Noumea, New Caledonia, 29/09/2026
Statistical Innovation and Capacity Building in the Pacific Islands (PACSTAT)
REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST
(CONSULTING SERVICES)
GRANT NUMBER E633-P3, P168182
Assignment Title: Regional OpenCRVS Technical Support Services for Pacific Countries
Reference No.: FJ-SPC-572068-CS-CQS / REOI26-10665
The Pacific Community (www.spc.int) has received financing in the amount of USD 6.0 million equivalent from the World Bank toward the cost of the Statistical Innovation and Capacity Building in the Pacific Islands Project, and it intends to apply part of the proceeds for consulting services.
SPC now invites eligible consulting firms to express their interest in providing consultancy services for the assignment entitled “Regional OpenCRVS Technical Support Services for Pacific Countries”.
The assignment is expected to start in December 2026 for an initial period of 3 months, followed by ongoing annual services, subject to funding. The detailed Terms of Reference (TOR) are available with this Request for Expressions of Interest. Interested consulting firms should submit information demonstrating their qualifications and relevant experience.
The consulting firm will be selected using the Consultant Qualifications Selection (CQS) method, in accordance with the World Bank Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers:
The attention of interested consulting firms is drawn to paragraphs 3.13, 3.15, and 3.16 of the World Bank Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers (Seventh Edition, September 2025) (“the Regulations”), which set out the World Bank’s policy on Conflict of Interest applicable to consulting services:
The World Bank Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers – Seventh Edition, September 2025
Further information can be obtained at the address below by e-mail.
Expressions of interest must be delivered in a written form to the address below by e-mail no later than 13/10/2026 by 23:45 Noumea Time (GMT+11).
Att: SPC Procurement Unit
email: procurement@spc.int
Reference: FJ-SPC-572068-CS-CQS-REOI26-10665
TERMS OF REFERENCE
FIRM / CONSULTING SERVICES
Regional OpenCRVS Technical Support Services (Pacific CRVS Programme)
Assignment Title: | Regional OpenCRVS Technical Support Services for Pacific Countries |
Location | Remote, with virtual engagement with SPC and participating Pacific countries |
Planned Duration | Initial period 1 December 2026 to 28 February 2027, followed by an annual service from 1 March 2027, subject to funding |
Expected Starting Date | 1 December 2026 |
Reference No | FJ-SPC-572068-CS-CQS / REOI26-10665 |
1.0 Background:
The Pacific Community (SPC) has received financing from the World Bank under the Statistical Innovation and Capacity Building in the Pacific Islands Project (PacStat) to support strengthened statistical systems and related data services in the Pacific. This assignment will be financed under PacStat Phase 1 Additional Financing and is expected to be completed by February 2027.
SPC’s Statistics for Development Division supports Pacific Island Countries and Territories to strengthen official statistics, including the availability and use of administrative and demographic data for evidence-based planning, policy and reporting. Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) systems are an important part of this work, as they record vital events such as births, deaths, marriages, divorces and adoptions and generate data for planning, monitoring and decision-making.
OpenCRVS is an open-source digital public good designed to support civil registration in low-resource settings. SPC, with funding from Bloomberg Philanthropies, has been working with OpenCRVS and Pacific countries to strengthen digital CRVS systems, with implementation or planned deployment in countries including Niue, Cook Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Kiribati. SPC also operates a regional Mortality Coding Portal built on the same platform.
A review of OpenCRVS support options has identified the need for a sustainable regional technical support arrangement. Current arrangements differ across countries, including hosting environments, infrastructure providers, configuration partners and support practices. The approach adopted is a single regional provider contracted to SPC to deliver combined Level 2 technical support and Level 3 expert technical support across participating configurations. Participating countries retain self-service and first-contact support. SPC retains coordination, contract management and service oversight. OpenCRVS provides core platform support, which is funded by OpenCRVS and is not part of this assignment.
The assignment covers up to six configurations: five participating countries and the SPC Mortality Coding Portal. An extension beyond the end of February 2027 is subject to a funding proposal to Bloomberg Philanthropies. The funding is expected to be confirmed at the end of 2026.
2.0 Objective of the assignment
To provide a regional OpenCRVS technical support arrangement for participating Pacific countries and the SPC Mortality Coding Portal, so that these systems remain available, secure, supported on current software versions and operable by the registration offices that depend on them.
The provider will deliver combined Level 2 and Level 3 support, take responsibility for version currency and security patching, operate the ticketing and knowledge management function through which the service runs, and work with country first-contact support and with SPC to maintain a consistent standard of service across all configurations.
Any support arrangement beyond 28 February 2027, including a possible extension or follow-on contract, would be subject to confirmation of future funding, satisfactory performance, and participating country requirements.
3.0 Scope of Services
The provider will deliver regional OpenCRVS technical support focused on combined Level 2 technical support and Level 3 expert technical support. Country-level self-service and first-contact support remains with participating countries. SPC provides regional coordination, contract and relationship management, and service oversight. The provider operates the ticketing and knowledge management function; the records it holds are owned by the participating countries.
The support levels are defined as follows:
Level | Description | Typical work | Sits with |
L0 | Self-service | • Guides, FAQs and quick-reference materials • Multi-tenant knowledge base, reflecting each country’s own configuration | Country, content maintained regionally |
L1 | First contact, in-country | • Receiving and logging queries through the channels users actually use • Password resets and account unlocks • User administration — creating, amending and deactivating accounts • Access approvals by the National System Admin, with named backup cover • Distinguishing user error from system fault • "How do I" guidance and reinforcement of training • Escalating to L2 with enough detail to act on | Country |
L2 | Technical support | • Investigating and reproducing reported faults • User roles and permissions • Facility lists and administrative structures • Validation rule queries • Access and connectivity problems • Triage and prioritisation of incoming issues | Regional |
L3 | Expert technical | • Configuration changes and deployment • Version upgrades and release management • Security patching • SMTP, API and integration issues • Monitoring, alerting and log analysis • Backup verification and restore testing • Liaison with each country’s infrastructure provider | Regional |
L4 | Core platform | • Defects in the OpenCRVS core product • Core security patches • New releases and supported-version policy • Receiving product suggestions raised by countries | OpenCRVS |
The following table outlines details of what is to be delivered for combined Level 2 technical support and Level 3 expert technical support:
Scope area | Provider responsibilities | Key outputs |
Mobilisation and transition | Receive configuration handover for each participating configuration; produce and agree a baseline record for each; agree and implement access arrangements including break-glass provision; stand up ticketing and knowledge base; install monitoring and alerting; brief country first-contact personnel. Time-boxed and completed within the initial period. | Baseline records signed off by incumbent and provider; access schedules; ticketing and knowledge base live; monitoring live; transition completion report. |
Incident management | Receive, classify, triage, investigate and resolve incidents escalated from country first-contact support and from monitoring, against the service levels at Section 5.0. Manage major incidents and communicate status to SPC and affected countries. | Resolved incidents, ticket records, major incident reports, monthly service-level performance reporting. |
Problem management | Identify recurring incidents and underlying causes; propagate preventive fixes across configurations where the same cause is present; maintain known-error records. | Root cause records, known-error register, preventive actions applied and recorded. |
Releases, upgrades and patching | Plan and deliver upgrades twice yearly across all configurations, including configuration work, regression testing, user acceptance support, deployment and rollback planning. Apply security patches out of cycle without waiting for the next scheduled upgrade. Apply hotfixes where relevant to a configuration, subject to smoke testing rather than full acceptance testing. | Release plans and records, upgrade completion reports, patch records, version state register. |
Version currency | Maintain every configuration on a version supported by OpenCRVS throughout the contractual arrangement. Report version state for every configuration at each service review. Common version alignment across configurations is not required. | Version state register, upgrade schedule, exception reporting where a configuration is at risk. |
Preventive maintenance and monitoring | Operate monitoring and alerting across all production configurations with alerts acknowledged within the support window; verify backups monthly for each configuration; complete a documented restore test for each configuration twice yearly; perform certificate, dependency and log checks. | Monitoring records, backup verification records, restore test reports, maintenance notes. |
Ticketing and knowledge management | Operate a multi-tenant ticketing system and knowledge base with a regional view and a separate view for each configuration; maintain troubleshooting notes, procedures and configuration documentation. Records, content and reporting are owned by participating countries and exportable in full at any time and on exit. | Ticket register, knowledge base, configuration documentation, export on request. |
First-contact support for the Mortality Coding Portal | Provide first-contact support for the SPC Mortality Coding Portal, which has no country registration office behind it, in addition to Level 2 and Level 3 support for that configuration. | Portal support records within the ticket register. |
Support to country first-contact personnel | Provide light coaching to nominated country first-contact personnel so that they understand their role and can raise tickets to the agreed template and standard. Report on ticket quality at service review. | Coaching sessions delivered, ticket template, ticket quality reporting. |
Information security and access | Maintain confidentiality, data protection, access control and privileged remote access safeguards. Operate break-glass access under country approval with full logging. Apply data minimisation as specified at Section 7.0. | Access records and logs, security controls evidence, incident notifications. |
Service management and reporting | Operate structured service management; provide monthly reporting; attend and support quarterly service review with SPC and participating countries; liaise with each country’s infrastructure provider. | Monthly reports, quarterly service review packs, escalation and risk records. |
3.1 Outside scope
The following are outside the scope of this assignment.
4.0 Expected Outcomes, Deliverables, and Timeline
The service provider will be responsible for producing the following outputs during the assignment:
Timeline | Deliverable | Description |
December 2026 | Mobilisation and transition plan | Confirmed workplan, participating configurations, communication and escalation arrangements, reporting templates and mobilisation actions. |
December 2026 | Baseline record for each configuration | Version state, configuration, integrations, environments, known defects and portal integration points, signed off by the incumbent partner and the incoming provider before 31 December 2026. |
December 2026 | Service model, responsibility matrix and access arrangements | Responsibility matrix covering SPC, provider, participating countries, infrastructure providers and OpenCRVS core support; access approval, break-glass, logging, monitoring, suspension and revocation arrangements for each configuration. |
December 2026 | Ticketing, knowledge base and monitoring live | Multi-tenant ticketing and knowledge base operating with regional and per-configuration views; monitoring and alerting installed across all production configurations. |
1 January 2027 | Stabilisation service commences | Full support window live; critical and high severity carrying full targets; security patching at full standard. |
Monthly | Monthly support report | Incidents, service-level performance, open issues, escalations, risks, access and security matters, version state, and planned activities for the next period. |
Ongoing | Incident and problem register | Maintained register including severity, responsible party, dates, escalation history, resolution notes, closure confirmation and recurring problems requiring root-cause action. |
Ongoing | Knowledge base and configuration documentation | Troubleshooting notes, procedures, known-error records and per-configuration documentation, maintained to support regional learning and reduce reliance on individual supplier knowledge. |
Twice yearly | Upgrade cycle completion report | Configuration work, regression and acceptance testing, deployment, rollback readiness, resulting version state for each configuration. |
Twice yearly | Restore test report | Documented restoration of each configuration from backup, the retention state confirmed, and any remediation required. |
As required | Security patch and hotfix records | Patches and hotfixes applied, configurations affected, testing performed, and where a hotfix was not applied, the reason. |
Quarterly | Service review pack | Performance against service levels, version state, ticket quality by configuration, risks, open actions and decisions required. |
End of each contract period | Performance and transition report | Services delivered, performance against service levels, unresolved risks, lessons learned, remaining actions and recommendations for continuation or transition. |
5.0 Service Levels
5.1 Support window
The support window is 20:00 to 03:00 UTC. Because participating countries straddle the international date line, the window operates across six shifts each week, opening on Sunday evening UTC and closing on Saturday morning UTC. This totals 42 desk hours a week.
Shift | Opens (UTC) | Closes (UTC) |
1 | Sunday 20:00 | Monday 03:00 |
2 | Monday 20:00 | Tuesday 03:00 |
3 | Tuesday 20:00 | Wednesday 03:00 |
4 | Wednesday 20:00 | Thursday 03:00 |
5 | Thursday 20:00 | Friday 03:00 |
6 | Friday 20:00 | Saturday 03:00 |
Bidders must state the weekly desk hours their proposal provides. A proposal offering fewer than six shifts does not meet this requirement, as it would leave the first working day of the week uncovered in Tonga, Tuvalu and Kiribati, or the last working day uncovered in the Cook Islands and Niue.
