Kenya Development Corporation RFP/KDC/045/2026-2027: e…

What is being bought

Kenya Development Corporation (KDC) requests technical and financial proposals from consulting firms or joint ventures for strategic advisory on equity investment structuring, transaction pipeline development and institutional capability strengthening. Scope includes a senior capacity-building programme for KDC staff, an equity investment framework and tools, private equity and venture capital structuring advice, exit structuring, and pipeline management. Submission and opening are in Nairobi; the delivery location, duration and quantities are not stated in the pages reviewed.

What could disqualify you

Public officers of KDC, and their spouses, children, parents, siblings and in-laws of those relations, their business associates, and firms in which they have a substantial or controlling interest, are not eligible to tender or be awarded a contract. Standard rule D1 p.10
Government officials, civil servants and employees of public institutions shall not be hired for consulting contracts. Standard rule D1 p.11
A consultant that submits or takes part in more than one proposal (including as a joint venture member) has all such proposals disqualified and rejected. Standard rule D1 p.11
Key Experts may not appear in more than one proposal (TDS 14(d)). D1 p.22
Failure to disclose an actual or potential conflict of interest may lead to disqualification or termination of the contract. Standard rule D1 p.9
A consultant proven to have been involved in corrupt, coercive, obstructive, collusive or fraudulent practice is automatically disqualified. Standard rule D1 p.10
If a key expert was not available at submission or was included without confirmation, the proposal is disqualified. Standard rule D1 p.12
Material deficiencies in providing the information requested may result in rejection of the proposal. Standard rule D1 p.11
Technical proposals must pass the eligibility and mandatory criteria; a proposal that does not respond to important aspects of the RFP is rejected at this stage. Standard rule D1 p.15
Proposals that are not sealed and marked as required are not the procuring entity's responsibility, and proposals misplaced or opened prematurely will not be accepted. Standard rule D1 p.14
Any proposal received after the deadline is declared late, rejected and returned unopened. Standard rule D1 p.14

Key facts

Closing: Fri 30 Oct 2026, 10:00 am
Proposals must be received by 10.00 a.m. East African Time on 30 October 2026; the portal closing date matches. No addenda were provided. D1 p.23
Bid / tender security: Not stated in the documents we reviewed Not stated D1
Tender fee: Not stated in the documents we reviewed Not stated D1
Site visit: Not stated in the documents we reviewed Not stated D1
Pre-bid meeting: Not stated in the documents we reviewed Not stated D1 p.9
Reserved for: Not stated in the documents we reviewed Not stated D1 p.11
Contract value: Not stated in the documents we reviewed Not stated D1 p.22
Tender opening: Technical proposals opened in person in the Boardroom, Uchumi House 17th Floor, Nairobi. Online opening not offered. Financial proposals are not opened online. D1 p.23
Tender validity: Proposals must remain valid for 60 days after the submission deadline. D1 p.22

Who can apply

Consultants may be firms, individuals or joint ventures from any country and category; the Data Sheet does not restrict this. Standard rule D1 p.10
Firms or individuals debarred from public procurement are ineligible to be awarded a contract or benefit from one during the debarment period. PPRA debarment list: www.ppra.go.ke. Standard rule D1 p.10
Government-owned enterprises or institutions in Kenya are eligible only if they can show they are legally and financially autonomous, operate under commercial law, and are not dependent agencies of KDC. Standard rule D1 p.11
Joint ventures must obtain exemption from the Competition Authority of Kenya under Section 25 of the Competition Act 2010. Exemption is not needed to submit, but it is a condition of contract award and signature. Standard rule D1 p.11
The consultant must ensure its experts, joint venture members, sub-consultants, agents and suppliers meet the eligibility requirements. Standard rule D1 p.10

Application checklist

Tick items off as you prepare. Your ticks stay on this device only.

Required from every bidder

Proof of registration and incorporation: copy of the certificate from the Registrar of Companies. D1 p.23
Current and valid tax compliance certificate from the Kenya Revenue Authority. D1 p.23
Duly certified Power of Attorney authorising the signatory. D1 p.23
Duly filled Certificate of Independent Proposal Determination. D1 p.23
Duly filled forms: TECH-2 (Organisation and Experience), TECH-3 (Comments and Suggestions), TECH-4 (Approach and Methodology), TECH-5 (Work Schedule), 6A (Team Composition), 6B (CVs), TECH-8 (Self-declaration forms SD1, SD2 and Code of Ethics commitment). D1 p.23
Mandatory documentary evidence (Form TECH-7): copies of similar assignment contracts or certificates, academic and professional certificates for key experts, and professional membership certificates. D1 p.22
Copy of CR12 for limited companies, dated not more than one year before the submission date. D1 p.23
Certified audited accounts for the last two years. The document states the period as 2024 to 2026. Conflicting D1 p.23
One original copy of the tender document, tape bound, with a detailed table of contents, paginated and numbered sequentially on all pages and attachments including the cover. D1 p.23

