Invitation for Expression of Interest for Consultancy Services for the Broadcasting Industry, Abuja

The National Broadcasting Commission seeks proposals from qualified fundraising (Grants and Soft Loans) consulting firms to conduct a study to determine the needs, feasibility, cost, benefits and modus operandi for creating a National Broadcasting Fund (NBF). The ‘NBF’ is a proposed multi-tranche financing facility, which will provide financing to Nigerian’s Broadcasting companies to overhaul and upgrade their infrastructure, equipment, human resources and capacity building initiatives to global standard.

Invitation for Expression of Interest for Consultancy Services for the Broadcasting Industry

Organizational Background
The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) established in 1992 as a Parastatal under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Information serves a very important and delicate role in licensing, monitoring, regulating and controlling the entire Broadcasting Industry in Nigeria.
The NBC is responsible for monitoring and regulating 98 radio station and 244 television stations. In addition to the NBC fulfilling its regulatory mandate, the Commission strives to elevate the Nigeria broadcasting sector to global standards that will enable the industry to compete with top broadcasting outlets globally.

Scope of Work
The National Broadcasting Commission is seeking a competent consulting firm to conduct a feasibility study to determine the current state of the broadcasting industry and outline the industries current pitfalls and necessary recommendation actions to be taken using potential funding from the NBF, Specially the feasibility study should address the following: perform a comprehensive assessment to determine the current status of the industry with regards:

• What is the industry size?
• What are the industries key demography?
• What is the industry’s biggest competition?
• Number both broadcasting and radio stations lacking in equipment manpower, organizational capacity.
• Number of stations equipped and prepared for the global cutover in June 2015 from analogue to digital terrestrial transmission.
• Identification and situation analysis of revenue generation in the industry;
• Clearly identify private owned, state owned, and federal owned station which is currently in compliance and which has defaulted.
• Which station caters to a niche market segment?
• Which niches are not successful?
• Identify the problems hindering the broadcasting sector.
• Based on the results of this assessment, to determine whether or not there’s a compelling enough case for the creation of the NBF.
• Identify a list of donor agencies and foundation that provide funding for the broadcasting/communication industries.
• On the average, how much capital would be required to revamp each of these stations to international standard.
• What is the key focus in revamping the industry?
• What key features will be acceptable to both the advertising industry and the broadcasting industry to help maximize the revenue from both parties?
• What will be the structure, format, modus operandi and internal and external safety guards for managing grants and soft loans?
• Propose one or more methods for approving/declining both grants and soft loans.
• Propose one or more methods of repayment of loans.
• Identify all possible strategic benefits this NBC/NBF plan will provide to the broadcasting industry in Nigeria in deepening the democratic process, creating employment, boasting education, information to the masses, national security and general entertainment.

Requirements
Interested consulting firms who wish to participate in conducting a study to determine the needs, feasibility, costs, benefits and modus operandi for creating a National Broadcasting fund (NBF) are required to submit their Company’s profile which must include but not limited to the following documents:

• Evidence of incorporation of the company with Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC);
• Evidence of current tax clearance certificate;
• VAT Certificate and evidence of remittance to FIRS;
•  Details of staff strength including the curriculum vitae and profile of the key staff;
• Details of previous consultancy experience undertaken in the last five (5) years, including scope of the work and value;
• Clear identification of Head of office address;
• Audited accounts for the last three (3years) up to 2013;
• Sworn affidavit that the firm is not bankrupt;
• Sworn affidavit that none of the directors of the company is an ex-convict or bankrupt;
• Evidence of financial capacity and banking support (bank reference, recent statement of account);
• Evidence of registration and remittance to Industrial Training Fund (ITF) furthermore, the under listed topics should be addressed in a 15-page or less proposal (additional information or sample material should be attached where relevant).
• Project understanding;
• Ability to carry out scope analysis;
• Ability to predict main stream income;
• Ability to prepare internal process order;

Project Approach: including significant phase and deliverables i.e. description of the feasibility study process, inclusion of the duties to be performed by the Consultant and those the consultant expects to be done by the NBC staff or Board Members.

Firm Capabilities:

• Experience with similar organization
• Experience with feasibility studies

• Biographies or resumes detailing experience with similar projects

Method of Application
All interested consultants will be required to submit detailed technical and financial proposals in accordance with the detailed scope of work along with their company profile.

Opening of Bids
Opening of prequalification bid shall take place on the same day of closing date in NBC Board Room.
The financial bid shall be opened thereafter on evaluation of the pre-qualification bid document for those adjudged to pre-qualify.

Closing date: 2nd April, 2014
Time: 12:00noon

Submission of Tenders
The Technical and Financial Documents should be submitted in separate sealed envelopes clearly marked “Technical Bid” and “Financial Bid” respectively both put in a third sealed envelope marked “Technical and Financial Tender for Consultancy Services” and should be addressed to:

The Secretary,
Tender Board,
National Broadcasting Commission,
Plot 20, Ibrahim Taiwo Road
Asokoro District,
Abuja

Please note that:

• NBC shall reserve the right to verify the authenticity of claims made by bidders and to disqualify any bid base on false or unverifiable claim or information.
• NBC shall not be liable for any expenses incurred by prospective bidders in preparing the tender document.
• This advert also serves as invitation to any interested NGO and members of the general public who may wish to witness the opening exercise.
• The NBC reserves the right to inspect or verify claims/information submitted as it deems necessary. Similarly, the commission is not bound to shortlist any bidder and reserves them to annual the selection process when unforeseen and justifiable developments warrant such action, without incurring any liability and assigning reasons thereof.
• That at anytime the commission discovers that the information submitted for pre-qualification is false, the commission reserves the right to disqualify the company.
• Original documents mentioned above must be produced for citing at anytime requested before the completion of the procurement exercise.