About CLASP

CLASP is the leading global authority on efficient appliances’ role in fighting climate change and improving people’s lives. With 25 years of expertise, CLASP collaborates with policymakers, industry leaders, and other experts to deliver clear pathways to a more sustainable world for people and the planet.

CLASP is a global nonprofit with offices in Europe, India, Indonesia, Kenya, and the United States. We have worked in over 90 countries since our inception in 1999. We are mission-driven and committed to a culture of diversity, transparency, collaboration, and impactful work. Find out more about CLASP.

VeraSol is a quality assurance program operating in the distributed renewables sector in low- and middle- income countries prioritizing the accessibility and affordability of durable, high-quality products (e.g., solar energy kits, solar water pumps, refrigerators). Managed by CLASP in partnership with the Schatz Energy Research Center, the program oversees standards development, product testing, quality verification, and technical assistance.

Introduction

VeraSol manages the VeraSol Product Database, a publicly accessible digital tool that makes it easy to identify and compare (e.g., by size, price, performance) off-grid solar solutions by consolidating information for pico-solar products, solar home system kits, and appliances on a single platform.

CLASP is seeking a contractor to support the redevelopment and upgrade of the VeraSol Product Database. This will entail rebuilding the structure of the database to maintain continuity for users, as well as implement new features and functionality.

Timeline

Expected Timeframe: March – September 2025

Deadline for Application: 7 March 2025 at 23:59 ET

Application includes registering as a Consulting Partner and submitting the technical and financial proposals per the instructions below.

Deadline for Questions: 28 February 2025 at 23:59 ET

All questions must be addressed in English to Anna Wright at awright@clasp.ngo. We request all inquiries be made to this e-mail address and not by phone.

Scope of Work

The VeraSol Product Database is an important tool for the off-grid solar sector, and it needs to evolve as the VeraSol program expands to new product types and serves diverse stakeholders. CLASP is seeking a contractor to support the redevelopment and upgrade of the VeraSol Product Database. This will entail rebuilding the structure of the database, maintaining VeraSol branding continuity for users, as well as implementing new features and functionality. We encourage the use of out-of-box solutions rather than a customized tool to streamline development and maintenance, while maintaining the general look and feel as well as the user experience.

The project is expected to include several specific phases of work:

1. Discovery: Review the existing database and interview VeraSol team members to identify opportunities for improvement to the current database structure and functionality;
2. Design: Produce a thorough, intuitive information architecture structure that lays the groundwork for visual design and front-end/back-end development through detailed user-flows, sitemaps, and wireframes;
3. Development: Develop front-end and back-end interfaces that successfully execute on the approved visual design and information architecture;
4. Data Migration and Quality Assurance: Support data migration and execute quality assurance testing and user testing prior to launch;
5. Post-Launch Maintenance and Support: Provide user training and routine support to maintain the new tool as needed, e.g. bug fixing, code updates, etc., for a period of at least three years.

Please find below a detailed list of important features already in the Database that need to be maintained for users, as well as additional features and functionality to be added during this redevelopment.

Existing Features

Front-End

• Database landing page
• Public-facing accessible product data sets (viewable as product cards or as a list)
• Data preview on product cards for select fields
• Public CSV download functionality for all or subsets of data – enter email to download
• Sorting by key parameters
• Filters for key parameters
• Search function
• Customizable data comparison reporting
• Product detail pages with full data and information (example)
• Ability to attach images and PDFs to product detail pages to view/download
• Expandable tooltips to provide short descriptions of fields
• “Quality Verified” badge for certified products
• Collapsing and grouping fields
• Password protection for specific product listings
• Connect related/cobranded products, linking between their detail pages
• Share product data via email

Back-End

• Customizable product category templates, with the ability to create new categories and create new/update/delete fields
• Bulk data (CSV file) upload and editing
• File uploading management, e.g. product images and PDFs
• User management, including add/remove users, admin vs. standard user accounts
• Create custom data sets/fields
• Sort, filter, and search backend data
• Add/edit/remove/publish data
• Allow draft or in-progress product listings before pushing live
• Staging/production site for visualization of structure changes prior to pushing them live
• Expiration date system for certified products (with the ability to recognize and remove expired products)

New and Proposed Features (to be agreed upon with CLASP)

• Editable/content-managed database landing page housed within the VeraSol website
• Link back to CLASP on the landing page
• Ability to replicate product category structure for new product types
• Jump menu to allow in-page navigation on product detail pages (example)
• Visual distinction between VeraSol certified and tested products
• Ability to add a paywall for certain data/features (e.g. downloading CSV)
• Product benchmarking and graph visualization
• Ability to generate summary reports/formatted PDFs from uploaded product data (with the ability to view/download)