At least one engineer must be on duty throughout the window, drawn from a pool of at least two engineers trained and authorised to hold the desk, cross-trained across both shift segments and across all configurations, with named escalation to a service manager and to Level 3 expertise. Bidders must describe how leave and unplanned absence are covered.
Incidents may be raised at any time. Where an incident is raised outside the support window, the response clock starts at the opening of the next shift.
5.2 Severity levels and targets
Severity | Description | Response | Resolution or workaround |
Critical | Service unavailable, registration blocked, or major incident affecting operational use in one or more configurations. | Within 1 working hour | Within 8 working hours, or an agreed workaround and recovery plan |
High | Major function impaired, significant operational impact, workaround available or partial service continuing. | Within 4 working hours | Within 2 working days |
Medium | Limited impact, user or configuration issue, workaround available, or issue affecting a small number of users. | Within 1 working day | Within 5 working days |
Low / request | Minor issue, service request, documentation query or non-urgent configuration matter. | Within 2 working days | At the next planned release or agreed workplan |
Working hours and working days are counted within the support window at Section 5.1.
5.3 Matters outside the provider’s control and core defect exemption
Service levels apply to matters within the provider’s control. This includes configuration faults, access and permission problems, integration failures, release and upgrade activity, and the escalation and pursuit of infrastructure faults with the responsible party.
Level 4 core platform support is provided by OpenCRVS, funded by OpenCRVS, and made available on equal terms to any provider appointed under this assignment. Requests are raised through the published OpenCRVS route and are triaged on priority alongside requests from all other implementations. It is offered as a service level objective and not as a contractual commitment. Bidders must not include any charge for Level 4 support and must not assume preferential access to it.
Where investigation establishes that the root cause of an incident is a defect in the OpenCRVS core product, the provider’s resolution clock stops from the point at which the core defect is established and the request is raised. The evidence establishing the core defect must be recorded in the ticket. The provider’s obligation resumes when a fix or hotfix is made available, and the provider is required to apply it promptly to affected configurations, subject to smoke testing.
Faults relating to country infrastructure, power, connectivity, local devices, external systems or country-controlled decisions are similarly outside the provider’s control and are managed through agreed escalation, with the provider responsible for pursuit and communication rather than for resolution.
5.4 Service credits and persistent failure
Service credits are assessed quarterly against the quarterly charge and are earned on the proportion of critical and high severity targets met in the quarter, counting response and resolution targets together.
Critical and high severity targets met in the quarter | Credit against the quarterly charge |
90 per cent or above | None |
80 to 89.9 per cent | 5 per cent |
70 to 79.9 per cent | 10 per cent |
Below 70 per cent | 15 per cent |
In addition, each of the following carries a credit of five per cent of the quarterly charge in its own right:
Credits from all sources aggregate and are capped at fifteen per cent of the quarterly charge in any quarter. Credits are not applied where the cause falls under Section 5.3, nor where delay results from a participating country declining or deferring an upgrade window, access approval or other decision within its control.
Where the credit threshold at the fifteen per cent level is reached in two consecutive quarters, or where any of the four failures listed above occurs in two consecutive quarters, SPC may terminate the contract on thirty days’ written notice without cause and without liability for early termination charges. This provision exists because a capped credit regime alone is not a sufficient incentive on a contract of this size, and because the material remedy for sustained underperformance is exit rather than rebate.
During the initial period, service credits apply to critical incident response only. All other measures are reported but not scored until the annual service commences. The persistent failure provision above applies from the commencement of the annual service.
6.0 Reporting Requirements
The provider reports to the Programme Lead CRVS or designated SPC focal point. Reporting must be clear, concise and evidence-based, and must support contract oversight, service-level monitoring and risk management.
7.0 Working Arrangements
This is a remote assignment. No travel is anticipated unless separately agreed in writing by SPC. The provider must be able to work effectively across Pacific time zones and within the support window at Section 5.1.
7.1 Roles
Participating countries provide self-service and first-contact support. Each country nominates a first-contact role holder, who may be a registration officer or an information technology officer as the country prefers. The role is to be reachable during the country’s working day, to attempt documented first-contact steps, and to raise tickets to the agreed template and standard. SPC will secure these commitments through its agreement with each participating country.
SPC coordinates country relationships, holds the contract, chairs the quarterly service review and approves the annual workplan. SPC does not operate a technical support tier.
The provider delivers combined Level 2 and Level 3 support as set out at Section 3.0 and provides first-contact support for the Mortality Coding Portal.
7.2 Access and break-glass provision
Country-approved access arrangements must be agreed for each configuration before service commencement, covering remote access requirements, approval pathways, access logging, monitoring, suspension and revocation.
In addition, the provider must hold break-glass access to each configuration, enabling it to act where first-contact support is unavailable or unable to perform a required action. Break-glass provision comprises accounts at registrar and national system administrator level, and secure shell access where required. Use is subject to country approval, is recorded in the product audit trail, and generates logged alerts. Bidders should price on the basis that this provision will be in place.
7.3 Data protection and data minimisation
Civil registration personal data must not be entered into ticket bodies, attachments, knowledge base articles or reporting. Incidents must reference records by identifier, and investigation requiring access to record content must take place within the country’s own environment.
Where a request is raised to OpenCRVS core support, personal data must be removed or obscured from any log extract, screenshot or screen recording before submission, as core support requests are handled through a public channel.
Ticket records, knowledge base content and reporting are owned by the participating countries. The provider must be able to export them in full, in a documented and reusable format, at any time on request and on expiry or termination of the contract.
7.4 Backup, retention and recovery
Backup arrangements comprise two layers, held by different parties.
The application backup is automated within the OpenCRVS deployment. The provider is responsible for ensuring that it is configured and operating for every configuration, that the staging environment is restoring from it on a daily basis, and that retention is set to a value agreed with the country. A minimum retention of thirty days applies. Where a configuration is found on a shorter retention, the provider must raise this with the country and SPC and implement the agreed value.
An off-site or separate-region copy of each configuration’s data must exist. Provision and retention of that copy sits with the participating country and its infrastructure provider and is outside the provider’s scope. The provider is responsible for confirming at baseline that the arrangement exists, recording its frequency and retention, reporting its status at each service review, and escalating to SPC and the country where it is absent or has lapsed.
The provider must verify backups monthly for each configuration and complete a documented restore test for each configuration twice yearly. Verification means confirming that the backup has run, is complete and is within retention; restore testing means demonstrating that data can in fact be recovered from it.
Bidders should note that participating configurations are not currently on OpenCRVS 2.1 or later, in which a deployment will not start unless its backup service is operating. On earlier versions a backup failure does not announce itself. The baseline record required at Section 4.0 must therefore establish, for each configuration, whether an automated backup is configured and running, the retention set, whether a daily staging restore is in place, and what off-site arrangement exists. These are to be treated as matters to be established rather than confirmed.
Backup failure, whether of the application backup or of the off-site arrangement, must be notified to SPC and the affected country immediately in accordance with Section 6.0.
8.0 Expressions of Interest evaluation
The consulting firm will be selected using the Consultant Qualifications Selection (CQS) method, in accordance with the World Bank Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers.
The firms will be assessed based on their overall qualifications and experience relevant to the assignment.
Minimum qualification criteria will be assessed on a pass/fail basis. Other factors will then be evaluated using the indicative criteria below.
The firm ranked highest will be invited to submit a combined technical and financial proposal in a second stage.
Minimum qualification:
As part of the selection process and prior to contract award, consulting firms are required to declare the existence or absence of any conflict of interest by completing the Conflict-of-Interest Declaration Form available at the following link: Conflict of Interest Declaration.
Scored criteria:
Criteria | Maximum Score | Indicative Assessment Focus |
Technical capability | 20 | Depth of capability across OpenCRVS and related infrastructure, configuration, deployment, integrations, monitoring and release management; OpenCRVS accredited partner status is scored as a component of this criterion, with demonstrated equivalent OpenCRVS implementation or support experience also considered. Bidders holding accreditation should state it and give the date it was granted. |
15 | Completion of at least two comparable assignments within the last five years involving software support, government systems, CRVS or statistical systems, digital public goods, or multi-country remote technical support. | |
15 | Key personnel including a Technical Lead with at least four years of relevant experience in software or application support, DevOps, systems integration or digital platform maintenance, and a Service Manager with at least three years of relevant experience in technical support or service delivery. | |
15 | Strength of information security, confidentiality, access control and data protection for privileged remote access to civil registration data; ISO/IEC 27001 certification or equivalent, with full certification scoring higher than alignment alone | |
15 | Ability to mobilise during December 2026 and complete transition by the end of December; credibility of the transition approach; ability to scale for further configurations. | |
Country fit and regional experience | 20 | Pacific or small island experience; ability to operate across the date line; ability to work through country communication channels; approach to supporting and coaching country first-contact personnel; understanding of limited local technical capacity. |
Total | 100 |
|
"},{"id":"OP00471242","notice_type":"Request for Expression of Interest","noticedate":"25-Sep-2026","notice_lang_name":"English","notice_status":"Published","submission_deadline_date":"2026-10-09T00:00:00Z","submission_deadline_time":"14:00","project_ctry_name":"Liberia","project_id":"P518023","project_name":"Liberia Economic Corridors GFPP","bid_reference_no":"LR-IIU-569555-CS-QCBS","bid_description":"Feasibility Studies, Economic and Financial Analysis, and Conceptual Engineering Design for the Buchanan to Nimba (Legacy) Corridor.","procurement_group":"CS","procurement_method_code":"QCBS","procurement_method_name":"Quality And Cost-Based Selection","contact_address":"Ministry of Public Works\nP O Box 9011South Lynch Street, Monrovia, Liberia","contact_ctry_name":"Liberia","contact_email":"emmanuel.baker.sre@iiu-mpw.org","contact_name":"Emmanuel K. Baker","contact_organization":"Infrastructure Implementation Unit","contact_phone_no":"+231886520696","contact_web_url":"www.iiu-mpw.org","submission_date":"2026-09-25T00:00:00Z","notice_text":"
Republic of Liberia
INFRASTRUCTURE IMPLEMENTATION UNIT
MINISTRY OF PUBLIC WORKS
P. O Box 9011
South Lynch Street
REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST
Country: Liberia
Grant No.: IDA-E7460
Project ID: P518023
Assignment Title: Consultancy Services for Feasibility Study, Economic and Financial
Analysis and the Conceptual Engineering Design of Buchanan–Nimba
(Legacy) Corridor
Reference No.: LR-IIU-569555-CS-QCBS
Phase 1 – Feasibility Study:
Phase 2 – Conceptual Design and Bidding Documents:
Key Expert will not be evaluated at the shortlisting stage.
5. The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to paragraph 3.14, 3.16 and 3.17 of the World Bank’s Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers, Procurement in Investment Project Financing, Goods, Works, non-Consulting and Consulting services dated July 2016, revised November 2017, August 2018, November 2020, July 2023, and February 2025 (“Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on Conflict of Interest.
6. Consultants may associate with other firms to enhance their qualifications but should indicate clearly whether the association is in the form of a joint venture and/or a sub-consultancy. In the case of a joint venture, all the partners in the joint venture shall be jointly and severally liable for the entire contract, if selected.
7. A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Consultant's Quality and Cost-Based Selection (QCBS) method set out in the World Bank’s Procurement Regulations.
8. Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours Monday to Friday, 0900 AM to 1600 PM (Local Time).
