An Incident to Learn From

In an organization, an employee was reheating food wrapped in aluminium foil in the microwave. Smoke from the heated aluminium foil triggered a nearby smoke detector when the microwave was opened and the central alarm system in the building was activated. The microwave was later shut to contain the smoke and the building was evacuated. There were no injuries.

Lessons Learnt

• Ensure that only microwave safe materials are used to reheat materials in the microwave. Do not use materials like aluminium foil, cold storage plastic, metals, foam insulated containers etc
• Ensure that the microwave is clean and free from food residue prior to use.
• Foods like boiled egg, noodles, sausages, hot dogs, potatoes etc should not be heated in the microwave as they could explode due to internal pressure build up
• If smoke is emitted when using a microwave, turn off the power source and remove the plug. Air the room, if possible. Do not open the microwave until it is cool.

Stay safe as we trust God to keep us.

INVITATION TO TENDER – Cross River State Capital and Sustainable Development Goals projects

Newspaper: THE PUNCH, June 7, 2016

Location: Cross River State

Closing Date: July 19, 2016

Description:

• Rehabilitation of 1no. Senior Girls’ hostel
• Rehabilitation of 1no. Junior Boys’ Hostel
• Rehabilitation of 1no. Junior Girls’ Hostel
• Construction of 1no. Examination Hall of 2500 Seaters Capacity for Students
• Construction of 1no. Dining Hall of 2500 Seaters
• Administration and Coordination
• Furnishing of 1no. Block of Modern Dining Hall (SDG)
• Construction of Borehole and Water Reticulation (SDG)
• Construction of VIP Toilets in Hostel Areas and Classrooms (SDG)
  Basic Eligibility:
• Evidence of company registration with Corporate Affairs Commission
• Current Pension Commission (PENCOM) Compliance Certificate
• Tax Clearance for the last three years (2013, 2014 and 2015)
• Evidence of experience of similar jobs for the past three (2013, 2014 and 2015)
• Evidence of financial capability from a reputable Bank
• Evidence of registration with BPP on the National Database
• NSITF Certificate
• FRC Certificate
• Company profile and key personnel
• Registration with Industrial Training Fund (ITF)
• Evidence of audited accounts for the last three years (2013, 2014 & 2015)
• A sworn affidavit indicating whether or not any officer of Federal Government College, Ikom or Federal Ministry of Education is a Director or Shareholder or has any pecuniary interest in the company

INVITATION TO TENDER – OBAFEMI AWOLOWO UNIVERSITY, ILE-IFE, OSUN STATE

Newspaper: THE PUNCH, June 6, 2016, pg. 34

Location: Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State

Closing Date: July 19, 2016

Description:

Project 1

• Procurement and Installation of Languages Interpreters and Transmission Devices
• Procurement and Installation of Wired and Wireless facilities for ACE Laboratories
• Procurement and Installation of High Capacity Fiber Optics Backbone for ACE Laboratories
• Procurement and Installation of a backup power Generator
• Procurement of a Vehicle
   
  Project 2
• Construction of Postgraduate ICT Laboratories Building
   
  Basic Eligibility:

To be considered, potential companies are to submit all the under listed verifiable documents:

• Certificate of incorporation at the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and evidence of Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in case of a joint venture.
• Include certified true copy of CAC registration forms Co2 and Co7 containing names of Directors and Shareholders.
• Certified true copy of Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Company.
• Corporate profile to include a list of the company’s technical staff, their CVs and copies of their credentials, including qualification, year(s) of cognate experience and certificate of registration with relevant professional bodies.
• Evidence of payment of tax for the last three (3) years (2013-2015).
• Copy of VAT registration and evidence of past VAT remittance for completed projects.
• Copies of Company’s Audited Statement of Account for the last three years (2013-2015) duly stamped by a Registered Auditor.
• Certificate of compliance with the provisions of the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) Amendment act, 2011, Issued by the ITF and stated to be valid up to 31^st December, 2016.
• Original Bank Statement of the past twelve (12) months.
• Verifiable evidence of similar jobs successfully executed or being executed within the last five years, including types, cost location and evidence of award and satisfactory completion.
• List of equipment to be used for the projects, whether owned, hired or leased, with evidence of ownership, lease or hire.
• Company’s registered address, functional contact address, GSM phone, numbers and e-mail addresses.
• Reference letters from three (3) previous clients for similar projects, satisfactorily completed.
• A sworn affidavit by a director certifying that:
  • The documents submitted for the tendering exercises are not only genuine, but correct.
  • None of the directors of company has ever been convicted by any court of law.
  • The company is not bankrupt.
  • None of the officers of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife is a former or present Director of the Company.
  • Company’s banking detail, including Account Name, Account Number, Bank Name and Branch and Sort Code.
     
    Please note that the originals of document will be requested and should be available for sighting whenever required. The opening of bids follows immediately after close of submission at 11:00am on Tuesday, July 19, 2016.

