R&D Group, in partnership with Hybrid Designs and the Mastercard Foundation under the EDGE Program, is seeking qualified consulting firms to develop globally accepted domestic standards for Ethiopian outsourcing enterprises.

TENDER INVITATION

Assignment Title: Consulting Assignment: National Outsourcing Standards

Tender Reference No.: R&D/EDGE/RFP/009/2026

Issuing Organization: R&D Group (in partnership with Hybrid Designs and the Mastercard Foundation under the EDGE Program)

Original Date Issued: July 23, 2026

Re-advertisement Date: August 17, 2026

1. Assignment Objective & Scope

The EDGE Program invites qualified consulting firms to develop globally accepted domestic standards for Ethiopian outsourcing enterprises covering service quality, data-security readiness, ethical business conduct, fair payment, safeguarding, and HR practices. The overall assignment aims to position Ethiopia as a competitive outsourcing destination and establish a credible accreditation pathway.

• Task 1 — Needs Assessment & Benchmarking: Assess domestic sector practices, benchmark international BPO/ITO standards, and map applicable Ethiopian laws.
• Task 2 — Standards Development: Draft proportionate, enterprise-ready national standards with clear, measurable compliance criteria and an implementation/capacity-building plan.
• Task 3 — Stakeholder Validation: Host validation workshop(s) with key stakeholders (including the Ethiopian Outsourcing Association and relevant government bodies) to finalize the documents.

2. Contract Duration & Payment Structure

• Duration: 45 days (excluding the validation workshop).
• Contract Type: Firm Fixed Price.
• Payment Schedule:
  • 30%: Upon contract signing and approval of Inception Report.
  • 30%: Upon approval of Mid-term Report.
  • 30%: Upon approval of draft national standards and delivery of validation workshop(s).
  • 10%: Upon final sign-off of validated standards and Final Report.

3. Key Deliverables

• D1 — Inception Report: Methodology, stakeholder mapping, and detailed workplan.
• D2 — Draft National Outsourcing Standards: Comprehensive standards text with adoption, accreditation, and compliance frameworks.
• D3 — Stakeholder Validation Workshop & Proceedings: Facilitated workshop and final validated standards report.

4. Qualification Requirements

• Legal Compliance: Valid business registration, trade license, TIN, tax clearance certificate, and proof of legal operating status in Ethiopia.
• Firm Experience: Minimum 7 years’ experience in standards design or sector strategy, with a proven track record of developing industry standards (3 references and contract copies required).
• Key Personnel:
  • Team Leader (Standards Expert): Master’s degree (PhD preferred) with minimum 10 years’ experience in standards design/quality frameworks.
  • Outsourcing/BPO Specialist: Minimum 7 years’ experience in BPO/outsourcing, quality, data security, or certification standards.

5. Submission Guidelines & Deadlines

• Clarification / Q&A Deadline: August 18, 2026, by 5:30 PM
• Proposal Submission Deadline: August 21, 2026, by 5:30 PM
• Submission Format:
  • Technical Proposal (PDF, max 12 pages excluding CVs/annexes)
  • Financial Proposal (Submitted as a separate file with a 90-day validity)
• Email Address: [email protected] 

Tender details

• Deadline: 2026-08-21
• Bid closing time: 17:30
• Bid opening: 2026-08-21 17:30
• Bid opening (note): No Specific Opening Date and Time
• Region: Addis Ababa
• Publishing entity: R&D Group
• Published on: 2merkato.com (Aug 17, 2026)
• Posted at: 2026-08-17T13:33:50.000Z