Experience, licences and financial capacity

Technical

Proposal must be in English. Standard rule D1 p.11
Lead Consultant: minimum undergraduate degree in the relevant field, professional qualification (CFA, CIFA, CPAK or equivalent), and minimum 10 years' experience in private equity valuation with a proven track record. Scored 15 marks. D1 p.25
Financial/Investment Analyst: degree in finance, economics, statistics, accounting or related field, professional qualification (CFA, CIFA or equivalent), minimum 7 years' experience, and experience in equity investment structuring and due diligence. Scored 5 marks. D1 p.25
Legal/Corporate Governance Expert: degree in law, advocate of the High Court where applicable, minimum 8 years' experience, and experience in equity investment transactions, corporate governance and regulatory compliance. Scored 5 marks. D1 p.25
Minimum technical score to pass is 80%; proposals below it are rejected. D1 p.25
Experience forms must list only similar assignments completed in the last number of years stated in the form; the period is blank in the material reviewed. Not stated D1 p.32

Financial

Price may be stated in any fully convertible currency, singly or in combination of up to three foreign currencies. Local costs must be stated in Kenya Shillings. D1 p.23
The Financial Proposal must include all reimbursable expenses. D1 p.23
No price adjustment provision applies to remuneration rates. D1 p.23
Evaluation is QCBS: technical weight 80% and financial weight 20%. The lowest evaluated financial proposal gets 100; others scored as 100 x lowest price / price. D1 p.26

How and where to submit

Submit in a single sealed envelope or package bearing the assignment name and reference number, with separate sealed inner envelopes for technical and financial proposals, each marked with the name and address of KDC and the firm. Standard rule D1 p.14
Electronic submission is not allowed. Proposals must be delivered by hand or mail to the tender box. D1 p.23
Deliver to the tender box at the reception area, 17th Floor, Uchumi House, Aga Khan Walk, Nairobi, P.O. Box 12665-00100 Nairobi. D1 p.23
Copies: TDS requires one original Technical Proposal and one original Financial Proposal. Clause 18.2 refers to additional copies of the technical proposal in a separate envelope. Conflicting D1 p.23
Authorised representative must sign the original submission letters and initial all pages; the power of attorney is attached to the Technical Proposal. Standard rule D1 p.14
Mark the signed proposal ORIGINAL and copies COPY; the original prevails if they differ. Standard rule D1 p.14
Clarification requests must be in writing or electronic means to supplychain@kdc.go.ke, no later than 3 days before the deadline. D1 p.22

Points to confirm with the procuring entity

The documents do not agree with each other on these points. Ask the procuring entity for a written clarification before you submit.

Audited accounts period: Mandatory list asks for certified audited accounts for the last two years, but states the period as 2024 to 2026. Ask KDC which years are required. (D1 p.23 mandatory requirement 14)
Number of copies: TDS 17.5 requires one original technical and one original financial proposal, while ITC 18.2 refers to copies of the technical proposal and all required copies. Ask KDC how many copies are required. (D1 p.23 TDS 17.5; D1 p.14 ITC 18.2)

Not covered in the documents we reviewed

Addenda (A1, A2...) and any changes to dates or requirements
Tender security/bid security amount and form
Tender fee or document price, if any
Total contract value or budget
Reserved group designation, if any
Pre-proposal conference or site visit details
Number of years for past similar assignments (TECH-2)
Full evaluation criteria and scoring for technical sections beyond the summary
Scope of services in Appendix A and key expert requirements in Appendix B
Remaining pages of the tender document (only 23 of 92 pages were provided)

Terms explained

RFP: Request for Proposals: a method where consultants submit technical and financial proposals.
TDS: Tender Data Sheet: the tender-specific values that override the standard instructions.
Key Experts: Named senior professionals whose qualifications and availability are evaluated and who must remain available.
QCBS: Quality and Cost Based Selection: combined technical and financial scores with set weights.
JV: Joint venture: a group of firms bidding together under one proposal.
Power of Attorney: Written authority allowing a person to sign and bind the firm to the proposal.
CR12: Kenyan Registrar of Companies return showing company shareholders and directors.
Tax compliance certificate: KRA certificate confirming the firm's tax is up to date.
AGPO: Affirmative Action Procurement Scheme for youth, women and persons with disabilities; reservation only applies if the Data Sheet specifies it.
PPRA: Public Procurement Regulatory Authority, which maintains the debarment list.
Responsive: A proposal that meets the mandatory requirements and the RFP without material deviation.
Sub-consultant: A firm the consultant intends to subcontract part of the services to.

Kenya Development Corporation RFP/KDC/045/2026-2027: equity investment advisory consultancy