9. Expressions of Interest must be delivered in written form to the address below in person, or by mail, or by e-mail.
10. The date for submission is October 9, 2026, at 1400 hours.
11. The Ministry of Public Works
Attention: PROGRAM MANAGER
INFRASTRUCTURE IMPLEMENTATION UNIT
MINISTRY OF PUBLIC WORKS
SOUTH LYNCH STREET
MONROVIA, LIBERIA
Tel: +231 886-579-053, / +231 886-520-696
E-mail: office@iiu-mpw.org
Website: www.iiu-mpw.org
"},{"id":"OP00469941","notice_type":"Request for Expression of Interest","noticedate":"22-Sep-2026","notice_lang_name":"English","notice_status":"Published","submission_deadline_date":"2026-10-15T00:00:00Z","submission_deadline_time":"17:00","project_ctry_name":"South Sudan","project_id":"P178891","project_name":"South Sudan Energy Sector Access and Institutional Strengthening Project","bid_reference_no":"SS-MOED-567735-CS-INDV","bid_description":"Procurement of Legal Expert – Contract Management, Governance, Compliance and Legal Advisory Support","procurement_group":"CS","procurement_method_code":"INDV","procurement_method_name":"Individual Consultant Selection","contact_address":"Juba ,Central Equotoria State,South Sudan","contact_ctry_name":"South Sudan","contact_email":"angellabamuleseyo@yahoo.com","contact_name":"Angella Bamuluseyo","contact_organization":"Ministry of Energy and Dams","contact_phone_no":"+211929007573","submission_date":"2026-09-22T00:00:00Z","notice_text":"REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST
(Consulting Services – Individual Selection)
Country: Republic of South Sudan
Project: South Sudan Energy Sector Access and Institutional Strengthening Project (ASSIST)
Grant No.: E166-SS
Assignment Title: Legal Expert
Reference No.: SS-MOED-567735-CS-INDV
The Government of South Sudan (GoSS) has received funding from the World Bank towards the cost of implementing Access and Institutional Strengthening Project (ASSIST) and is being implemented by the Ministry of Energy and Dams (MoED) and South Sudan Electricity Corporation (SSEC). The Project seeks to increase access to electricity services and strengthen the institutional capacity of the electricity sector in Juba, Yei, and Upper Nile Region and Bahra-Gazal, in South Sudan. The effective implementation of the Project requires a sound and enabling legal, regulatory, institutional, and contractual framework to support the development and sustainability of electricity infrastructure and services.
MoED intends to apply part of the proceeds for consulting services (“the Services”) which include procurement of a Legal Expert (Individual Consultant) assignment for a period of Twelve (12) months. The objective of the assignment is to provide independent legal and contractual advisory services to the Project Implementation Unit (PIU), working in close collaboration with the PIU’s technical, legal, transaction, financial, procurement, and other specialist advisors, to ensure that project implementation is legally compliant, contractually robust, commercially appropriate, and aligned with the Financing Agreement, applicable World Bank requirements, and the laws of the Republic of South Sudan.
The detailed Terms of Reference (TOR) for the assignment can be obtained at the address given below;
The Project Manager
South Sudan Energy Sector Access and Institutional Strengthening Project (ASSIST)
Ministry of Energy & Dams
Ministries Complex
Email: assist.projectmoed@gmail.com/ angellabamuleseyo@yahoo.com/ cosmas.loboso@yahoo.com
MoED now invites eligible individual consultants to apply for the consulting assignment. Interested individual consultants should provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Services as required in TOR. The submissions should include a cover letter summarizing the relevant experience and indicating its relevance to the assignment at hand.
The expressions of interest should be accompanied with a CV, phone contact, postal and email addresses, copies of relevant academic documents/ qualifications, copies of the appointment letter (s) and evidence of experience, Contract (s) reference(s), or completion certificate(s) of the current or most recent employment.
The individual consultant will be selected in accordance with the Open International Competitive Selection of Individual Consultants method set out in the Procurement Regulations. The consultant will be selected based on the following criteria:
a. Advanced (Masters) degree in Law (LL.B, LL.M, or equivalent) from a recognized university. Additional relevant postgraduate qualifications shall be an added advantage;
b. Be duly qualified and licensed/admitted to practice law in at least one recognized jurisdiction and be eligible to practice or provide legal services in the Republic of South Sudan, including through any applicable authorization, special admission, collaboration with locally admitted counsel, or other arrangements permitted under the laws of South Sudan;
c. Minimum of 10 years of relevant professional experience in:
d. Demonstrated experience in:
e. Experience in:
f. Strong understanding of:
g. Demonstrated experience in international legal practice, including regulatory frameworks, or cross-border advisory assignments, shall be an added advantage; and
h. Excellent legal drafting, analytical, communication, stakeholder engagement, and report-writing skills.
The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to section III, para 3.14,3.16 & 3.17 of the World Bank’s Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers: Procurement in Investment Projects Financing Goods, Works, Non -Consulting and Consulting Services, July 2016, revised November 2017, August 2018, November 2020, September 2023 and February 2025 (“Procurement Regulations”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest.
All inquiries should be sent to the following email address: assist.projectmoed@gmail.com and Copy: angellabamuleseyo@yahoo.com, cosmas.loboso@yahoo.com
Expressions of interest must be delivered in a written form to the address below in person or by e-mail by 5:00 noon (Local time) October 15, 2026. Submissions should reference “.: SS-MOED-567735-CS-INDV – Legal Expert (Individual Consultant)” in the address/email subject line.
Under Secretary
Ministry of Energy and Dams (MoED),
Access and Institutional Strengthening Project (ASSIST)
Project Implementation Unit (PIU),
E-mail: assist.projectmoed@gmail.com /Copy: angellabamuleseyo@yahoo.com, cosmas.loboso@yahoo.com
"},{"id":"OP00469086","notice_type":"Request for Expression of Interest","noticedate":"22-Sep-2026","notice_lang_name":"English","notice_status":"Published","submission_deadline_date":"2026-10-08T00:00:00Z","submission_deadline_time":"17:00","project_ctry_name":"Pacific 1","project_id":"P502591","project_name":"Pacific Strengthening Correspondent Banking Relationships Project","bid_reference_no":"FJ-PIFS-468930-CS-INDV","bid_description":"Tonga Payment Expert (6 years)","procurement_group":"CS","procurement_method_code":"INDV","procurement_method_name":"Individual Consultant Selection","contact_address":"Ratu Sukuna Road, Suva, Fiji.","contact_ctry_name":"Fiji","contact_email":"ajayj@forumsec.org","contact_name":"Ajay Jagannath","contact_organization":"Pacific Island Forum Secretariat","contact_phone_no":"679-3312600","contact_web_url":"www.forumsec.org","submission_date":"2026-09-22T00:00:00Z","notice_text":"Request for Expressions of Interest
(INDIVIDUAL CONSULTING SERVICES)
Payments System Advisor to the National Reserve Bank of Tonga (NRBT)
Project Name | Pacific Strengthening Correspondent Banking Relationships Project |
Project Number | P502591 |
Website | https://projects.worldbank.org/en/projects-operations/project-detail/P502591 |
Activity and Reference Number (STEP) | Payments System Advisor (Tonga) - FJ-PIFS-468930-CS-INDV |
Implementing Agency | Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS) |
Country | FIJI |
PIFS, on behalf of the participating member countries, now invites eligible individuals (“Consultants”) to indicate their interest in providing the Services. Interested Consultants should provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Services (attach curriculum vitae and a cover letter with description of experience in similar assignments, similar conditions, etc.).
Firms’ staff may express interest through the employing firm for the assignment and, under such situation, only the experience and qualifications of individuals shall be considered in the selection process.
The attention of interested Consultants (including firms) is drawn to paragraph 3.14, 3.16 and 3.17 of the World Bank’s Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers, dated September 2025 (“the Regulations”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest. A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the individual consultant selection method set out in the World Bank Consultant Guidelines
The detailed Terms of Reference (TOR) for the assignment is attached below and provides details of the scope of the services required along with specific deliverables expected. Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours 09.00 to 17.00 hrs Fiji Time.
Expressions of Interest must be delivered in written form by email no later than:
Thursday, 08 October 2026 at 17:00 hours (Fiji Time)
Address for Enquiries and Submission of EOIs:
Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat
Attn: Ajay Jagannath, Project Coordinator
Private Mail Bag, Suva
PO Box 856, Suva, Fiji.
Tel: 679-3312600
E-mail: cbrprocurement@forumsec.org
TERMS OF REFERENCE
CONSULTING SERVICES - INDIVIDUAL SELECTION
Payments System Advisor to the National Reserve Bank of Tonga (NRBT)
Project Overview
Project Name | Pacific Strengthening Correspondent Banking Relationships Project |
Indicative Activity / Budget Line | Component 2: Enabling Environment and Regulatory Harmonization - Payment System Oversight and Regulation - Oversight of National Payment Systems |
STEP Activity Reference # | FJ-PIFS-468930-CS-INDV |
Position Title | Payments System Advisor to the National Reserve Bank of Tonga (NRBT) |
Location of role | Nuku'alofa, Tonga, working directly with NRBT, with agreed remote inputs and coordination with the PIFS PMU in Suva. The planning assumption is 50-60 percent of input days in Tonga. |
Primary Counterpart | National Reserve Bank of Tonga (NRBT) |
Duration of Assignment | Time-based individual consultant contract for up to twelve (12) months, with up to 240 working days of input. Extension may be considered subject to project needs, budget availability, consultant performance, procurement plan arrangements, and applicable World Bank no-objection requirements. Payments will be based on approved timesheets and eligible reimbursable expenses. |
Implementing Agency | Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS) https://forumsec.org/ |
Agency Description | The Pacific Islands Forum was established to bring together the region to address pressing issues and challenges, and foster collaboration and cooperation in the pursuit of shared goals. PIF’s mandate is to strengthen cooperation and integration in the Pacific region through the pooling of regional governance, resources and the alignment of policies, furthering Forum members shared goals of economic growth, sustainable development, good governance and security. Founded in 1971, it comprises 18 members: Australia, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, French Polynesia, Kiribati, Nauru, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Republic of Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu. The PIFS is a vital platform for Leaders to convene, engage in discussions and agree on policies that will benefit the people of the region. |
Selection Method | Competitive Selection of an independent individual consultant, subject to procurement plan adjustment, justification, conflict-of-interest review, and World Bank no-objection requirements where applicable. |
Contract Type and Level of Effort | Time-based individual consultant contract, planned for a full-time level of input. Payments based on approved timesheets and eligible reimbursable expenses. In-country presence requirement is specified separately above. |
Participating Countries | The Pacific Island Countries participating in the regional project comprise Fiji, Kiribati, the Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu. This assignment provides country-specific support to the Republic of the Marshall Islands under the regional project. |
Country Supported | Tonga. The assignment provides country-specific support to NRBT under the regional CBR Project. |
Overall Project Objective | The Project Development Objective is to enable continuous access to correspondent banking services in the participating Pacific Island Countries. |
Project Length | August 2024 to September 30, 2030 |
Project Background
The Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS) has received financing from the World Bank Group's International Development Association (IDA) for the Pacific Strengthening Correspondent Banking Relationships Project. The project supports participating Pacific Island Countries to maintain continuous access to correspondent banking services and address payment, regulatory and financial integrity constraints that contribute to de-risking in the region.
Component 2, Enabling Environment and Regulatory Harmonization, includes support for payment system oversight and regulation, national payment systems, regional harmonization and payments data. Related regional work includes the Pacific Payment Mechanism (PPM) feasibility study, which examines options for aggregating payment flows and improving economies of scale.
The National Reserve Bank of Tonga (NRBT) has requested support to recruit a National Payments Expert. NRBT has developed a five-year National Payment Services Strategy and is progressing its Payment Systems and Services Bill. The September 2026 concept note records that the Bill had passed its first reading in Parliament and was expected to return for further parliamentary consideration. The Expert will review the latest legislative position and implementation requirements with NRBT at inception.
The assignment will support implementation of the existing Strategy and strengthen NRBT's capacity to oversee and develop Tonga's payment system. The Expert will work alongside NRBT staff to turn strategic priorities into a sequenced work programme and support implementation, industry coordination and knowledge transfer.
Objective of the Position
The objective is to provide hands-on technical advisory and implementation support to NRBT in implementing its National Payment Services Strategy and improving the efficiency, resilience and oversight of Tonga's payment systems.
The Expert will support priority domestic initiatives and NRBT's active participation in the PPM feasibility study. The work will help NRBT identify the requirements for possible future participation in the PPM and prioritise preparatory actions, taking account of the study's findings, NRBT's mandate, available resources and national priorities.
Scope of Services
The Expert will provide country-level, time-based support on payment system matters. Activities and expected outputs will be agreed with NRBT, PIFS and the World Bank payments team through a 12-month work plan and updated through periodic work planning discussions.
Scope Exclusions
The assignment is limited to payment systems technical assistance. It does not include drafting primary legislation or formal legal opinions, general central banking advice unrelated to payments, or responsibility for production system development, procurement decisions or regulatory approvals. NRBT retains its statutory and decision-making responsibilities.
