Establishment of Framework Agreements for the Supply of Milled White Rice (Basmati Grade II)

1.  Background

Secours Islamique France (SIF) is an international humanitarian organization working to provide assistance and support to vulnerable populations affected by natural disasters, armed conflicts and economic hardship.

As part of its operational activities in Pakistan, SIF intends to establish Framework Agreements with qualified suppliers for the supply of Milled White Rice (Basmati Grade II). Through this Call for Expression of Interest (EOI) and Tender, SIF aims to identify, assess and prequalify reliable suppliers capable of meeting its quality, commercial and delivery requirements.

2.  Purpose and Estimated Requirement

SIF intends to establish a pool of qualified suppliers for the potential supply of approximately 66,000 KG of Milled White Rice (Basmati Grade II) during the period 01 January to 30 June 2027.

The estimated quantity is indicative only and does not constitute a minimum purchase commitment, guaranteed volume or exclusivity. Actual quantities and delivery schedules will depend on SIF's operational requirements, available funding and approved Purchase Orders.

3.  Product and Technical Specifications

Product: Milled White Rice – Basmati Grade II. The product shall comply with the attached Annex I: Technical Specifications for Milled White Rice (Basmati) – including applicable requirements and test limits.

The specification identifies eligible varieties as Basmati 385, Basmati 370, Basmati 198 and Lateefy, and refers to Pakistan Standard PS:3342-2007. The full annex shall prevail for detailed quantitative and qualitative requirements. Suppliers must not assume that the summary in this notice replaces the annex.

Suppliers shall confirm compliance with the complete technical specification and identify any exception clearly. Any deviation will be subject to SIF's written review and acceptance; suppliers must not assume that a deviation is acceptable.

4.  Scope of Supply

The selected suppliers may be requested to:

•         Supply rice in accordance with the approved technical specification and the relevant Purchase Order.

•         Maintain or demonstrate access to sufficient stock and sourcing capacity.

•         Deliver the quantities to the locations specified in each Purchase Order.

•         Ensure consistent quality, suitable packaging and product identification.

•         Provide delivery notes, invoices, certificates of analysis and other quality documents when requested.

•         Replace rejected or non-compliant products at their own expense, subject to the Framework Agreement and Purchase Order conditions.

5.  Framework Agreement and Ordering Mechanism

The Framework Agreement will be valid from 01 January 2027 until 30 June 2027 ( it can be extended as needed). SIF may conclude agreements with more than one supplier.

•         No minimum quantity, regular order frequency, or guaranteed business volume is committed.

•         Individual orders will be placed through Purchase Orders specifying quantity, delivery location, delivery deadline, price and applicable conditions.

•         Before an order is placed, SIF may request price and availability confirmation or quotations from the approved framework suppliers, in accordance with the agreed framework ordering mechanism and SIF procurement procedures.

•         Orders may be allocated based on the applicable price, availability, delivery capacity, quality and past performance, in accordance with the framework terms.

•         A Framework Agreement does not guarantee exclusivity or a right to receive Purchase Orders.

6.  Eligibility and Documents to Submit

Interested suppliers shall submit the following, as applicable:

•         Company profile and valid business registration documents.

•         NTN certificate and applicable sales tax registration; ATL status where applicable.

•         Description of relevant experience supplying rice or other food commodities.

•         Details of previous bulk, institutional, NGO or humanitarian supply contracts, with supporting evidence where available.

•         Details of rice sourcing arrangements, mills, wholesalers or other supply-chain partners.

•         Current stock position (KG) and evidence where available.

•         Maximum quantity available per order and maximum monthly supply capacity (KG).

•         Storage facility address, capacity (MT), ownership/lease status and photographs, where available.

•         Geographical coverage, delivery arrangements, available vehicles or transport arrangements, and estimated delivery lead time.

•         At least two client references, where available.

•         Bank account certificate or bank-issued account confirmation.

•         Signed declaration confirming the accuracy of submitted information and disclosure of any conflict of interest.

7.  Technical and Quality Requirements

Suppliers shall submit a clear compliance statement against Annex I and provide available product information, recent laboratory reports or certificates of analysis, product/sample photographs and details of the proposed source or variety. SIF may request a sample, conduct a supplier/site visit, verify references, inspect stock or arrange independent testing.

Any sample, inspection or prequalification assessment does not waive the supplier's obligation to meet the specification for every delivery. Acceptance will be determined in accordance with the Framework Agreement and the relevant Purchase Order.

8.  Financial Proposal

Suppliers shall complete the following price schedule. Prices shall be quoted in PKR and shall clearly distinguish the base unit price, applicable taxes and delivery costs.

