Request for Proposal (RFP) and Terms of References (TOR) for Survey Companies to conduct Price and Availability Monitoring Survey Across Sudan
1. Objectives
SPAMS collect data from retail merchants, with the primary objective of tracking weekly prices of key commodities, availability, and quality across Sudanโs 18 states. This data facilitate informed understanding of markets functionality, demand and prices, and merchantsโ perceptions of domestic and international trade. A brief outline of such data are provided in the monthly reports accessible from the following website [LINK].
In addition, the following table provides additional details about the nature of the surveys:
No.
Item
Description
1
Type of survey
Panel survey: bi-weekly waves comprising weekly data (current and previous)
2
Geographic coverage
Sudanโs 18 states (2-3 markets in each state)
3
Economic coverage
5 merchants per commodity per market, covering 33 commodities
4
Thematic coverage
The tool covers three major modules: Price and availability data (quantitative), Exchange rate and payments data (quantitative), and Market actorsโ perceptions (qualitative)
5
Sample size
5 merchants per market in 36 markets across Sudanโs 18 states and 33 commodities
6
Data collection mode
In-person Computer-Assisted Personal Interviews (CAPI)
7
Timeline
September to December 2025 with the possibility of extension to one year based on quality of performance
2. Overall Approach
The company will review the description of the survey and develop an implementation plan for the field work and identify the required personnel (CAPI experts, survey programming experts, field supervisors, enumerators, and other field and office staff). In conjunction with IFPRI, the company will develop a survey guideline document that describes the following:
i. Organization of field operations;
ii. Protocols for conducting a field test of the questionnaires, revisions of the questionnaires, translation into Arabic;
iii. Procedures for complete listing of merchants, contacting selected merchants, conducting interviews, and recording answers;
iv. Procedures for establishing ID code numbers for merchants;
v. Procedures for programming and coding survey on Survey CTO/ODK;
vi. Procedures for implementing the surveys and monitoring survey implementation.
3. Specific Tasks
i. Listing of markets, merchants, and providing unique IDs for merchants;
ii. Review survey design, and survey instruments and all relevant protocols;
iii. Translate survey questionnaires into Arabic and prepare corresponding survey manuals in Arabic;
iv. Program the price and availability survey (PAMS) onto CAPI
v. Recruit enumerators, supervisors and quality controllers and train them on the questionnaires.
vi. Print survey documents for training field staff including survey supervisors and enumerators;
vii. In-person training of field staff including survey supervisors and enumerators with support from IFPRI;
viii. Acquire security clearances from authorities to conduct enumerator training, and data collection in the 18 states;
ix. Ensure data collection and quality assurance as per the design provided by IFPRI;
x. Design data cleaning protocols and implement those endorsed by IFPRI at field-level in parallel with the data collection;
xi. Design and implement data retrieval protocols for transferring data to from the field to its head office and IFPRI-Sudan in parallel with the data collection;
xii. Handover the complete dataset both in the data collection program format, excel and Stata.
xiii. Attend regular meetings (weekly or biweekly) with research team.
4. Timeframe
September 2025 โ December 2025
5. Required qualifications
a. Demonstrated experience in conducting large quantitative prices and markets surveys.
b. Demonstrated experience in effective interaction and coordination with collaborators and project partners.
c. Experience in managing prices, markets, livelihood, agriculture, rural development, nutrition, and/or food security surveys.
d. Experience with programing surveys and data entry and CAPI software packages
e. Demonstrated experience with obtaining appropriate local administrative permits and approvals
f. Demonstrated local presence and existing networks in the different regions and states in Sudan.
g. Experience in collecting data in fragile and conflict-affected settings.
h. Strong project management
6. PROPOSAL
With this announcement, interested companies are requested to submit a technical and financial proposal to be considered by IFPRI. Proposals should be submitted by August 20, 2025, virtually at the following address: IFPRI-Sudan@cgiar.org
7. SELECTION CRITERIA