INVITATION TO TENDER FOR THE RECONSTRUCTION AND CONSTRUCTION OF BUILDING

Newspaper: THE NATION, June 6 2016, Pg.37

Location: University of Lagos, Akoka

Closing Date: July 21, 2016
Description:

• Re-Construction of a burnt residential bungalow building to include extensive repairs and replacements.
• Construction of a four (4) reinforced concrete framed structure raft foundation
  Basic Eligibility:

• Evidence of Certificate of Incorporation with the Corporate Affairs Commision (CAC), including Article and Memorandum of Association of the company and up to date Annual Returns with CAC
• A Sworn Affidavit certifying as follows:
  • The company is not in receivership, insolvency or bankruptcy.
  • The company does not have any director who has been convicted by any court in Nigeria and any other country for criminal offences in relation to fraud or financial impropriety.
  • That no officer of the University of Lagos or BPP is a former or present director or shareholder of the company.
  • That all information presented in the documents are true and correct in all particulars
• Company Audited Accounts for the last three (3) years (2013, 2014 and 2015) duly signed and stamped by a professional accounting/audit firm and signed by the Client.
• Evidence of Tax Clearance Certificate for the last three (3) years (2013, 2014 and 2015)
• Bidders shall have an average annual turnover of not less than Twenty-Eight Million Naira (N28,000,000) for LOT 1.
• Bidders shall have an average annual turnover of not less than One Hundred and Six Million Naira (N106,000,000) FOR LOT 2
• Pension Clearance Certificate valid for 2016 issued by the National Pension Commission (PENCOM)
• Industrial Training Fund (I.T.F) Certificate valid for 2016 in compliance with Section 6 of the Industrial Training Fund Amendment ACT, 2011.
• List of key personnel stating their role, designation qualification and years of experience. (Evidence or registration with professional bodies such as ARCON, COREN etc. copies of certificate are to be attached).

The following are the minimum requirements:

• Evidence of ownership of a functional and well equipped material testing Laboratory or an agreement with a standard laboratory where material testing will be conducted.
• Company’s Health Safety and Environment policy.
• Satisfactory bank reference from a reputable bank stating the Company’s creditworthiness and ability to be granted financial support for the project execution if the need arises.
• Evidence of registration on the National data base of Contractors, Consultants and Service Providers by inclusion of Interim Registration Report valid for 2016 issued by the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP).
• Evidence of payment of non-refundable pre-qualification fee at the Cash Office of University of Lagos with a certified bank cheque.
   

LOT 1:

• One (1) COREN registered Civil-Structural Engineer (with current practicing licence);
• One (1) CORBON registered Builder (with current practicing licence);
• One (1) QSRBN registered Quantity Surveyor (with current practicing licence);
• One (1) ARCON registered Architect (with current practicing licence).
• Evidence of work experience as main contractor executing or having executed a minimum of three (3) bungalow building, two of which must have been in the last three (3) years. Copy of award letters, last interim certificate of valuation for ongoing projects, completion certificate and final maintenance certificates, where applicable, are to be enclosed.

 

LOT 2:

• Two (2) registered Civil- Structural Engineers (with current practicing license) of not less than five (5) years post registration with COREN.
• Two (2) registered Builders (with current practicing license) of not less than five (5) years post registration with CORBON;
• Two (2) Quantity Surveyors (with current practicing license) of not less than five (5) years post registration with QSRBN.
• Two (2) registered Architects (with current practicing license) of not yet than five (5) years post registration with ARCON.
• Evidence of work experience as the main contractor executing or having executed a minimum of three (3) projects of at least 3 storey building, two of which must have been in the last five (5) years. Copy of award letters, last interim certification of valuation for ongoing projects, completion certificate and final maintenance certificates where applicable to be enclosed.
• Verifiable list of major construction equipment and facilities including registration numbers, chassis numbers, location (where they can be inspected) and remarks whether these are owned, leases or hired. The minimum number of equipment, facilities required are as listed below:
  • A crane
  • 2 Nos Mobile concrete mixers
  • 3 Nos 20-30 tons tippers
  • 3 Nos Dumpers
  • Dumpy level

Revenue Boosting Ideas for Your Business

I read an article written for hair salons. Based on my experience with the Tentmakers Online Store, I believe these ideas will work for any type of business.

1. Sell gift cards/certificates that customers can give to friends, relatives, coworkers etc. Even if those that receive the gift cards/certificates never take up the offer, you’ve already been paid.
2. Start a referral program where anyone that brings in new customers get rewarded. You can consider coupons (which should be redeemed before a certain period), freebies (like airtime, gifts etc)
3. Start a loyalty program where repeat customers get freebies.
4. Consider starting a subscription program, particularly if you provide services. Your subscribed clients should be entitled to something beyond your normal services (which should still be top-notch). That’s the idea behind VIP lounges and extra leg room for first class flyers. Afterall, they’ll be flying in the same aeroplane as those in Economy.
5. Consider an online/phone booking service. Make it easy for people to book for your goods and services online during non-business hours. Of course you can attend to it during business hours. Give them an email address/WhatsApp phone number they can send their requests to and acknowledge such messages IMMEDIATELY you see them.  If for some reasons beyond your control your response is delayed, APOLOGISE for the delay. Respond to their requests and stay focused on solving their problems instead of telling them 1000 reasons why you can’t attend to their requests. Even if you don’t close that deal with them, you’ll have a lifelong customer if you let them know that you can HEAR them.
6. Identify your clients’ actual needs beyond what they are actually saying and meet their unspoken needs. You are very likely to have repeat customers if you adopt that approach to business. As we have been taught, people don’t care how much you know till they know how much you care. Discovering and meeting your customer’s unspoken need is a vital way to show that you care.

#Tentmakers