Suppliers shall state the price validity period, payment expectations (if any), delivery lead time and any assumptions or exclusions. The indicative quantity is for pricing and planning only and is not a purchase commitment. SIF may request a price confirmation or updated quotation before issuing a Purchase Order, subject to the agreed framework terms.

9.  Supplier Assessment and Selection

SIF will conduct administrative screening, technical assessment and financial review. The assessment may include document verification, reference checks, supplier visits, stock inspections, sample review and/or laboratory testing.

SIF may select one or several suppliers that meet its requirements. Selection will be based on compliance, demonstrated capacity, quality assurance, delivery capability, commercial competitiveness and due diligence results. SIF reserves the right to seek clarifications, negotiate framework conditions where permitted, reject non-compliant submissions or cancel the process in accordance with its procurement procedures.

10.  Submission Instructions

Interested suppliers shall submit their administrative documents, technical proposal and financial offer electronically to:

Email: [ [email protected] ] or hard copy to (Plot 29, Ground Floor, Street 40, I&T Center, G-10/4, Islamabad,  Pakistan).(SIF) – Pakistan Mission

Subject: SIF-PAK-KHI-LOG-11-2026-Milled White Rice – School Meals Program

Deadline: [30th Nov 2026, 05:00 PM ]

For further information, interested parties may contact SIF through the official contact details provided above.

Submissions received after the deadline may be rejected. All clarification requests must be sent through the official tender communication channel. SIF responses and any formal amendments will be communicated through email only

11.  General Conditions

•         Participation in this process does not guarantee prequalification, a Framework Agreement or any Purchase Order.

•         SIF may verify all information and documents submitted and may request additional evidence.

•         Suppliers must disclose any actual or potential conflict of interest.

•         Suppliers must comply with applicable laws and SIF's relevant anti-fraud, anti-corruption, sanctions and safeguarding requirements.

•         SIF may suspend or terminate a Framework Agreement for non-performance, misrepresentation, quality failures or other contractual breaches, subject to its terms.

•         The Framework Agreement and individual Purchase Orders will define the final contractual conditions, including delivery, inspection, acceptance, invoicing, payment, taxes, price validity and remedies.

12.  Annex

Annex I – Technical Specifications for Milled White Rice (Basmati) – Pakistan, .

1/6

Technical Specifications for:

MILLED WHITE RICE (BASMATI) - PK

Version: 1

Replacing: n/a

Date of issue: Nov 19, 2025

FOSTER Reference: FS00753

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

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1. Introduction

Product name (hereafter called the product):

Milled white rice BASMATI-(GRADE II) General description:

This specification applies to the "Long Grain, Milled White Rice (Raw) Grade II" (as per PS:3342-2007) of Basmati rice product that WFP purchases locally and internationally to distribute within Pakistan. Variety include Basmati 385, Basmati 370, Basmati 198, and Lateefy.

Definitions and other introductory details:

BROKEN GRAIN : Broken grains that have the length less than 7.5 parts (or 75.0%) of whole rice grain. -CHALKY GRAIN : the grain of which 50 % or more of the surface area is white like the color of chalk. The core whiteness of Basmati 385 variety shall not be considered as chalky grains while completely chalk like grains of this variety shall be considered chalky grains. CHALKY GRAIN FOR BASMATI 385: The core whiteness of Basmati 385 variety shall not be considered as chalky grains while completely chalk like grains of this variety shall be considered chalky grains. - DAMAGED GRAIN: The grain which is 25 % or more distinctly discolored or damaged by heat, water disease, insects or other means.

-  FILTH: impurities of animal origin, excluding dead insects.

-  FOREIGN GRAIN : Seeds other than rice such as wheat, pulses

-  FOREIGN MATTER: All material other than grain, bran or paddy

-  HEAD RICE: the grain that retains the length of 08/10th or more of the average length of the unbroken grain as specified for that class of rice.

-  HUSKED RICE: Paddy rice from which the husk only has been removed.

-  IMMATURE GRAINS: Are unripe and/or undeveloped whole or broken grains.

-  LONG GRAIN: Shall be the head rice/whole grain having the average grain length of more than 6.0 mm but not more than 6.9 mm.

-  MILLED RICE (WHITE RICE): Husked rice from which all or part of the bran and germ have been removed by milling.

-  OTHER VARIETY: Rice grains that are not of the specified variety as per the contractual requirement - PADDY RICE: Rice which has retained its husk after threshing.

-  PART OF RICE GRAIN: Each part of the whole grain that is divided lengthwise into 10 equal parts.

-  RED GRAINS: Are whole or broken grains with a red-coloured pericarp covering more than one-quarter of their surface.