Detailed system design, cybersecurity testing, specialist supervisory manuals or other specialist work will be coordinated with appropriately qualified experts where required. Any material addition to the agreed scope or input ceiling will require written approval through the project arrangements.
Time-Based Reporting Obligations and Expected Outputs
This is a time-based individual consultant assignment. Payments will be linked to approved timesheets, agreed input days and eligible reimbursable expenses. The expected outputs are working products for managing implementation, reviewing the quality of advice and documenting knowledge transfer; they are not a fixed-price deliverables schedule.
Working products will include the inception assessment and assignment work plan; the prioritised National Payment Services Strategy implementation plan; oversight procedures and technical advisory notes; implementation and testing inputs for agreed payment initiatives; consultation materials and action trackers; payments data and monitoring tools; the PPM participation requirements and prioritised action plan; and training materials and the multi-year capacity-building plan.
Outputs may be revised or reprioritised with the agreement of NRBT, PIFS and the World Bank as implementation progresses. Changes will be recorded in progress notes and the action tracker. The Expert will submit a final completion and handover report covering work undertaken, materials produced, outstanding actions, risks and recommendations for continued implementation.
Reporting Obligations
The Expert will work for the NRBT's Assistant Governor Operations and designated payments staff on a day-to-day technical basis and administratively to the Project Coordinator in the PIFS PMU. Technical priorities, work planning and expected outputs will be agreed with NRBT, PIFS and the World Bank payments team. Coordination will also involve the PIFS Payment Systems Specialist and Tonga Country Coordinator as relevant.
Monthly timesheets and short monthly activity notes will be submitted to the NRBT and the PIFS PMU confirming the principal activities undertaken. The notes will record days worked, in-country and remote inputs, meetings, outputs, implementation issues, decisions required and activities planned for the following month.
The Expert will update the action tracker at least monthly and submit quarterly progress notes against the agreed work plan. Technical outputs will be shared with NRBT and PIFS, with World Bank review or no-objection obtained where required under the project arrangements.
Institutional Arrangements
This is a time-based individual consultant assignment contracted by PIFS through the PMU under the Pacific Strengthening CBR Project. PIFS will contract the independent individual consultant through the PMU for the benefit of NRBT. The proposed term is up to 12 months and up to 240 working days, providing for a full-time level of input. This workload does not establish a requirement for continuous residence in Tonga.
The current planning assumption is that 50-60 percent of input days will be delivered in Tonga, working directly with NRBT in Nuku'alofa, with remote inputs used for document preparation, follow-up and coordination. NRBT must confirm whether this meets its requirements or whether a fully resident expert is required. The agreed arrangement and related budget must be settled before recruitment and stated consistently in the advertisement and contract.
NRBT will facilitate access to relevant documents, designated staff and industry participants. Office space and meeting facilities may be provided by NRBT for in-country inputs and by PIFS for agreed inputs in Suva, subject to availability. The Expert will maintain secure records and comply with confidentiality requirements.
Continuation or extension will be subject to performance, project needs, budget availability, procurement plan arrangements and applicable approvals. Performance reviews will assess the quality and timeliness of advisory support, counterpart engagement and knowledge transfer.
Performance Indicators
Performance assessment will focus on inputs, the quality of working products, implementation support and knowledge transfer within the agreed time-based work plan. The Expert will be assessed on the following:
Confidentiality and Conflict of Interest
The Expert will comply with NRBT’s statutory requirements, including all applicable confidentiality, secrecy, data protection and information-protection obligations, as well as relevant PIFS and World Bank policies and rules on anti-corruption, prevention of fraudulent practices, conflicts of interest and confidentiality. Sensitive information obtained during the assignment will be kept confidential and handled only for the purposes of the assignment. Findings, data, reports and recommendations must not be published or disclosed without prior written consent from NRBT and PIFS, and World Bank clearance where required.
Draft reports and other documents will be reviewed and cleared through the agreed NRBT, PIFS and World Bank arrangements before final issue. A non-disclosure agreement may be signed and attached to the contract. Documents and data will be stored, transmitted and handled securely in accordance with NRBT’s applicable statutory and information-protection requirements and the contractual provisions of the assignment, and transferred to the designated counterparts at handover.
Actual or potential conflicts of interest must be disclosed before contract signature and throughout the assignment. The Expert must not participate in downstream procurement where this would create a conflict under the applicable World Bank Procurement Regulations or Project Operations Manual.
Evaluation Requirements
Mandatory Criteria
Mandatory Criteria | Description | Evaluation |
Education | A Master's degree or equivalent qualification in economics, finance, law, public policy, payment systems, information systems, business administration or a related field. | Pass or Fail |
Experience | At least fifteen (15) years of professional experience with a central bank, banking regulator, monetary authority or similar financial-sector authority, including payment system operations, oversight, regulation or related functions. Candidates must have held a department-head or equivalent senior role and demonstrate relevant advisory or implementation experience. | Pass or Fail |
Desirable Qualifications
These criteria are desirable qualifications that will be considered in confirming the suitability of the proposed consultant and documenting the direct selection justification. Candidates who meet the mandatory criteria will be ranked out of 100 points based on the scoring criteria above. The evaluation committee may interview the highest-ranked candidates where clarification is required or where candidates are closely ranked.
# | Evaluated Criteria | Points |
1 | Knowledge of the economic and financial environment in the Pacific, small island states or other small and capacity-constrained jurisdictions. | 20 |
2 | Experience advising central banks or financial-sector authorities on National Payments Strategy implementation, payment system modernization, operations, oversight, regulation or infrastructure implementation. | 25 |
3 | Experience with digital financial services, non-bank payment service providers, remittances, cross-border payments, financial inclusion, consumer protection, payments data or public-sector payments. | 15 |
4 | Ability to prepare practical implementation plans, technical notes, procedures, reporting templates and training materials, and to provide mentoring and knowledge transfer. | 20 |
5 | Experience coordinating multi-stakeholder assignments involving financial-sector authorities, industry and development partners. Prior experience supporting regional initiatives, payment harmonization or cross-border arrangements is desirable. | 20 |
Total | 100 |
Language: Excellent command of both spoken and written English is required
Selection Method
"},{"id":"OP00470296","notice_type":"Request for Expression of Interest","noticedate":"22-Sep-2026","notice_lang_name":"English","notice_status":"Published","submission_deadline_date":"2026-10-08T00:00:00Z","submission_deadline_time":"15:00","project_ctry_name":"Malawi","project_id":"P181308","project_name":"Regional Climate Resilience Program for Eastern and Southern Africa 2 Project (RCRP2)","bid_reference_no":"ET-AUC-567618-CS-QCBS","bid_description":"consultancy assignment to develop and deliver training on Strengthening Africa's Multi-Hazard Early Warning Systems and Resilience to Hydromet Hazards","procurement_group":"CS","procurement_method_code":"QCBS","procurement_method_name":"Quality And Cost-Based Selection","contact_address":"Africa Union Headquarters P.O.BOX 3243Tel: 251-11-5-517700webmaster: webmaster@africanunion.org","contact_ctry_name":"Ethiopia","contact_email":"nyambeh@africa-union.org","contact_name":"Harsen Nyambe","contact_organization":"Africa Union Commission","contact_phone_no":"0881565675","contact_web_url":"webmaster@africanunion.org","submission_date":"2026-09-22T00:00:00Z","notice_text":"
REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST
(CONSULTING SERVICES – FIRM SELECTION)
Name of Project: Regional Climate Resilience Program for Eastern and Southern Africa 2 Project (RCRP2).
Project ID: P181308
Assignment Title: Consultancy Services for the Development and Implementation of a Training Program in support of strengthening the capacities of key senior Hydromet and DRR practitioners among the RCRP countries, AU, SADC, ICPAC and other key regional entities.
Reference No. ET-AUC-567618-CS-QCBS
The African Union Commission has received financing from the World Bank toward the cost of The Building Institutions and Systems to Harness and Realize Agenda (BIASHARA) 2063 Project and intends to apply part of the proceeds for consulting services.
The consulting services (“the Services”) include Consultancy Services for the Development and Implementation of a Training Program in support of strengthening the capacities of key senior Hydromet and DRR practitioners among the RCRP countries, AU, SADC, ICPAC and other key regional entities
The detailed Terms of Reference (TOR) for the assignment are attached to this Request for Expressions of Interest.
The African Union Commission now invites eligible consulting firms (“Consultants”) to indicate their interest in providing the Services. Interested Consultants should provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Services. The shortlisting criteria are:
The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to Section III, paragraphs, 3.14, 3.16, and 3.17 of the World Bank’s “Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers” July 2016, revised November 2020 (“Procurement Regulations”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest.
Consultants may associate with other firms to enhance their qualifications but should indicate clearly whether the association is in the form of a joint venture and/or a sub-consultancy. In the case of a joint venture, all the partners in the joint venture shall be jointly and severally liable for the entire contract, if selected.
A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Consultants’ Quality and Cost-based Selection method set out in the Procurement Regulations.
Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours 0900 to 1700 hours. Expressions of interest must be delivered in a written form to the address below (in person, or by mail, or by e-mail) by October 8, 2026.
African Union Commission,
Head of Supply Chain Management Division
Building C, 3rd Floor,
P.O Box 3243, Roosevelt Street
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Tel: +251 (0) 11 551 7700 – Ext 4305
Fax: +251 (0) 11 551 0442; +251 11-551-0430
E-mail: Tender@africanunion.org
Terms of Reference
Consultancy Services for Development and Implementation of a Training Program in support of strengthening the capacities of key senior Hydromet and DRR practitioners among the RCRP countries, AU, SADC, ICPAC and other key regional entities.
Africa is facing accelerated social-economic challenges, compounded by hydrometeorological induced disasters such as droughts, floods, tropical cyclones, mudslides and windstorms which have intensified in frequency and magnitude. This upsurge can be attributed, in part, to lack of mainstreaming of disaster risk reduction in development planning, inadequate investment in hydromet and early warning infrastructure, and lack of data management, open access and innovation in systems along with weak financial and human capacity to prepare, anticipate and respond to disaster emergencies. During the last 40 years, Africa has experienced more than 1000 disasters affecting more than 460 million people. In response to increasing disasters, the African Union Commission (AUC) with the support of the World Bank is implementing the Regional Climate Resilience Programme for Eastern and Southern Africa (RCRP-2) Series of Projects (SOP). This programme is a second operation in the SOPs funded by the World Bank. The programme aims to enhance climate resilience across Eastern and Southern Africa, including the African Union (AU), Comoros, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique and South Sudan.
The AUC is an implementing partner, tasked with strengthening regional coordination and capacity building within RCRP-2 countries. The AUC, therefore, seeks to recruit a team of consultants to undertake this assignment within sub-component 1.4: Strengthening capacity on hydromet services, Disaster Risk Management (DRM), and climate finance mobilisation. This sub-component aims to establishing and strengthening standardized regional systems and fostering technical expertise required to effectively respond to climate shocks and build long-term resilience. The training will build and enhance the capacities of RCRP-2 countries to implement the Africa Multi-Hazard Early Warning and Early Action System (AMHEWAS) Programme and enhance capacity of hydromet services to produce actionable forecast, alerts, warning advisories in coordination with AMHEWAS Situation Rooms, National Hydromet Agencies and National Disaster Management Agencies. Consequently, the AUC, in collaboration with the World Bank, seeks to recruit a team of consultants to organise a series of three short training courses (over a period of 6 months) to build the capacity of RCRP-2 countries. The training will cover the capacity needs of hydrometeorological and disaster risk management experts in RCRP-2 countries and respective Regional Economic Communities (RECs), particularly the Southern Africa Community Development (SADC) and IGAD Climate Prediction and Application Centre (ICPAC) as well as the Regional Specialised Meteorological Centres and other relevant entities within Africa East and South.
The overall objective of the training programme is to strengthen the capacities of representatives from National Hydromet agencies, National DRM agencies, the African Union, Regional Climate Centres, Regional Specialised Meteorological Centres, and DRR situation rooms from SADC and ICPAC regions for improved understanding, analytics, management and access of weather, water and climate information to support decision support tools that aid policy makers.
The proposed training programme aligns with Component 1.4 of the RCRP-2 project and is a critical mechanism for achieving the Project Development Objective: “To improve resilience to climate- related shocks in Malawi and the Eastern and Southern Africa region, and in case of an Eligible Crisis or emergency, to respond promptly and effectively to it.”
