REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP)
INVITATION TO TENDER FOR THE ASSESSMENT, ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN, BILLS OF QUANTITIES DEVELOPMENT AND CONSTRUCTION SUPERVISION FOR 15 PRIMARY HEALTH CARE (PHC) FACILITIES IN THREE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREAS IN GOMBE STATE, NIGERIA
RFP Reference No.: TAC/EMBRACE/PHC/2026/001
Issue Date: 27 October 2026
Submission Deadline: 5.00 PM, 9 November 2026
INTRODUCTION
TAConnect Ltd/Gte is a non-profit organization conceptualized by the Gates Foundation and based in Nigeria. TAConnect brings innovative solutions to the provision of Technical Assistance (TA) services to states in Nigeria to promote sustainable improvements in Primary Health Care (PHC) systems and increase the uptake of Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, Adolescent Health and Nutrition (RMNCAH+N) services.
Under the EMBRACE Project, TAConnect invites qualified consulting firms to submit quotations for the assessment, design, development of Bills of Quantities (BOQs), and construction supervision of fifteen (15) PHC Spoke facilities across selected Local Government Areas in Gombe State.
The project is aimed at improving access to quality healthcare services and strengthening primary healthcare infrastructure within the beneficiary communities.
- Objective of the Assignment
The objective of this engagement is to select a qualified firm to:
- Conduct facility assessments and site investigations.
- Develop architectural, structural, mechanical, and electrical designs.
- Prepare detailed Bills of Quantities (BOQs) and technical specifications.
- Support procurement processes through technical clarifications.
- Provide construction supervision and quality assurance throughout implementation.
- Certify completed works and provide final project documentation.
- Scope of Work
The successful vendor(s) shall conduct assessments, prepare designs and BOQs, and supervise construction of the following facility components across fifteen (15) PHC Spokes
| Block | Description | Quantity (Spokes) |
| A | EmONC and MNH Service Areas, including Simulation Corner | 15 |
| B | Staff Quarters | 15 |
| C | Facility-wide Utilities and Finishes (Power, Water Supply and General Painting) | 15 |
| D | Security Features | 15 |
| All Blocks | Cultural Acceptability and Accessibility Requirements | 15 |
Specific Tasks
The Vendor shall:
- Conduct baseline assessments and measurements of all identified facilities.
- Prepare conceptual and detailed engineering designs.
- Develop costed BOQs and technical specifications.
- Ensure compliance with:
- National Primary Health Care standards.
- Building and construction regulations.
- Accessibility requirements.
- Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) standards.
- Develop implementation schedules and construction plans.
- Supervise contractors during implementation.
- Conduct quality assurance inspections.
- Review contractors’ work and certify payment milestones.
- Produce periodic supervision reports.
- Provide final completion and handover reports.
- PROJECT LOCATIONS
The project shall be executed across 3 Local Government Areas in Gombe State
- ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Interested bidders shall submit the following documents:
- Certificate of Incorporation issued by the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).
- Valid Tax Clearance Certificate for the last three (3) years.
- Company Profile detailing organizational structure and key personnel.
- Evidence of registration with relevant professional bodies.
- Audited Financial Statements for the last three (3) years.
- Evidence of execution of at least three (3) similar projects within the last five (5) years.
- Evidence of local presence in Gombe and evidence of similar execution in Gombe is preferred
- Recommendation by Gombe State Primary Health Care Development Agency is also an added advantage
- Evidence of availability of key technical personnel and equipment.
- Current PENCOM Compliance Certificate.
- Current NSITF Compliance Certificate.
- Current ITF Compliance Certificate.
- Sworn Affidavit indicating:
- The company is not in receivership or bankruptcy.
- No director has been convicted of any criminal offence relating to fraud or financial impropriety.
- All information provided is true and correct.
- Evidence of financial capability from a reputable financial institution.
- TENDER DOCUMENTS
The tender documents are attached to this RFP as “Annex A: Minimum EmONC and MNH Infrastructure Requirements” and “Annex B: Expression of Interest (EOI)”.
- SUBMISSION OF BIDS
Completed Technical and Financial Proposals should be submitted by email in separate files titled:
- TECHNICAL BID FOR ASSESSMENT, PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND CONSTRUCTION.
