Questions & Answers

1. What are the expectations for how advanced the prototype for the initial competition should be? - Answer updated for the second time

We do not expect the first prototype to be advanced. The prototype only needs to show some of the core mechanics of the game, and the prototype does not need to be polished.

The goal of this prototype is to give an idea of what the game can be. The YouTube video and the game concept document can describe the directions the app will take towards a product.

For those who want to use an existing prototype for illustration purposes, although they intend for the end application to be somewhat different, it is very important to describe clearly which changes will be made to the existing prototype.

Updated answer, in addition to the answer above: 

We are fully aware that suppliers are participating in this initial competition at their own risk. Furthermore, some will submit quite sophisticated prototypes that have already been developed for other purposes, whereas others will want to develop something from scratch.

We want to stress that we will assess this initial prototype mainly on the potential for becoming a great end product through substantial further development. We do not expect it to be advanced. The prototype only needs to show some of the core mechanics of the game. It does not need to be polished and it is fine if it for instance only uses a few letters of the alphabet to illustrate a particular game mechanic, rather than the full alphabet and so on.

The goal of the submission delivered to the initial competition is to give us an idea of what the game can be. The YouTube video and the document describing the concept should complement the interactive prototype, so that the materials combined describe the directions the concept will take towards a great end product.

For those who want to use an existing prototype for illustration purposes, although they intend for the end application to be somewhat different, it is very important to describe clearly which changes will be made to the existing prototype.

2. Is it allowed to use external game engines (such as Unity), software libraries and components which are not open source to develop the app?

Yes, it is allowed to use game engines, software libraries and components which are not open source to develop the app. It is only the app-developers code and end result which must be open source.

3. Is this documentation of being a legally established enterprise sufficient? Do you prefer for the enterprise to be registered differently?

Norad is unfortunately not able to approve/assess supplied documentation of being a legally established enterprise before after the deadline for submission of tenders.

However, we would like to point out that there are several ways to document a legal enterprise, as described in the tender documents.

4. Is there a specific group of Syrian children that the app will be used by? In terms of deployment for testing, is there a specific region?

The aim is for the app(s) to be a particularly relevant learning supplement for children aged 5-10 who are out of school. Most of these children still live in Syria or in neighbouring countries such as Lebanon, Jordan, Turkey and Iraq.

However, we also believe that the app(s) can be of broader use, for instance for children who are about to start school in a country where they do not speak the language of instruction. Learning to read in Arabic can be helpful for these children’s ability to learn a second language.

We have not yet decided on where tests at different stages of the competition will be conducted, and this will probably be shaped to some extent by where competition partners have ongoing activities. We will also ask the selected suppliers (after the initial competition) for their input.

5. How will the app(s) be tested and who will manage the testing?

During development, the app developer(s) will be responsible for carrying out specified tests in relevant geographic areas during the various phases. The Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) will also conduct independent implementation research on the app(s).

Specifications for the testing to be conducted by the app developers will be described in more detail in the relevant call-off agreements.

6. In what language(s) may the initial prototype be submitted?

The simple interactive prototype and other relevant documentation for the initial competition may be submitted in English or Arabic. For more detail, see Part 2A - Rules for the competition.

7. How will the app(s) encourage children to engage in the world around them, and avoid the possibility of isolating them or detaching them socially?

Related to User Experience Requirements 10 and 11;

• UR10 -The user should feel emotionally and viscerally involved in the game.
• UR11 - The user should become less worried about everyday life or self while playing the game.

We believe the user experience requirements referred to above are important to ensure that children enjoy playing the game, and spend enough time on task to learn something. The user experience requirements are not absolute, but represent features we will look for and compare submissions on.

The risk with learning games is commonly that children do not find them engaging enough, and do not want to spend time playing them at their own initiative. We are aware that many of the children who will be using the app(s) developed through this competition will have experienced traumatic situations and prolonged stress. One common consequence of this is learning difficulties, including concentration difficulties and cognitive impairment. We hope that an engaging gaming format may help them learn better.