Key Deliverables and Timeline

The contractor will be required to provide a number of outputs over the course of the period of design and development, including but not limited to:

1. Presentation of discovery & team interview findings
2. Strategy documentation and tool(s) recommendation
3. Any updates to visual and experience design concepts
4. Wireframes
5. Draft and final user interface design elements/views
6. Production environment
7. Front-end style guide
8. Final application
9. Any final files/resources created during web process available to CLASP in usable format
10. Database walk-through and training to CLASP/VeraSol team
11. Post-launch maintenance and support
12. Google Analytics set-up and reporting

CLASP envisions that the new Database will be ready for launch before Q4 2025, but contractors should include a full timeline in their proposal outlining time needed for each phase.

Key Qualifications

The developer will be an organization with in-depth knowledge and experience in developing, operationalizing, and maintaining software systems with similar functionality to the VeraSol Product Database.

Applicants should demonstrate a minimum of 3 assignments of similar nature and complexity implemented in the last three years.

Applicants should provide (i) links to enable CLASP to view these previous assignments, (ii) references from the clients they developed these systems for (confirming that the work was satisfactorily delivered) and (iii) contact details of the clients to facilitate verification of the references.

Submittal

Register as a Consulting Partner

Interested parties must register as a CLASP Consulting Partner.

 Submit Technical and Financial Proposals

Interested parties should submit separate technical and financial proposals electronically, in English, via this form link (preferably in PDF format). The files should be named as per the following example:

[CONTRACTOR_NAME]_Technical Proposal_RFP 2025-02-05

[CONTRACTOR_NAME]_Financial Proposal_RFP 2025-02-05

The length of the technical proposal should not exceed 20 pages and should include:

• High-level approach for the design, implementation, and management of the tasks described above
• High-level timeline including approximate dates for all project activities, tasks, milestones, and deliverables for the project within the time frame indicated above
• Background and experience of conducting similar activities
• Description of team composition, including positions, numbers of staff, and how they would be staffed
• Financial proposal – detailed budget including remuneration and other costs required for the assignment.

The financial proposal (in USD) should include a detailed budget with all direct and indirect cost estimates for executing the project, including a breakdown (in days) of the level of effort and costs associated with each team member that will be engaged in the project.

Evaluation Procedure

A committee appointed by CLASP will evaluate proposals received. Selection of qualified companies or organizations will be based upon the following criteria:

• Technical Evaluation Factors
• Financial Evaluation Factors

All bids will be evaluated and ranked using Quality and Cost Based Selection (QCBS), with 80 percent of the score accorded to the technical proposal, and 20 percent to the financial proposal. The detailed evaluation criteria can be found in Annex A.

The top two proposals will be selected and invited for an interview. They will be asked to give a 10 to 15-minute presentation of their proposal.

ANNEX A: EVALUATION CRITERIA

Technical Approach (35 points): The technical approach described in the proposals will be evaluated on:

• The demonstrated understanding of the overall project context (15).
• The detailed work plan and approach clearly defining the target objectives and the strategy to achieve the objectives as outlined in the scope of work (20).

Management Structure and Staff Qualification (25 points): The proposed management structure and staff will be evaluated on:

• The professional qualifications and the extent to which the requisite expertise and experience of the key personnel will directly contribute to the completion of the tasks (25).

Past Performance and Corporate Experience (20 points): The experience and capacities of the contractor will be evaluated based on:

• The past performance, familiarity, and experience in understanding policies and program related to standards and labelling (10).
• Extent of local expertise including experience, qualifications, and track record in implementation of similar programs (10).

Cost Evaluation Factors (20 points): While the overall Technical Evaluation is the key factor in reviewing the proposal, the cost evaluation will be an essential factor in determining the final contract award and ability to remain in the competitive range and will be evaluated for feasibility, completeness, and practicality.

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CLASP looks forward to reviewing your responses and would like to thank you in advance for your participation in this Request for Proposals. CLASP will notify all respondents who submit proposals when a decision has been made.

CLASP is an equal opportunity employer that celebrates diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. CLASP’s goal is to be a diverse workforce that is representative, at all job levels, of the citizens we serve. CLASP complies with all federal, state and local employment law in the countries we operate and is committed to providing equal opportunity for all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, disability, political affiliation, personal appearance, family responsibilities, matriculation, genetic information, military or protected veteran status, credit information or any other characteristic protected under federal, state or local law.

Each person is evaluated based on personal skill and merit. CLASP’s policy regarding equal employment opportunity applies to all aspects of employment, including recruitment, hiring, job assignments, promotions, working conditions, scheduling, benefits, wage and salary administration, disciplinary action, termination, and social, educational and recreational programs.