Call for Bids: Promoting Societal Links between Gaza & West Bank

The British Consulate General, Jerusalem (BCG) is accepting proposals for an 18-month project (November 2020/ March 2022) under its Conflict, Stability and Security Fund (CSSF). The overall vision of the project is to limit the societal impact of the current political division between Gaza and West Bank, by using digital technology to promote a culture of sustainable collaboration that will help any future political reconciliation arrangement take root.

Project Objective:

The project will contribute directly to achieving existing UK Government objectives on the Middle East Peace Process (MEPP), specifically the creation of a sovereign, independent, democratic and viable Palestinian State living in peace and security side by side with Israel based on 1967 borders (the 2 State Solution – 2SS). .

The below anticipated areas of work are recommended:

a) Creating links between West Bank and Gaza Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), incubators, or private sector through creative joint initiatives which might include:

• Using the technology sector to enable business, productivity and economic growth through facilitating innovation and partnerships between West Bank and Gazan organizations
• Establishment of innovative national tech-hub where youth in Gaza and WB can jointly work on locally designed solutions to environmental, economic, or social problems in OPTs.
• Catalyze the growth of the digital sector in the West Bank and Gaza, and make it a pillar of societal reconciliation, economic growth and peaceful change in the region
• Promote trade exchange, inclusive economic and educational opportunities to reach marginalized communities, youth, and women.

b) Scope of joint initiatives should include advocacy and lobbying aspects that can help to solve and tackle social, development, economic or other domestic issues in Opts.

c) Capacity building for targeted beneficiaries and CSOs; creating a capable and active CSOs that spans both the West Bank and Gaza, who are able to lead change effectively in their communities and eventually have a measurable impact on policy debate - particularly domestic - in the OPTs.

Summary of requirements

a) The call of bid is opened to International organizations, Non-Governmental Organizations, private sector and public institutions.

b) Bidders should have presence and previous experience working in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs), with in-depth knowledge of the local context, including HMG political sensitivities.

c) Bidders should consider sub-contracting with local CSOs or private sector organisations, using appropriate selection criteria.

d) Technical know-how and organisational capacity to deliver such a project. Bidders should have previously received a direct fund of at least $200.000 for a one year spend.

e) Projects in this framework are not allowed to generate a profit for the delivery partner. For-profit delivery organizations will be asked to provide proof of compliance with this requirement.

f) Suppliers should pay particular attention to relevant UK legislation on aid divergence; and proscribed organizations.

g) The British Consulate retains the right to create a reserve list of bids that meet its technical criteria, which may subsequently be used to select additional proposals.

Required Submissions

a) Bidders should submit the standard Project Proposal Form (MS Word Document, 72.7KB) and the Activity Based Budget (MS Excel Spreadsheet, 28.9KB) for the entire project period. We will not consider proposals submitted in other formats

b) Budget must be Activity Based Budgets (ABB), including monthly breakdown, of a maximum ceiling of £725,000 over two years divided as follow:

• FY November2020/March2021: £225,000
• FY April 2021/ March2022 £500,000

c) All costs should be listed in GBP (not ILS).

d) Amendment notification: We have decided to remove the limit of the overhead and administrative costs in the budget. Bidders are required instead to differentiate in the Annual Budget between their (a) administrative (e.g. administrative staff salaries), (b) project (e.g. implementing staff costs, travel, M&E costs etc) and (c) overhead costs (e.g. fixed office cost such as bills). Please explain clearly what you have included in each category.

e) 2-pages CV or resume of key personnel who are proposed for the project

f) Official registration of the organization

g) 1- Page clarifying a clear plan for addressing any issues with engagement between sub-contractors as well as with the British Consulate, including a clear proposal for regular reporting and meetings.

Bidding process

a) Proposals should be sent to dalya.abuomar@fcdo.gov.uk by 14 October 4:00 pm Opts Time. In subject line please indicate the name of the bidder and title of the bid ‘’Gaza & West Bank Linkages.’’ Proposals should not be more than 13 pages, with minimum font size 11. If you have not received a confirmation email within 24 hours, please get in touch with us.

b) Questions relating to the call for proposals should be submitted by 2 October and answers will be published on UK in Jerusalem Website by 6 October.

c) The British Consulate reserves the right to carry out due diligence of potential grantees as part of the selection process. Due to the volume of bids expected, we will not be able to provide feedback on unsuccessful bids.

Evaluation criteria

Successful bids must demonstrate strong strategic relevance to the project outcome and objective, and have a clear focus on delivering change and sustainability. Proposals will be evaluated against the following criteria:

a) Strategic fit to project objective – to what extent the proposal is clear, coherent, realistic and how appropriate is the work plan of activities in order to achieve expected results.

b) Quality of project – the strength of the Theory of Change, and the monitoring and evaluation framework.

c) Value for money – what measures (effectiveness, efficiency, economy and equity) have been optimized and how.

d) Expertise- Evidence of understanding of the context; ability to manage and deliver a successful project that includes dissemination activities and engagement across society, and an existing network of relevant connections. If staff members and sub-contractors possess sufficient knowledge and experience of the project area.

e) Gender-sensitive approach – If gender implications of the project have been identified and how the project will take account of gender-related differences; ensuring the project does no harm to any particular gender group or gender context.

f) Sustainability- how the project outcomes will continue to have impact beyond the lifetime of the project.

g) Risk management – the extent to which the proposal identifies serious risks, together with a management strategy.

NOTE: This must include detailed information on how the project would deliver its activities and outcomes under:

• Different COVID-19 scenarios – including full or partial lockdown, and restrictions on local/international travel, for part or all of the project period. This would impact both project activities, and the need for a local project team presence.

• Different political scenarios – including annexation scenarios and other potential sources of instability.