- FINANCIAL BID FOR ASSESSMENT, PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND CONSTRUCTION.
The files should be submitted as attachments to the Procurement Unit at the email: [email protected]
Kindly ensure that the submissions are accompanied by a duly filled copy of the attached supplier EOI form (in Adobe Acrobat format) on or before 5.00PM on Monday the 9 November 2026, at which time the RFP process will be closed.
Questions may be submitted via email no later than 3.00 PM on Tuesday the 3 November 2026. No inquiries will be answered over the phone or in person. All inquiries and responses will be shared by email.
The bids will be evaluated in detail. Additional information may be sought from the bidders. Bidders may also be asked to present and explain their bids. TAConnect reserves the right to waive non-material deficiencies in any proposal.
Note:
- This RFP shall not be construed to be a commitment on the part of the TAConnect, nor shall it entail the applicant to make any claim(s) whatsoever and/or seek any indemnity from TAConnect, by virtue of such applicant having responded to this RFP.
- TAConnect will not be responsible for any cost or expenses incurred by any interested party in connection with any response to an inquiry nor shall it entitle any party submitting documents to claim any indemnity from TAConnect.
- TAConnect is not bound to shortlist any bidder and reserves the right to annul the bidding process at any time without incurring any liabilities and assigning any reason thereof.
- Should you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to the procurement unit by email, we will be happy to clarify.
Annex A: Minimum EmONC and MNH Infrastructure Requirements
TOR for assessment, design and Bills of Quantities, 15 PHC spokes · Project EMBRACE, Gombe State · TAConnect
A3.1 Purpose and use
This annex sets the minimum infrastructure each of the 15 EMBRACE spokes must have after the upgrade, for the scope defined in the TOR. It is the design brief for the firm and the reference standard for the gap analysis.
It applies only to EmONC and maternal, newborn and reproductive health (MNH) service areas, staff quarters, facility-wide power, water and painting, and security features. It does not apply to general consulting rooms, pharmacy, laboratory, general wards or other non-MNH areas.
How to use it
- Every requirement has an ID. The firm uses the IDs in the assessment tool, the gap analysis, the drawings and the BOQs, so that each BOQ item traces back to a requirement.
- For each facility, the firm records each requirement as Met, Partly met, Not met or Not applicable. A requirement that is met needs no redesign. A requirement that is partly met or not met becomes a gap analysis item, with an intervention category and a tier.
- Spaces are sized to a fixed standard capacity (A3.3), the same at every facility, and not to current caseload. EMBRACE and the state expect antenatal attendance and facility deliveries to rise after the upgrade, so adequate space is a minimum requirement and must not be reduced because current volumes are low. This annex does not prescribe room dimensions. The firm sizes each space to the standard capacity using the NPHCDA Minimum Standards for Primary Health Care in Nigeria (2012), the National Building Code of Nigeria and the equipment in Annex 4, and states its sizing basis in the design report.
- Where a requirement cannot be met on site, for example because of space or structure, the firm records why and proposes an alternative for TAConnect’s approval. It must not omit the requirement without explanation.
- Most requirements come from the NPHCDA Minimum Standards for Primary Health Care in Nigeria (2012) and NPHCDA Functional Level 2 (A3.2). A few go further, to meet the service needs of this assignment, and are marked “project specification” in this annex. Each one is stated in full where it appears, with its reason. Project specifications apply only to the 15 facilities in this assignment and add to the Minimum Standards; they do not replace or change them.
Requirement tiers
| Tier | Meaning | Pricing in the BOQ |
| Essential | Addresses an immediate safety or service-delivery risk and forms the minimum requirement of this annex | Designed and priced for every facility where the requirement is not met |
| Secondary | Improves functionality and service readiness | Designed and priced as separate lines, so TAConnect can defer them |
| Optional | Enhances quality, efficiency or patient experience | Designed and priced separately, and included only where the firm identifies clear value |
A3.2 Scope and relationship to NPHCDA Functional Level 2
| Block | Covers (TOR Section 3) | Level 2 reference | Annex section |
| A | EmONC and MNH service areas, including the simulation corner | Delivery/labour ward; ANC, family planning and postnatal care spaces finished and equipped to Level 2 standard | A3.3, A3.4 |
| B | Staff quarters | Staff accommodation; separate 1.5 kVA solar supply | A3.5 |
| C | Facility-wide utilities and finishes: power, water and general painting | 24/7 solar-backed power, minimum 5 kVA for the main building; borehole with overhead tank | A3.6 |
| D | Security features | Fenced compound with a secured gate | A3.7 |
| All blocks | Cultural acceptability and accessibility | NPHCDA Minimum Standards, plus the project specifications listed in A3.8 | A3.8 |
Not covered by this annex: general consulting rooms, pharmacy, laboratory, general wards and other non-MNH areas. These remain the responsibility of GSPHCDA’s wider revitalisation programme. The firm does not design or price works for them under this assignment, other than the facility-wide Block C works. Where one of these rooms shares a wall, roof or electrical circuit with the MNH service block, the firm notes the interface in the design report.
