RFP - for Setting up Stem labs in schools

Request for Proposal (RFP) for Setting up Stem labs in schools

Background

Centre for Catalyzing Change (C3) is a registered non-profit Indian organization with the mission to empower women and girls in all sectors of development. C3 has been working for around four decades on addressing challenges that girls and women face in our country at different stages of their life cycle. Our vision is a future in India where women and girls are fully empowered and equipped to realize their rights, access opportunities and achieve gender equality. At the core of our work and approach is a belief that achieving gender equality is essential to development, democracy and progress. Our technical expertise extends to incubating, implementing and scaling up programs focused on its thematic areas of youth education, gender and maternal health/reproductive rights, specializing in at-scale program implementation, monitoring and evaluation. Every year, Centre for Catalyzing Change reaches out to two million young people, women and community members through its programs on education, health and livelihood across 12 states of the country. C3 is implementing a project in schools in Assam, Jharkhand, Hyderabad and West Bengal. The project aims to empower adolescent girls by strengthening their agency and decisionmaking, improving health outcomes, promoting school retention through academic enrichment, and building digital and financial literacy. As part of this project, C3 plans to set up STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) labs in selected partner schools. The labs will give students, especially girls, hands-on learning that builds curiosity, problem-solving skills and interest in STEM subjects and careers. The selected institute will be responsible for: The selected agency will design, supply, install and support one STEM lab per school, and train teachers to run it. I. Lab design and installation

• Conduct a site visit to each school to assess available space, electricity, furniture and safety needs.
• Propose a lab layout suited to the room size and student numbers.
• Deliver and install all equipment, with branding and signage as agreed with C3.
• Complete installation within 10 weeks of the PO.

II. Equipment and learning materials

• Supply hands-on kits and models covering science, mathematics, basic electronics and simple engineering concepts.
• Include low-cost tinkering and DIY kits, and basic coding or robotics kits where the budget allows.
• Map all kits and activities to the NCERT syllabus for Classes 6 to 12.
• Provide activity manuals and worksheets in Bengali and English.
• Ensure equipment is durable, safe for children and supported by a warranty of at least 1 year.

III. Curriculum and student sessions

• Provide a structured activity plan for one academic year, aligned with school timetables.
• Design activities that encourage girls' active participation and leadership.
• Include project-based learning, group activities and an annual science or innovation showcase.

IV. Teacher training

• Train teachers per school to run the lab independently.
• Deliver an initial training followed by at least one refresher session.
• Provide teacher guides, manual, curriculum and ongoing remote support.

V. Maintenance and support

• Provide maintenance, repair and replacement of faulty items for at least 1 year after installation. Supply a consumables list and replacement costs for future budgeting.
• Respond to support requests within 7 working days.

VII. Handover

• Hand over each lab formally to the school with an asset list, user manuals and a maintenance guide.

Eligibility criteria

• Registered organisation.
• At least 3 years of experience setting up STEM, science or tinkering labs in schools.
• Completed lab setups in at least 10 schools, preferably government or low-income schools.

Proposal submission requirements

• Interested agencies must submit a detailed proposal that includes:
• Organisation profile, registration documents and previous experience
• Proposed lab design, with photographs of labs set up earlier
• Complete list of equipment and kits, with specifications, quantities and warranty terms
• Curriculum outline, activity plan and teaching methodology
• Teacher training plan and trainer profiles
• Maintenance and support plan
• Implementation timeline
• Budget estimate per school, with a detailed cost breakdown (equipment, installation, training, maintenance, transport and taxes)
• At least two references and case studies of similar work

Submission instructions

• Send a detailed proposal to procurement@c3india.org by 15 October, 5:30 pm.
• Use the email subject: "Proposal for Setting up STEM Labs in Schools".
• For questions or clarifications, write to procurement@c3india.org
• Only shortlisted agencies will be contacted by email.

Job Email ID: procurement(at)c3india.org

Organisation: Centre for Catalyzing Change (C3)

Listed on the SAMS-STC social-sector RFP board.