RFP - the Empanelment of Agencies/Organizations/ NGOs/Trusts/ Individuals etc. as Accessibility Auditors of Digital and Web Accessibility

Follow us@ngobox

About the Organization

Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan) under Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment was set up in May 2012 with the aims to facilitate empowerment and inclusion of the persons with disabilities and acts as a nodal agency to look after all development agenda of Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan).Empowerment of persons with disabilities is an inter-disciplinary process, covering various aspects namely, prevention, early detection, intervention, education, health, vocational training, rehabilitation and social integration.

About the Proposal

India is signatory to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCPRD). Article 9 of UNCPRD casts an obligation on all the signatory governments to take appropriate measure to ensure to persons with disabilities access, on an equal basis with others to the physical environment, to transportation, to information and communications technologies and systems, and to other facilities and services open or provided to the public, both in urban and in rural areas.

The Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities is the Nodal Department pertaining to disability affairs, working proactively towards mainstreaming and empowering Persons with Disabilities through the development of universally accessible ecosystems. In view of the growing demand for an inclusive, safe, and comfortable experience for Persons with Disabilities, ensuring incorporation of accessible features in the built environment is the need of the hour and for the same, accessibility at core is essential to be imparted in the minds of implementing agencies to ensure the universal accessibility.

For this purpose, to ensure all the establishment are accessible to all, the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Government of India invites “Expression of Interest” from the various agencies/NGOs/registered societies/trusts etc. to showcase their interest for the empanelment with this Department as “Accessibility Auditors in Built Environment”. The interested entities may then send their organizational profile along with the details of qualification, relevant professional course which authorizes the agencies/NGOs/registered societies etc. to conduct accessibility audits in the built environment.

Scope of work

Scope of Work The empanelled access auditors in the built-up environment with the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) typically should have the responsibility to assess and evaluate the accessibility of infrastructure and facilities for persons with disabilities. The scope of work for empanelled access auditors includes:

• Accessibility audits of built environment, including public buildings, transportation systems, educational institutions, recreational facilities etc. to ensure compliance with accessibility standards and guidelines notified under Rule 15 of the RPwD Rules.
• Documenting and reporting on the status of accessibility features in various built environments.
• Providing detailed reports highlighting areas of non-compliance and suggesting corrective measures
• Jointly with DEPwD conduct training sessions or workshops for stakeholders involved in design, construction and maintenance of built environment to raise awareness about accessibility requirements.
• Monitoring and evaluating the implementation of recommended measures to ensure that they are effectively incorporated and continue to meet accessibility standards. vi. Staying updated on changes in accessibility standards and regulations through continuous professional development.

It is important for empanelled access auditors to work closely with the DEPwD and other relevant stakeholders to contribute to the creation of more inclusive and accessible environment for PwDs. The scope of work may vary based on the specific needs and priorities outlined by the Department and the applicable legal framework.

Aims &objectives.

The core objective of empanelment of accessibility auditor is;

• Ensuring to cater the growing demand for an inclusive, safe and comfortable experience for all and especially Persons with Disabilities (PwD).
• To ensure the mandatory compliance of the accessibility guidelines/standards notified under Rule 15 ofthe Right of Persons with Disabilities Rules
• Engage a high number of access auditors across the nation as compared to the lakhs of buildings in the country.
• To seek professional expertise available on this matter in the country.

Eligibility

• Registration Certificate of the agency/NGO/trust/registered societies etc. (Appropriate registration under Society/Trust/Companies Act)
• The applicant (firm or lead auditor) should be in the business of providing similar consultancy services for at least 10 years as on — —date
• The applicant’s organisation should be financially operational for last 02 consecutive years i.e (—Date and date-----)
• The applicant's organisation or lead auditor shall have experience of working with Central Government or State Government or public sector entities on conducting accessibility audits.
• The firm should not be blacklisted Dy any Central Govt./State Govt/PSU/Govt Bodies
• PAN No. / Service Tax Registration Certificate

In addition to the minimum eligibility criteria, following are the desirable qualifications/experience that may also be considered while screening of the proposals by DEPwD should be submitted under format 6 (Additional Information) supported by the relevant documentary proof;

• The applicants may share the industry recognition by providing evidence of any industry awards/national awards for the work undertaken, recognition or certifications received for their work in promoting accessibility.
• Highlight the agency’s involvement in accessibility related initiatives, collaborations with disability organisations etc. by supporting with relevant documentary proof.
• Provide evidence ofthe educational qualifications, training programs or any national/intemational certificate course undertaken by the key personnel/lead auditor of the organisation in the field of accessibility
• Submit a list of team members who have received specialised training in accessibility even if it’s not through a formal certificate course.
• Include testimonials or references from previous clients who can vouch for the agency’s competence in conducting accessibility audits.

How to Apply

All information is to be submitted in one hard copy in separately sealed envelopes and one soft copy through email:-

• Applicant’s Expression of Interest as per Format-1.
• Organizational Contact Details as per Format-2.
• Experience of the organization as per Format-3.
• List of experts/ consultants on payroll and other team composition as per Format4.
• Financial strength of the company as per Format-5.
• Additional information as per Format-6.
• Declaration as per Format-7.
• Complete checklist ofthe submitted information as per Format 8.
• Revised EOI document has been hosted on the website and may be downloaded from the website. https://dcpwd.gov.in/
• The bidders are expected to examine all instructions, formats, terms of reference and other details in the revised EOI document carefully. Failure to furnish complete information with supporting documents against the minimum eligibility criteria as mentioned or submission of a proposal not substantially responsive to the EOI documents in every respect will be at the Bidder’s risk and may result in rejection ofthe proposal.
• The applicants are strictly advised to submit lead auditor information in the prescribed format 4, if available. Failure in furnishing the information may result in rejection of the application
• The applicants are mandatorily advised to attach the checklist of all the submitted information as per format 8.
• The failure to provide the required information in the specified formats (format 1 to format 8) may result in the rejection of the application, notwithstanding the submission of all other details.
• Application in scaled cover super scribed, as “EOI for providing services regarding web accessibility audit under DEPwD'*.

Proposal, in its complete form in all respects as specified in the EOI, must be submitted to DEPwD at the address specified herein earlier as well as through email. In exceptional circumstances and at its discretion. DEPwD may extend the deadline for submission of proposals by issuing an amendment to be made available on the DEPwD website, in which case all rights and obligations of DEPwD and the bidders previously subject to the original deadline will thereafter be subject to the deadline as extended.

For more information please check the Link

Stay in the loop with the newest RFPs and Grants through NGOBOX's WhatsApp Channel. Join now by clicking here!

Tags Environment and Sustainability Women Empowerment Others