The capacity building initiatives under the AU Commission’s component 1.4 directly contribute to the Project Development Objective (PDO) and Series of Projects objective by addressing critical regional capacity gaps. This training consultancy will be aligned with another activity – Consultancy to support regional hydromet diagnostic, regional engagement, support for systems and capacity building. This training consultancy is to be implemented within the framework of:
The short training programme strengthens the capacity of national and regional institutions including hydromet, DRM agencies and related regional agencies, to strengthen EWS. The programme brings together selected data producers (hydromet) and users (DRM), specifically decision makers to facilitate common operational understanding and procedures. This addresses current data-to-action gaps and ensures that warnings are met with synchronized early actions, directly supporting the objective of responding “promptly and effectively” to shocks. It underpins the successful roll-out of the AMHEWAS programme.
Products produced by National Hydrometeorological Agencies are used by National Disaster Management Agencies and other sectors. Lack of national coordination, collaboration and partnerships results in ineffective use of the information and inadequate preparedness and/or response by weather-dependent sectors. This leads to delayed response time to take anticipatory action by the users of hydrometeorological information. By bringing the relevant institutions in the same training, the training courses will foster interoperability, collaboration and improving the producer-user needs. Fostering a shared community of practice would allow for greater understanding and coordination.
The programme formally strengthens regional mechanisms for cooperation, which are essential for managing transboundary climate and weather-related challenges and harmonizing data and response protocols across borders, a core tenet of the RCRP SOP.
The Consultancy will deliver a training program and support the establishment of the abovementioned community of practice. This will contribute to strengthening capacities of country representatives as well as those of AU, Regional Climate Centres, Regional Specialised Meteorological Centres, SADC, and ICPAC. This group will include service producers and end-users across multiple-sectors and within the project participating countries to improve resilience to climate shocks.
The table below shows the deliverables and outputs of the assignment.
Deliverable No. # | Deliverable title | Linked Task(s) | Key Contents / Acceptance Criteria (minimum) | Indicative Timelines | Responsible Party |
D1 | Inception Report (Training Strategy & Implementation Plan) | Task 1 | Confirmed training scope and thematic areas; stakeholder consultation summary; training modalities (virtual/in-person); 6month workplan and milestones; coordination and QA approach; learning evaluation method (pre/post); logistics and risk assumptions. | Weeks 1 - 2 | Consultant (lead) with AU oversight |
D2 | Community of Practice (COP) Establishment Package | Task 1 | COP concept note; draft COP ToR; roles (AU/secretariat/moderation); membership categories and initial roster; operating procedures; initial engagement calendar aligned to trainings. | Weeks 2 - 4 | Consultant (draft) + AU (validation/approval) + COP members (inputs) |
D3 | Training Curriculum & Module Designs (three short courses) | Task 2 | Course outlines (3 module bundles): learning objectives; session plans; target audience segmentation (hydromet producers/DRM users/decision-makers); prerequisites; delivery approach; practical exercises and case studies. | Weeks 3 - 6 | Consultant (lead) with AU/WB technical review |
D4 | Full Training Materials Package (Participant + Facilitator) | Task 2 | Slide decks; participant workbook/handouts; facilitator guide (runofshow, timings, pedagogy); exercises, datasets (where feasible), tool guidance; pre/post assessments (with keys); evaluation forms; job aids (checklists, SOP templates). | Weeks 5 - 10 (iterative) | Consultant (lead) with AU/WB technical review |
D5 | AMHEWAS Integration & Demonstration Materials | Task 2 | AMHEWAS demonstration scripts and scenarios linking forecast→alert→warning advisory→decision triggers→early action; guidance on coordination between AMHEWAS situation rooms, national hydromet and national disaster management agencies. | Weeks 6 - 10 | AU lead with consultant (AU AMHEWAS team for system access/support) |
D6 | Training Facilitators Program / ToT Toolkit | Task 2 | Facilitator competency framework; selection/nomination criteria and template; ToT agenda and materials (microteaching); facilitation observation rubric and quality checklist; proposed recognition/certification approach (if required). | Weeks 6 - 12 | Consultant (lead) with AU/RECs (candidate nominations) |
D7 | Webinar Delivery Package (minimum 1 webinar) | Task 3 | Final webinar agenda; speaker/facilitator list; participant list; materials used; recording or replay link/file (if permissible); Q&A summary; participant feedback analysis; attendance report by country/institution type (where feasible). | Month 2 - 4 | Consultant (delivery) with AU (convening) and RECs/countries (participation) |
D8 | Advanced InPerson Training Workshop Package (minimum 1) | Task 3 | Workshop concept note and agenda; participant list and completion list; all training materials used; practical exercise outputs (e.g., draft SOPs/data-sharing workflows/action plans); case study notes (e.g., Malawi/Mozambique); postworkshop evaluation report. | Month 4 - 6 | Consultant (delivery) with AU (convening/logistics) and host country (support) |
D9 | COP Communication and Engagement (minimum set over 6 months) | Task 4 | Objective, channels/tools (e.g., chat/linkedin group/email lists); moderation roles; content plan (digests/knowledge sessions); knowledge management/repository approach; KPIs for engagement; at least 2 COP knowledge exchange sessions with notes; 2–3 COP digests/newsletters; issues log and followup actions. | Month 2 - 6 (ongoing) | Consultant (draft and facilitation) + AU (implementation lead, moderation lead) + COP members (content sharing) |
D10 | Consolidated Training Completion & Recommendations Report | Tasks 1–4 | Summary of all trainings delivered (dates, modality, participants); aggregated learning results (pre/post); participant feedback and lessons learned; remaining capacity gaps; recommendations and roadmap for sustaining COP and future trainings; annexes (agendas, attendance, materials index). | End of Month 6 | Consultant (lead) with AU/WB review |
Note: Timing is indicative for a 6month assignment and should be aligned with AU/WB scheduling and logistics.
The delivery of the assignment will be led by a team of consultants (details in the Annex) under the guidance and with the support of the AUC.
Upon completion, participants and their respective institutions are expected to achieve the following:
The training programme will target RCRP 2 plus countries which are Malawi, Comoros, Madagascar, Mozambique and South Sudan. Apart from RCRP countries, additional Member States may be selected, with a geographical focus on countries in Africa East and South, with priority being given to Member States that have already established, are planning, or are in the process of establishing MHEWS Situation Rooms. The COP would also include representatives of SADC as well as other regional institutions such as ICPAC/IGAD, Eastern Nile Technical Regional Office (ENTRO), RCCs, and RSMCs.
The scope of the training programme will focus on the following core modules:
Module 1: Hydromet services and integrated EWS.
Module 2: Disaster preparedness and Early Action.
Module 3: Climate Science and forecasting.
Module 4: Short term training AMHEWAS experts on data and Earth Observation.
Proposed training modules;
Module | Key focus areas | Profile of participants |
Module 1: Hydromet services and integrated EWS. | Target multi-sectoral participants including data/information generators and users.
Topics include:
| This module will target experts from NDMAs and NHMAs with the following profile:
Degree holders from reputable institutions with at least 3 to 10 years of work experience
Managing situation rooms/ emergency operating centres
Demonstrated experience in data management, weather forecasting, climate prediction and multi-hazard early warning systems
Experience in risk mapping, GIS and vulnerability assessments
Experience in translating technical EW outputs into simplified risk communication (effective dissemination and communication)
|
Module 2: Disaster preparedness and Early Action. | Focus on DRM and sectoral users (agriculture and livestock, energy, transport and water etc)
Topics include:
| This module will target experts from NDMAs (EOCs and Situation Rooms) and NHMAs with the following profile:
The candidate must have the following academic and professional background:
Relevant degree in DRM, Geography, Environment, Natural Resources, or equivalent from a recognized University
Must be currently working with the relevant institution for not less than five years
Must be in middle management level and a decision maker
Good understanding in multi-hazard risk knowledge, anticipatory action, impact-based forecasting and disaster preparedness, and climate financing |
Module 3: Climate science and forecasting | Focus on climate science and forecasting for decision-makers.
Topics include:
| This module will target experts from NDMAs and NHMAs with the following profile:
Degree holders from reputable institutions with at least 3 to 10 years of work experience.
Managing situation rooms/ emergency operating centres.
Demonstrated experience in data management, weather forecasting, climate prediction and multi-hazard early warning systems.
Experience in risk mapping, GIS and vulnerability assessments.
Experience in translating technical EW outputs into simplified risk communication (effective dissemination and communication).
|
Module 4: Training programme. | Practical hands-on, results-oriented on-the-job training for selected experts at continental and regional bodies, focusing on:
| This module will target experts from NDMAs and NHMAs with the following profile:
Degree holders from reputable institutions with at least 3 to 10 years work experience.
Managing situation rooms/ emergency operating centres.
Demonstrated experienced in data management, weather forecasting, climate prediction and multi-hazard early warning systems.
Experience in risk mapping, GIS and vulnerability assessments.
Experience in translating technical EW outputs into simplified risk communication (effective dissemination and communication).
|
Annexes
Annex 1: Roles and responsibilities
Introduction:
The AUC AMHEWAS recognizes the distinct roles and responsibilities of NDMAs, NMHSs and other stakeholders at continental, regional and national levels. The mandate for hydrological and weather observation, monitoring, forecasting and analyses at national level lies with the meteorological and hydrological agencies respectively depending on the national context. The NDMAs are basically users of the products provided by NMHSs. The AUC AMHEWAS simply aggregates regional guidance products from Regional Climate Centres and RSMCs, and make them available to Member States to have a synoptic analysis of Transboundary Risks. AMHEWAS does not produce early warnings and forecasts but aggregates information from national level to provide guidance to Member States for Anticipatory Action and further analytics. The AMHEWAS in respect to this training is to bring the services providers and the users on board to narrow the gap between early warning and anticipatory action. The involvement of RCC that are responsible for climate information and the Regional Specialised Meteorological Centres (RSMC), Pretoria and RSMC La Reunion is to build regional and national capacities against severe weather and tropical cyclones. Their involvement in the training will help RCPR-2 countries to understand regional capacities, utility and services provided by these institutions. The goal of the AMHEWAS is if all member states are equipped with AMHEWAS situation rooms, the role of the AUC AMHEWAS will be simply to aggregate the information from the national and regional level to support the Civil Protection Mechanism and higher-level response. This approach seeks to enhance co-creation, co-designing, co-production and interoperability of multi-hazard early warning systems.
AU AMHEWAS will play the following roles and responsibilities:
Annex 2: Consultant Team Composition and Expertise
RCRP-2 Training Facilitators Program and Community of Practice (AMHEWAS) will be composed of a team of consultants with the following qualifications, skills and core functions:
Role | Key Responsibilities | Required Expertise | Core Competencies | Minimum Qualifications |
Team Leader / Senior DRM–EWS Specialist | Overall technical lead; ensures alignment with RCRP-2 and AMHEWAS; oversees deliverables and stakeholder coordination | Multi-hazard EWS, DRM systems, anticipatory action, institutional coordination, data-to-action | Building Partnerships
Drives Accountability Culture
Learning Orientation
Communicating with impact
Ability to develop Capacity Development Programmes must be added advantage
| Advanced degree (Masters/ PHD); 12–15+ years in DRM/EWS; regional program experience |
Senior Hydromet Services & Forecast-to-Warning Expert | Leads technical content on observation, forecasting and warning services | NMHS operations; forecasting workflows; hydromet observation systems (WIGOS, GTS/WIS, WIPPS, satellite, radar); country-level forecasting systems; IBF; CAP; climate services | Foster accountability culture: Makes decisions, sets priorities or chooses goals based on calculated inputs and outputs, makes explicit considerations of potential return on investment or cost-benefit analysis of outcomes
Learning orientation: Promotes and role models ongoing learning and development through establishing mechanisms to facilitate and encourage knowledge sharing in the business area.
Communicating with impact: Uses personal rather than positional power to influence and motivate others to achieve results | Advanced degree; 10+ years in hydromet services |
Training Design & ToT Specialist | Designs curriculum and facilitators program; develops training materials and assessment tools | Adult learning, competency-based training, facilitation, ToT, evaluation methods | Foster accountability culture: Makes decisions, sets priorities or chooses goals based on calculated inputs and outputs, makes explicit considerations of potential return on investment or cost-benefit analysis of outcomes
Learning orientation: Promotes and role models ongoing learning and development through establishing mechanisms to facilitate and encourage knowledge sharing in the business area.
