The Harmonized Framework for Cash Transfers to Implementing Partners (herein after referred to as HACT) framework was first adopted in 2005 and updated in 2014. It is applied by UNDP, UNICEF, UNFPA and WFP, pursuant to United Nations General Assembly Resolution 56/201 on the triennial policy review of operational activities for development of the United Nations system. The HACT framework represents a common operational (harmonized) framework for transferring cash to government and non-governmental national Implementing Partners and Responsible Parties (if applicable) (hereafter called as IP/RPs), irrespective of whether these partners work with one or multiple United Nation agencies. It also represents a shift from assurance for cash transfers derived from project level controls and audits towards a method of assurance derived from risk/system-based assessments and audits.

As an element of the HACT Framework, an assessment of the Public Financial Management Capacity (Macro-assessment) was conducted in late 2021 as the designing phase of the 2022-2026 programme cycle. Following has been assessment of financial management capacity of all Implementing Partners and Responsible Parties (if applicable) (also called as Micro-assessment) supported by UNDP within the framework of the programme cycle.

Risks derived from the above-mentioned capacity assessments guide UNDP in decisions pertaining to the modalities for cash transfers to IP/RPs and frequency of assurance activities, including programme monitoring, scheduled audit (financial audit), special audit and periodic on-site reviews (also called as Spot check) applicable to each IP/RP.

Under the HACT framework and the UNDP Policy and Procedures, the UNDP Viet Nam Country Office accordingly launch Long-term Agreement (LTA) procurement for NGO/NIM/HACT financial audit of its supported IP/RPs throughout the programme cycle.

Scheduled Audit a systematic and independent examination of data, statements, records, operations, and performance of an implementing partner carried out by service provider. Besides performing the audit, the service provider should also look at the IP/RPs implementation of previous audit recommendations and quality of the implementation. Within the HACT framework there would be Financial audit. The audits are fully described with detailed terms of reference in Annex 1 of the Request for Proposal. 

UNDP will sign the Long-term Agreements (LTAs) with two qualified bidders obtaining highest overall score. When required, UNDP will contact the two Financial Audit LTA holders to obtain the best quotes meeting UNDP’s requirements. The quotes provided must be equal or lower than the ceiling rates in the LTAs.

Travel to provinces is required if the projects are located in provinces.  In this case, the contractor will be paid additional travel cost and per diem up to the UN-EU cost norms. The LTA holders shall quote the travel expenses in each request from UNDP. All travel expenses and travel arrangement must be approved in writing by the UNDP office prior to any travel taking place. The service provider will be responsible for making its own mission travel and logistics at destination.

For each request from UNDP, between the two LTA holders’ quotations, the one meeting all Financial Audit requirements and offering the lower quotation will be selected.

This specific tender is managed via the new supplier portal system of UNDP. Offers must be submitted directly in the system following this link: http://supplier.quantum.partneragencies.org/ using the profile you may have in the portal. In case you have never registered before, you can register a profile using the registration link shared via the procurement notice and following the instructions in guides available in UNDP website: https://www.undp.org/procurement/business/resources-for-bidders.  YOU ARE ADVISED TO CONTACT UNDP PROCUREMENT UNIT (procurement.vn@undp.org) TO CHECK IF YOU ARE HAVING A PROFILE IN THE SYSTEM.

Any request for clarification of solicitation documents must be sent directly in the system through message functionality. ATTENTION: PROPOSALS (OR ANY PART OF IT) SHALL NOT BE SUBMITTED IN THIS MESSAGING MANNER.

Please follow this important guidance for the “Supplier name”: For both company and individual, please insert exact your bank account name (name as it appears on bank account). This name should be the same as the information provided in the bank proof.

Do not create a new profile if you already have one. Use the forgotten password feature in case you do not remember the password or the username from previous registration or contact UNDP focal point to check if you have a profile yet.

Should you be interested in submitting a proposal, please log in to the online portal and search for this specific tender using search filters and subscribe to this tender following the instructions in the system user guide. Should you require further clarifications, kindly communicate through the system. Please prepare your proposal in accordance with the requirements and procedure as set out in this RFP and submit it by the deadline for submission of proposals set out in the system.

 Women-owned companies are encouraged to bid. Preference will be given to equally technically qualified women-owned companies.