb.int/#_Toc241576488)
[**17.** **Settlement** **of Disputes** 6](https://reliefweb.int/#_Toc241576489)
[**18.** **Compliances** 6](https://reliefweb.int/#_Toc241576490)
[**Annex 1: Terms of Reference (TOR)** 7](https://reliefweb.int/#_Toc241576491)
[7](https://reliefweb.int/#_Toc241576492)
## **INSTRUCTION TO BIDDERS**
1. ### **Description of the Procurement**
WUSC intends to procure a **Baseline Study & Assessment Consultancy** as per the Terms of Reference attached in Annex 1.
1. ### **Eligibility and Qualification of Bidders**
1. In order to be awarded the contract, bidders should possess the financial, economic, technical and professional capacity to perform the contract. Bidders should fulfill their tax and social insurance liabilities in the country and should not currently be subject to a debarment penalty.
2. Bidders must adhere to the highest ethical standards, both throughout the bidding process and execution of the contract.
3. WUSC has a zero tolerance for unethical behavior/corrupt practices including:
- Bribery: the act of unduly offering, giving, receiving or soliciting anything of value to influence the procurement process;
- Extortion or coercion: the act of attempting to influence the process of procuring goods or services, or executing contracts by means of threats of injury to person, property or reputation;
- Fraud: misrepresentation of information or facts for the purpose of influencing the procurement process;
- Collusion: an agreement between bidders designed to result in bids at artificial prices that are not competitive;
- Guilt of misrepresentation in supplying the information required by the contracting authority as a condition of participation in the contract procedure or failing to supply this information;
- Anti-terrorism: support of any terrorist or terrorist group as defined by donors;
- Other civil, criminal acts or otherwise illegal activity which would be detrimental to the financial interests of WUSC
1. WUSC may declare the consultancy firms, their boards of directors and/or individual personnel ineligible to register with the organization either indefinitely or for a stated period of time.
2. WUSC will reject a proposal if it establishes that the bidder recommended for award has engaged in corrupt, fraudulent, collusive or coercive practices in competing for the contract.
3. Consultancy firms only are eligible for this RFP. **(Registered and located in Jordan)**
2. ### **Languageof the Proposal**
The Proposal as well as all correspondence and documents related to the proposal shall be written in English Language.
1. ### **Documents included in the Proposal**
The proposal will be prepared, submitted and evaluated in two parts as follows:
1. **Technical Proposal Format and Content**
The Technical Proposal shall be prepared using the format provided below and shall comprise the documents listed\*\*.\*\* The Technical Proposal shall not include any financial information. A Technical Proposal containing material financial information shall be declared non-responsive.
**Section 1** (In case of an open tender where the suppliers are not known to WUSC; the following documents should be requested) for eligibility and compliance check/evaluation
- Covering letter on firms headed paper giving complete details including email addresses, telephone contacts, office location where applicable; not required for freelance bidders.
- Copy of Certificate of incorporation/registration **(Commercial registration)**
- Valid Tax compliance certificate (where applicable)
- Copy of Current Trading License **(Vocational license)**
Failure to submit the documents requested in section 1 will lead to rejection of the proposal.
1. **Financial Proposal format and content**
The Financial Proposal shall be prepared in the format below and it shall list all costs associated with the assignment, including (a) remuneration for Key Experts and Non-Key Experts, (b) reimbursable expenses as follows:
- Summary of Costs
- Breakdown of Remuneration of the key experts proposed
- Reimbursable expenses if any
4.2.1 The prices given in the financial proposal must include all taxes and duties in accordance with the laws of the country.
4.2.2 The price offered must remain fixed during the contract performance.
4.2.3 The bid price must be in the requested Currency, which is *Jordanian Dinar (JOD).*
1. ### **Clarification and Amendment**
WUSC will, within 5 working days, respond in writing or electronic mail to any request clarification received in writing or electronic mail no later than 7 days before expiry of the deadline for submission of the bid. The response will be distributed to all bidders without identifying the source of the request. All enquiries should be written to WUSC through (procurement.jo@wusc.ca)*.*
1. ### **Modification and Withdrawal**
1. The bidder may submit a modified bid or a modification to any part of it at any time prior to the proposal submission deadline. The bidder’s withdrawal notice must be marked as “Modification”. No modifications to the bid shall be accepted after the deadline.
2. The bidder may submit a bid withdrawal notice to any part of it at any time prior to the proposal submission deadline. The bidder’s withdrawal notice must be marked as “Withdrawal”. No withdrawals to the bid shall be accepted after the deadline.