Communicating with impact: Uses personal rather than positional power to influence and motivate others to achieve results | Advanced degree; 8–10+ years training design experience |
Data Management & Decision Support Specialist | Develops modules on data management, interoperability and tools | Data governance, hydromet/DRR systems, geospatial tools, dashboards | Building relationships: Establishes a broad network of contacts that enables the individual to gather information and encourage others to establish a chain of influence and utilize the strengths and abilities of stakeholders
Foster accountability culture: Makes decisions, sets priorities or chooses goals based on calculated inputs and outputs, makes explicit considerations of potential return on investment or cost-benefit analysis of outcomes
Learning orientation: Promotes and role models ongoing learning and development through establishing mechanisms to facilitate and encourage knowledge sharing in the business area.
Communicating with impact: Uses personal rather than positional power to influence and motivate others to achieve results | Advanced degree; 8–10+ years experience |
COP / Knowledge Management Specialist | Establishes COP and communication strategy; manages knowledge exchange | Community of practice, communications, knowledge management, digital platforms | Building relationships: Establishes a broad network of contacts that enables the individual to gather information and encourage others to establish a chain of influence and utilize the strengths and abilities of stakeholders
Foster accountability culture: Makes decisions, sets priorities or chooses goals based on calculated inputs and outputs, makes explicit considerations of potential return on investment or cost-benefit analysis of outcomes
Learning orientation: Promotes and role models ongoing learning and development through establishing mechanisms to facilitate and encourage knowledge sharing in the business area.
Communicating with impact: Uses personal rather than positional power to influence and motivate others to achieve results | Degree; 8+ years experience |
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MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT AND PUBLIC WORKS
SOUTHERN AFRICA TRADE AND CONNECTIVITY PROJECT (P164847)
REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST
(CONSULTING SERVICES – FIRMS SELECTION)
NAME OF PROJECT: SOUTHERN AFRICA TRADE AND CONNECTIVITY PROJECT (P164847)
Credit No: 6870-MW
Grant No: D804-MW
Assignment Title: PROCUREMENT OF CONSULTANCY SERVICES FOR PROJECT END LINE EVALUATION
Reference No.: MW-MTPW-571610-CS-QCBS
Date of issue: 17th September, 2026
BACKGROUND
1) The Government of Malawi (GoM) has obtained a credit and grant from the International Development Association (IDA) under the Southern Africa Trade and Connectivity Project to support efforts to reduce trade costs and time, increase access to improved infrastructure, and increase value chain development in targeted corridors of Malawi and Mozambique, and intends to apply part of the proceeds for consulting services.
2) The consulting services (“the Services”) include;
The overall contract duration shall not exceed four and a half (4.5) months (18 weeks). Notwithstanding this duration, all services, deliverables, revisions and final outputs shall be completed no later than 30 June 2027. This date shall constitute a firm contractual deadline. The Consulting firm shall make any adjustments necessary to the work plan, implementation schedule, sequencing of activities and allocation of resources, at no additional cost to the Client, to ensure that all services and deliverables are completed by this date.
The detailed Terms of Reference (TOR) for the assignment can be obtained at the website and address given below.
3) The Ministry of Transport and Public Works now invites eligible consulting firms (“Consultants”) to indicate their interest in providing the Services. Interested Consultants should provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Services. The shortlisting criteria are:
a) Core business of the firm(s) and years in business;
b) Relevant similar experience, which should specifically include the below: The consulting firm must demonstrate:
c) Technical and Managerial capability of the firm. (Provide only the structure of the organization, general qualifications and experience, and number of key staff. Do not provide detailed CV of the staff. Experts will not be evaluated at the shortlisting stage).
The firm may propose other experts required to execute this assignment.
TEAM COMPOSITION
The Consulting firm's personnel, nominated for this assignment, shall be suitably qualified and experienced. As a guide, the following is an indication of the minimum level of training and experience expected of the key members:
4) The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to Section III, paragraphs, 3.14, 3.16, and 3.17 of the World Bank’s “Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers” dated September 2025 (“Procurement Regulations”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest.
Consultants may associate with other firms to enhance their qualifications, but should indicate clearly whether the association is in the form of a joint venture and/or a sub-consultancy. In the case of a joint venture, all the partners in the joint venture shall be jointly and severally liable for the entire contract, if selected.
A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Quality Cost Based Selection (QCBS) method set out in the Procurement Regulations.
Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours from 07:30 to 16:30 hours, local time.
5) Expressions of interest must be delivered in a written form to the address below (in person, or by mail, or by fax, or by e-mail) by 1st October, 2026.
The Chairman,
Internal Procurement and Disposal of Assets Committee,
Ministry Of Transport and Public Works,
Southern Africa Trade and Connectivity Project
Capital Hill,
Private Bag 322,
Lilongwe 3, Malawi.
Tel: +265 999510795
Fax: +265 1 750 307
E-mail: procurement@satcp.mw CC: steven.manda@satcp.mw
Website: www.satcp.mw
"},{"id":"OP00468827","notice_type":"Request for Expression of Interest","noticedate":"16-Sep-2026","notice_lang_name":"English","notice_status":"Published","submission_deadline_date":"2026-09-29T00:00:00Z","submission_deadline_time":"04:00","project_ctry_name":"Fiji","project_id":"P515153","project_name":"Fiji Energy Transformation Project Preparation","bid_reference_no":"FJ-EFL-567207-CS-CQS","bid_description":"Prefeasibility study for selected solar sites, including E&S assessment and risk mitigation","procurement_group":"CS","procurement_method_code":"CQS","procurement_method_name":"Consultant Qualification Selection","contact_address":"2 Marlow Street\nSuva, Fiji","contact_ctry_name":"Fiji","contact_email":"bobbyc@efl.com.fj","contact_name":"Bobby Naimawi","contact_organization":"Energy Fiji Limited","contact_phone_no":"(679) 9992468","contact_web_url":"www.efl.com.fj","submission_date":"2026-09-16T00:00:00Z","notice_text":"
EOI 01/2026 for Pre-Feasibility Study for Ground Mounted Solar PLANT with Battery Energy Storage System at TAVAKUBU in LAUTOKA, NASOLO in BA and YAQARA
REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST – CONSULTANT’S QUALIFICATIONS BASED SELECTION (CQS)
Name of Project | Fiji Energy Transformation Project Preparation (P515153) |
Loan No/Credit No/Grant Number | GFPP Grant No. TF0D0728 |
Assignment Title | Pre-Feasibility Study for Ground-Mounted Solar PV Plants with Battery Energy Storage Systems at Tavakubu, Nasolo and Yaqara |
Procurement Plan Ref Number | FJ-EFL-567207-CS-CQS |
Reference No. | EOI-01/2026 |
Country of Delivery | Republic of Fiji |
The Republic of Fiji, acting through Energy Fiji Limited (EFL), has received financing from the World Bank toward the costs of the Fiji Energy Transformation Project Preparation (P515153), and intends to apply part of the proceeds for the following consulting services.
The consulting services ("the Services") comprise a pre-feasibility study for utility-scale ground-mounted solar photovoltaic (PV) plants with battery energy storage systems (BESS) at Tavakubu in Lautoka, Nasolo in Ba, and Yaqara. The assignment will assess site suitability, solar resources, grid readiness, technical configuration, economic viability, environmental and social risks, climate and disaster risks, and project implementation requirements. Following the study, the Technical Advisor will support EFL in preparing technical specifications for procurement of independent power producer arrangements.
The Services will cover:
Phase 1 site screening and project definition for all three sites, including demand growth and grid-readiness review, solar-resource and energy-yield assessment, indicative site layouts and single-line diagrams, access, topography, hydrology, climate and disaster risks, environmental and social red-flag screening, preliminary cost estimates, development timeframes, multicriteria ranking and recommendations.
Phase 2 project preparation for up to two sites selected by EFL, including cadastral, topographic and geotechnical investigations; solar-resource and shading assessment; PV and BESS configuration; energy-yield estimates; static and dynamic grid-impact studies; conceptual interconnection design; cost, revenue and financial sensitivity analysis; environmental and social assessment and management planning; approvals and permitting roadmap; and project development schedules.
Phase 3 technical support to IPP selection, including technical inputs for RFQ and RFP documents, prequalification and eligibility requirements, technical compliance and responsiveness criteria, and bid-evaluation criteria.
Preparation of an inception report, project definition report, separate pre-feasibility reports for selected sites, environmental and social outputs, presentations, model and data files, and procurement technical specifications.
Implementation period: the assignment is expected to be completed within six (6) months from contract execution and issue of the commencement notice.
Terms of Reference: The detailed Terms of Reference are attached to this REOI as Appendix 1 and may also be made available through EFL’s procurement portals.
Energy Fiji Limited now invites eligible consulting firms ("Consultants") to indicate their interest in providing the Services. Interested Consultants should provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Services.
The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to paragraphs 3.14, 3.16 and 3.17 of the World Bank’s Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers, latest applicable edition, setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest.
EOI Evaluation Criteria
Criterion | Weight |
1. General experience of the firm in renewable-energy, power-system and infrastructure advisory assignments | 20% |
2. Relevant experience in pre-feasibility or feasibility studies and conceptual design for utility-scale solar PV projects incorporating BESS | 40% |
3. Relevant experience in island grids, grid integration, transmission interconnection, environmental and social safeguards, and climate/disaster risk assessment | 20% |
4. Relevant experience in preparing technical specifications, procurement strategies and/or bidding documents for solar PV, BESS or comparable power-sector investments | 20% |
Total | 100% |
Form and content of the Expression of Interest
Expressions of interest should not exceed 10 pages, excluding annexes, and should contain only the information necessary to assess the criteria set out above. Consultants are not required to submit technical proposals, methodologies, work plans, staffing schedules, CVs of experts, or financial proposals at this stage. In accordance with the Regulations, the qualifications and experience of Key Experts do not form part of this evaluation, and any such material submitted will not be evaluated.
Consultants may associate with other firms to enhance their qualifications but shall indicate clearly whether the association takes the form of a joint venture and/or a sub-consultancy. In the case of a joint venture, all members shall be jointly and severally liable, and the lead member shall be identified.
The firm assessed as best qualified against the above criteria will be invited to submit a technical and financial proposal and to negotiate a contract in accordance with the applicable Procurement Regulations.
Submission
Further information can be obtained by emailing to tenders@efl.com.fj during office hours 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM (Fiji Time), Monday to Friday clear 3 days from the closing date of this EOI.
Expressions of interest must be uploaded to the EFL e-Tender Portal (TenderLink) at https://www.tenderlink.com/efl(opens in new window), by registering your company, by 4:00 PM (1600 hrs) Fiji Time on Wednesday 30th September 2026.
Tender documents may be viewed and downloaded from www.efl.com.fj(opens in new window) or https://www.tenderlink.com/efl(opens in new window).
Submissions by email or facsimile will not be accepted and will be deemed null and void. Hard copy submissions to the tender box at EFL Head Office, Suva, will not be accepted.
Appendix 1 – Terms of Reference
ENERGY FIJI LIMITED
Terms of reference
Pre-Feasibility Study for Ground Mounted Solar PLANT with Battery Energy Storage System at TAVAKUBU in LAUTOKA, NASOLO in BA and YAQARA
RFP Request for Proposals
TOR Terms of reference for the works
Tenderer The company or consortia that is providing a submission in response to this RFP document
EFL Energy Fiji Limited, 2 Marlow Street, Suva, Fiji
Works The Project, Assignment
PV Photo Voltaic
CBA Cost Benefit Analysis
BESS Battery Energy Storage system
WB World Bank
ESS Environment & Social Standards
AACEI Association for the Advancement of Cost Engineering International
IFC International Finance Corporation
Table of contents
1 Definitions. 2
2 Introduction and Background.. 5
2.1 About Energy Fiji Limited. 5
2.2 Project Background and Overview. 5
2.3 Objective of this Assignment 6
3 Scope of Work.. 6
3.1 Phase 1: Site Screening and Project Definition. 6
3.2 Phase 2: Project Preparation. 7
3.3 Phase 3: Procurement Specifications Support 8
4 Deliverables. 8
4.1 Inception Report 9
4.2 Project Definition Report 9
4.3 Pre-Feasibility Report, including Environmental and Social Outputs. 9
4.4 Procurement Technical Specifications. 9
5 Supervision and Reporting.. 9
6 Expertise and Qualification.. 9
6.1 Similar Project Experience. 9
6.2 Staff Qualification and Experience. 10
6.3 Other Qualification Areas. 11
6.3.1 Minimum Team-Level Qualifications. 11
6.3.2 FS-Critical Competencies. 11
6.3.3 Submission Requirements. 12
7 Payment Schedules and Terms. 12
8 Inputs and Facilities Provided by EFL. 12
Annexure A: Site LocationS. 13
Energy Fiji Limited (“EFL”) is a public company limited by shares that was established under the Companies Act (2015), Laws of Fiji. It is supervised by a Board of Directors comprising a Chairman and representatives of its shareholders. Its major shareholders include the Fijian Government and Sevens Pacific Pte. Limited.
