Notice of Call for Expression of Interest (EoI) for “Private sector partner engagement in strengthening agroforestry value chain”

Notice of Call for Expression of Interest (EoI) for “Private sector partner engagement in strengthening agroforestry value chain”

Date of Publication: 19th September, 2025

Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is an international humanitarian agency (NGO) based in the United States working to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than 100 countries regardless of race, religion or nationality. CRS programs in Nepal currently supports four strategic areas, including Homes and communities, disaster risk reduction and climate change, agriculture and livelihood, and anticipatory actions and emergency response. CRS strives to improve livelihood and resilience of marginalized and vulnerable communities by catalyzing innovation, excellence and system strengthening efforts toward improved integral human development. CRS aims to catalyze transformative changes in lives of marginalized and vulnerable households in country through improved access to safe and dignified housing, improved community resilience to disaster, shocks and stresses, and diversified livelihood opportunities, especially to women and youths. CRS Nepal has been instrumental in implementing multifaceted emergency relief and recovery programs playing a pivotal role in coordinating recovery and reconstruction efforts in responding to the impacts of earthquakes, monsoons, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Building upon proven and new partnerships and expertise, CRS collaborates with local partners and government to create long-term resilience for a brighter future for all. 

CRS is promoting a market-based multistory agroforestry value chain model in Nepal under the SPICES project (Securing and Protecting Investments & Capacities for Environmental Sustainability). The project focuses on ginger, turmeric, and cardamom as key value chains to support climate-smart agriculture and build resilient livelihoods in vulnerable communities. By strengthening linkages between producers, cooperatives, and private traders, SPICES aims to develop sustained value chain. As part of this effort, CRS invites private sector actors to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to serve as product buyers and support the development of aggregators in project areas.

Based on project requirements and the presence of qualified companies in project location, more than one private sector company may be invited to enter into separate MoUs under this initiative. Please note that this MoU is not a legally binding contract and does not require companies to commit any financial obligations rather it will be intended solely as a framework for cooperation. However, entities that are selected and enter a formal MoU may be considered for future contracts for specific assignments under the project. The selected assignments will be financed separately and will be aligned with the objective of strengthening private sector-led agroforestry value chains.

Private sector entities involved in the trading of value chain commodities at the national or international level are encouraged to express their interest by providing the details requested in the appendix. Please submit your Expression of Interest (EOI) with all the required information in sections A to G of the appendix:

Appendix A: Application for Eol

More details regarding the Expression of Interest (EOI) can be found in the Terms of Reference (ToR) available at the following link:

TOR MoU private sector

EOI should be delivered to CRS before 4 PM (NST) on 12th October 2025 (Sunday). For inquiries, email: np_procurement@crs.org Subject Line: “Private sector partner engagement in strengthening agroforestry value chain”. Inquiries submitted before 7 October 2025 will only be responded.

Required criteria: Mandatory documents to be submitted with EOI – all given in annexes (a to g)

Required documents:

• Company Registration Certificate
• VAT/PAN Registration Certificate
• Latest Tax Clearance certificate of FY 2080/81

Completed EoI can be submitted through: np_procurement@crs.org