1.    Introduction

The objective of this Request For Proposal (RFP) is to select a reliable and experienced outsourcing agency to contract with the Embassy of India, Beijing (referred hereafter as EOI Beijing) to provide visa support services at the Embassy of India, Beijing and its Consulates at Guangzhou and Shanghai.

It is estimated that in 2012 EOI Beijing and its Consulates in Guangzhou and Shanghai will receive approximately 100,000 visa applications. This is, however, only an estimate and the Embassy of India, Beijing does not guarantee this number. The applications are received from applicants in person or through their duly authorized representative. EOI Beijing is looking for an outsourcing agency to collect and collate these applications along with passports of the applicants on its behalf, deliver them to EOI and its Consulates in Guangzhou and Shanghai and subsequently return the passports to the applicants in an expeditious and secured manner.

2.    Request for Proposal

Bidders are invited to submit a priced proposal for the delivery of visa support services in accordance with this RFP. The proposal would be valid for a period of 3 months after the RFP closing date. The selected Contract will be signed for a period of three years with review of operations after every year. The Service providers will be required to start partial operations within 3 months of signing the Contract and full operations within one month of starting partial operations. Operations, whether partial or full, can start only after EOI Beijing conveys its satisfaction with the arrangements made by the Service provider. Either party may terminate the contract by giving two months advance notice of being unable to carry on the services any longer. In such circumstances, the process of smooth takeover of services will deem to begin from the date of receipt of the notice by the other party or from the date as stated in the notice, whichever is later and the process of termination/smooth takeover will be completed in a reasonable period of time of not more than two months.

2 (A) Eligibility

Only Indian/Indian origin companies with or without a local partner either of Indian/foreign origin are eligible to apply.

3.    Clarification/ Additional Information required:

i) Requests for further information must be in writing and be sent to the contact person mentioned in this document;
ii) Only communications that are in writing from EOI Beijing may be considered as properly authorized expressions on the EOI Beijing’s behalf;
iii) EOI Beijing shall provide a copy of all questions and answers provided during the tendering process to all bidders. The source of questions will not be divulged;
iv) Questions from bidders will be accepted until 21 May 2012, two working days before the Pre-bid conference. The Pre-bid conference will be held around 15 days before the RFP closing date.

v) Each bidder shall provide the name and contact details of an individual to act as a point of contact during the tender process. That person may be asked to clarify the bid to provide additional information during the evaluation process.

4.    Proposed Programme for the RFP Process

Closure of bidder’s questions: 21 May 2012
Pre-bid conference: 24 May 2012
Deadline for Submission of Proposals i.e. RFP closing date: 11 June 2012

5.    Statement of Service Requirements

The Service Provider shall establish Visa Application Centres adhering to good industry practice standards in the People’s Republic of China in the following cities in the People’s Republic of China following a timetable of openings agreed with the Embassy of India, Beijing. The Mission/Posts in Beijing, Guangzhou and Shanghai will enter into full consultation and planning with the Service Provider in such cases.

“Beijing, Guangzhou and Shanghai”

6.    Scope of Work and Deliverables Required

a.         The Service Provider shall ensure that Visa Application Centres are situated in the premises easily accessible to members of the public. The Centres shall have sufficient space in terms of waiting area, application counters and processing area. There should be seating arrangement for 40-50 applicants, around 8-10 counters (including for individual, group, collection, scrutiny of documents, submission of fee etc.), provision of 1-2 computers for correcting IVFRT generated application-forms by visa-applicants free-of-charge. Each Centre will have appropriate facilities and conveniences for the applicants including provision of drinking water, newspapers, TV, lighting arrangements, washrooms etc while endeavoring to minimize waiting time. The Centres shall be open from 8.30 am to 5.30 pm on all working days of EOI, Beijing / Consulates in Shanghai & Guangzhou.

