Palladium International

RFQ-FJ25-080 – Business Development Consultant for Childcare Services

Posted
4 December 2025 04:47pm
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Regions
Pacific
Sectors
Economic Development
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Summary

The Market Development Facility (MDF) is a multi-country Australian Government funded initiative, with locations in Fiji, Sri Lanka, Timor-Leste, Samoa, Tonga, and Vanuatu. MDF aims to stimulate economic growth – and hence employment and income earning opportunities for the poor and underprivileged – by making selected sectors of the economy more competitive and stimulating business innovation. MDF is implemented by Palladium Group and Swisscontact and started operations in Fiji in July 2011.


Fiji’s Outsourcing Services (OS) sector employs over 8,000 people, two-thirds of whom are women. While the sector provides strong employment opportunities for Fiji, staff retention, attendance and productivity has become a growing challenge due to inadequate childcare services. A 2019 International Finance Corporation (IFC) report estimated that employers in Fiji lose up to 12.7 workdays per employee annually due to childcare responsibilities.
MDF has partnered with Smiles for Miles (Fiji) Pte Ltd (SFM) to help develop reliable and affordable childcare services for OS workers and test the feasibility of offering childcare services as a staff incentive to improve productivity and attendance.
SFM is a privately owned and operated daycare and learning centre that offers early childhood care and learning services, based in Laucala Beach Suva. SFM is looking to expand its services and establish a 24-hour childcare service to better meet the needs of shift-based workers from Fiji’s growing outsourcing services (OS) sector.
MDF & SFM are seeking to engage a suitable Business Development Consultant (”Consultant”) on a short-term basis to conduct a business feasibility study and develop a financial model, for a 24-hour childcare service operation.

Description

The objective of this assignment is to assess the operational and financial viability of SFM’s proposed 24- hour childcare operation, by:

  • reviewing the requirements to operationalise the new business model.
  • developing a detailed financial model that includes but is not limited to operating expenses, capital expenses, revenue projections and breakeven analysis; and
  • providing strategic recommendations for implementation, funding and long-term sustainability.

Scope of Services
The Consultant will work closely with MDF and SFM to develop the following:

a. Workplan Development – develop a detailed workplan outlining timelines, research methodology, stakeholders to consult, and deliverables.

b. Feasibility Assessment – Evaluate operational readiness, staffing, infrastructure and service delivery capacity and identify key risks and constraints to implement the proposed 24-hour business model.

c. Financial Model –

  • Develop a detailed financial model including operational costs, revenue projections and breakeven analysis for the 24-hour business model
  • Develop budget and financial reporting templates and financial target planning guidance for pilot rollout
  • Provide up to 10 hours of advisory support to assist SFM in applying templates and setting financial targes
  • Explore alternative revenue generating streams such as employer-supported and cost-sharing pricing options
  • Recommend scalable pricing structures aligned with OS sector wage profiles
  1. d. Recommendations – Provide actionable recommendations for implementation, funding and long-term sustainability and ensure recommendations align with international and national childcare benchmarks, and safety standards.

Required deliverables / outputs
The Consultant will deliver the following outputs:

i. Approved Work Plan – methodology, timeline, consultations, and resources

ii. Feasibility Report – assessment of business readiness and viability

iii. Financial Model – revenue, cost, and pricing scenarios

iv. Budget Planning Toolkit – templates and guidance for pilot budgeting

v. Risk Assessment Report – risks and mitigation strategies

vi. Final Recommendations – pricing models and sustainability roadmap

Mandatory Requirements
Interested providers must meet the following mandatory requirements to be able to participate in this procurement process:

  • Proven expertise in business planning, financial modelling, organisational development or related fields.
  • Prior experience working with childcare providers, education services, small businesses or women-focused enterprises.
  • Familiarity with Fijian market context and/or international childcare standards
  • Strong facilitation, communication, and report writing skills

Submissions that do not meet these requirements will be considered non-compliant and disqualified from the procurement process.

Evaluation of submissions
MDF will assess submissions in line with the technical and financial evaluation process described below. In assessing submissions, MDF, at its sole discretion, may consider information from other relevant sources.

Technical evaluation
MDF will first score compliant submissions against the following technical criteria:

A. Relevant past experience demonstrating capability to deliver requirements as described in this RFQ (35% of the Technical Score).

B. Approach to delivery of requirements as described in this RFQ (35% of the Technical Score).

C. Qualifications and experience of proposed personnel (30% of the Technical Score)

The technical score will account for 80% of the Total Score.

Financial evaluation
Following the assessment of the technical response, MDF will undertake a like-for-like price comparison of all technically suitable offers. The Financial Score will account for 20% of the Total Score. The lowest-priced financial offer will be awarded the full weighted score. The weighted score of other financial offers will be calculated as a fraction of the higher scoring offer.

Contracting details
If your offer is successful, you will be required to enter into the Company’s standard contract for the types of goods or services being provided (see Annex A). In the provision of the Goods and Services, you will be required to comply with the Company’s policies, including (without limitation) its Business Partner Code of Conduct and any relevant Project Manual. Potential suppliers must also comply with the Company’s Business Partner Code of Conduct in the submission of any quotes pursuant to this RFQ.
If you are bidding as part of a joint venture, partnership or similar, please make this clear in your submission. Likewise, if you propose to subcontract any part of the goods or services provision, then disclose this fact within your submission. The Company may require additional information from you and approval for subcontracting will not be automatic as subcontractors will be subject to Palladium’s Due Diligence process.

Registration of Interest
Register your interest to submit an offer by sending your name, organisation and contact details to the Contact Person by email on or before Monday, 8th December 2025, 5:00pm Fiji Time.

Last date for Queries
Send queries to the Contact Person by email on or before Monday, 8th December 2025, 5:00pm Fiji Time. Quote the RFQ Title in the subject line.

Closing Date and Time: Friday, 19th December 2025, 5.00pm Fiji Time

Contact Person: Anushma Sharma, anushma.sharma-mdf@thepalladiumgroup.com 

Details for Submission
Email your completed Response Forms to the Contact Person on or before the Closing Date and Time. Quote the RFQ Title in the subject line.

Please visit MDF website (RFQ-FJ25-080 - Business Development Consultant for Childcare Services - Market Development Facility) for Service Provider Response Forms Part A and B, and submission instructions.