A3.3 Block A: EmONC and MNH service areas
The requirements follow a woman’s journey: antenatal and family planning care, labour and delivery, the newborn, postnatal care, and referral.
Standard capacity
The capacities below apply at every spoke, whatever its current caseload. They are minimums for the design to deliver.
ANC and family planning are offered every day as part of integrated service delivery, so each has its own dedicated room, which is not shared with other services and is not scheduled around fixed clinic days. The female waiting area is also the space for Group ANC sessions.
| Space | Standard capacity at every spoke | Basis |
| ANC room (A-01) | One dedicated room | NPHCDA/project specification: ANC is offered every day, so the room is not shared with other services |
| Female waiting and group ANC area (A-03) | Seating for at least 30 women, in movable chairs, with clear floor space for group sessions | NPHCDA/project specification: space for Group ANC sessions of up to 30 women |
| Family planning room (A-02) | One dedicated room | NPHCDA/project specification: family planning is offered every day, so the room is not shared with other services |
| First-stage labour (A-06) | At least 2 bays | The Minimum Standards provide a first-stage room. Project specification: at least 2 bays, so that two women in early labour can be monitored at the same time |
| Delivery (A-07) | Two delivery beds, in one room or in two rooms | The Minimum Standards provide two delivery rooms at PHC centre level |
| Newborn resuscitation (A-08) | One corner for each delivery room | NPHCDA/project specification: a resuscitation surface inside or next to each delivery room, so that ventilation can start within the first minute after birth |
| Stabilisation (A-09) | One bed | NPHCDA/project specification: a bed for monitoring and stabilising a woman or newborn before referral to the hub |
| Lying-in (A-10) | At least 4 beds, each with space for a chair | The Minimum Standards provide a four-bed lying-in ward |
Antenatal and family planning care
| ID | Requirement | Tier |
| A-01 | ANC room. A dedicated, private room for antenatal consultation and examination, with an examination couch, a handwashing point, good lighting, a desk and seating, and secure storage for records and supplies. Sized to the standard capacity in A3.3, not to current ANC attendance. ANC is available every day, so the room is not shared with other services | Essential |
| A-02 | Family planning room. A dedicated, private room for counselling and procedures, with visual and auditory privacy, an examination couch, a handwashing point and lockable storage for commodities. Family planning is available every day, as part of integrated service delivery, so the room is not shared with other services | Essential |
| A-03 | Female waiting and group ANC area. A covered area for women attending ANC, family planning and maternity services, which is also used for Group ANC sessions. It is screened from general circulation; has seating for at least the standard capacity in A3.3, in movable chairs that can be arranged in a circle; has clear floor space for interactive sessions; and has wall space for charts and a flipchart | Essential |
Labour, delivery and newborn care
| ID | Requirement | Tier |
| A-04 | Entry and triage. A covered, lit entrance with level or ramped access that can be used at night, and a point where a woman in labour can be received and assessed promptly | Essential |
| A-05 | Labour assessment. A private room or screened bay for vaginal examination and emergency assessment, with a handwashing point and adequate lighting | Essential |
| A-06 | First-stage labour. Space for women in early labour, with at least the standard number of curtained or partitioned bays (A3.3) that allow one female companion, and a toilet close by | Essential |
| A-07 | Delivery room. Capacity for two delivery beds at every facility, in one room or in two rooms. Screening between beds; procedure lighting on a protected circuit; a handwashing point inside the room; a warm, draught-free environment; and space for a delivery trolley and the equipment in Annex 4 | Essential |
| A-08 | Newborn resuscitation corner. A dedicated, flat, clean resuscitation surface inside or immediately next to the delivery room, reachable within seconds of birth. Supplies of warm towels for drying and wrapping the newborn; a power socket on a protected circuit; good lighting; and wall storage for the bag-and-mask and suction | Essential |
| A-09 | Observation and stabilisation. A bed space near the exit for monitoring and stabilising a woman or newborn before referral, with a power socket | Essential |
Postnatal care and referral