2. ### **Payment and Currency**
1. Payment under the Contract shall be made in the currency or currencies in the bid which is *(JOD)*
2. Payment will be made within 30 days upon submission of invoice and satisfactory receipt of goods.
3. ### **Format**, **signing and submission of Proposals**
1. An authorized representative of the bidder shall sign the original submission letters in the required format as one original.
2. The original Technical Proposal shall be clearly marked “TECHNICAL PROPOSAL” Title of the attachment.
3. The original Financial Proposal shall be clearly marked “FINANCIAL PROPOSAL” Title of the attachment. **(Note : Technical and financial proposals must be submitted in one email with separate attachments). Submitting technical & financial proposal in one attachment will lead to disqualification of the whole proposal.**
4. ### **Deadlinefor Submission of Bids**
The proposal must be submitted through the email with the subject of “Baseline Study & Assessment Consultancy- RFP reference number” and must be received by WUSC by 14/10/ *2026 16:00.* Bids received after this date will be rejected.
Proposals submitted must be valid for 90 days from the bid submission date.
1. ### **BidOpening**
1. WUSC evaluation committee shall conduct the opening of the proposals immediately after the bid submission time. The opening date will be 15/10/ 2026.
2. At the opening of the proposals, only the Technical proposal shall be opened, while the Financial Proposal shall remain at the procurement department and shall be securely stored. bids the following shall be read out: (i) the name and the country of the bidder (ii) any modifications to the bid submitted prior to the proposal submission deadline; (iii) any other information deemed appropriate. This information will be filled in the bid opening form.
2. ### **Evaluationof Technical Proposals**
1. The evaluators of the Technical Proposals shall have no access to the Financial Proposals until the technical evaluation is concluded.
2. The tender committee shall evaluate the Technical Proposals on the basis of their responsiveness to the Terms of Reference and the RFP, applying the evaluation criteria, sub-criteria, and point system specified below. 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 RFP or if it fails to achieve the minimum technical score.
During evaluation of bids, WUSC may request the bidder, in writing using mailing address or email address, to provide clarification of his bid. No change in price or substance of the bid shall be sought, offered or permitted.
**Proposal Evaluation Criteria**
Criteria, sub-criteria, and point system for the evaluation of the Technical Proposals:
Points
1. Technical (which includes; Relevance of experience, Experience in conducting similar studies and researches, collecting data and producing quality baseline study reports, for international non-profit organizations or multilateral agencies, Experience in management of large amounts of qualitative and quantitative data from a variety of sources(70 points)
2. Financial Proposal (30 points)
**Total points for the four criteria**\*\*\*:\*\*\* **100**
**The minimum technical score (St) required to pass is: 65**
**The minimum Overall score 70**
1. ### **Evaluation of Financial Proposals**
1. The Financial Proposals of the bidders who attain the minimum technical scores are opened and the summary of cost prices read out and recorded in the bid opening form by the tender committee. All other Financial Proposals are returned unopened after the Contract negotiations are successfully concluded and the Contract is signed.
2. Arithmetical errors will be rectified in the following manner. If there is a discrepancy between the unit price and the total price, obtained in multiplying the unit price by quantity, the unit price will prevail. If there is a discrepancy between the words and figures, the amount in words shall prevail. If the bidder disagrees with such his bid will be rejected.
**Proposal Evaluation Criteria**
**The lowest evaluated Financial Proposal (Fm) is given the maximum financial score (Sf) of 100.**
**The formula for determining the financial scores (Sf) of all other Proposals is calculated as follows:**
Sf = 100 x Fm/ F, in which “Sf” is the financial score, “Fm” is the lowest price, and “F” the price of the proposal under consideration.
*\[or replace with another inversely proportional formula acceptable to the WUSC\]*
**The weights given to the Technical (T) and Financial (P) Proposals are**:
**T** = \[70\], and
**P** = \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\[30\]
Proposals are ranked according to their combined technical (St) and financial (Sf) scores using the weights (T = the weight given to the Technical Proposal; P = the weight given to the Financial Proposal; T + P = 1) as following: S = St x T% + Sf x P%.
1. ### **Confidentiality**
1. No bidder will contact WUSC on any matter related to his bid except for requests related to clarifications of the bid. Information concerning procurement process and evaluation of bids is confidential. Any clarification related to the selection process shall be done only in writing.
2. Any attempt by the bidder to influence improperly WUSC officials in the evaluation of the bid or Contract award decisions may result in the rejection of its bid, and may be subject to the application of prevailing WUSC’s debarment procedures.
2. ### **Notification of Award**
1. The Consultant with the Most Advantageous Proposal, which is the Proposal that achieves the highest combined technical and financial scores, will be notified of award of contract by WUSC in writing.