b. The Service Provider shall be responsible for ensuring that wherever an application is made, the Service Providershould undertake all of the following functions for the Mission/Post:

i) Distribute specified forms, checklists etc wherever applicable (Please note that visa applications are now submitted on-line). The Service Provider will arrange to print the above at his own cost in the format prescribed by the Mission/Post from time to time.
ii) Assist applicants in completion of forms and provide factual information on the various categories of visa available and the application process
iii) Accept visa applications, together with applicant's passport, visa fee, Service Provider's service fee (equal to the Contract Price) and supporting documents from applicants and agents, if any, approved by the Mission/Post. Accept additional documents requested by the Mission/Post from existing applicants. Fee will be accepted in all manners of payment generally used in the People’s Republic of China but preferably by cash. However, any bank/agency charges levied on transactions other than cash payment will be borne by the applicants.
iv) Bank agency charges, if applicable, are to be collected from applicants and must be on actual basis as charged by the banks/agencies and should not become a source of income for the Service Provider. For this, the Service Provider should prominently display, both in the Centre and website, various such charges applicable for the benefit of applicants.
v) Accept such fees and pay the fees due to the Mission i.e., fees excluding the Service Provider's service fee, in Mission's bank account on the day of receipt. Clear and transparent audit trails of fees taken will be supplied at the time the relevant applications are submitted in a format to be agreed between the Mission and Service Provider. The service Provider shall provide a Bank Guarantee amounting to RMB 132000 for the government funds held by it temporarily andfor the safety of documents.
vi) EOI Beijing will not pay for the services rendered by the Service Provider. The Service Provider will charge fee, per visa application, denominated in RMB. The fee per visa application should be quoted inclusive of any local taxes and VAT currently applicable in the People’s Republic of China. This fee will remain fixed during the term of Contract and can be revised upwards during this period, rounded off to the next higher denomination, only if there is cumulative rise in the local cost of living as per UN CPI, rate of local taxes and/or VAT by more than 25%.
vii)       The Service Provider's Service Fee (SF) would not be changed on account of inflation, changes in number of visa applications and fluctuations in rate of exchange. Any change is possible on account of changes in VAT/ local taxes to the tune exceeding 25%. The rounding off must be done in two halves, i.e less than half would be reduced to the previous lower denomination; and half and above would be rounded off to the next higher denomination taking in to account the practicability of implementation.
viii)      Provide a bar-coded receipt to each applicant showing the service fee paid to the Service provider, the visa fee or any other fee, the category of visa applied for and the date of payment. A copy of the bar coded receipt is to be enclosed with the application.
ix)        Providing data in an electronic format prescribed by EOI Beijing and its Consulates in Guangzhou and Shanghai and transfer this data physically to EOI Beijing and its Consulates General of India in Guangzhou and Shanghai twice each working day (the timings and manner of which will be determined by EOI Beijing and its Consulates in Guangzhou and Shanghai).
x)         On receipt of applications, scrutinize the various documents and forms to ensure they are properly completed and ensure that each visa application form has clear audit information on it to allow easy identification of the fee paid, type of visa required and date of payment. Application documents along with passports to be forwarded to EOI Beijing and its Consulates in Guangzhou and Shanghai securely and in a timely manner twice each working day (the timings and manner of which will be determined by EOI Beijing and its Consulates in Guangzhou and Shanghai).
xi)        Collect from EOI Beijing and its Consulates in Guangzhou and Shanghai processed applications and passports, twice each working day.
xii)       Return passports to applicants in a timely, orderly and secured fashion and provide those, who are required to go to EOI Beijing and its Consulates in Guangzhou and Shanghai for interview, with the date & time of interview in consultation with EOI Beijing and its Consulates in Guangzhou and Shanghai.
xiii)      Delivery of applications and collection of passports will be done twice each working day (the timings and manner of which will be determined by EOI Beijing and its Consulates in Guangzhou and Shanghai). Handing / Taking over of applications and passports will take place at the premises of EOI Beijing and its Consulates in Guangzhou and Shanghai.
xiv)        Publish and distribute an official leaflet explaining clearly how to apply for an Indian visa, complete with relevant guidance.The Service Provider may ensure that guidelines, step by step, for submission of online visa application are also posted on their website, both in English and in Chinese.
xv) Maintain proper records of every application received, cross-referenced to individual fees taken on databases and systems, and in accordance with practices to be prescribed by EOI Beijing and its Consulates in Guangzhou and Shanghai.
xvi)        Maintain proper accounts of all the visa fees received by individual subhead.
xvii)     Have in place an efficient system for scheduling appointments for applicants requiring an interview.
xviii)     Have in place a reliable quality control system that maintains continuous surveillance on service standards.
xix)      The Service Provider should have appropriate certification from a reputed agency of the country where the services are provided wherever feasible.
xx)        Put in place a viable and effective security and vigilance system.
xxii)     Operate an e-mail, tele-enquiry facility and electronic display in order that applicants can track the progress of their applications.
xxiii)     Put in place a dedicated system where telephone and email enquiries are to be answered promptly and postal letters are to be replied to within 2 working days of receipt.
xxiv)    Issue news releases including on its website and Application Centre as and when required by EOI Beijing and its Consulates in Guangzhou and Shanghai.
xxv)     Carry out any other related activities as instructed by EOI Beijing and its Consulates in Guangzhou and Shanghai.
xxvi)    Have in place an adequate contingency plan, prior to operation of the agreement, to maintain an acceptable level of service if the operation of any/all Visa Application Centres is interrupted for any reason.

