Jamiu Olatunji
April 30, 2024
REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP) FOR THE CONCESSION OF ECO-TOURISM LODGES IN GASHAKA-GUMTI NATIONAL PARK (GGNP) THROUGH SWISS CHALLENGE PROCUREMENT METHOD
 1. Background
The Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) through the National Council on Privatisation (NCP) and its Secretariat, Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) in collaboration with the  National Parks Service(NPS), and in compliance with the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) Establishment Act, 2005  invites interested investors to express interest in an Unsolicited Bidding Process via a Swiss Challenge procurement method as stipulated in the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) Guidelines, to submit responses to Request for Qualification (RfQ) and Request for Proposal (RfP) for the concession of eco-tourism activities in Gashaka-Gumti National Park.
2.Overview of Gashaka-Gumti National Park
Gashaka Gumti National Park is located in the North-Eastern region of Nigeria, covering an area of about 6731 sqâkm2. It is the largest National Park in the country. It derived its name from two of the regionâs oldest and most historic settlements, Gashaka village in Taraba State and Gumti village in Adamawa State. The Park was created by the Federal Government of Nigeria Decree No. 36 of 1991 by merging of Gashaka Game Reserve with Gumti Game Reserve. Â The park, like any other park in Nigeria, was established as a protected area for the purpose of nature conservation, recreation, ecotourism, scientific and medical research and to promote art, craft and cultural value of the indigenous people surrounding the park. It is a stronghold for the countryâs incredible wildlife, supporting critical animal populations including the largest remaining population of the endangered Nigeria-Cameroon chimpanzee. The beautiful scenery and extremely high biodiversity of the park undoubtedly give the park a huge amount of tourism potential.
3. Objectives
The main objective of the concession is to transform the park to a world-class tourist destination by procuring a concessionaire with the technical and financial capability that will build, operate and maintain at least 300 beds accommodation consisting of  eco-lodges and high-volume hostels through concession and develop related eco-tourism activities such as branding, marketing, accommodation, catering guided tours, etc. for a concession period of thirty (30) years.
4.Request for Qualification (RFQ) and Request for Proposal (RFP)
 Interested firms and/or consortium of firms would be required to submit their Qualification Statements in response to the RFQ, along with their Technical and Financial Proposals in response to the RFP which will be issued upon indication of interest and payment of non-refundable fee of N5,000,000 by any Firm and/or Consortia.
 Firms and/or Consortia will be shortlisted based on their qualifications, technical skills, and financial offers. Details of the project, Application submission process and requirements have been set out in the Request for Qualification (RFQ).
| Subsequently, the RFQ requirements and Information Memorandum will be available in the online portal for all interested parties to participate in the qualification process.
1.      Access to Bidding Documents: Prospective Bidders will be granted access to the bidding documents (RFP/RFQ) upon submission of expression of interest and the payment of non-refundable sum of N5,000,000 (Five Million Naira) only to the BPE-TSA account. Bidders are advised to carefully review the RfQ/RFP Instructions and Criteria to make their submission. 2.     Submission of RfQs and Response to RfPs An original and six (6) other copies of responses to Request for Qualification and Request for Proposal, and one digital copy of each in PDF format stored on a readable digital media (no CDs or DVDs) shall be delivered in a sealed envelope clearly marked âRequest for Qualification and Request for Proposal for the Concession of the Eco-tourism Lodges and delivered to the address below not later than 12.00 noon, on Tuesday, 11th June 2024, from the date of this publication. The name of the prospective bidder must be stated on the envelope. The documents should be submitted in a sealed envelope and clearly marked with (Request for Qualification and Request for proposal for the Concession of Eco-Tourism Lodges in Gashaka-Gumti National Park) and addressed to the address below. Ignatius O. Ayewoh, Ag. Director General, Bureau of Public Enterprises 11, Osun Crescent, Off IBB Way Maitama District, FCT, Nigeria Website: www.bpe.gov.ng Attention: Abdulkadir Ahmed In addition, an e-copy of the application must be sent to: OAfuwape@ bpe.gov.ng. For inquiries, please contact: Olatunde Afuwape Project Manager (Tourism) Department of Agriculture & Natural Resources Room 124, BPE, Abuja E-mail: OAfuwape@bpe.gov.ng Tel: +234 (9) 4604401 7. Upon receipt of responses to Request for Qualification and Request for Proposal from prospective concessionaires, the Bureau shall evaluate, and ONLY TECHNICALLY QUALIFIED FIRMS WILL BE CONTACTED.   |
DISCLAIMER:Â This Invitation for Request for Qualification does not in any manner constitute an agreement and is neither an offer of the Enterprise to the prospective applicants or any other person.
