Become a supplier
To ensure the ongoing competitiveness of the GAIN premix facility (GPF) in the long term, we will run a periodic review of the supplier base approximately every 6-12 months.
The selection window will consist of a multi-stage selection process:
- Expression of Interest (EOI) – A public advertisement of the expression of interest will be conducted to capture interest from potential suppliers. EOIs will be publically advertised via the GAIN and Crown Agents websites. The focus of the expression of interest will be to qualify suppliers in terms of their production capability, quality controls and adherence to good manufacturing practices.
- Request for Proposal (RFP) – Suppliers who successfully pass through the EOI stage will be shortlisted for inclusion in a RFP. The focus of the Request for Proposal will be to secure competitive pricing and delivery service levels.
- Long Term Agreements and Tenders – Suppliers who successfully pass through the RFP stage will enter into long term agreements with Crown Agents. As orders are placed, Crown Agents will run a competitive tender process within the approved supplier pool to supply the order.
More information on how the GAIN premix facility (GPF) works can be found here.
We have also put together a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) to help answer some common enquiries:
- I am not currently an approved supplier to the GAIN Premix Facility - how do I become an approved supplier? What are the requirements to be part of the GAIN Premix Facility? Periodically, we will be running new selection windows to admit new suppliers to the approved GPF supplier pool. The supplier selection process will be in the form of a publically advertised Expression of Interest and Request for Proposal process. Successful suppliers will be required to enter into long term agreements with Crown Agents to supply premix and / or vitamin and mineral premix to the GPF. Feel free to send an email to premixfacility@gainhealth.org shall you wish to be informed of the next Expression of Interest.
- What sort of premix do your customers ask for? Our customers commonly require dry premixes for food staples such as fortified wheatflour and maizemeal, as well as products for infant and young child nutrition such as fortified porridges. Liquid applications such as fortified vegetable oil and condiments are also used in our programs. Finally, we source a number of straight minerals such as Potassium Iodate, Mono Calcium Phosphate and Potassium Chloride which are used in bulk rather than premix form for some applications.
- How does the bid process work? Once a customer requests a quotation through the GAIN premix facility, Crown Agent organizes a tender amongst the selected blenders and manufacturers, and the best quote is selected. The quotation is presented to the customer for approval and upon acceptance, a firm order placed with the successful supplier. It should be noted that all strategic vitamin and mineral elements must be sourced from GAIN approved manufacturers and that premix prices should be quoted on this basis. This rule ensures that vitamin and mineral raw materials are of good quality and that the premix blends meet the fortification objectives of the customer.
- Do I use my own vitamin and mineral suppliers or will GAIN ask me to work with certain suppliers of V&M? Strategic vitamins and minerals used in GPF premix blends must be sourced from approved GAIN suppliers. These suppliers have gone through a stringent selection process to ensure a high and consistent level of quality.
- Who do I invoice and how do I get paid? Vitamin and mineral manufacturers will supply micronutrients to GPF approved blenders. These manufacturers will invoice blenders directly and will be paid directly by the blender, not by GAIN or Crown Agents. Premix blenders will invoice Crown Agents for the supply of premix and will be paid directly by Crown Agents. Customers will in turn pay Crown Agents for premix orders procured through the GPF.
- What shipping terms of trade (INCOTERMS) are used? The default shipping terms will be CIF or CIP depending on how the goods are dispatched and the customer requirements. Where a blender is not able to organize freight, alternative shipping terms may be negotiated on an order by order basis. Customers may also request other terms, e.g. DAP, DDP on occasion.
- Will you require samples and certificates of analysis? All premix orders must be accompanied by a complying Certificate of Analysis. In addition, all premix production will be sampled and analysed to ensure compliance by the GPF Certification Agent, Intertek. Quality performance of suppliers will be measured on an ongoing basis. Repeated quality issues may cause blenders to be excluded from the GAIN premix facility on the grounds of non-performance.
- Do you require a certain type of packaging? Packaging requirements will be captured in the premix blend specification as agreed between GAIN and each customer. Wherever possible, these will be standardized to enable as many suppliers to compete to supply each order.
- Who will be my main point of contact? Crown Agents will be the intermediary between suppliers, Intertek (Quality Certification) and the customer. Supplier enquiries or issues should be sent to Crown Agents at the following email addresses: Louisa.Bare@crownagents.co.uk or Chris.Gilbert@crownagents.co.uk.
