Humanitarian Shelter and Settlement Course Assessment Consultant

As an effort to increase the participation and representation of diverse US professionals in the HS&S sector and increase the number of HS&S courses with an international focus offered in the US, Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI) aims to gain understanding on the success factors of HS&S programs or courses in the European Union (EU) to identify replicability in the US context. Outcomes from this consultancy will help Habitat and USAID’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA)’s exploration on how US students could have a fundamental introductory exposure to the HS&S sector and eventually enhance the presence of future professionals within the sector.

Purpose of the consultancy:

To conduct an in-depth study on the range of HS&S trainings offered within European countries, mapping the hosting institutions, identify the key elements of a successful undergraduate or graduate program and the applicable elements onto a U.S. based system.

Scope of work:

The consultancy will be focused on the following deliverables:

• Output 1: Mapping of European Programs
• Activity 1.1. Identify training entities –Identify institutions that offer HS&S programs. Priority should be given to programs that have successfully incorporated initiatives towards diversity and inclusion. The data must include the demographic engagement of selected applicants and nationality of participants.
• Activity 1.2. Mapping of the Structure –Report data regarding the structure of these courses. This includes, but is not limited to:
• Graduate or undergraduate specializations
• Faculty, Department, or entity which hosts or facilitate the course
• Participation or not of HS&S practitioners in the course
• HS&S or Humanitarian partner organizations
• Type of course (certification/diploma/etc.)
• Delivery mode (virtual/hybrid/in person)
• Course fees, credits, examinations, duration and graduation rate
• Goals achievement rate and metrics utilized to assess the program’s success, including diversity and inclusion initiatives.
• Activity 1.3. Pedagogic methodology and delivery mode of course contents in the European systems.
• Activity 1.4. Curriculum Contents per each period (semester/quarter/etc.)
• Activity 1.5 Identify best practices, methodologies and lessons learned that could benefit our current HS&S fellowship, including potential partnerships or collaboration with European organizations or existing programs.

Consultancy Deliverables:

• Deliverable 1: Executive Summary and full Report on the mapping of European training programs
• Deliverable 2: Main findings Presentation (via Power Point or any other software) to be presented remotely to the organizers.

Communications

• Commitments related to this RFP will only apply when they are put in writing by the employee who is responsible for managing the RFP process. In no case shall verbal communication govern over written communications.

Proposal submission Process:

• Please send all communications related to this RFP, including questions and vendor proposals to: [email protected] and [email protected] by December 15th, 2022.
• The proposal should include:
• Expression of Interest, brief description justifying the vendors expectation of success in delivering the work described in this RFP and a summary of the vendor’s relevant experience.
• Technical Proposal, describing how the vendor’s expertise and experience relates to and can provide depth to each of the deliverables described in this RFP. It should also include proposed methodology to achieve the deliverables (max 6 pages).
• CV(s) of key personnel whom the vendor proposes will perform the work, including citations of relevant publications, if any.
• Illustrative writing samples of work from similar projects authored by key personnel
• Detailed Budget proposal, estimating total cost for the engagement, estimated number of days for completion and daily rate(s). Habitat anticipates that this contract will not exceed USD $11,250.
• Vendor’s corporate overview – Legal name; contact information including email address; year of incorporation; number of employees, description of products & services
• At least three references that can be contacted for feedback on past performance

Project milestones and deadlines:

• RFP Delivered to Vendors: Nov 07- 11th, 2022
• RFP Deadline for submissions: Dec 15th, 2022
• Vendor Interviews: Jan 09th – 13th, 2023
• Award contract to Vendor: Jan – Feb 2023
• Start of consultancy: Feb 20th, 2023
• Final draft of deliverable submitted for approval: Apr 21st, 2023
• Final deliverables due: May 19th, 2023

Vendors who have demonstrated their capacity to meet our needs will be contacted via phone and/or email to be notified of their selection to move forward in the RFP process. Vendors, who have not been selected, will not be contacted. By responding to this RFP, the vendor agrees to be responsible for fully understanding the requirements or other details of the RFP and will ask any questions to ensure such understanding is gained. HFHI retains the right to disqualify vendors who do not demonstrate a clear understanding of our needs. Furthermore, the right to disqualify a vendor extends past the contract award period and HFHI will be at no fault, cost, or liability.

Good Faith Statement: All information provided by HFHI is offered in good faith. Specific items are subject to change at any time based on business circumstances. HFHI does not guarantee that any particular item is without error. HFHI will not be held responsible or liable for use of this information or for any claims asserted therefrom.

Proposal Selection Criteria

• Criteria Weight
• Familiarity with European University systems (HS&S Programs preferred): 50%
• Proven Experience in Relative Research: 20%
• Quality of Consultancy Proposal (including consultancy budget and fee rate): 30%

Budget and Logistics

• Vendor must agree to keep the quoted pricing in their proposals for a minimum of 90 days after submission. It is anticipated that this work will be home-based (remote). The Consultant should be prepared to engage in Microsoft TEAMs with different staff within the US.

Other Provisions

• 11.1. Waiver Authority HFHI reserves the right, as its sole discretion, to waive minor irregularities in submittal requirements, to request modification of the response, to accept or reject any or all responses received, and/or to cancel all or part of this RFP at any time prior to awards.
• 11.2. Disclaimer This RFP does not commit HFHI to award any funds, pay any costs incurred in preparing a response, or procure or contract for services or supplies. HFHI reserves the right to accept or reject any or all responses received, negotiate with all qualified Respondents, cancel, or modify the RFP in part or in its entirety, or change the response guidelines, when it is in its best interest.
• 11.3 Changes/ Amendments to RFP: This RFP has been distributed electronically by email and through various websites. Any updates and/or changes will be communicated by these same means.