-  RICE: whole and broken grains obtained from the species Oryza sativa L.

-  UNDER MILLED RICE: Milled rice which is not equal to the milling requirements for Extra Milled Rice, Well Milled, Reasonably Well milled and Ordinary Milled as definition under grades of Milled Rice for milling degree.

-Reasonably Well Milled: The milling of paddy from which the husk, the greater parts of the germ and of both of its outer and inner bran layers have been removed to a certain extent that the grains present it moderate translucence in a degree less than that of well milled rice.

-  WHOLE GRAIN: The full grains without any broken part.

-  YELLOW GRAIN: The grains of which 25 % or more of the surface area has turned yellow in color.

The following aspects are as per contract:

-  Radiation requirement

-  GMOs-related requirements

-  Shelf-life

-  Specific labelling requirements

-  Specific product net weight

-  Specific packaging type selected from options in applicable packaging specification only 2. Standards

Except when specified otherwise in the contract, the raw materials, the manufacture, testing, packaging and labelling, of the product shall be in strict compliance with the specifications set forth herein, and with the latest edition of the following standards/guidelines (whichever is stricter). Supplier shall not deviate in any way from the specifications without WFP's prior written consent.

Codex Texts can be found in the following webpages:

-  Standards: https://www.fao.org/fao-who-codexalimentarius/codex-texts/list-standards/tr/;

-  Codes of practice: https://www.fao.org/fao-who-codexalimentarius/codex-texts/codes-of-practice/en/;

-  Guidelines: https://www.fao.org/fao-who-codexalimentarius/codex-texts/guidelines/tr/;

-  Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) and Extraneous Maximum Residue Limits (EMRLs) for pesticides: https://www.fao.org/fao-who-codexalimentarius/codex-texts/dbs/pestres/en/;

-  Additionally, Guidelines of International Commission on Microbiological Specifications for Foods can be found here: https://www.icmsf.org/publications/books/.

Applicable Standards

-  CODEX GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF FOOD HYGIENE (CXC 1-1969)

-  CODEX GENERAL STANDARD FOR CONTAMINANTS AND TOXINS IN FOOD AND FEED (CXS 193-1995)

-  CODEX MAXIMUM RESIDUE LIMITS (MRLs) AND CODEX EXTRANEOUS MAXIMUM RESIDUE LIMITS (EMRLs) FOR PESTICIDES

-  RECOMMENDED METHODS OF SAMPLING FOR THE DETERMINATION OF PESTICIDE RESIDUES FOR COMPLIANCE WITH

MRLS (CXG 33-1999)

-  CODE OF PRACTICE FOR THE PREVENTION AND REDUCTION OF MYCOTOXIN CONTAMINATION IN CEREALS

(CXC 51-

2003)

-  CODEX STANDARD FOR RICE (CXS 198-1995)

-  THAI RICE STANDARDS, 1997

-  VIETNAM WHITE RICE STANDARDS, TCVN 5644:2008 AND TCVN 5643:1999

-  PAKISTAN STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS FOR RICE (PS 3342-2007)

3. Product Specifications

-  The product’s organoleptic characteristics shall be characteristics of the designated product.

-  The product shall meet the testing requirements stated in this document.

-  Unless otherwise specified, the product quality shall be uniform and practically free of foreign materials, non-target grains/seeds (especially toxic seeds) and soil residues. This is typically accomplished using validated and maintained mechanical cleaning processes such as sieving, gravity separation, aspiration and others (as appropriate). Using of

3/6 sorted waste materials and residuals resulting from cargo manipulation/cleaning, which can contain pockets of concentrated defective products, filth, and/or toxic seeds, is prohibited (e.g., tailings, sweepings, sorted wastes). - The producer shall be authorized by competent governmental authorities to process products for human consumption and to export. The authorization of export is only required when the producer supplies WFP internationally.

-  GMOs-related requirements shall be as per contract. When non-GMOs or GMOs-free requirements are made in the contract without specifying a maximum limit, the product is considered as acceptable if it contains, consists of or is produced from materials with traces of authorized GMOs in a proportion no higher than 0.9% (if the product is not consisting of a single ingredient the limit shall be applied to each ingredient considered individually), provided that GMOs presence is adventitious or technically unavoidable, in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 (the latest version in force). Operators must be in a position to supply evidence to satisfy the competent authorities that they have taken appropriate steps to avoid the presence of such material. The EU register of authorised GMOs is available at https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/dyna2/gm-register/.

