Issue Date: 9/25/2024
Proposal Due Date: 10/31/2024
Anticipated Award Date: March 2025 (or earlier)

To Whom It May Concern:

IREX (International Research & Exchanges Board), a Washington, D.C.-based global nonprofit organization and the U.S. Department of State’s selected implementing partner for the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders requests quotes and proposals from qualified respondents to supply smartphones and no-contract plans for up to 700 international fellowship participants. The 700 participants will be in groups of 25 at host universities located in cities across the United States, from June 2025 until August 2025. The cell phones will be shipped in batches to host universities prior to or in early June 2025 and need to be activated on or around June 15, 2025.  These cities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Additionally, up to 100 out of the 700 participants will remain in the United States for an additional month to complete a Professional Development Experience internship in a major U.S. city.  These cities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Proposal Requirements

Organizations interested in providing this service must submit a proposal, including a

breakdown of costs, which demonstrates the organization’s capacity to provide:

• At least 700 unlocked smartphones;
  • The cell phone provider must be in compliance with Section 889 (Prohibited Telecommunications and Equipment) set forth by the U.S. Government. 
  • The cell phone model should be similar in price and capability to TCL 10 Plus, NUU A23, RCA Reno max, Samsung Galaxy A03, and LG Phoenix 4.
    • For reference, the cell phone model used in the 2024 Mandela Washington Fellowship was NUU A11L.
  • The cell phone provider should have alternative cell phone models available for individuals with disabilities who may require a different model.
• All 700 phones will be activated by the cell phone provider starting on or around June 15, 2025;
  • A small number of phones (to be determined) will be activated by the cell phone provider starting on or around June 5, 2025;
• Unlimited talk and text plus unlimited data (high speed and reduced speed) for 600 phones from on or around June 15 through on or around August 15, 2025 (2 months);
• Unlimited talk and text plus unlimited data (high speed and reduced speed) for 100 phones from on or around June 15 through on or around September 15, 2025 (3 months);
• Option to add additional, non-activated phones to replace lost or stolen phones, and activate these phones on an as needed basis;
• Setup and activation support and standard service coverage (see above for proposed locations);
• Inability for accounts to incur overages, additional data charges, or international calling fees;
• Payment for coverage in monthly lump sum (i.e., no individual bills for each account, no autopay);
• Ability for participants to troubleshoot at a local store, if possible (see above for proposed locations) or with remote support from provider;
• Dedicated point of contact for account and availability of additional support during activation and reactivation period; 
• Ability for IREX to easily manage accounts, ideally through an online portal or dashboard; and
• Guaranteed coverage during period of activity, with no lapses in coverage during re-activation periods.

Proposals must be accompanied by a cost chart including costs for the devices, service, and fees and taxes, and a detailed description of the method used to perform the tasks outlined. The description must include a process for how bills will be paid monthly in a lump sum (i.e., no individual bills for each account and no autopay), how phones will be activated, and how participants will be able to troubleshoot issues.  Organizations may submit more than one proposal to detail various device and/or monthly plan options.

While not required, vendors who are able to do the following are strongly preferred:

• Provide access to an online dashboard for account monitoring and management.
• Offer plan and/or device discounts based on quantity purchased.
• Provide a ‘gold standard’ of customer service and support.