7.   Facilities

The Service Provider shall be required to have the following facilities at each Visa Application Centre:

(a)       Effective systems and processes to recruit and train staff who can explain clearly and accurately the visa application process and the details of which documents must be submitted with the application.
(b)       An IT system which will allow the entire Service Provider's visa service network access to any centrally based appointment system. The IT service provided must be in accordance with standards prescribed by an appropriate agency of the host country wherever possible or by India's National Informatics Centre (NIC), as determined by the Mission.
(c)        The ability to computerise operations related to data capture including scanning of applications and photographs on behalf of EOI Beijing and its Consulates in Guangzhou and Shanghai.
(d) The ability to computerise operations related to the accounting of fee collection.
(e)        The ability to computerise operations related to the tracking of passport movement from receipt to delivery.
(f)        A security system for the control of access of applicants and safe custody of documentation collected, including information held on IT systems
(g) An effective quality control system.
(h)       The Service Provider will maintain records and statistics in the format required by EOI Beijing and its Consulates in Guangzhou and Shanghai.
(i)        The Service Provider will be allowed to charge Visa Service Fee (SF), equal to the Contract Price, from all individuals who make a visa application. This fee will be collected by the Service provider from applicants at the time of receiving the application and visa fees (VF). Documents relating to collection of the service fee (receipt books etc.) will be properly maintained and made available for inspection by the designated officer of EOI Beijing and its Consulates in Guangzhou and Shanghai or any audit team.
(j)        The Service provider may secure additional sources of revenue through advertising subject to the agreement of EOI Beijing and its Consulates in Guangzhou and Shanghai and subject to the terms and conditions of local laws, if there is no conflict of interest. The decision of EOI Beijing and its Consulates in Guangzhou and Shanghai will be final in this case.
(k)       The service provider will ensure that turnaround time for visa applicants applying for visas will not be more than 30 minutes. Machine generated tickets should be given to visa applicants which will indicate date and time of entry and of exit from the collection centre.
(l)        The Service provider can also introduce value-added services for the benefit of visa applicants and offer these services for a charge if there is no conflict of interest. Introduction of these value-added services is subject to the prior written approval of EOI Beijing and its Consulates in Guangzhou and Shanghai and subject to the local laws.
(m)       The Service provider shall not receive any payments from EOI Beijing and its Consulates in Guangzhou and Shanghai for setting up these offices, nor for providing services for visa applicants. EOI Beijing and its Consulates in Guangzhou and Shanghai shall entertain no claim for expenses or liability for loss of passports or documents. The Service provider shall indemnify EOI Beijing and its Consulates in Guangzhou and Shanghai in the event of any claim made by any applicant and it shall be the Service provider's responsibility to compensate applicants if such losses occur.
(n)       The Service Provider will establish and operate a website on behalf of EOI Beijing and its Consulates in Guangzhou and Shanghai, which will contain all information relevant and useful to visa applicants. All information posted on the website will be agreed in advance with EOI Beijing and its Consulates in Guangzhou and Shanghai.
(o)        The Service Provider shall ensure complete confidentiality of the information provided by visa seekers and will further ensure that it is used for no purpose other than processing of visa. The service provider shall indemnify EOI Beijing and its Consulates in Guangzhou and Shanghai in the event of any leakage of such information and a consequential claim made by a visa applicant/applicants.
(p)       The Service Provider will ensure access of authorized officials from the Mission/Post to its premises and documents.
(q)       The Service Provider will effect and maintain adequate insurance to cover its obligations under the Agreement, including those obligations which survive the expiration or termination of the Agreement/Contract.
(r)        The Service Provider will not represent itself and will ensure that its officials and sub-contractors do not represent themselves as an official or agency or organ of the Mission/Post or of the Government of India.
(s)       The Service Provider should be prepared to agree to pay such penalty as may be determined in terms of the Contract, for violating the term(s) and condition(s) of the Contract.
(t)        The Service Provider will not assign in whole or in part its rights or obligations under this Agreement without the prior written approval of the Mission /Post. The Service Provider will not consult with any other person or body for the purposes of entering into an arrangement which will require notation of the Agreement without first consulting the Mission /Post.
(u)       The Service Provider should have feedback from the applicants regarding the quality of service rendered by them at the time of returning the passport by means of an objective feedback form. The feedback should be constantly watched and measures taken to overcome any defects noticed during the feedback. A summary of the feedback should be sent to Mission on a monthly basis and any serious complaints should be brought to the notice of the Mission immediately.

