Correct CPV code 75211200 THIS IS A PRIOR INFORMATION NOTICE (PIN) ONLY: PUBLICATION AND CALL FOR COMPETITION WILL BE CONDUCTED ONCE SCOPE OF WORK IS FULLY DEFINED AND APPROVED.

Subject to programme design and funds approval, including by key stakeholders in the UK and in Nepal, the UK’s Department for International Development (DFID) intends to fulfil a new requirement in 2015 where we will be seeking partners to implement a new programme of support to the Nepal Government to assist in the delivery of nation-wide, quality health services.

The new programme will be an integral part of the third sector wide approach (SWAp) in the health sector in Nepal and is likely to form a combination of financial aid and technical assistance.

The main purpose of the technical assistance will be to improve the efficiency of the entire Government of Nepal’s health sector programme.

It will need to align to the new five year health sector plan (Nepal Health Sector Programme – 3) and work alongside Government and other donor partners.

The technical assistance will need to focus on the critical areas that are constraining the delivery of both equitable and quality health services and the efficiency of the health service delivery system.

At this stage, it is envisaged that these critical areas may cover: (i) improved equity of health outcomes, focusing on decentralised management of service delivery and the strategic use of resources; (ii) better utilisation of services by the poor and marginalised focusing on second generation reforms for maternal and new-born care and family planning; (iii) better public financial management focusing on internal audit and control and payroll systems; procurement, in particular, civil works; (iv) better monitoring systems and evidence generation; (v) better development of health infrastructure, including seismic retrofitting of particular hospitals and (vi) social accountability .

Developing sustainable health financing arrangements is also a critical area and is well supported by other donor partners.

The indicative programme value will be up to £95 million, and will be a combination of financial aid and technical assistance.

The technical assistance component will be in the range of £30m - £40m and it will run for up to 5 years; although all values at this stage are indicative and are likely to change.

It is envisaged there will be more than one direct procurement process.

A Partners and Suppliers Early Market Information Engagement (EME) Day is planned for 12 March in DFID Nepal and DFID Whitehall (1445hrs, local time and 0900hrs UK time).

The purpose of the EME will be twofold: DFID would like to explore and seek information from partners/suppliers on the ambition and the scale of work to meet the theory of change and results; exploring the possible options and challenges to routes to various markets; increase DFID’s knowledge to understand new and emerging partners and suppliers including national partners.