Public procurement notice: Contract Notice
Published: 2025-09-15
Buyer: Capacity Development support to Sudanese Civil Society
Region: DEA22
Contract type: Services
Procedure: Open procedure
CPV classification: 98000000 | 98132000 | 98133000
Submission deadline: 2025-10-14
Award criteria: price, quality

Technical requirements: According to Article 160, Section 3 of the German Act Against Restraint of Competition (GWB), application for review is not permissible insofar as
1. the applicant has identified the claimed infringement of the procurement rules before submitting the application for review and has not submitted a complaint to the contracting authority within a period of 10 calendar days; the expiry of the period pursuant to Article 134, Section 2 remains unaffected,
2. complaints of infringements of procurement rules that are evident in the tender notice are not submitted to the contracting authority at the latest by the expiry of the deadline for the application or by the deadline for the submission of bids, specified in the tender notice.
3. complaints of infringements of procurement rules that first become evident in the tender documents are not submitted to the contracting authority at the latest by the expiry of the deadline for application or by the deadline for the submission of bids,
4. more than 15 calendar days have expired since receipt of notification from the contracting authority that it is unwilling to redress the complaint.
Sentence 1 does not apply in the case of an application to determine the invalidity of the contract in accordance with Article 135, Section 1 (2). Article 134, Section 1, Sentence 2 remains unaffected.
Commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, the project "Strengthening Good Governance in Sudan" will run from May 2024 to April 2028. Its activities cover both Sudan and the Sudanese diaspora in the neighbouring countries.

Two years after the outbreak of war between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), Sudan is facing one of the most severe political and humanitarian crises of the decade. The ongoing conflict has caused mass displacement affecting millions of people and triggered famine conditions in several regions. Reports of human rights violations continue to rise, adding to the insecurity and mistrust among communities. In this volatile context, civil society organisations (CSOs) have emerged as crucial actors. Both in Sudan and within the diaspora, they deliver life-saving humanitarian assistance, mediate in local disputes, promote civic participation, and work to preserve social cohesion. However, despite their dedication and deep local knowledge, many CSOs lack the organisational structures, technical expertise, and psychosocial resilience to operate effectively under such extreme conditions.

The project aims to ensure that, by 2028, democracy-oriented CSOs in Sudan and abroad have significantly strengthened their organisational capacity, public visibility, and political influence, positioning them as central voices in shaping an inclusive and peaceful future for Sudan. A particular focus is placed on empowering organisations led by women, youth, and other structurally marginalised groups, ensuring that their perspectives and needs are meaningfully represented.

The approach combines four mutually reinforcing components:

1. Capacity Development: Selected CSOs receive tailored organisational development support and staff training. Training modules include peacebuilding methodologies, inclusive leadership, project cycle management, security risk assessment and mitigation, and resilience-building through Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS). This support equips organisations not only with technical skills but also with the psychological resilience to sustain their work in high-stress environments.

2. Financial Support: Through the Qudra Fund, the project provides grants to local Sudanese CSOs and initiatives that directly contribute to peace and inclusive development. Funded activities address urgent needs such as countering hate speech and disinformation, advancing women"s empowerment, facilitating local conflict resolution, and delivering civic education. Grant recipients also benefit from the project"s broader capacity building and networking activities, creating a comprehensive support ecosystem.

3. Networking and Cooperation: The project supports safe, inclusive spaces for Sudanese civil society actors to connect, exchange experiences, and develop joint strategies. By fostering dialogue and cooperation, it strengthens collective advocacy efforts and builds cross-regional and cross-sector alliances, which are essential for promoting peaceful and inclusive governance.

4. Analysis & Risk Management: An internal Analysis & Risk Unit continuously monitors the political, regional, and local context, ensuring that all project interventions are conflict-sensitive and adaptable. The unit supports both the project team and partners with up-to-date risk analyses and technical advice, particularly in security risk management, enabling informed decision-making in rapidly changing circumstances.

By combining targeted capacity building, direct financial support, networking opportunities, and robust risk management, the project strengthens the resilience, reach, and influence of Sudanese CSOs. This integrated approach enables them to operate effectively despite instability, advocate for inclusive governance, and play a leading role in building the foundations for a peaceful, democratic, and socially cohesive Sudan.
EN-A1: Principles for the execution of orders (Mit dem Angebot; Mittels Eigenerklärung): The eligibility criteria are not from the same category as stipulated above, as there is no suitable category. 

1. Self-declaration: name of company and address, tax ID, registration and commercial register number or equivalent register in accordance with the legal provisions of the country of origin.
2. No grounds for exclusion pursuant to § 123, § 124 GWB, § 22 LkSG, EU-Russia sanctions

3. Declaration of bidding consortium and/or declaration of subcontractors (if applicable)
EN-B1: Technical and professional ability (Mit dem Angebot; Mittels Eigenerklärung): 1. The technical assessment is only based on reference projects with a minimum commission value of 100,000.00 EUR.
2. At least 2 reference projects in the technical field "Capacity Development / Organisational Development" and at least 1 reference project in Eastern Africa / MENA in the above mentioned field in the last 36 months.
EN-C1: Economic and financial standing (Mit dem Angebot; Mittels Eigenerklärung): Average annual turnover for the last three years (last-but-four financial year can be included in case of tenders held within 6 months of end of last financial year), at least: 350,000.00 EUR.

Eligibility requirements: EN-A1: Principles for the execution of orders (Mit dem Angebot; Mittels Eigenerklärung): The eligibility criteria are not from the same category as stipulated above, as there is no suitable category. 

