Planning

Chevening South Asia Journalism Fellowship

  • Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office

F01: Prior information notice (prior information only)

Notice identifier: 2021/S 000-006591

Procurement identifier (OCID): ocds-h6vhtk-02a130

Published 31 March 2021, 12:56am



Section one: Contracting authority

one.1) Name and addresses

Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office

King Charles Street

London

SW1A 2AH

Email

natasha.mardinian@fcdo.gov.uk

Telephone

+44 02070081467

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code

UK - UNITED KINGDOM

Internet address(es)

Main address

www.gov.uk/fcdo

one.2) Information about joint procurement

The contract is awarded by a central purchasing body

one.3) Communication

Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address

Electronic communication requires the use of tools and devices that are not generally available. Unrestricted and full direct access to these tools and devices is possible, free of charge, at

https://fcdo.bravosolution.co.uk/web/login.html

one.4) Type of the contracting authority

Ministry or any other national or federal authority

one.5) Main activity

General public services


Section two: Object

two.1) Scope of the procurement

two.1.1) Title

Chevening South Asia Journalism Fellowship

Reference number

6373

two.1.2) Main CPV code

  • 75100000 - Administration services

two.1.3) Type of contract

Services

two.1.4) Short description

The Chevening South Asia Journalism Fellowship (SAJP) is a fellowship opportunity within the Chevening Programme.

The requirement is for the provision of administrative services to run the Chevening South Asia Journalism Fellowship in Financial Years 2021/22, 2022/23 and 2023/24.

Estimated total value: £1,500,000 over 5 years (£300,000 per year)

two.1.5) Estimated total value

Value excluding VAT: £1,500,000

two.1.6) Information about lots

This contract is divided into lots: No

two.2) Description

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 75110000 - General public services

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UK - UNITED KINGDOM

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

The FCDO (the Authority) is looking to put in place a contract with a supplier for the provision of administrative services to run a short educational programme for mid-career professionals from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Afghanistan, Bhutan and Nepal. The successful course provider will be awarded a contract to run the Chevening South Asia Journalism Fellowship in Financial Years 2021/22, 2022/23 and 2023/24 (April to March). The ideal timing of the programme start date is end-March in all three years. The expected date for the start of the first course is end-March 2022. The intention of the Scholarship Unit and Commercial is to start a tender process for a new 3+2yr contract in March 2021 and award around end June 2021. This would allow time for the winning provider to collaborate with the Chevening Secretariat and the Embassies and advertise the programmes in August 2021 for applications and select new Fellows for the March 2022 intake. However, Covid-19 has impacted the delivery of the course in 2020 and 2021, and consequently the first course under this contract may be required to start later.

two.3) Estimated date of publication of contract notice

30 April 2021


Section four. Procedure

four.1) Description

four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)

The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: Yes


Section six. Complementary information

six.3) Additional information

Background to the Requirement:

Chevening is the UK government’s international awards scheme aimed at developing global leaders. Funded by the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and partner organisations, Chevening offers two types of awards – Scholarships and Fellowships. The scholarships are for one year Master’s in any subject at a recognised UK University. The fellowships offer specifically designed courses aimed at mid-to-senior level professionals who are looking to expand their knowledge and expertise in their specific field of work. The programmes are tailored short courses which run for approximately 8 weeks at a designated UK university.

Chevening offers a unique opportunity for future leaders, influencers, and decision-makers from all over the world to develop professionally and academically, network extensively, experience UK culture, and build lasting positive relationships with the UK. Numbering over 50,000 worldwide, Chevening Alumni are an influential and highly regarded group. They have an excellent record of rising to positions of leadership across a wide range of fields including politics, business, the media, civil society, science and technology, and academia.

The primary objectives of the Chevening Fellowship programme are:

• To promote UK political, economic and commercial interests in priority geographic regions

• To promote UK institutions, culture and values

• To forge lasting ties with future leaders, opinion formers and decision makers in politics, government, business,

journalism, science and technology and civil society

• To achieve outcomes aligned to FCDO priorities

The Chevening South Asia Journalism Fellowship Programme started in 2012 and is especially designed for up and coming journalists across the region. The participating countries include India (7 journalists), Pakistan (7), Bangladesh (1), Sri Lanka (1), Maldives (1), Afghanistan (1), Bhutan (1) and Nepal (1) for an all-inclusive representation of the region. The 8 week long residential course focusses on Good Governance in a Changing World: Media, Politics and Society. Issues addressed include the exercise of power, models and quality of democratic governance, the role of media in society and political life, strategic security challenges and the role of the media in conflict resolution. A new topical focus could be chosen each year for fellows to explore the subject in depth.

The fellowship provides an informed and evidence-based context to key policy debates and builds understanding of international positions (including an appreciation of UK stances), provides practical experience and encourages dialogue on key issues. The fellowship is customised for future media leaders and opinion formers working in the areas of political, economic and business journalism.

Procurement Portal Instructions:

The Contracting Authority intends to use an e-tendering system for the procurement. If you intend to bid, please register on our e-procurement portal here:

https://fcdo.bravosolution.co.uk/web/login.html

Statement of Requirements:

If you wish to see a copy of the Draft Statement of Requirements (SoR), please contact natasha.mardinian@fcdo.gov.uk and this will be issued to you via email.

Please note that:

1. We are sharing the SoR solely the purpose of fostering early market interest.

2. We reserve the right to change the SoR at any time, including in the final Invitation to Tender.

3. The rules of the competition and the final SoR in question will be communicated in the tender pack.