CONSULTANCY SERVICES FOR BUSINESS CASE DEVELOPMENT AND INSTITUTIONALIZATION MODELLING AND MARKETING OF THE NATIONAL PHYSICAL SCIENCE RESEARCH LABORATORIES (NPSRL)-REOI NO: MOE/SDHE/HEST/0005

The Government of the Republic of Kenya has received financing from the African Development Fund (ADF) towards the implementation of the Support to Higher Education, Science and Technology (HEST) Phase II Project and intends to apply part of the agreed amount for this Loan to payments under the contract for consultancy services for business case development and institutionalization modelling and marketing of the National Physical Science Research laboratories. The National Physical Science Research Laboratories (NPSRL) at Konza Technopolis, is envisioned to be a world-class research facility supporting scientific excellence, innovation, industrial competitiveness and sustainable economic growth.

The services included under this project are to develop a comprehensive, evidence-based and bankable Business Case, Institutionalisation Framework and Commercialisation Strategy that will guide the establishment, operationalisation and long-term sustainability of the National Physical Science Research Laboratories.

The services to be provided under the assignment include:

i) Undertake a market assessment and demand analysis to determine current and future demand for research, testing, calibration, certification, innovation, technology development, and related scientific services in the country and the region;

ii) Develop a comprehensive, evidence-based and bankable Business Case and Business Plan for the establishment, operationalization, growth, and long-term sustainability of the NPSRL, including technical, economic, financial, institutional, and socio-economic justification.

iii) Carry out a national needs assessment of associated laboratory facilities and make a detailed list of each laboratory equipment and tentative costs.

iv) Carry out international comparative analysis of successful institutional models of national laboratories and research institutes, which may include but not limited to Europe, North America, South Asia and South Africa in the three priority areas and detail capacity gaps and capacity-building plans;

v) Develop an institutionalization model providing a governance framework, organization structure, operationalization and sustainability framework of the laboratories covering organizational architecture, staffing requirements, talent development, laboratory operations, quality management systems, accreditation pathways, digital transformation, and performance management systems.

vi) Develop the marketing model showcasing market segmentation, branding and positioning of the laboratories, service marketing strategy, communication strategy and partnership/client engagement strategy.

vii) Develop a comprehensive innovation, commercialization and technology transfer framework to facilitate research commercialization, industrial partnerships, incubation, licensing, venture creation, and enterprise development business model for each of the laboratories.

viii) Develop financial and business models that incorporate diversified funding sources, revenue-generation mechanisms, cost-recovery systems, investment requirements, financial projections, and long-term sustainability scenarios.

ix) Identify and onboard first clients of the laboratories and identify strategic partnerships.

x) Work with the design consultant to inform design review of the laboratories.

xi) Formulate a stakeholder engagement, partnership development, to strengthen collaboration among government, academia, industry, development partners, investors, and international research networks.

xii) Develop a comprehensive sustainability framework that ensures NPSRL remains financially viable, institutionally resilient, technologically relevant, internationally accredited, and responsive to emerging scientific, industrial, and national development priorities.

The consultancy is expected to be undertaken over a period of Six (6) months.

The State Department for Higher Education now invites eligible consultants to indicate their interest in providing these services. Interested consultants must provide information indicating that they are qualified to perform the services (brochures, description of similar assignments, experience in similar conditions, availability of appropriate skills among staff, etc.). Consultants may constitute joint ventures to enhance their chances of qualification.

Eligibility criteria, establishment of the short-list and the selection procedure shall be in accordance with the African Development Bank’s ‘Procurement Policy for the Bank Group funded Operations’ dated October 2015, which is available on the Bank’s website at http://www.afdb.org.

Interested consultants may obtain further information at the address below during office hours from 0800 to 1700 hours, from Monday to Friday excluding lunch hour (1300 to 1400Hrs) and public holidays

Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Quality and Cost Based Selection (QCBS) method set out in the Consultant Guidelines.

Expressions of Interest must be delivered to the address below on or before 7th September 2026 at 1100 EAT marked: “CONSULTANCY SERVICES FOR BUSINESS CASE DEVELOPMENT AND INSTITUTIONALIZATION MODELLING AND MARKETING OF THE NATIONAL PHYSICAL SCIENCE RESEARCH LABORATORIES (NPSRL)-REOI NO: MOE/SDHE/HEST/0005”

Attn: Deputy Director, Supply Chain Management Services
State Department for Higher Education
8th Floor, Jogoo House B, Room 807
P.O. Box 9583 – 00200 Nairobi
Telephone: +254 020 318581
Tel/Fax: 254 020 2251991
NAIROBI, KENYA

E-mail: sduerprocurement@gmail.com