| ID | Requirement | Tier |
| A-10 | Postpartum and postnatal care. A female lying-in area with at least the standard number of beds (A3.3), where mother and baby stay together, with space for skin-to-skin care and Kangaroo Mother Care, including a chair beside each bed. Routine postnatal checks take place in this area, so it has curtains or screens between beds for privacy, and no separate postnatal consulting room is required. A vacant room may be used for postnatal checks if one is available, but no new construction is needed for this purpose | Essential |
| A-11 | Referral access. A clear route from the delivery room and stabilisation area to the vehicle point, avoiding steps and narrow turns, with vehicle access to the maternity entrance and ambulance parking | Essential |
Infection prevention, sanitation and comfort
| ID | Requirement | Tier |
| A-12 | Clean and dirty utility. Separate areas for clean supplies and for soiled items, arranged so that clean and contaminated flows do not cross | Essential |
| A-13 | Instrument processing. A dedicated area for cleaning and sterilising instruments, with water and power as needed for the chosen method | Essential |
| A-14 | Handwashing. Working handwashing points at each point of care in the maternity pathway (A-01 to A-10), with soap and a hand-drying method | Essential |
| A-15 | Cleanable finishes. Smooth, impervious, easily cleaned floor and wall surfaces in the delivery room, resuscitation corner, labour assessment room and the utility and instrument processing areas | Essential |
| A-16 | Healthcare waste. Segregation points in the delivery room, a secure waste storage area, and a safe treatment or disposal option such as a placenta pit and sharps disposal | Essential |
| A-17 | Toilets and showers. A female toilet and shower close to the labour and postnatal areas | Essential |
| A-18 | Ventilation. Natural cross-ventilation in the labour, delivery and postnatal areas | Essential |
| A-19 | Heat management. A reflective roof finish and false ceilings over the MNH service block, to reduce heat and rain noise | Secondary |
A3.4 Block A: Simulation corner
A permanent space where staff practice emergency obstetric and newborn skills in short, frequent sessions without leaving the facility.
| ID | Requirement | Tier |
| SC-01 | Location and form. In or next to the maternity area but outside the main clinical traffic route, as a small dedicated room or a partitioned area within an existing room. It may share space with another low-use function if the storage is dedicated and secure | Essential |
| SC-02 | Space and furniture. Room for a practice table with a manikin and two to three people around it, with chairs | Essential |
| SC-03 | Storage. A lockable cabinet for the manikins and practice equipment | Essential |
| SC-04 | Power and light. At least one socket, for charging the tablet and manikins, and good lighting | Essential |
| SC-05 | Wall space. Space for practice charts, algorithms and a practice log | Secondary |
| SC-06 | Equipment. As listed in Annex 4. Procured separately; the firm provides the space and fixings only | Essential |
A3.5 Block B: Staff quarters
Staff quarters are required where a facility has no staff accommodation, to support 24-hour presence of skilled birth attendants. Where quarters exist but are in poor condition, the firm assesses whether renovation is more cost-effective than new construction.
The minimums below are a floor. The firm determines the final configuration from staffing numbers, site constraints, applicable state standards and cost-effectiveness.
| ID | Requirement | Tier |
| Q-01 | Size. At least 1–2 rooms per facility | Essential |
| Q-02 | Two-bedroom unit. A two-bedroom unit where staffing, space and budget allow, in line with Level 2 | Secondary |
| Q-03 | Sanitation. A toilet and shower, within the unit or shared within the quarters, with private sanitation suitable for female staff | Essential |
| Q-04 | Kitchen and storage. A small kitchen space and storage | Secondary |
| Q-05 | Power. A separate solar supply, minimum 1.5 kVA, for lighting, sockets and a fan | Essential |
| Q-06 | Water. Connected to the facility water supply | Essential |
| Q-07 | Location. Inside the fenced compound, close enough to the maternity area for night calls | Essential |
| Q-08 | Security. Secure doors and burglar-proofing, external lighting, and inclusion within the compound fence (see D-01 and D-02) | Essential |
A3.6 Block C: Facility-wide utilities and finishes
These requirements apply to the whole facility, so that the power and water supporting the MNH areas are reliable. They are the general fixes allowed outside the MNH service areas.