1. Self-declaration: name of company and address, tax ID, registration and commercial register number or equivalent register in accordance with the legal provisions of the country of origin.
2. No grounds for exclusion pursuant to § 123, § 124 GWB, § 22 LkSG, EU-Russia sanctions

3. Declaration of bidding consortium and/or declaration of subcontractors (if applicable)
EN-B1: Technical and professional ability (Mit dem Angebot; Mittels Eigenerklärung): 1. The technical assessment is only based on reference projects with a minimum commission value of 100,000.00 EUR.
2. At least 2 reference projects in the technical field "Capacity Development / Organisational Development" and at least 1 reference project in Eastern Africa / MENA in the above mentioned field in the last 36 months.
EN-C1: Economic and financial standing (Mit dem Angebot; Mittels Eigenerklärung): Average annual turnover for the last three years (last-but-four financial year can be included in case of tenders held within 6 months of end of last financial year), at least: 350,000.00 EUR.
EN-C2: Economic and financial standing (Mit dem Angebot; Mittels Eigenerklärung): Average number of employees and managers in the last three calendar years, at least 5 persons.
GIZ asks the applicant or bidder to submit, complete or correct documents, within the framework laid down by law.
The execution conditions result from the information given in the contract notice and the tender documents.
Price criteria for "Bestangebots-Quotienten-Methode"
Zur Ermittlung des wirtschaftlichsten Bieters wird hier von der Vergabestelle die erreichte Gesamtpunktzahl nach fachlicher Wertung eingetragen. Es werden nur Angebote mit einer fachlichen Bewertung von über 500 Punkten gewertet. Fachliche Angebote mit weniger Punkten scheiden als fachlich ungeeignet aus.
According to Article 160, Section 3 of the German Act Against Restraint of Competition (GWB), application for review is not permissible insofar as
1. the applicant has identified the claimed infringement of the procurement rules before submitting the application for review and has not submitted a complaint to the contracting authority within a period of 10 calendar days; the expiry of the period pursuant to Article 134, Section 2 remains unaffected,
2. complaints of infringements of procurement rules that are evident in the tender notice are not submitted to the contracting authority at the latest by the expiry of the deadline for the application or by the deadline for the submission of bids, specified in the tender notice.
3. complaints of infringements of procurement rules that first become evident in the tender documents are not submitted to the contracting authority at the latest by the expiry of the deadline for application or by the deadline for the submission of bids,
4. more than 15 calendar days have expired since receipt of notification from the contracting authority that it is unwilling to redress the complaint.
Sentence 1 does not apply in the case of an application to determine the invalidity of the contract in accordance with Article 135, Section 1 (2). Article 134, Section 1, Sentence 2 remains unaffected.
Work Package 1 - Inception Phase & Coordination

The contractor will review all call for proposal documents and project proposals, then hold an inception workshop to present the team, approach, and draft methodology, addressing any open questions. Monthly coordination meetings with the GIZ team will be held to monitor progress and make necessary adjustments. Key outputs include:

- Content management platform: Set up a secure Microsoft Teams space with closed sections for GIZ, channels for partner coordination, file sharing, training delivery, and optional simultaneous translation. The platform will store all quality-assured deliverables and non-sensitive raw data in compliance with GIZ"s data security requirements.

- OCA methodology: Develop a participatory, confidential, action-oriented tool including a detailed questionnaire and list of required documents. Topics will include strategic planning, business plan development, program and project management, governance, management systems (HR, gender, procurement, communication), MEAL, financial management, safeguards and staff care, fundraising, and communication/advocacy.

- Report templates: Create templates for interim/final reports; OCA result visualisation with agreed organisational development goals and action plans; training reports (including pre- and post-tests disaggregated by gender, age, and status); and documentation of individual organisational development (OD) support sessions.

- Work plan: Develop and regularly update an activity calendar for WP 2-4, linking activities to planned and spent resources.

- Kick-off workshop: Together with GIZ, present the team, methodology, and work plan to all QUDRA fund partners.

Work Package 2 - Organisational Capacity Assessment (OCA)

Up to 16 Sudanese CSOs will be assessed in Arabic language in Kampala, Nairobi, or other neighbouring countries. Preparation involves informing organisations, clarifying objectives, and selecting a balanced participant group. The OCA will be conducted either through participatory workshops or individual questionnaires. Findings will be analysed and summarised in reports using tools such as spider/radar charts to highlight strengths, weaknesses, and capacity gaps. A Capacity Strengthening Plan will be developed for each organisation, setting short- and long-term goals and linking them to concrete support activities. Results and plans will be presented to the GIZ project team within three months.

Work Package 3 - Technical Training

The contractor will design and deliver ten tailor-made virtual training topics, each repeated twice over 12 months, with an average of 18 hours per training. Topics include: gender mainstreaming, conflict sensitivity, trauma-sensitive approaches, local conflict resolution, community mobilisation, MEAL, leadership skills, digital security, women and youth empowerment in decision-making, and fundraising. Trainings will be practical, interactive, and adapted to participants" varying skill levels.
Implementation includes establishing a secure and user-friendly Microsoft Teams training environment with breakout room capacity, conducting pre-training technical checks, preparing all materials in Arabic, and distributing pre-session information packages. Each session will be interactive, with attendance monitoring, group exercises, polls, and post-training resource sharing. Feedback will be collected and used to adjust delivery. A final training report will cover attendance, feedback, lessons, and recommendations.

Work Package 4 - Individual Organisational Development Support

Using the OCA-based plans, the contractor will implement virtually tailored OD support for each CSO, ensuring participation, context sensitivity, flexibility, and a "Do No Harm" approach. Activities may include one-on-one coaching, customised trainings, development/revision of organisational tools (finance manuals, HR policies, M&E frameworks), and facilitation of peer learning or networking. Regular check-ins and short feedback loops will guide adaptations.
An endline review will assess progress, document changes and remaining gaps, and support each organisation in preparing a sustainability or institutional strengthening roadmap.