About this opportunity
AI summaryRTI seeks business development services to mobilize $6,000,000 in capital for Ethiopia's sunflower sector under the USDA Food for Progress Program Ethiopia SunGold Project. The contractor will conduct investment-readiness diagnostics, provide boot camps and coaching, support digital records and financial preparation, and assist businesses in structuring and negotiating financing transactions. Consultancy firms and individual consultants must possess valid commercial or professional registrations, current Ethiopian fiscal year business licenses, and the ability to issue Ministry of Revenue-compliant tax invoices. Applicants must email their technical and financial proposals in PDF format to [email protected] by November 16, 2026, at 5:00 P.M. EAT. Questions are due by November 6, 2026, at 5:00 P.M. EAT, with RTI sharing responses by November 10, 2026. The contract will be a fixed-price subcontract lasting up to 24 months, with awards evaluated on price, technical merit, past performance, and other factors to determine the best value to RTI.
Buyer and opportunity details
- Client
- RTI
- Solicitation No.
- SG-001-2027
Scope of work
- Participate in SunGold orientation, agree on definitions, map capital providers, and prepare an origination and conversion plan
- Develop a long list of legally registered sunflower-related businesses and maintain a live transaction pipeline
- Diagnose business, financial, governance, documentation, digital, and management gaps using SunGold toolkits
- Conduct practical boot camps and prepare time-bound readiness plans with targeted follow-up coaching
- Prepare or improve business plans, financial models, cash-flow forecasts, financing memoranda, pitch decks, and applications
- Support cluster-level monitoring of production and performance using digital records where applicable
- Assist businesses with assessing instruments, terms, covenants, currency exposure, and bundled insurance products
- Support negotiations, resolve transaction issues, facilitate investor pitches, and compile closing files with verification evidence
How proposals are evaluated
| Criterion | Weight / scoring |
|---|---|
| Price (lowest evaluated ceiling price) | Not specified |
| Technical (satisfy or exceed specifications described in Attachment A) | Not specified |
| Past Performance | Not specified |
| Other Evaluation Criteria | 100 points total |
Minimum qualifications
- Legally registered BDS firm or individual consultant authorized to contract and provide the proposed services
- Commercial registration certificate and TIN for firms; professional registration and tax identification for individuals under Ethiopian law
- Valid and renewed business license or professional license for the current Ethiopian fiscal year
- Ability to issue valid tax invoices, including QR-code-supported tax invoices where required by Ethiopian Ministry of Revenue
- Professional certification relevant to business development, accounting, finance, investment, or banking
- Experience making agribusinesses bankable or investment-ready through hands-on business support
Documents to include with your response
- Technical proposal
- Financial proposal confirming the 5% success fee
- Pricing/Budget Template in Excel format
- Valid commercial registration certificate and Tax Identification Number (TIN)
- Valid and renewed business license or professional license
- Proof of compliance with tax invoice requirements
- Past performance information and reference contacts
- Ownership, governance, banking, and authorized-signatory due-diligence documents
- Signed Attachment A and solicitation documents
- Signed RTI Representations and Certifications (for values over $10,000)
Key dates
- Date of Issue of RFP
- October 31, 2026
- Date Questions from Supplier Due
- November 6, 2026 at 5:00 P.M. EAT
- Responses to be shared by RTI
- November 10, 2026 at 5:00 P.M. EAT
- Date Proposal Due
- November 16, 2026 at 5:00 P.M. EAT
- Approximate Date Purchase Order Issued to Successful Bidder(s)
- TBD
How to submit
- Method
- Instructions
- Submit technical and financial proposals attached in PDF format to [email protected]. Sign the single hardcopy submitted if applicable.
Contract details
- Term
- Up to 24 months from award, subject to the final Subcontract
- Estimated value
- USD 300,000
- Place of performance
- SunGold operating areas in Oromia, including Jimma, and the Central, South, and Southwest Ethiopia Regions
- Funding
- USDA Food for Progress Program