| ID | Requirement | Tier |
| U-01 | Solar and battery system. Sized by the firm’s energy audit, and never below the Level 2 minimum of 5 kVA for the main building | Essential |
| U-02 | Critical circuits. A protected circuit supplying delivery room and resuscitation corner lighting and sockets, the stabilisation bed socket, suction, oxytocin refrigeration, water pumping, and night lighting of the maternity route | Essential |
| U-03 | Night-time autonomy. Battery capacity sufficient to run the critical circuits through the night without grid power | Essential |
| U-04 | Internal lighting. Adequate LED lighting in all MNH clinical areas | Essential |
| U-05 | Water supply. A borehole with overhead tank supplying continuous water to the delivery room, labour area, instrument processing area and maternity toilets, with storage sized for at least the facility’s daily need | Essential |
| U-06 | General painting. Internal and external painting of the facility building(s), using light-coloured or reflective finishes externally | Secondary |
A3.7 Block D: Security features
Security features are limited to what protects the staff quarters and the MNH service areas.
| ID | Requirement | Tier |
| D-01 | Perimeter fence and gate. A perimeter fence and a lockable gate. Where an existing fence is in good condition, record it as met | Essential |
| D-02 | External lighting. At the gate, the entrances, the maternity route and the staff quarters | Essential |
| D-03 | Secure storage. Secure doors and window protection for the MNH commodity store and the simulation corner cabinet | Essential |
| D-04 | Security post. A gatehouse or security post, where the facility operates 24 hours and the site justifies it | Optional |
A3.8 Cultural acceptability and accessibility
These requirements apply to Blocks A and B. Designs must be reviewed with communities before they are finalised
| ID | Requirement | Tier |
| C-01 | Female-only maternity area. A female-only maternity area with visual privacy from general waiting areas and circulation | Essential |
| C-02 | Male waiting shelter. A covered waiting shelter for husbands and male relatives, outside the maternity area | Secondary |
| C-03 | Prayer and ablution space. Space for patients and families, included where community consultation confirms it | Optional |
| C-04 | Step-free access. Ramps, level entries, and doors and corridors wide enough for a wheelchair and a stretcher | Essential |
| C-05 | Accessible toilet. At least one accessible toilet | Essential |
| C-06 | Community review. A record of the consultation on layout with the officer-in-charge, staff, the ward development committee and women’s and religious or traditional representatives, and of how their feedback changed the design | Essential |
Annex B: Expression of Interest (EOI)
As part of the Procurement objectives to support project activities, TAConnect procurement unit wishes to identify qualified and eligible vendors for TAConnect office in Abuja to increase her pool of supplier prequalified database to engage for procurements. You are therefore invited to submit your company profile indicating nature of services you can provide to TAConnect especially in fields such as, Hotel and Accommodations, Air travel Agents, IT Equipment’s supply and Maintenance, Office supplies: Beverages, Office Supplies and Stationaries, Printing IECs, Car Hire services, Advert Agencies, Logistics/courier services: shipping, Office furniture, Office equipment etc.
Section 1: Supplier Questionnaire
Part A: Company/Business Details
- Please provide the Legal name of your business and any parent or subsidiary
- Please provide the address of your business including post code.
| Registered Office | Ordering Address (if different) | Payment Address (if different) |
- Please provide your telephone, fax number, email, and web site address:
| Phone | Email: |
- Please state the nature of your business and your main products / services
- Please provide your company registration number, years in business and VAT number: Company
|
- What is the legal status of your business?
- Public Limited Company
- Partnership
- Sole Trader
- Private Company
- Not for profit organization
- Government Agency
- Self Employed
8, Provide at least three references (especially NGOs) and the nature of services rendered
| REF 1 | REF 2 | REF 3 | |
| Name of Organization | |||
| Product supplier/
service delivered |
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| Contact person |