The app(s) developed through this competition should not be harmful to the users, and we will pay close attention to any potential negative effects during testing throughout the project.

We will have parental guidance on how long the child should be allowed to play the game for, and we can – if needed – add time-restrictions in the app(s). We agree that it can be positive if the game has features that encourage interaction with other children, but we will not require this.

8. Will the intended app(s) users already have some basic reading skills in Arabic?

It should not be assumed that the children already have basic reading skills. As stated in the Specification of requirements, the aim of the game is that at least the first three of five component skills of literacy should have significantly improved.

9. What is the policy on open source for the various phases of the project?

As stated in the Invitation to tender the open source requirement does not pertain to the concept video and simple interactive prototype that should be submitted for the initial competition.

We would also like to replace this sentence in the Invitation to tender:

All content, apps and code will be released on github.com, but will not be made public until call-off contracts have been awarded for Phase 3.

With the more precise:

From the beginning of phase 1 and onwards all content, apps and code will be uploaded to github.com. The content, apps and code on github will, however, not be publicly released until call-off contracts have been awarded for Phase 3.

10. Should the iOS version of the app be ready in phase 1, 2 or 3 of the competition?

Both iOS and Android versions of the app must be developed for the relevant deliverables in phase 2 at the latest.

11. What does “The user should feel a sense of control over the content in the game…” (UR7) mean?

The user requirements are not absolute, but recommendations for an immersive and engaging game. “Sense of control” means that ideally, the user should have some freedom in what she or he can do (have a choice).

Preferably, the game should not let the user be a passive spectator and only allow for minimal interaction. We encourage that the game is highly interactive and gives the player choices about which actions to take.

12. What does “the application should support recovery from errors” (UR7) mean?

We recommend a game design where the player does not "get stuck" in the game after executing an action in the game. One example is if a single player action may cause the loss of all progress achieved so far in the game. It should be possible for the player to return to a point close to where she/he made a mistake after an error.

13. How can we ensure that 5-year olds, who do not speak standard Arabic, are able to use the App?

We will replace the following technical requirement 6:

All text and audio in the application shall be in Arabic. The language complexity level should be equivalent to the language used at the primary school level in Arabic speaking countries. Focus should be on building vocabulary that children would hear and use at home and in their local environment.

With the more precise:

All text and audio related to the vocabulary taught in the application shall be in Standard Arabic. The language complexity level should be equivalent to the language used at the primary school level in Arabic speaking countries.

Focus should be on building vocabulary that children would hear and use at home and in their local environment, which is also part of the 70-80% basic common core (the vocabulary with the highest resemblance between 'standard' Arabic and local Syrian Arabic forms and structures).

Audio instructions given in the App on how to play the game must be easily understandable for most Arabic speaking Syrian five-year olds.

14. Syrian parents are anxious that children learn English & Arabic. Can some part of the app be bilingual?

We will only assess the submissions in relation to the literacy skills in Arabic and psychosocial wellbeing objectives. If the supplier considers bilingual features as instrumental for building literacy skills in Arabic or improving psychosocial wellbeing, then that should be explained in the concept documentation.

If the supplier decides to include functionalities aimed at other objectives, this will not be taken into account in our assessment.

15. We are a bit concerned about the 100 MB limitation. Android and Apple now allow a partial download, with some components being downloaded on demand. Would that be acceptable?

It is crucial for us that the application is also possible to download for those who only have limited mobile internet access. We have developed this technical requirement for the App footprint (TR 3 in the Specification of Requirements) after field consultations and input from Syrian app developers, and will therefore keep the minimum requirement as it is.

However, as stated in User Experience Requirement 13: “Optional online functionalities to improve the experience of the learning resource should be included”, meaning that on-demand components are possible. Still, core functionalities must be included within the 100 MB limit.

