1. Invitation to Submit Proposals

Tanzania Investment and Consultant Group Limited (TICGL), through its research division, the Tanzania Economic Research Institute (TERI), invites qualified research institutions, universities, consultancy firms, independent economists, policy researchers and multidisciplinary teams to submit technical and financial proposals to become research partners in the TICGL Economic Policy Research Programme (the Programme).

TICGL is already implementing economic policy research under the Programme. This RFP is not a call to join a standby list for assignments that may or may not arise. It identifies the individuals and firms who will join the Programme and carry out defined research workstreams in the research areas listed in Section 6, starting in 2027.

Applications close on 31 January 2027 so that TICGL can confirm the teams and institutions it will work with throughout 2027.

2. About TICGL

TICGL is a Tanzania-based economic research, policy advisory, investment advisory and consultancy institution established in 2016. It provides evidence-based economic insights, investment intelligence, policy analysis and professional advisory services that support informed decision-making and sustainable economic development.

TICGL’s areas of work include:

• Economic research and policy analysis
• Investment and business advisory
• Feasibility studies and project appraisal
• Public-private partnership (PPP) advisory
• Sectoral and market research
• Development policy and institutional advisory
• Socioeconomic assessments and project evaluation

3. Background and Rationale

Tanzania continues to experience significant economic transformation, with new opportunities and structural challenges across sectors. Productivity, employment creation, private-sector development, domestic revenue mobilisation, financial inclusion, investment financing, industrialisation, trade competitiveness and regional integration all call for continuous research and evidence-based policy action.

Sound policy and investment decisions depend on credible economic data, rigorous analytical methods and practical recommendations grounded in the country’s economic realities. The Programme exists to produce that evidence, and it needs qualified partners to do so at the depth and breadth the work requires.

4. Objectives of the RFP

The overall objective is to engage qualified research partners to deliver high-quality economic research and policy studies within the Programme. Specifically, the RFP aims to:

• Identify competent research institutions, consultancy firms and independent experts with relevant economic research experience in each Programme research area
• Strengthen the Programme’s capacity for multidisciplinary economic research and policy analysis
• Generate evidence-based insights to inform economic policy discussions and development strategies
• Promote research collaboration between local and international institutions
• Support the identification of structural economic challenges and emerging investment opportunities
• Produce policy recommendations that contribute to inclusive, productive and sustainable economic growth

5. How Partners Join: Agreement and Terms of Reference (TOR)

• Programme membership. Successful applicants are admitted as research partners of the TICGL Economic Policy Research Programme, in the lot(s) for which they qualify, from March 2027.
• Partner Agreement. Admitted partners sign one Partner Agreement covering the standing terms of the partnership: confidentiality, intellectual property, ethics, data protection and payment.
• Terms of Reference (TOR) for each workstream. For every research workstream, TICGL issues a TOR to the partner. The TOR sets out the scope, deliverables, timeline, agreed budget, reporting lines and the TICGL/TERI lead. The partner reviews and accepts the TOR before work starts.
• Number of partners. The number of partners admitted in each lot depends on the Programme’s needs in that lot. Qualified applicants who cannot be placed immediately are kept on a reserve list to fill vacancies as the Programme grows.
• Ways of working. Partners work to TICGL/TERI research standards and quality assurance, take part in Programme coordination and review meetings, and share data and outputs through Programme channels.
• Fees. Fees are agreed for each workstream, based on scope and level of effort, and recorded in its TOR. The indicative rates submitted with the proposal guide these discussions.
• Duration and review. Partnership runs for the 2027 Programme cycle and may be extended. Quality, timeliness and professional conduct are reviewed at the end of each workstream, and partners with repeated poor performance may be removed from the Programme.
• Outputs and credit. Partners are acknowledged in Programme outputs, with authorship and credit terms agreed in advance in the Partner Agreement.

From proposal to TOR: the process

6. Programme Research Areas (Lots)

The Programme is organised into nine lots, each a research area in which the Programme is active and needs partners. Applicants may apply for a maximum of three lots and must show relevant experience for each lot selected.

7. Scope of Programme Work

Depending on the workstream, partners will undertake some or all of the following:

• Literature reviews and review of relevant economic policies, strategies and institutional frameworks
• Design of research methodologies and analytical frameworks
• Stakeholder consultations and key informant interviews
• Field surveys and primary data collection where required
• Collection, validation and analysis of secondary economic data
• Quantitative and qualitative analysis, economic models, statistical assessments and sectoral projections
• Identification of policy gaps, institutional constraints and economic opportunities
• Preparation of research reports, policy briefs and policy recommendations
• Presentation of findings to TICGL and relevant stakeholders

The scope, geographical coverage, methodology and timeline of each workstream are set out in its Terms of Reference (TOR), issued to the partner after admission to the Programme.

8. Expected Deliverables

Depending on the workstream, deliverables may include:

Specific deliverables, timelines and acceptance requirements are set out in the TOR for each workstream.

9. Who May Apply

Category A: Individual experts

• A minimum of a Master’s degree in economics, econometrics, statistics, public policy, development studies, finance or a closely related field
• At least five years of relevant professional research experience (three years for PhD holders)
• A demonstrated record of applied research, with at least two completed assignments or comparable outputs that can be shared
• Strong written and spoken English; Kiswahili is an advantage

Category B: Firms and institutions

• Recognised research institutions, universities and academic research centres, independent policy research organisations, economic research institutes, and economic research, development, financial and multidisciplinary consultancy firms
• A legally registered entity (Tanzanian firms: BRELA registration, TIN and a valid tax clearance certificate; foreign applicants: equivalent registration documents)
• At least three years of operation, with at least three relevant research or consulting assignments completed in the last five years
• A core team with relevant qualifications and the capacity to field experts and data collection teams

General

• Local and international applicants are welcome. Experience in Tanzania or East Africa is an advantage but is not mandatory.
• Applicants who have been debarred by any government or development partner, or who have an undisclosed conflict of interest, are not eligible.