4. Product Safety

-  The product shall not contain any harmful substances including, but not limited to, micro-organisms, heavy metals, pesticides, mycotoxin, foreign matter or anti-nutritional factors, in amounts that may represent a hazard to health. Where there is no applicable standard available, The Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) and The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) evaluations shall be considered for guidance limits.

-  Fit for human consumption guarantee: Suppliers shall manage the quality of their product and guarantee that the product is ‘fit for human consumption’ and in line with TIC Council/IFIA Guidelines*.

-  The product shall comply strictly with Codex General Standard for Contaminants and Toxins in Food and Feed (CXS

193-1995), Codex Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) and Codex Extraneous Maximum Residue Limits (EMRLs) for Pesticides and Guidelines of International Commission on Microbiological Specifications for Foods**.

- The product shall be free from toxic or noxious seeds in amounts which may represent a hazard to human health.

This includes Crotolaria (Crotalaria spp.), Corn cockle (Agrostemma githago L.), Castor bean (Ricinus communis L.), Jimson weed (Datura spp.), and other seeds that are commonly recognized as harmful to health. A non-exhaustive list of these seeds can be found in ISO 7970.

Link of references mentioned above:

*http://www.ifia-federation.org/content/wp-content/uploads/Fit_for_Human_Consumption_Bulletin_Rev_4.pdf.

**https://www.icmsf.org/publications/books/.

5. Shelf-life

- When shelf life is requested in the contract, products shall have a minimum of 80% of shelf-life remaining when presented to WFP for inspection, unless otherwise authorized by WFP.

Shelf-life duration: n/a months

6. Packaging and Marking

When a WFP contract requires break-bulk delivery and/or empty packaging to be delivered with food, the product packaging, marking and stuffing of containers shall comply with the following specification:

Packaging specification link https://docs.wfp.org/api/documents/WFP-0000140775/download/

Templates for packaging artwork are available in the specification above and additional labelling requirements shall be as per contract.

Other information on packaging and labelling:

-  The applicable packaging is without PE inner liner, unless otherwise specified in the contract.

-  The following sentence shall be labelled in bold letters: "Allergen statement: may contain wheat, soybeans, barley, oats and rye.".

-  The marking shall meet the requirements outlined in the PS 3342-2007.

7.  Technical document requirements

When required, suppliers shall submit a Certificate of Analysis of the final product to WFP, along with other documents for payment. Additionally, suppliers shall provide other technical documents upon request from WFP.

8.  Analytical Requirements

Suppliers shall follow their own food safety and quality management plan. WFP can conduct tests on products as per the Table below. Additionally, WFP reserves the rights to change this testing plan at any time.

Any products taken for the purpose of weight check and lab testing (including retention samples) shall be replenished by the suppliers. The shipment quantity shall not be less than the purchased quantity. Where non-destructive inspection is done, suppliers shall close the package or replace it.

In addition to the pre-delivery Q&Q inspection, WFP can also perform prior-assessment (e.g., documentation check, production monitoring, audits, assessment of raw materials, etc.).

Suppliers acknowledge that any prior-assessment by WFP or its designated inspection agents does not constitute a determination whether the specifications for the foods set out in this document or any purchase order (including mandatory technical requirements) have been met. Suppliers will be required to comply with their warranty and other contractual obligations whether or not WFP carries out such prior assessment.

The prior-assessment undertaken by WFP or its designated inspection agents will not substitute for the pre-delivery Q&Q inspection and testing of the goods upon delivery to WFP.

The body of the specification shall be considered in order to verify if any additional requirement is applicable to the specific purchase.

Unless otherwise specified, all analysis requirements refer to the product as sold.

Quantitative Requirements

*  or equivalent validated methods.

Qualitative Requirements

*  or equivalent validated methods.

**Paddy grain needs to be count /100grain

***If any toxic, noxious seed is present in the sample, laboratory needs to identify the type and quantify the amount of each seed. The results of those tests shall be included as additional quantitative requirements. Following limits shall be considered:

Maximum 1 seed/kg for each of the following seeds: Crotolaria (Crotolaria spp.), Jimson weed (Datura spp.), Castor bean (Ricinus communis L.), Corn cockle (Agrostemma githago L.).

Maximum 7 seeds/kg for each of the following seeds: Mexican Poppy (Argemone mexicana), Cocklebur (Xanthium species), Field bindweed (Convolvulus spp.), Darnel Ryegrass (Lolium temulentum), Morning glory (Ipomoea purpurea).

Maximum 20 seeds/kg: any other weed seeds not mentioned above.

**** Testing for foreign and toxic seeds requirement, testing for dead insects’ requirement and testing for filth requirement can be performed on the same sample.

Test Type: Type A means mandatory test

End.