16. The Android OS 4.1 was used for a very short period of time. Would it be possible to have Android OS 4.2 as the minimum requirement?

We are aware that most developers would prefer to use newer versions. However, it is crucial for us that the application can be downloaded by as many Syrian households as possible.

We have developed this technical requirement for the operating system (TR 2 in the Specification of Requirements) after field consultations and input from Syrian app developers, and will therefore keep the minimum requirement as it is.

17. In the tender documents, the target age range is specified as 5-10 years, whereas the concept note says 4-10 years. Can you please clarify what is correct?

The tender documents are the authoritative documents for the ongoing competition process. The Concept note was used to launch the dialogue with the market, with a tentative indication of ambitions for the project.

After the market dialogue and input from the market we refined the specifications to those stated in the tender documents.

18. Can a public university submit a bid? Updated answer

Yes. Every legal person or public entity (e.g. a University or an NGO) or group of such persons and/or bodies, which offers on the market products or services, can submit a bid. It is the responsibility of the bidder to supply documentation from a public registry in their respective country that their enterprise/public entity/legal person is legally established.

In most cases such documentation can be found in registers of business enterprises or trade registers, but other documentation from relevant public registries will also be considered by Norad.

Thus it is not necessary to e.g. be registered in a trade register, but the documentation offered must relate to the subject matter, confirming that the bidder is a legally established enterprise (interpreted as every legal person or public entity).

19. Does EduApp4Syria allow parts of the funding to be spent on buying smartphone devices to be distributed during field testing?

No. The funds are to be spent on the primary purpose of developing a great game. Furthermore, as the project aims to draw upon the technology that households already own, an important aim of the testing will be to understand what influences uptake and usage of the app(s).

20. Will the app be put on Play Store and iTunes from the supplier's developer account (e.g. if we are selected, we will be putting the app in both the stores using our account id in PlayStore and iTunes)?

Yes, this is correct. It is the supplier that will put the app on Play Store and iTunes store with their own account id.

21. Could you please elaborate further on TR7 “The application shall provide support for extensions to other written languages and audio”? Does it mean that we have to translate all the content?

No, the only language required for this app is Arabic. However, it is important that the software for the app is implemented in such a way that it is easy to change audio and text to another language. This means e.g. that the audio and text used by the application is not hardcoded, but represented in separate files.

22. Is it required that we have signed agreements with all project cooperation partners when we submit for the initial competition, or can we hire the supplementary expertise we need later on?

For the initial competition all expertise does not have to be on board, but you should indicate who/what type of expertise you intend to team up with as the project progresses.

23. The allotment criteria for each different phase (ref. The Rules for the Competition) refers to “The bidders plan for developing a functioning solution within the signalled timeframe“. Does “timeframe” here refer to the specific phase of the competition or to the whole project?

“Timeframe” here refers to the whole project. The idea is that the selected Suppliers update and further specify the plans submitted in the initial competition, as they compete for participation in subsequent phases.

See the Rules for the Competition here. 

24. The age span 5-10 is very wide, and makes it hard to design for a particular user. Can we reduce it to for instance 6-9 years?

The age span has been chosen based on feedback received in the dialogue with the market and a careful assessment of the needs of the target population. We are aware that the relatively wide age span represents a challenge, but we also hope it represents an opportunity for creativity. See also Questions and Answers 8 and 17 above.

25. Should the aim of the app only be to teach the children to read, or can it also teach writing skills?

As stated in the Specification of Requirements we define literacy as reading and writing, but submissions will be judged based on an assessment of reading skills. This means that you are free to include elements teaching writing skills, but the app will only be judged based on how it contributes to reading skills.

26. Will the alpha version (Phase 1) need to cover the entire game?

No. It will need to include most of the gameplay, but not all content and art.

27. Could you please elaborate further on TR8 "The application shall have an inclusive design, meaning that it should be accessible to, and usable by, as many people as reasonably possible without the need for special adaptation or specialized design".