2. At the same time WUSC notifies the successful bidder, WUSC will notify all other unsuccessful bidders and provide a debrief where one is sought in writing within 5 days.
3. The notice of acceptance will be given by the successful bidder within 7 days of the notification of award.
3. ### **Awardof Contract**
1. WUSC will award the contract to the bidder whose bid is determined to be substantially responsive and who offered the best evaluated bid.
2. WUSC reserves the right to accept or reject any bid or all bids and to cancel the bidding process at any time prior to award of the contract without thereby incurring any liability to bidders without being required to inform the bidders of reasons for such actions.
4. ### **Signingof Contract and Performance Security**
1. WUSC will send the successful bidder the Contract. The bidder will sign and date the contract and return to WUSC within 14 days of receipt of the notice of award.
2. Together with the signed Contract, the bidder will furnish WUSC with a Performance Security, if required to do so.
3. If the successful bidder fails to submit the performance security, if required to do so, within 14 days, then it shall be sufficient grounds to revoke the award of the contract. In this case, WUSC will award the contract to the next bidder.
4. A performance security may be required in cases where the supplier is given an advance payment. Performance Security must be in the form of a Bank Guarantee or a bond from an Insurance Company licensed by the Bank.
5. ### **Settlementof Disputes**
Disputes that may arise during the performance of the Contract shall be settled in accordance with the laws of the country, by arbitration or mutual agreement between the parties.
1. ### **Compliances**
Bidders must submit valid certificates of compliances from the relevant bodies as requested.
## **Annex 1: Terms of Reference (TOR)**
**Terms of Reference – Baseline Study & Assessment Study**
**Nurturing, Advancing and Sustaining High-potential Women-led Microenterprises through Innovations Accelerating growth in Jordan (NASHMIA)**
1. **Introduction**
WUSC is a Canadian global development organization dedicated to creating a world where all young people can thrive, belong, and shape their own futures. We catalyze positive education and economic outcomes for youth by working with a diverse network of partners—including students, volunteers, schools, governments, not-for-profits, and businesses—to transform the systems that hold young people back. We champion inclusive, youth-centered solutions, with a particular focus on women and displaced populations. With a longstanding history of resettling refugees to Canada through the Student Refugee Program, WUSC continues to advance innovative and sustainable responses to forced displacement globally. WUSC currently operates in over 30 countries across Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as in Canada, with an annual budget of approximately CAD $65 million. Our 350-strong team delivers a diverse portfolio of programs in partnership with multilateral and bilateral donors and philanthropic foundations.
WUSC, in consortium with ECO Consult, is implementing the Nurturing, Advancing, and Sustaining High-potential Women-led Microenterprises through Innovations Accelerating growth in Jordan (NASHMIA) project in Jordan. NASHMIA is a five-year initiative (2026–2031) funded by Global Affairs Canada with a budget of CAD $10 million that aims to improve economic well-being for women and female youth in Jordan, particularly refugees and those living with disabilities (ultimate outcome). The project will support 3,000 women climate entrepreneurs across six targeted governorates: Balqa (Jordan Valley), Mafraq, Ajloun, Jerash, Karak, and Ma’an and is expected to reach approximately 300 staff of Jordanian intermediary organizations and 20,000 community members. NASHMIA takes a market systems and gender-transformative approach that engages and supports local stakeholders from government, Enterprise Serving Organizations (ESOs), financial institutions, the private sector, and communities to drive systemic changes that address business, financial, and gender-specific barriers preventing women from participating in and leading within Jordan's green economy.
WUSC is now seeking a qualified consulting firm to conduct a comprehensive , gender and environment and climate-responsive baseline study for the NASHMIA project.
1. **Background of NASHMIA Project**
Nurturing, Advancing, and Sustaining High-potential Women-led Microenterprises through Innovations Accelerating growth in Jordan (NASHMIA) is a five-year initiative (2026–2031) funded by Global Affairs Canada with a budget of CAD $10 million, led by World University Service of Canada (WUSC) in consortium with ECO Consult. NASHMIA is designed to empower women entrepreneurs—including women with lived refugee experience and women with disabilities—to lead in Jordan’s green economy. Operating across six targeted governorates **(Balqa \[Jordan Valley\], Mafraq, Ajloun, Jerash, Karak, and Ma’an)**, the initiative helps women strengthen, formalise and grow environmentally sustainable businesses and start new ones where a clear opportunity exists in priority sectors: climate-smart agriculture and agro-processing, eco- and community-based tourism, and the circular economy, with renewable energy, water technologies and digital solutions as cross-cutting enablers.