10. Proposal Submission Requirements

Applicants submit two separate documents, using the templates provided with this RFP so that all proposals follow one format.

10.1 Technical Proposal (Template 1)

• Completed application form with applicant details and the lot(s) applied for (maximum three)
• Professional or institutional profile: individuals attach a CV of up to 4 pages; firms attach a profile of up to 8 pages and CVs of key experts (up to 2 pages each)
• A contribution note for each lot (up to 2 pages): understanding of the research area, proposed approach and methods, data and tools, and proposed role in the Programme
• List of relevant assignments (individuals: up to 8; firms: up to 10 from the last five years, with client contacts)
• Work samples: two for individuals, three for firms (reports, policy briefs or analytical outputs; extracts and redacted versions are acceptable)
• Three professional referees
• Legal and compliance documents: individuals attach a national ID or passport and academic certificates; firms attach the certificate of registration, TIN, valid tax clearance certificate and business licence
• Signed declaration

10.2 Financial Proposal (Template 2)

• Indicative daily professional rates by role or level
• Indicative unit costs for fieldwork and data collection, where the applicant offers these services
• Currency (TZS or USD), whether rates include taxes, and validity of at least 180 days
• Rates are indicative. The final budget and terms for each workstream are agreed separately with the partner.

10.3 Format

• English language; each document as a single PDF file of up to 10 MB
• The Technical Proposal must contain no financial information
• Both PDF files are attached to one email, named “Technical Proposal – [Applicant’s Name]” and “Financial Proposal – [Applicant’s Name]”

11. Evaluation and Selection

Proposals are evaluated in three stages:

• Stage 1: Administrative compliance (pass/fail). Eligibility, completeness and submission on time.
• Stage 2: Technical and financial scoring. Technical proposals are scored first. Applicants must obtain at least 70% of the technical marks (63 of 90) before their financial proposals are scored.
• Stage 3: Verification. Reference checks, review of work samples and, where needed, interviews or technical discussions with shortlisted applicants.

Final selection is based on total score, demonstrated suitability for the research areas, and the Programme’s needs in each lot. Evaluators score independently against these criteria, record their evidence, and declare any conflict of interest before scoring.

12. Timeline

TICGL may adjust these dates and will publish any change on ticgl.com and notify applicants who have made contact.

13. Intellectual Property and Confidentiality

Applicants and partners must keep confidential the information, documents, datasets and institutional materials they access through this RFP and the Programme.

Intellectual property rights, ownership of research outputs, publication permissions and data-sharing arrangements are set out in each Partner Agreement and, where relevant, in the TOR. No partner may publish or publicly disclose Programme research outputs without TICGL’s prior written authorisation.

14. Ethical and Professional Standards

Applicants are expected to uphold the highest standards of professional integrity and research ethics, including:

• Accuracy and reliability of research findings
• Transparency in research methodologies
• Appropriate acknowledgement of data sources
• Protection of confidential information
• Avoidance of plagiarism and research misconduct
• Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest
• Respect for research participants and applicable data protection requirements

TICGL has zero tolerance for fraud, corruption, falsified credentials and misrepresentation. Any such finding leads to disqualification or removal from the Programme. TICGL encourages applications from women, young professionals and emerging firms, and assesses all applicants on merit.

15. Submission Procedure

Send the complete proposal (Technical Proposal and Financial Proposal as two PDF files) by email to economist@ticgl.com by 31 January 2027, 17:00 East Africa Time (EAT).

Email subject: RFP Application – Economic Policy Research Programme – [Applicant’s Name] – Lot [number]

Applicants must clearly state their lot(s), and whether they apply as an institution, a consultancy firm or an independent professional. Late or incomplete submissions may not be considered.

16. Clarifications

Questions about this RFP should be sent to the Research Division at economist@ticgl.com by 16 January 2027. Answers that clarify the RFP are shared with all applicants who have made contact and published on www.ticgl.com.

Tanzania Investment and Consultant Group Limited (TICGL), Research Division, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

17. Reservation of Rights

TICGL reserves the right to:

• Accept or reject any proposal received
• Request additional information or clarification from applicants
• Verify the authenticity of submitted documents and professional credentials
• Modify, extend or withdraw this RFP where necessary
• Conduct interviews or additional technical assessments
• Admit applicants to one or more lots, and limit the number admitted in each lot to the Programme’s needs
• Agree workstream-specific terms in each TOR and Partner Agreement before work starts

TICGL is not obliged to admit an applicant to the Programme solely because a proposal was submitted. Admission depends on the evaluation results, the Programme’s needs in the lot concerned and the signature of a Partner Agreement. Selection under this RFP is not an offer of employment.

18. Closing Statement

TICGL believes that credible economic research and evidence-based policy analysis are essential foundations for sustainable economic transformation. Through the Programme, TICGL works with capable research institutions, consultancy firms and independent experts to generate practical economic insights, strengthen policy dialogue and inform development decisions in Tanzania. Qualified applicants are encouraged to submit their proposals and become part of the Programme.

Tanzania Investment and Consultant Group Limited (TICGL)

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