This technical requirement is quite subjective, and there are also potential trade-offs in terms of making the application as relevant and appealing as possible for most of the target users. Due to such potential trade-offs we will not interpret the requirement very strictly, but we still think it is important in order to avoid design features which are unnecessarily exclusionary.

Examples of non-inclusive design can be if the content only appeals to boys or is considered inappropriate for girls (see also User Experience Requirement 1), assumes pre-existing literacy skills among the children, or if the app uses fonts that are particularly difficult for children with dyslexia to read.

App developers should therefore try to maintain a high level of inclusivity and avoid unnecessary exclusion of groups of users, bearing in mind the budget frame and the need to maintain strong user appeal among most target users.

28. Will we be able to change partners between phases, as the skills needed may vary?

Yes. At the end of each phase, Suppliers shall submit a document covering the subsequent phase (see also Q&A 23). This document shall include “Description of the project's key personnel and competence for the present phase”, and the Supplier is free to make needed updates to key personnel and competences.

Furthermore, as stated in the Framework Agreement Section 4.1., if a Supplier wants to make changes in personnel during a given phase, this is also possible, as long as it does not negatively affect the Project’s quality and Norad is given advance notice.

29. Updated info: UNICEF Innovation new partner

We are happy to announce that UNICEF’s Innovation Unit has become an additional collaboration partner for the EduApp4Syria competition. The Innovation Unit will contribute with funding and expert advice for field testing of applications in Phase 2. It has excellent technical and design expertise, and is strongly committed to developing innovative learning opportunities for children affected by crises and conflict.

There is already a broad collaboration group behind EduApp4Syria (for description of these existing partners see sections 3.1 and 6 in the Invitation to Tender).

30. Can I participate in this competition both as a main supplier and as a sub-contractor for another supplier?

It is possible to be the main supplier in one bid, and a sub-contractor in a bid delivered by another enterprise. In order to have a fair competition, the other enterprise should be informed as soon as possible if an enterprise acting as a subcontractor will submit their own bid. The partners should also have assessed the consequences of an enterprise working on two bids, including the availability of necessary recourses at any given time.

31. The allotment criteria for each different phase (ref. The Rules for the Competition) refers to “description of how the funds provided by the Client will be allocated throughout the project”. Please clarify if this is limited to the phase for which we are in competition at this time or all phases of the competition (Phases 1-3)?

Similarly to for question 23, the idea is that the suppliers budget for the entire project in the initial competition. Later, the selected suppliers then update and further specify this budget as they compete for participation in subsequent phases.

For the initial competition, budgets should be based on the assumption that a maximum number of suppliers are selected for the respective phases; five for Phase 1, three for Phase 2 and two for Phase 3. As stated in the Invitation to Tender p 10 this would imply available funding of NOK 5 500 000 for a supplier that has been funded through all three phases. If we end up selecting fewer than five suppliers after the initial competition, the total sum available per supplier may be increased.

32. Can we base the solution on an existing solution that has so far only been available in other languages than Arab? We would still need to make substantial additional work to fit it with the conditions in the RFP.

Yes, it can be based on an existing solution, as long as it complies with the licensing requirements, ref TR9 and TR10 in Appendix 1: Specification of Requirements.

33. Can the proposal be based on an existing visual style and universe that is adapted based on the feedback from target group? Or do you require that a concept is created from scratch involving the target group and stakeholders in the proposal?

Yes, it can be adapted based on an existing visual style and universe, as long it is complies with the licensing requirements, ref TR9 and TR10 in Appendix 1: Specification of Requirements.

34. We would like to buy all rights to an existing framework for making a social builder game w. language learning, instead of developing the same functionality again. This is like buying a template that holds a lot of the needed functionality, but at a higher and more precise level than a game engine. Would it be acceptable to use some of the funds for this - assuming this purchase includes the rights to share the platform and extensions in line with the license requirements in the RFP?