8.    Service Standards

i)          The Service Provider shall ensure a high level of service standard with regard to the facilities and amenities in the Visa Application Centre, efficient processing of cases so that waiting time is minimal and customer satisfaction is high.
ii)         There will be a provision for review one year after commencement of full operations in terms of service standards and thereafter at the end of every subsequent year.
iii)        The Service Provider should ensure that the staff of the IVAC be courteous and helpful and should not indulge in unpleasant arguments or use of foul language. The Service Provider should ensure strict discipline, punctuality and decorum of office amongst the staff of the centre.

9.    Guide to Bidders

i)          It is essential that other criteria such as organization profile, experience, method statement and standards are also met. The bidding company and its sister company or subsidiary should not bid separately in the same bid. A certificate to this effect should be given by the bidding company at the time of bidding.
ii)         The EOI Beijing will take all reasonable steps to maintain the confidentiality of any of the bidders' information, which is clearly marked 'confidential'. However, EOI is subject to the Right to Information Act 2005 of Government of India and it may be required to release information supplied in this RFP in accordance with that Act.
iii)        The information in this RFP, or otherwise supplied by EOI Beijing or any of its representatives, is to be kept confidential except to the extent already publicly available or authorized by EOI Beijing. In case of any damage either direct or indirect including any legal action filed by any individual, in respect of the RFP the vendor shall be solely responsible and EOI Beijing will not be liable.
iv)        The bidders shall not at any time make any public statements in relation to this RFP or any proposal without obtaining prior written approval from EOI Beijing contact person. All material supplied to EOI Beijing in relation to the bidder's proposal becomes EOI Beijing's property and may not be returned to the bidder, unless requested in writing beforehand or agreed to by EOI Beijing.
v)         The bidders should note that in the event of Contract having been awarded, the Service Provider will not assign in whole or in part its rights or obligations without the prior approval of EOI Beijing.
vi)        EOI Beijing will not be liable to contract and tort (including negligence), equity or any other cause of action for any direct or indirect damage, loss or cost (including legal and lawyer/client costs) to the bidders or other persons in respect of this RFP.
vii)       This RFP will be governed by the law currently in force in India. The concerned party/parties shall submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Indian courts any dispute or difference of any kind that may arise concerning this RFP or any related contract.
viii)      In submitting a proposal to EOI Beijing, the bidder will be deemed to have understood this RFP, obtained all requisite information and verified the correctness of any information to be relied upon, as may be necessary to prepare the proposal and for any subsequent negotiations with EOI Beijing.
ix)        In submitting a proposal to EOI Beijing, the bidder will be deemed to be fully informed and to have accepted the terms and conditions outlined in this request for proposals.
x)    The cost of preparing and submitting the proposal shall be borne by the bidders.
xi)        EOI Beijing shall arrange a pre-bid conference for bidders about the project under consideration, about 15 days prior to the last date for submission of bids.
xii)      EOI Beijing reserves the right to accept or reject any, or all Proposal(s) and to annul the proposal process, at any time, thereby rejecting all proposals, prior to any Contract being awarded.