The Executive Management team of EFL consists of the Chief Executive Officer, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Chief Finance Officer, General Manager Human Resources, General Manager Generation, General Manager Network, General Manager Customer Services, General Manager System Planning and Control, General Manager Special Projects and Chief Information Officer.
EFL is primarily responsible for generation, transmission and distribution of electricity in Viti Levu, Vanua Levu, Ovalau and Taveuni in Fiji. It owns over twenty (20) power stations and twenty (20) substations and switching stations on the islands of Viti Levu, Vanua Levu, Taveuni and Ovalau. EFL owns, operates and maintains a network of 147km of 132kV transmission lines, 576km of 33kV lines and over 11,200km of 11kV and 415V distribution lines, as at 31st December 2025. It also has over 227,000 customer accounts as at 31st December 2025, made up of domestic, institutional, commercial and industrial customers.
EFL has embarked upon an ambitious program of development in order to fulfil its strategic objectives. These include development of new generating and power system projects as well as improving reliability and capacity-building for future load growth. EFL plans to increase the generation capacity of Fiji in order to meet continuing demand growth and intends that this additional capacity will be provided by renewable or at least non-polluting resources.
Fiji utilizes a diverse array of energy sources, including hydro, diesel, wood, and petroleum products, to fulfill its energy needs. EFL is the primary provider of grid-based power to approximately 90% of the population on the main islands of Viti Levu, Vanua Levu, Taveuni and Ovalau. EFL aims to supply at least 90% of its energy requirements through renewable sources by 2035. Having a dependable and high-quality supply of electricity is crucial for driving economic growth. Lack of access to electricity not only diminishes the quality of life but also deprives people from essential services like healthcare, agriculture, education etc.
EFL is undertaking the development of a utility-scale ground-mounted solar PV power at the identified sites in Viti Levu. This study aims to delve into the key components of a pre-feasibility study for ground mounted solar PV project with BESS at these sites, focusing on technical and economic analyses. Additionally, it will assess other essential considerations such as environmental, and social aspects in alignment with the IFC Performance Standards, emphasizing their importance for the success and long-term sustainability of the project. Upon completion of the pre-feasibility study, the Technical Advisor is required to assist in preparation of procurement documentation by preparing technical specifications that will be used by EFL for preparing the procurement documentation to select an independent power producer (IPP). The project may subsequently be prepared to be developed through public-private partnership.
This project supports Fiji’s National Development Plan target of achieving 100% grid-connected renewable electricity generation by 2035 and EFL’s corporate goal of sourcing more than 90% of its energy from renewable sources by 2035. The installation will enhance grid stability, reduce reliance on fossil fuels, and contribute to sustainable economic growth.
The objective of this solar feasibility study is to determine the practicality and economic viability of installing solar photovoltaic system with battery energy storage system at the proposed sites by evaluating solar resources, technical requirements, financial performance, environmental benefits, and potential risks, and to provide recommendations for project implementation.
EFL has identified three (3) sites which they intend to develop for solar PV power plant with BESS. Annexure A shows these three sites, and these are legally described as follows:
Lease or Title Document Reference | Legal description of Land. | Area (Indicative, subject to survey) |
LD4/1/40687 | Nasolo - Ba | 101 Acres |
SO5189 and SO5188 | Veniu Subdivision - Yaqara | 600 Acres |
TLC – Tokatoka Navitua | Lot 38 -Tavakubu | 200 Acres (out of 600 acres under existing lease) |
EFL would like to procure the services of a Technical Advisor which will be the firm with a qualified team of multi-disciplinary experts comprising international and national consultants for the provision of the scope of work enumerated below. The Technical Advisor will work closely with and directly support EFL for the Project.
The Technical Advisor shall carry out the work as per the scope mentioned in this section. For carrying out this project, the Technical Advisor shall draw a detailed action plan which need to be presented during the project inception meeting to be held with EFL.
The feasibility shall be completed in Six (6) months from the execution of Contract and issue of commencement notice.
The scope of work will be follows as a minimum, but not limited to:
The Technical Advisor shall conduct initial site assessment to screen the gross area of the three sites based on secondary data available, information collected from stakeholders, data analysis (as required for GIS-based assessment of the sites using satellite imagery available):
Based on the results of Phase 1, EFL will select sites for further development. If there are no sites are deemed viable, the consultancy assignment will not continue.
For the selected sites, the Technical Advisor shall prepare a comprehensive feasibility study covering the ground mounted solar plant, BESS, transmission interconnection and transmission line as outlined above. It will consist among others engineering, financial, social and environmental due-diligence adhering to the World Banks ESS Standards and analysis of proposed site and develop an optimal solution.
The feasibility study report should cover all requirements identified by EFL and mentioned in any relevant laws and regulations as applicable to energy projects in Fiji, and should include the following:
Contingent on EFL’s decision, the Technical Advisor will assist EFL for the implementation of the selection of the IPP by providing inputs on technical aspects of the Pre-qualification, and Request for Proposal (RFP) and Request for Bid (RFB) processes.
The detailed inputs would include the following:
Other Tasks and Responsibilities:
In addition to the above scope of work, the Technical Advisor shall liaise and cooperate, as necessary and throughout the assignment, with other consultants engaged by EFL for the study. All deliverables and key outputs will be developed in English and submitted in soft copies to EFL. Key members of the consulting firm/(s) shall have the ability to conduct meetings and discussions in English.
The Technical Advisor shall prepare highlights and/or minutes of all relevant major meetings and other
consultations.
The Client would retain the right to: a) decide the number of projects that would proceed from phase 1 to phase 2 (project preparation) and b) implement or not Phase 3 activities.
The Technical Advisor shall provide the following deliverables:
The Project Owner is the Chief Executive Officer - EFL. The Technical Advisor will report to and coordinate with General Manager Special Projects of EFL for various project related components and delivery.
The Bidders themselves or with their Joint Venture partners should have previous experience and expertise in Review and Vetting, and /or feasibility stage Design & Engineering of at least seven solar PV power plant projects with BESS in last 7 years.
The Bidder must have as a minimum, qualified and experienced key staff in the following areas:
All identified Key Staff and their Curriculum Vitae (CV) should be included in the bid submission.
The Consultant will be expected to provide the main deliverables in accordance with the following timetable.
No. | Deliverable | Duration (after commencement of each Phase) |
1-1 | Inception Report | 1 week |
1-2 | Submission of the project definition report with all the deliverables listed in the scope of work and presentation to EFL of key findings (Phase 1: Site Screening and Project Definition) | 8 weeks |
1-3 | Submission of final feasibility report incorporating input from EFL and other stakeholders (Phase 2: Project Preparation) | 18 weeks |
1-4 | Presentation of findings and recommendations to stakeholders, transportation authorities, funding agencies and potential project investors | 19 weeks |
1.5 | Preparation of technical specifications document for inclusion in development RFT with all mandatory preliminary design for tendering (Phase 3: Technical Support to IPP Selection) | 24 weeks |
The Technical Advisor should quote a lump sum value inclusive of all expenses for delivering the services under the Terms of Reference. In addition, the Technical Advisor is required to provide phase wise cost breakup of the lump sum value of the contract.
Phase/ Deliverable | % of the lump sum value |
Phase 1: Site Screening and Project Definition |
|
Phase 2: Project Preparation (breakdown by site) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Phase 3: Technical Support to IPP Selection |
|
Payments shall be made upon verification and formal acceptance of deliverables linked to defined project milestones. No advance payment will be made. All pricing shall be inclusive of applicable taxes.
For offshore services, payments will be made net-off for applicable Withholding Tax under Fiji's Income Tax Act. Bidders must clearly indicate the WHT amount applicable in their price schedules.
EFL will provide the following:
Annexure A: Site LocationS
Figure 1: Site Boundary Details, Nasolo, Ba
Figure 2: Site Boundary Details – Tavakubu, Lautoka
Figure 3: Site Layout Details – Yaqara, Tavua
Figure 4: Site Layout Details – Yaqara, Tavua
"},{"id":"OP00468630","notice_type":"Request for Expression of Interest","noticedate":"14-Sep-2026","notice_lang_name":"English","notice_status":"Published","submission_deadline_date":"2026-10-05T00:00:00Z","submission_deadline_time":"15:00","project_ctry_name":"Lebanon","project_id":"P181155","project_name":"Fiscal Management Project","bid_reference_no":"LB-MOF-568525-CS-QCBS","bid_description":"Consulting firm for IFMIS implementation support: business process reengineering, requirements definition, procurement preparation and implementation oversight","procurement_group":"CS","procurement_method_code":"QCBS","procurement_method_name":"Quality And Cost-Based Selection","contact_address":"Riad el Solh Square, Beirut, Lebanon\ninfocenter@finance.gov.lb","contact_ctry_name":"Lebanon","contact_email":"amers@finance.gov.lb","contact_name":"Amer Syagha","contact_organization":"Ministry of Finance","contact_phone_no":"+9611956000 Ext 1121","submission_date":"2026-09-14T00:00:00Z","notice_text":"LEBANESE REPUBLIC
MINISTRY OF FINANCE
Lebanon Fiscal Management Project - Project Coordination Unit
REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST
(CONSULTING SERVICES - FIRMS SELECTION)
Country | Lebanese Republic |
Project | Lebanon Fiscal Management Project (FMP) (P181155) |
Loan No. | IBRD-96440 |
Assignment Title | Consulting Firm for IFMIS Implementation Support |
Reference No. (as per Procurement Plan) | LB-MOF-568525-CS-QCBS |
Market Approach | Open - International |
Deadline for Submission of Expressions of Interest | 5 October 2026 at 15:00, Beirut local time |
The Lebanese Republic has received financing from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) toward the cost of the Lebanon Fiscal Management Project (FMP), and intends to apply part of the proceeds of this financing to eligible payments under the contract for the consulting services described below.
The consulting services (“the Services”) will be provided to the Ministry of Finance of the Lebanese Republic (“the Client”), which is the implementing agency for the Project.
The objective of the assignment is to support the Ministry of Finance (MoF) in the successful preparation, procurement, implementation, and institutionalization of a fit-for-purpose Integrated Financial Management Information System (IFMIS) that strengthens public financial management, improves fiscal transparency and accountability, and supports the Government of Lebanon’s reform agenda.
The selected consulting firm will serve as an independent technical advisor and implementation oversight consultant. The Firm will not be responsible for supplying, configuring, implementing, or deploying the IFMIS solution, which will be procured separately through a competitive process.
The Services will include, inter alia:
Cross-cutting activities will include change management, enterprise risk management, cybersecurity and data protection, capacity building, and knowledge transfer throughout the assignment.
The assignment will comprise two components:
The Services are expected to be performed through a combination of in-country engagements at the Ministry of Finance in Beirut, Lebanon, and remote inputs, as appropriate to the nature and requirements of each phase. The required level and timing of expert mobilization, particularly during Phase F, will be agreed with and authorized by the MoF.
The contract will therefore comprise a Lump-Sum component for Phases A–E and a Time-Based component for Phase F.
The detailed Terms of Reference for the assignment is attached to this Request for Expressions of Interest. It may also be obtained at the address given in paragraph 10 below, or requested by email.
The Ministry of Finance now invites eligible consulting firms (“Consultants”) to indicate their interest in providing the Services. Interested Consulting firms should provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Services.
Expressions of interest shall be structured so as to address each of the shortlisting criteria set out in paragraph 6 below, in the order in which they appear. Submissions that do not address these criteria may not be considered.