Yes, it is possible to use some of the funds to buy the rights to an existing game platform which can be used to build the solution. This purchase must include all intellectual property rights so that the bid complies with the licensing requirements, ref TR9 and TR10 in Appendix 1: Specification of Requirements.

35. If the funds are used to further develop on an existing app, can the existing app still continue to be sold in other languages if it shares/uses code and assets developed in the current project?

Yes.

36. Do we need to translate Danish company registration papers, given that the language is very similar to Norwegian?

No, Danish and Swedish documents will not have to be translated, due to the language similarities.

37. How do you envision that the App is updated and maintained following the release to make sure it adapts to new operating systems, devices and maybe user requests? Would it be advisable to release it early in phase 3 to allow for iterations, feedback and bug fixing?

We are planning to release the App early in Phase 3, so that the Supplier can make further iterations and bug fixing based on feedback. This is actually a fundamentally important part of the project, for which we have dedicated significant time and resources. After the conclusion of the bid process (after Phase 3), NTNU will continue iterations and bug fixing, using funds and resources that have been allocated separately (outside of the competition funds) for this purpose.

38. In the call you describe that NTNU will be deeply involved on the research side. Do you consider it advantageous to include other research institutions for similar tasks?

Suppliers are free to bring in other research institutions, but competition funds cannot be spent on this.

39. Should the supplier include funds for NTNU or other partner’s work in their budget, for example for PR, roll-out, field testing etc.?

Suppliers only need to include costs for field testing which is a natural part of their app development process, not for NTNU’s independent testing. It is not necessary to include costs for PR and roll-out strategies.

40. Do you allow for a quicker release of early version(s) of the game, or first levels of the game, to get it into the hands of the target group, thereby receiving crucially feedback and getting quicker adaptation?

Yes, we are already planning for releasing the game at the beginning of Phase 3, ref also Q&A 37. However, we are open for discussing even quicker release of early versions, or first levels. We will solicit feedback from selected suppliers on this issue after the initial competition.

41. Will an app designed for visually impaired and blind children be accepted?

Most likely not, as we anticipate that apps designed exclusively for specific groups of users are very likely to run into conflict with the principle of inclusive design, ref Technical Requirement 8: “The application shall have an inclusive design, meaning that it should be accessible to, and usable by, as many people as reasonably possible without the need for special adaptation or specialized design.“ See also question and answer 27.

42. What do “individual sounds” mean in the description of the five component skills of literacy in section 3.3. in the Appendix 1: Specification of Requirements?

The Arabic language uses the alphabetic principle and therefore has letters which are always related to specific consonantal sounds. The letters of the Arabic alphabet have names which usually include the targeted consonantal sound initially with a following vowel or a combination of a consonant, a vowel and a final consonant, which may or may not be the same as the initial one. The letter sounds (or relationships between Arabic letters and sounds) we are concerned with are going to be those of the Arabic language used in Syrian schools and pre-schools and not the sounds of the Syrian dialect used at home or in the community. See also Technical Requirement 6 in Appendix 1: Specification of Requirements.

43. How will you assess children’s literacy progress and more specifically test oral reading fluency?

We are still developing the testing regime (see also Q&A 5). The implementation research conducted by NTNU will probably include pre-test/post-test with an experimental or quasi-experimental design, where there is a control group and where each competing entry represents a treatment. For testing oral reading fluency we will probably provide a reading passage and count the number of words read correctly in a specific time interval, such as correct words per minute.

44. How important is it to include academic references in the initial submission documentation?

The most important is to describe how the app can achieve the goals of the competition related to literacy and psychosocial wellbeing, and there are no requirements for a given academic standard beyond the documentation requirements already specified in the competition documents. If there are academic references which are directly relevant to an app’s particular approach or foundational idea, it makes sense to include these, whereas more general references to research are less relevant.

45. Can we comply with the APK size limit by having different versions for different processors, each below 100MB?

Yes

46. Which processor architectures are required to be supported?

We have no specific requirements in terms of processor architectures.

