8

The Notice of Call for Expressions of Interest document does not seem to indicate a precise duration for this mission.

Would it be possible to specify this duration?

The Technical Completion Date (TAD) for PEPISAO-2 is set for  the end of December 2030. The duration of the mission is part of this period.

9

The AMI document states on p.5 that the total cost of the project is €7 million and that the distribution includes 25% for the overall coordination and management of activities.

Can you specify whether the amount allocated to the present mission corresponds to 25% of the 7 million, i.e. €1,750,000?

The estimated 25 per cent under component 3 for overall coordination and management of activities will not fully cover the cost of this mission. Indeed, part of the amount of component 3 is allocated to the operation of " (...) the Project Management Unit housed at CILSS for the implementation of the activities in its charge, delegated by ECOWAS (...) (cf. p.11).

10

The document stipulates on p.3 that IMs will have to respect the limit of 30 all-inclusive pages (excluding the presentation brochure), but the content listed on p.3 also does not mention the "security component" mentioned on p.2, which seems to be required.

Can you provide details on this "security aspect"?

Should it be an integral part of the 30.p of the Expression of Interest file?

 Indeed, the last bullet point in the "Content" section in paragraph 14 must be amended and understood as follows:

"The list of references and similar experiences (...) cited in paragraphs 9, 10 and 11 above ... ". Thus, the analysis of the IMs will also integrate the 2 criteria specified in paragraph 10 as well as the 4 criteria in paragraph 11 relating to security risk management. 

However, in terms of "Format", this change does not affect the 30-page limit that remains in effect.

11

Is the presentation brochure part of the 30-page requirement ?

As noted in paragraph 14, we reiterate that the IM format must respect a "limit of thirty (30) all-inclusive pages (excluding the presentation brochure)".

12

Can we include links or excerpts from contracts or attestations of good execution of documents to support our references?

Documents accessible via an external link will not be reviewed. Indeed, the candidate must submit within his or her IM, within the strict limit of 30 pages, in particular the list of his or her references and relevant similar experience (taking into account the correction made to question 3). The presentation of references may be in-depth and detailed by the shortlisted candidates, in response to the Request for Proposals.

13

The AMI contains information about security risks, the requestor's network, and backup experts. Should this be included in the 30-page limit? Should we place this before references?

The answer to question 3 provides the details requested here.

14

For joint ventures, do we present two brochures for each organization or a combined brochure for both?

This provision relating to brochures of entities within the same Group is left to the discretion of the candidates. However, all of these submissions must fit in a single PDF file in accordance with the instructions of the CEI.

15

It is stated in point 8 of the CEI that: "Interested Candidates must produce information demonstrating that they are qualified and experienced to perform these Services. As such, they will justify that they have references of recent and similar services. ».

Could you tell us what the reference period corresponds to: X or 3 or 5 or X last years?

The CEI does not specify a reference period. The longest period accepted will be a maximum of 10 years.

However, the concentration of similar relevant references (in their number prescribed by the AMI in point 8) in their most recent character will be examined and valued.

16

Regarding the language of submission, do we have to submit our offer, either in English or in French? Or can we use both languages within the same submission (e.g. references in English and others in French)?

The IM file will be submitted in a single language, either French or English. With regard to references specifically, while the title may be kept in its initial form, any development relating to it will have to be translated into the single language chosen for the IM file.

17

 It is stated in point 13 of the CEI that: "Expressions of Interest should be sent by email to the following address: https://bit.ly/4e5Nk7s, with a copy to ctienon@araa.org, and awaki@araa.org;". Except for the main address, this is a hypertext link to a site. So we understand that we should instead send our offer to the following addresses: procurement@araa.org with copy to ctienon@araa.org and awaki@araa.org.

We confirm that IM records in response to this AMI are to be sent to the following email addresses: https://bit.ly/4e5Nk7s with copy to procurement@araa.org; ctienon@araa.org  and awaki@araa.org.

18

We would like clarification on the concept of "outside the Client's country". Could you tell us whether these are the 12 ECOWAS Member States or just Togo?

With regard to the mention made in paragraph 11, the Client's country is retained as Togo, the ARAA being based in Lomé, Togo.