10.  Response to the RFP

a)    Contract Price

i)          EOI Beijing will not pay for the services rendered by the Service Provider. The Service Provider will charge fee, per visa application, denominated in RMB. The fee per visa application should be quoted inclusive of any local taxes and VAT currently applicable in the People’s Republic of China. Any changes to the Visa Service Fee would be in accordance with para 6(b)(vi) ibid. For an increase under this clause, The Service Provider should make a formal request to the Mission with supporting documents.

ii)         The applicable law in respect of the RFP is Indian laws and the contract is subject to Indian Courts' jurisdiction.

b)   Organisation Profile:

Please provide an organization profile as also the following information:

i.             Full Legal name;
ii.            Complete address, including registered office of company;
iii.           Contact person;
iv.          Telephone, facsimile and email contact details and website address(es);
v.            Summary of locations and number of staff in the people’s Republic of China and any other neighbouring country(ies);
vi.          Summary of services provided in People’s Republic of China and any other neighbouring country(ies);
vii.         Number of years that the organization has been providing visa outsourcing services;
viii.        Company ownership, structure and location of ultimate Holding Company;
ix.          Company Head office location, and branch office locations;
x.            The Bidding company should be free from any legal, administrative cases and cases related to human trafficking, Hawala etc. The bidding Company should be free from any anti India activities. If it was found at a later stage that such information was hidden from the Mission, the bidding company would become ineligible to take part in the process. If during the contract period such an information came to light, the contract would be liable to be terminated immediately and all costs on such a termination should be borne by the Company

c)    References

Provide information on work that has been undertaken for similar sized organizations. At least three referees are required. The bidders must provide the following information:

i.             The name, business and location of the organization;
ii.            The name and contact phone number of a referee at the organization;
iii.           Date on which the work was undertaken and the length of time involved;
iv.          Brief description of the products or services provided;
v.            Website address of any website currently operating for that service.

The referees may be advised that EOI Beijing or the Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi may contact them. A latest certificate in original from the foreign Mission(s) concerned regarding visa outsourcing services and length of service should be provided at the time of bidding.

d)   Method Statement

The purpose of the Method Statement is to enable EOI Beijing to evaluate bidder's understanding of EOI Beijing's requirements and the quality of bidder's proposals for meeting them. Bidder's method statement should describe clearly how he/she will provide each of the main requirements indicated in the Statement of Service Requirements. Explanation may be given under the following headings and order. Particular questions to be addressed in bidder's response are given below:

e)    Professional Plan

1.         Describe organisation's experience in the areas relating to this Proposal. This must be substantiated adequately by supporting documents and presentation by the bidder.
2.         Describe capacity for flexibility in service provision - e.g. a sudden increase in demand.
3.         Describe proposals for monitoring and evaluating service usage.
4.         Describe proposals for innovative web-site design and online development.
5.         Describe proposals for managing risks and contingencies.

f)    Resource Plan

1.         Give details of the resources expected to be used to service the Contract, including the number of staff expected to be employed for providing the service. Also include an organisational chart indicating responsibilities and reporting lines in respect of this proposal.
2.         Indicate in each case whether the Staff is expected to be drawn from within service providers' organisation or to be newly recruited and where staff will not be employed full time on this Contract.
3.         Explain plan for the training of Staff to be employed on the Contract.
4.         Please give names and position held of Key Staff who will be responsible for the management of the contract.
5.         Please provide curriculum vitae for each member of Key Staff.
6.         The detailed sub-contract plan, if any.