47. Where shall we submit supplementary information (for instance information concerning reservations or declarations of commitment) which is asked for, but which is not explicitly listed in any of the fields on the submission platform eduapp4syria.skild.com?

The phone number of the contact person can be entered when registering as a user or be added to the user profile later.

We would like supplementary information concerning any reservations, information about business relations etc. of significance to participation and declarations of commitment by subcontractors to be submitted/uploaded to eduapp4syria.skild.com as part of the “bidder’s plan for project execution”.

Information concerning issues like reservations and declarations of commitment will not count towards the word limit of 1500. We ask that such information is clearly separated (e.g. a new headline) from the other content in the bidder’s plan for project execution. Please note that the bidder’s plan for project execution can only be uploaded as one file!

48. Section 2.5 in the Rules for the Competition states that “The tender must be submitted by web form according to the outline provided below: 1. Letter of tender (web form) […]” Please confirm that the web form referred here is the one intended for bid submission; eduapp4syria.skild.com.

Yes, “web form” refers to eduapp4syria.skild.com.

49. The Rules for the Competition-document states several possible grounds for rejection of a bid. Please clarify how these cases will be evaluated

The Rules for the competition, points 2.10.1. and 2.10.2 enumerates the possible reasons for the rejection of a bid. All cases that might lead to a possible rejection will be assessed by Norad based on the information available to Norad concerning the issue. The assessment will be based on core principles for procurement: fairness, integrity, equal treatment, transparency and accountability.

Norad is not obligated to do further research/ask for further information on a matter that might lead to a rejection of a tender. There is no obligation for a bidder to provide supplemental documentation supporting their eligibility.

However, if a bidder considers the bid at risk to be rejected, it is possible to provide supplementary documentation in support of their eligibility. Such documentation must uploaded under “the bidder’s plan for project execution”. The documentation must be clearly separated from other documentation (new headline), will not count towards the 1500 word limit, and will not be part of the assessment on any other issue.

50. In our opinion it is possible either to create a single, elaborate game, where children answer questions to play the game and move (usually) through various levels), or to create a variety of different instructional games, with children able to select the games and the order they play them. Is either approach acceptable to you?

Yes, as long as the given approach is in line with the technical and user experience requirements in Appendix 1: Specification of Requirements.

51. Do you have a goal for how many words learned for each age student?

We are focused on children learning to decode and make meaning of text and so the size of the vocabulary is not a criterion for judging. After using the game, a child should be able to read and understand words that are already in his or her vocabulary. Then, as the child learns more vocabulary they will have the ability to read and understand it as well.

52. Our vocabulary activities will include audio files for the words. Do you desire audio files for the definitions as well?

This is up to the supplier.

53. What kind of scoring system will be used?

Please see Q&A 5 and 43, as well as Appendix 1: Specification of Requirements. We will ultimately be measuring literacy learning outcomes and effects on psychosocial wellbeing, and the User Experience Requirements are considered important for achieving these longer-term effects.

54. What type of measurements of psychosocial wellbeing gains will be used?

This will depend on which psychosocial wellbeing indicators a given approach is targeting, ref Appendix 1: Specification of Requirements. There is a variety of testing procedures available for different types of indicators.

55. What level of religious appropriateness is required?

We will not set any specific standards for appropriateness beyond User Experience Requirement 1 in Appendix 1: Specification of Requirements: “Syrian parents/guardians should consider the game and its content to be appropriate for their children (both girls and boys) to use for Arabic literacy learning and for enhancing psychosocial wellbeing”, and Technical Requirement 8: “The application shall have an inclusive design, meaning that it should be accessible to, and usable by, as many people as reasonably possible without the need for special adaptation or specialized design”. See also Q&A 27.

56. Are there any requirements for the consistency of image formats (drawn vs. photographic)?

No.

