To inform anti-corruption reforms in Moldova with reliable analysis, NDI seeks to collect data on the needs and expectations of Moldovan citizens with regard to combating corruption and building public integrity by conducting a series of focus groups.

DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES AND GENERAL SCOPE OF WORK

This request for proposals indicates NDI’s intention to contract with an opinion research firm to conduct ten focus groups, each including 8-10 persons for a total of approximately 100 participants. Alternatively, in order to abide by social distancing guidelines to reduce the spread of the virus, NDI is open to conducting a larger number of shorter and smaller focus groups (4-6 participants) online.

Interested opinion research companies should request the full list of technical requirements via email tharitonova@ndi.org

TIMELINE

This contract is expected to last from approximately August 1, 2021 to October 30, 2021. Focus groups are expected to take place in August or September 2021. The exact timeline will be discussed and finalized with the successful bidder. 

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Please indicate in the proposal your firm’s qualifications to oversee and conduct focus groups in Moldova. In addition, please include a monetary bid for completing such work and any additional information pertinent to the selection process. To assist NDI in assessing your firm’s qualifications, your proposal should include the following:

• General information about your firm and its focus group methodology, including the methods it plans to use to recruit, train, and conduct quality control of moderators and field workers;
• Two research plans for proposed work—one under the assumption that focus groups will be able to be conducted in-person, and the second that adapts the research instruments to research conducted entirely online in adherence with strict social distancing;
• Proposed methodological approach, facilities, data collection, and analysis;
• A list of previous clients;
• Description of previous experience in conducting the types of research NDI is seeking to contract and CVs of key personnel proposed.
  • Understanding of political environment, political players, historical context, media landscape in Moldova is required.
• A sample of an analytical report prepared as a result of focus group discussions;
• Detailed daily rate, inclusive of any sub vendors and all included expenses, not included travel and per diem.
• Estimated timeline (number of days) for each activity required from the bidder (design of guides, preliminary conclusions following the fieldwork, analysis and final report). The timeline should be detailed and include points at which the vendor would solicit input from NDI. 

Proposals should include two detailed budgets—one for in-person research, the other for virtual research—containing an itemization of all costs, including staff time, project communications, participants’ allowances and reimbursements, operations, and travel expenses, in U.S. Dollars. Vendors should provide quotes for translation of focus group materials (screeners, re-screeners, and guidelines). Pricing for translation should be separated out from other service elements. Travel expenses should be broken down into the average cost of the ticket and per diem, if applicable.

The vendor should be able to secure access to relevant participants in target areas and demographics, and to recruit moderators who speak Romanian and Russian, depending on the linguistic composition of the groups.

CONTACT DETAILS AND SUBMISSION DEADLINE

Please submit proposals via email to tharitonova@ndi.org at NDI’s Chisinau Office by August 1, 2021 (early submissions welcomed). Only electronic submissions will be accepted. Bidders shall not contact NDI’s field teams directly on this work and shall direct all questions to the above-mentioned representative.