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Process

The GAIN premix facility (GPF) uses a professional, competitive and transparent approach to sourcing vitamin and mineral premix.

A stringent, multi-stage supplier selection process is utilised to ensure competitive pricing and to prequalify suppliers in terms of quality control and adherence to good manufacturing practice. The key stages of the selection process are:

  • Expression of Interest (EOI) stage - EOIs are invited from potential suppliers, including direct invitation to major global and regional players, as well as from public advertising of the EOI in major industry publications and on the GAIN and Crown Agents websites.

    • EOIs are assessed based on the supplier’s manufacturing capability and their ability to demonstrate adherence to good manufacturing practices. This assessment included inspection of third party audit documentation, as well as the execution of on-site audits to physically validate operational practices.

  • Request for Proposal (RFP) stage – RFPs are issued to the shortlist of suppliers who have passed the EOI stage.

    • RFPs are assessed based on the supplier’s ability to submit a competitive commercial offer to supply the GAIN premix facility. In addition, all blenders are required to submit samples of their current production for analysis by Intertek, the GPF Certification Agent.

  • Ongoing Supply Agreement – Crown Agents, the GPF Procurement Agent, has implemented long term agreements with the group of approved suppliers which set in place the standard terms and conditions for premix deliveries.

Customers send a request for a quotation through the GAIN premix facility website (premixfacility@gainhealth.org), specifying what type of premix they need, the quantity, the delivery address and the requested delivery date.

Through a ‘mini-tender’ process facilitated by Crown Agents, blenders bid on a competitive basis to supply the order placed through the GAIN premix facility. Blenders competitively source raw materials from suppliers approved by the GAIN premix facility to ensure quality.

Through this process, suppliers are incentivised to deliver good service at a lower cost in order to win more orders.

FAQ on the GPF

  1. What is the GPF and why is GAIN involved? The GAIN premix facility (GPF) is an initiative launched by GAIN to facilitate the reliable supply of affordable, quality certified vitamin and mineral premix. GAIN’s objective in operating this facility is to promote the use of good quality vitamins and minerals, so that fortified products deliver the intended nutritional benefit to consumers vulnerable to malnutrition. At the same time, given that GAIN often provides financial support to these projects, the competitive procurement process of the GPF ensures that the premix is procured efficiently from a cost perspective to deliver value for money.
  2. What is GAIN’s role? GAIN’s role is to facilitate an effective supply process for premix, providing an alternate method of procurement. GAIN has engaged a Procurement Agent, Crown Agents, to run the procurement process and act as the contracting party with suppliers and customers. GAIN has also engaged a specialist Certification Agent, Intertek, to provide analytical and certification services to maintain quality through the supply chain.
  3. How does the procurement process work and are local suppliers treated fairly? Every order is subject to a competitive tender process which is open to bidding by a group of 16 blenders and 28 premix manufacturers who have been prequalified in terms of their manufacturing standards. Suppliers were selected through an open, transparent process which was open to any supplier around the world. The GPF treats all premix suppliers fairly and without bias. Where a customer or project has a strong preference for a local in-country source of premix supply, GAIN and Crown Agents can work together with the customer to compare the best bids received from both local and global sources, so that the right decision is made for the project.
  4. Is the GPF service only available to GAIN’s projects? No, the GPF service is also open to any organization or company producing nutritious food products for people vulnerable to malnutrition.  In addition to GAIN supported projects, the GPF has already supplied premix to private sector food producers in developing countries, UNICEF and other NGOs, fortified food producers of the World Food Program and other non-government aid organisations.