57. What type of reporting is required: (1) for students and (2) for anyone else on site

We have no reporting requirements beyond what is already stated in User Experience Requirement 12 in Appendix 1: Specification of Requirements: “The game should have features that help parents/guardians monitor their children’s progress related to literacy skills development”.

58. Do you want an entry assessment & placement or start everyone at the most basic skills?

We are interested in an app that will help children who have no ability to read, ref Q&A 8, but that will also be useful to children who have acquired some reading skills (from their family for example). We leave it up to the supplier to determine how these considerations can best be integrated into the app.

59. Can I use PowerPoint to create the interactive prototype or describe it in writing?

As described in more detail in Q&A 1 the prototype should demonstrate some of the core mechanics of the game. This means that a PowerPoint or written explanation will not be accepted as a prototype. The prototype needs to be interactive in the sense that the user should be able to execute actions in the prototype related to gameplay. As described in section 4.4 in The Rules for the Competition, The simple interactive prototype can be web-based, Android or iOS.

60. Can the prototype be provided through the test flight mode for iOS?

It is ok to provide it in test flight mode for iOS devices, as long as you provide clear instructions for how to test the app.

61. Can the app be supported by a hardware part, such as educational smart toys? This will add more functions and fun, and will not cost a lot.

No, the funds cannot be used for this purpose, as it diverts resources from the core aim and can also reduce the scalability of the approach (as the toys would need to reach the users somehow).

62. Can we add some activities that require printing (on normal A4 printer)?

No, as that imposes additional costs on the users and can reduce the scalability of the approach.

63. I already did a lot of work as part of the initial competition. Can I send Norad an invoice for these hours?

No. The up to five suppliers that enter into contract with Norad will only be able to submit invoices in accordance with the milestones set up for Phase 1, as regulated in the Framework agreement and the draft call-off contract for phase 1. As specified in the draft call-off contract, the payment schedule for Phase 1 is as follows:

a. NOK 150 000 upon having signed the call-off contract

b. NOK 150 000 upon submission and approval of draft personas and plan for testing

c. NOK 200 000 upon submission and approval of phase report and alpha version

Thus, it is not possible to send an invoice for previous work on the prototype. Signing the framework agreement and the call off contract for phase 1 will, however, enable you to send an invoice for NOK 150 000. Norad will pay that invoice within 30 days of receiving the invoice. The bidders must take the above into account when planning their development process.

64. Do the invoices need to be very detailed?

No. The submission of invoices takes place when the supplier has delivered in accordance with the milestones set up in the framework agreement, incl. call-off contracts and the tender documents (see also Q&A 63). It is not necessary for the invoices to be detailed as long as the deliverables have been approved.

65. It is stated in the framework agreement that "Invoices shall not contain any Order fees, Invoicing Charges, or similar…”. Can you please clarify what these are?

Norad will not accept any fees or charges above the agreed upon amount for the milestone in question.

66. Does Norad need to approve invoices from sub-contractors?

Norad does not enter into a contractual relation with the subcontractors of our suppliers. We therefore do not need to see/approve invoices by subcontractors.

It should be noted that the suppliers have the sole responsibility for fulfilling their contractual obligations to their subcontractors.

67. We are a company based in Jordan, where each European Embassy has its Certified Offices for Translation. Can any certified office that translates for Schengen be accepted?

Yes.

68. Is there a standard template for the declaration of commitment?

No, Norad has no standard template for the declaration of commitment. It is however important that such a declaration states; 1. Name of enterprise, address etc (of the subcontractor), 2. A confirmation that the subcontractor commits to deliver services (and possibly which) for the implementation of the framework agreement.

69. Do we have a limit on the number of illustrations for the concept document in the initial competition?

No, the only limitation is the 1000 word limit.

70. When we describe the planned allocation of funds throughout the project, does it have to be very detailed or is it okay to give broader estimates?

It is ok to give broader estimates. As the project enters new phases, we expect estimates to become more precise.