ADB Perceptions Survey 2009

Question and Answer

Q: In the TOR, Pakistan was not included in the initial country list for conducting the Survey. Would it be possible to include Pakistan in the final list? (8 Mar 09): A: Pakistan is included in the initial list of countries to be covered by the Survey. The country is mentioned both in the TOR and the Request for EOI Format.
Q: To what extent is financial information regarding our proposed approach required in the EOI? Is it safe to assume that under 7a of the EOI, the tenderer provides the maximum number of interviews that could be achieved within the US$400K budget. Could you please clarify that the budget for this survey will be US$400K? Also what is preferred, to do the expected number of interviews at possibly less than 400K or to do more interviews at 400K? (18 Mar 09): A: Our maximum budget for the ADB Perceptions Survey is $400,000. Within this amount, it is up to each firm to propose the expected number of interviews with the corresponding survey design. It is not necessary for the firms to include a proposed budget in their EOIs, as only the first-ranked firm will be asked to submit a financial proposal. ADB prefers to have as many interviews as possible at a reasonable cost, but this should be done without compromising the quality of the survey design or of the responses.
Q: The majority of interviews were conducted by face to face in 2006, given the developments in online surveys and take up of the internet in general, it is likely that online would be preferred by most stakeholders in 2009, would ADB be adverse to the majority of the research being conducted online? (18 Mar 09): A: ADB agrees that an online-survey may be preferred by many stakeholders, especially in developed countries. As an online survey may provide a better response rate and may also be less expensive than other modes of administration, we will encourage the consulting firm to use this approach to the extent possible. However, cultural, protocol and other issues should be taken into account in using the online survey. Face-to-face or telephone interviews may be more appropriate or preferable for certain countries or category or respondents.

The consulting firm should also make efforts to ensure that the quality and validity of responses are not compromised by using an online survey method. In particular, efforts must be made to ensure that the survey is answered by intended respondents instead of by someone else, for example, aides to politicians or lower level government officials who may not know enough about ADB to make decisions about questions being asked. The first-ranked firm should demonstrate, in its technical proposal, its prior experience in handling online surveys with senior opinion leaders across a range of countries and the average response rates that can be expected.
Q: Will access to the final sample list for 2006 be provided to the successful tenderer? This will include the total sample frame for the survey in 2006, including respondents and non-respondents to the survey. (18 Mar 09): A: ADB will provide the contract awardee with the final data set. We will consider the possibility of providing the sampling frame and the lists of respondents and non-respondents and inform the first-ranked firm.
Q: How does ADB differentiate between a sub-contractor and a joint venture. If the lead agency will be sub-contracting fieldwork to other agencies but taking on the role as the lead agency, would this be considered a joint venture? (18 Mar 09): A: A joint venture (JV) or an association, as noted in the Request for EOI, must be evidenced by a joint venture or formal association agreement duly signed by all JV partners or all associated firms. With JVs, there is express joint and several liability provision and this should be embodied in the relevant JV agreement submitted; with associations, there is no need for any express joint and several liability provision in the relevant agreement of association, and the lead firm in the association will carry the primary liability in relation to ADB.

A sub-contractor or sub-consultant, on the other hand, is a firm that has NOT formally associated with a lead firm (i.e. no formal agreement of association has been executed) or that is not a specified JV partner identified in the relevant JV agreement submitted, but that has been 'contracted' by a lead firm or JV to do particular work tasks during implementation of the assignment. As noted in the Request for EOIs, the experience and qualifications of a proposed sub-consultant (or sub-contractor) cannot be taken into account for purposes of evaluation of EOIs.

To qualify as a JV or an association, in your EOI submission, you must attach a copy of the relevant JV or association agreement as required in the Request for EOIs. If no such JV or association agreement is submitted with your EOI, any contemplated subsequent delegation of work tasks during implementation will be tantamount to sub-contracting and not considered a JV or formal association.