Crown Agents has been handling procurement under Population Services International's (PSI) social marketing work since the initiative was launched back in 2002. This has involved the procurement, inspection and distribution of Long Lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLINs), condoms and other contraceptives as well as vehicles on behalf of PSI for use in the western region of Kenya and Nairobi.
The contract to manage the vehicle procurement is part of PSI's social marketing campaign supported by the Department for International Development (DFID) until 2015. We have already procured, branded and delivered 7 vehicles with 3 more on the way under this assignment. The project includes the branding of the outreach vehicles with PSI colours - the graphics on the vehicles feature malaria control nets and family planning contraceptives such as Femiplan.
Crown Agents is pre-qualified by DFID as procurement agent and has prepared specifications for the vehicles to be procured; prepared tender documents; issued evaluation reports; followed up PSI for approval and transfer of funds; and contracted suppliers for vehicles and graphic designers to do the branding.
An additional 13 vehicles have recently been requested as part of the programme to improve mobility and increase the number of people reached by the project. The vehicles are used for dissemination of information in the PSI's outreach and advocacy campaigns under their malaria and contraceptives social marketing project. As a result, we expect an increase in the use of bednets which will reduce mortality rates in pregnant women and children, especially the under-fives. We also expect improved family planning practices among the grassroots population targeted by PSI.