The project achieves this by tackling both business and social barriers. NASHMIA will apply a gender-sensitive and intersectional approach that goes beyond women’s participation to address unequal gender relations, decision-making power, control over economic resources, and the different barriers faced by women with disabilities and women with lived refugee experience. On the enterprise side, NASHMIA provides women climate businesses with practical upskilling, digital tools, market linkages, and improved access to green financing. On the social side, it creates safe co-working spaces, offers targeted grants, and provides essential community support services like childcare and psychosocial care so women can fully participate in the economy.
By aligning with Jordan’s national economic strategies and Canada’s foreign assistance priorities, NASHMIA brings together local partners, financial institutions, and policymakers to build an inclusive support system. Ultimately, the project aims to contribute to improved economic well-being for women and female youth in Jordan, particularly refugees and those living with disabilities, through enterprises that are more competitive and more resilient to climate risk.
NASHMIA is delivered in partnership with Jordanian and international technical partners:ECO Consult, as consortium co-lead, leading the entrepreneurial ecosystem assessment and contributing climate and green economy expertise across the project; Arab Women Organization (AWO) leading social norm transformation and community protection, Arcan Impact leading business upskilling, and Seedstars deploying the AI-powered digital coaching tool (SIGMA).
**2.1 The project’s Outcomes**
The project’s ultimate outcome is to improve economic well-being for women and female youth in Jordan, particularly refugees and those living with disabilities. Two intermediate outcomes contribute to this goal:
- **Intermediate Outcome 1100:** Enhanced competitiveness and sustainability of women climate Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), including those led by women with disabilities and refugees in target governorates.
- **Intermediate Outcome 1200:** Reduced gender-specific barriers to women’s climate entrepreneurship and participation in the green economy, including women with disabilities and refugees in target governorates.
WUSC and partners' interventions are expected to contribute to the above intermediate outcomes through the achievement of five immediate outcomes: i) enhanced capacity of ecosystem actors to drive competitiveness and sustainability of women climate MSMEs(Immediate Outcome 1110) ii) increased capacity of financial institutions and private sector actors to provide gender- and climate-responsive financial services(Immediate Outcome 1120) iii) increased capacity of ecosystem actors to provide market expansion and enterprise development services(Immediate Outcome 1130) iv) increased availability of information, networking, and business development opportunities(Immediate Outcome 1210) and v) enhanced community support enabling women’s climate entrepreneurship (Immediate Outcome 1220). All five are stated here in abbreviated form; the full outcome statements, together with the output level and the associated indicators, are set out in the Performance Measurement Framework annexed to this Terms of Reference.
**2.2 Theory of Change**
NASHMIA’s Theory of Change is based on the premise that while women’s early-stage entrepreneurial activity in Jordan has risen significantly (reaching 20% in 2024), women’s representation among established business owners remains stalled at only 2% (compared to 7% for men) according to the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) – Jordan 2024/2025. This high attrition rate is not accidental; it is produced by two interconnected systemic forces that NASHMIA addresses simultaneously: **Capability (Intermediate Outcome 1100)** and **Conditions (Intermediate Outcome 1200).**
Rather than relying solely on direct service delivery to individual women, NASHMIA applies an inclusive market systems development and gender-transformative approach. It delivers interventions that enable local ecosystem actors—including Enterprise Serving Organizations (ESOs), financial institutions, private sector buyers, municipalities, and community-based organizations—to drive sustainable, systemic changes across six high-poverty target governorates (Balqa/Jordan Valley, Mafraq, Ajloun, Jerash, Karak, and Ma’an).
**Building Capability (Enterprise & Ecosystem Level):** Women micro, small, and medium climate enterprises (WCEs/WLCMSMEs)—as well as the ecosystem serving them—lack tailored green skills, digital tools, formal market integration, and appropriate financing. In alignment with Central Bank of Jordan (CBJ) and GIZ standards, NASHMIA categorizes target formal and informal MSMEs by full-time equivalent (FTE) employees into microenterprises (1–4 employees), small enterprises (5–19 employees), and medium enterprises (20–99 employees).
Aligned with the 2x criteria, an industry standard for gender-lens investing (GLI), the project definition of “women climate MSMEs” will consider women’s business ownership and leadership alongside women’s employment, supply chain make-up, and products and services which enhance the well-being of women, foster climate-smart entrepreneurship and drive gender equality. Specifically, women MSMEs includes:
- Women-led enterprises - a business or organization that is managed by a woman or a group of women (e.g., leadership roles such as CEO, Director, Manager).
- Women-