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

Whatsoever Your Hand Finds To Do

Good day friends. How are you doing? I have a very long story for you today.

When I graduated from the University, I got a job before I went for NYSC. It was my dream at the time. My life was going well and I had carefully laid out plans. I was going to ensure that whether Nigeria liked it or not, I'll spend my service year in Lagos and continue with my job. NYSC was going to be a breeze. Err, WRONG! Things didn't go as planned. I was "emailed, not posted" (according to one of my friends) to a border town between Nigeria and Cameroon). I actually served Nigeria "under the sun and in the rain". I angrily watched all my plans fall like a pack of cards...In fact, my NYSC story deserves its own post, lol. Somehow, I recovered in good enough time to make reasonable use of my service year and meet some awesome "forever friends".

When I got back to Lagos after the service year, some changes in the organization where I had my "promising" job made it necessary for me to stay at home and wait. They didn't guarantee that I'll get my old job back but they promised to TRULY let me know once they could absorb me into the organization. I was disappointed but not crushed. Well-meaning people tried to convince me to "rest" before I started job hunting. I was determined, like Kanu Nwankwo, not to be a burden to anyone.

I spoke with some family friends about working part time in their Educational Testing Centre. The pay wasn't fantastic. A few people laughed at my decision but I realised there were benefits that came with the job that I wouldn't have had if I looked down on the job. I eventually got the "dream" job(s) and I had to choose eventually.

Why am I telling you this long story? Because I have a challenge with some that look down on certain jobs "because I'm a graduate"...Very few people want to start small. I know that the cousin of the grandmother of your friend's neighbour was sitting in her bedroom and suddenly found a million dollars on the seat beside her. I hope EFCC/DSS is not looking for her in this season of goats and yams, though...Most of the successful people I know started small, worked hard (yes, and prayed hard too) to get to where they are today. They weren't loafing around, expecting manna to fall from heaven. Even for the Israelites, manna ceased when they got to the Promised Land. They had to cultivate the LANs and trust God for harvest before eating.

Dear friend, whatsoever your hand findeth to do, do it with all diligence. If you'll like to discuss opportunities, please follow our "TTM Opportunities" Blog or send an email to the tent makers online gmail.com

#Tentmakers

Blogger 001 – Class 2

I got this feedback on Blogging Class 001 – Class 1:

Please tell me more about Infolinks. How do bloggers and website owners monetize their sites? Please how much is it to own a blog? What is required to maintain it? How can just maintaining this or doing what it takes earn one a dime? I really don’t get how.

I was going to delve into the technicalities of maintaining a blog in this class but I guess that’ll have to be the topic for Class 3. Please send your questions to bloggers@thetentmakers.biz and we’ll do what we can to address them.

Let’s attempt each question.

Please tell me about Infolinks

Infolinks is a global advertising platform offering ad solutions for both publishers and advertisers. Online bloggers and website owners monetize their websites with Infolinks while keeping the Look & feel of their sites undisturbed.

You can learn more about Infolinks by clicking on the link.

How do bloggers and website owners monetize their sites? How can just maintaining this or doing what it takes earn one a dime?

I think this article addresses the question so there’s no point regurgitating what has already been written. Let me add, though, that blogging/owning a website just to make money does not seem like the right way to go, in my opinion. I think your blog/website should be focused on your passion and monetizing it should be an added benefit. Anyone, for those that are interested in monetizing their blog/website, you can take a look at this article.

Please how much is it to own a blog? What is required to maintain it?

Please send an email to bloggers@thetentmakers.biz for our rates as well as our terms and conditions.

I found this article online about maintaining a blog. I think you’ll find it helpful. This will be further addressed in Class 3.

I have to sign off now, class is over, lol. Watch this space for Class 3, coming soon. Remember to send your questions and feedback to bloggers@thetentmakers.biz.

Have a blessed and productive day.

Memorable Meetings

I attended a review recently and something remarkable happened. I’ll like to share and I hope this improves he quality of your meetings.
Initially, everyone was doing as they please, asking questions and causing the presenter to lose focus. We appeared to be in a ship with no captain and we were going nowhere quickly.
THEN, a Project Manager took charge. He told us that before anyone asks questions, he/she had to get the “staff of authority” (it looked like a charger to me but I’m not sure what it really was). He warned us that anyone that proceeds without the “staff of authority” would pay a fine of 1000 Naira. See how the question streams began to dry up…
We all started watching our questions. No more chaos! There were still a few people that contravened the rule here and there but we turned them to our comic relief. We actually self-regulated.
The Project Manager achieved his aim of maintaining order without being aggressive or abrasive. It was one of the most fruitful and memorable meetings I ever attended.
#Tentmakers.