The consultant will be shortlisted on the basis of the following criteria. Only the qualifications and experience of the firm - and, where an association is proposed, of its joint venture partners - will be assessed at this stage.
Key Experts will not be evaluated at the shortlisting stage.
The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to Section III, paragraphs 3.14, 3.16, and 3.17 of the World Bank’s “Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers”, Seventh Edition, September 2025 (“the Procurement Regulations”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest. The Procurement Regulations are available on the World Bank’s website at www.worldbank.org/procurement.
Consultants may associate with other firms to enhance their qualifications, but shall indicate clearly whether the association takes the form of a joint venture or of a sub-consultancy. In the case of a joint venture, all partners shall be jointly and severally liable for the entire contract if selected.
A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Quality- and Cost-Based Selection (QCBS) method set out in the Procurement Regulations.
The shortlist will contain not fewer than five (5) and not more than eight (8) firms. Only shortlisted Consultants will be invited to submit proposals, and will be notified in writing.
Expressions of interest must be delivered in written form, in English, to the address given in paragraph 12 below (in person, by mail, or by e-mail) no later than 5 October 2026 at 15:00 hours, Beirut local time.
Further information may be obtained at the address below during office hours, 08:00 to 16:00 hours Beirut local time, Monday to Friday:
Amer Syagha / Procurement Specialist
Project Coordination Unit - Lebanon Fiscal Management Project
Ministry of Finance - The Republic of Lebanon
Riad El Solh
Beirut, Lebanon
Telephone: +961-1-956000 Ext 1121
E-mail: amers@finance.gov.lb
Website: www.finance.gov.lb
"},{"id":"OP00468235","notice_type":"Request for Expression of Interest","noticedate":"10-Sep-2026","notice_lang_name":"English","notice_status":"Published","submission_deadline_date":"2026-09-30T00:00:00Z","submission_deadline_time":"09:00","project_ctry_name":"China","project_id":"P162178","project_name":"China Food Safety Improvement Project","bid_reference_no":"GD-FSS-GAMR-CS14","bid_description":"Guangdong Agricultural Product Quality and Safety Improvement (Demonstration) Project Information Technology Service Package III (Specialized Security Assessment Service and Acceptance Assessment Service)","procurement_group":"CS","procurement_method_code":"CQS","procurement_method_name":"Consultant Qualification Selection","contact_address":"South Tower, Bld. Jinbintengyue, Rd. Huaxia 49-1, Tianhe District, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China","contact_ctry_name":"China","contact_email":"zhangzhi5@cgci.gt.cn","contact_name":"Zhang Zhi, Guo Hujun","contact_organization":"China International Tendering Co., Ltd.","contact_phone_no":"010 8116 8424","submission_date":"2026-09-10T00:00:00Z","notice_text":"
REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SPECIALLIZED SECURITY ASSESSMENT SERVICE AND ACCEPTANCE ASSESSMENT SERVICE
for
China Food Safety Improvement Project Guangdong Agricultural Product Quality and Safety Improvement (Demonstration) Project
Country: People's Republic of China
Name of Project: China Food Safety Improvement Project
Loan No.: IBRD-92130
Assignment Title: Guangdong Agricultural Product Quality and Safety Improvement (Demonstration) Project Information Technology Third-Party Service Package III (Speciallized Security Assessment Service and Acceptance Assessment Service)
Reference No.: GD-FSS-GAMR-CS14
The Guangdong Administration for Market Regulation has received financing from the World Bank toward the cost of the China Food Safety Improvement Project Guangdong Agricultural Product Quality and Safety Improvement (Demonstration) Project, and intends to apply part of the proceeds for consulting services. The total estimated amount for this project is RMB 0.42 million.
(I) Scope of Services
The service scope of this project covers specialized security assessment services and acceptance assessment services for four informatization sub-projects, specifically including:
(II) Service Content
1. Specialized Security Assessment Services
Before the system is launched on the provincial government cloud or domestic cloud, the service agency shall conduct a pre-launch security assessment. The security assessment agency will simulate hacker attack methods to perform non-destructive offensive testing on the system. The objective is to attempt to intrude into the system and obtain system control, and then generate a report detailing the intrusion process and specifics for the user. The assessment will focus on the network, host, application, data, and the overall system to evaluate whether the system possesses sufficient information security protection capabilities, meets the security control requirements of the industry and competent authorities, can continuously provide secure, stable, and efficient business support, and can guarantee the security of sensitive information and public privacy.
2. Acceptance Assessment Services
Before the final project acceptance, the service agency shall conduct pre-acceptance assessments and compliance checks for the informatization services to strictly manage project quality and ensure that all indicators comply with design standards and construction specifications such as the contract and requirement specifications. This mainly includes: functional testing, performance efficiency testing, information security testing, compatibility testing, reliability testing, usability testing, maintainability testing, portability testing, and document review.
(III) Service Period
The service period for this project shall commence from the date of contract signing and continue until the project closing date (March 31, 2029). The specific service timeline will be implemented in phases based on the system launch schedule of the four informatization projects.
(IV) Deliverables
The deliverables required for this project are as follows:
No. | Report Name | Submission Date/Phase |
1 | Mobilization Time | Acceptance Assessment Mobilization Time: Subject to the time of preliminary project acceptance; |
2 | Acceptance Assessment Plan | Submitted within 10 working days after receiving the project materials. |
3 | Acceptance Testing Issue Report | Submitted within 5 working days after the completion of the first round of testing. |
4 | Acceptance Assessment Report | Submitted within 5 working days after the completion of regression testing. |
5 | Security Assessment Plan | Submitted within 10 working days after receiving the project materials. |
6 | Security Assessment Issue Report | Submitted within 5 working days after the completion of the first round of testing. |
7 | Security Assessment Report | Submitted within 5 working days after the completion of regression testing. |
Upon receiving the deliverable reports submitted by the assessment service agency, the Project Management Office (PMO) shall review them. For deliverable documents that are required to be submitted to the World Bank for review according to regulations, the assessment service agency shall assist the PMO in completing the submission. The phased deliverables shall be officially considered closed only after obtaining the World Bank's "no objection." All deliverable reports must fully align with the service content specified in this Terms of Reference (TOR). They must be standardized in format, comprehensive in content, and authentic and accurate in data.
V. Agency Qualification Requirements
Service agencies undertaking the two types of services—specialized security assessment and acceptance assessment—must possess valid qualifications. They must hold either the Inspection Body Accreditation Certificate (including the CNAS Laboratory Accreditation Certificate) issued by the China National Accreditation Service for Conformity Assessment (CNAS), or the Inspection and Testing Agency Qualification Accreditation Certificate (CMA) issued by market regulation departments at or above the provincial level.
Within the past three years, the service agency must have independently undertaken no fewer than five specialized security assessment and acceptance assessment service projects. The relevant performance records must cover related types such as government informatization, software platform construction, system integration, and network security. These records must sufficiently demonstrate the agency's comprehensive service capability in conducting pre-launch security assessments and final acceptance quality control for complex informatization projects.
Note: The service performance records refer to contracts signed on or after January 1, 2023.
(VI) Personnel Qualification Requirements
To ensure the service quality of the specialized security assessment and acceptance assessment services for this project, a dedicated full-time service team must be established. The specific job responsibilities, educational background, years of experience, and professional competency requirements for each position are as follows:
No. | Expert Position | Qty. | Responsibilities | Qualifications |
1 | Project Manager | 1 | Responsible for overall management, resource allocation, and cross-departmental coordination throughout the entire project lifecycle. Formulate detailed assessment implementation plans and schedules. Comprehensively control the quality of all deliverables, including the mobilization report, testing plans, and final assessment reports. Responsible for daily communication and reporting with the purchaser and the supervision unit. Organize project acceptance and assist in completing relevant filing (record-keeping) work. | 1. Bachelor's degree or above; |
2 | Technical Director | 1 | Take the lead in drafting the "Acceptance Testing Plan" and specialized security assessment technical plans. Provide technical supervision for on-site assessment work, conduct in-depth analysis and risk grading of complex hidden dangers found during penetration testing and functional testing. Provide feasible technical solutions for rectification and reinforcement for existing system defects. Review the objectivity, accuracy, and logical rigor of the testing reports. | 1. Bachelor's degree or above; |
3 | Specialized Security Assessment Task Force | 2 | Responsible for specialized security assessments before system launch. Utilize professional tools to simulate hacker attacks, conducting non-destructive penetration testing and vulnerability scanning on the network, host, application, data, and overall system. Evaluate whether the system meets the security control requirements of the industry and competent authorities. Draft the "Security Testing Report" and "Rectification Suggestions," and guide and assist the rectification party in completing security reinforcement. | 1. Bachelor's degree or above; |
4 | Acceptance Assessment Task Force | 2 | Responsible for assessments and compliance checks prior to final project acceptance. Strictly follow the requirement specifications to conduct functional testing, performance efficiency testing, compatibility testing, reliability testing, usability testing, maintainability testing, portability testing, and document review. Record issues during the testing process and draft the "Issue Report." Summarize test results and draft a standardized "Acceptance Testing Report" to ensure all indicators meet construction standards. | 1. Bachelor's degree or above; |
The detailed Terms of Reference (TOR) for the assignment are attached to this request for expressions of interest.
The Guangdong Administration for Market Regulation now invites eligible consulting firms (“Consultants”) to indicate their interest in providing the Services. Interested Consultants should provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Services. The shortlisting criteria are: the overall competence and strength of the Consultant, quality control and project management capabilities, understanding of the assignment, relevant experience and past performance, proposed team composition, preliminary work plan, and a brief technical approach. Key Experts will be evaluated at the shortlisting stage.
(VII) Contents of this Consultation
a.Expression of interest in undertaking the supervision services for this project;
b.Agency profile and core advantages;
c.List of project performance records;
d.Key points of the preliminary work plan and work schedule;
e.Preliminary staffing plan;
f.Proposed core team (including resume summaries of the Project Manager and key experts).
(VIII) Submission Materials
a."Expression of Interest Letter" (or "Feedback Letter") submitted by the supervision service agency;
b.Agency profile;
c.Summary of project performance records (specifying the project name, client, service content, and service period);
d.Simplified proposal (briefly outlining key points; a detailed proposal is not required);
e.Preliminary work schedule;
f.Key team experts (personnel profiles must be provided);
g.Any other materials deemed necessary by the supervision service agency.
Note: All the above materials must be stamped with the official seal of the consulting agency.
Consultants shall not be hired for any assignment that would be in conflict with their prior or current obligations to other clients, or that may place them in a position of being unable to carry out the assignment in the best interests of the Borrower. Without limitation on the generality of the foregoing, Consultants shall not be hired under the circumstances set forth below:
a. a firm that has been engaged by the Borrower to provide Goods, Works, or Non-Consulting Services for a project (or an affiliate that directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with that firm), shall be disqualified from providing Consulting Services resulting from, or directly related to, those Goods, Works, or Non-Consulting Services. This provision does not apply to the various firms (Consultants, contractors, or suppliers), which together are performing the contractor’s obligations under a turnkey or design and build contract; a firm that has been engaged by the Borrower to provide Consulting Services for the preparation or implementation of a project (or an affiliate that directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with that Consulting firm), shall be disqualified from subsequently providing Goods, Works, or Non-Consulting Services resulting from, or directly related to those Consulting Services. This provision does not apply to the various firms (Consultants, contractors, or suppliers), which together are performing the contractor’s obligations under a turnkey or design and build contract;
b. neither a Consultant (including personnel and sub-consultants), nor an affiliate (that directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with that Consultant), shall be hired for any assignment that, by its nature, creates a conflict of interest with another assignment of the Consultant;
c. Consultants (including their experts and other personnel, and sub-consultants), that have a close business or family relationship with a professional staff of the Borrower, or of the project implementing agency, or of a recipient of a part of the Bank’s financing, or any other party representing or acting on behalf of the Borrower, that is directly or indirectly involved in any part of: i. the preparation of the ToR for the assignment; ii. the selection process for the contract; or iii. the supervision of the contract; may not be awarded a contract, unless the conflict stemming from this relationship has been resolved in a manner acceptable to the Bank throughout the selection process and the execution of the contract.
Consultants may associate with other firms to enhance their qualifications, but should indicate clearly whether the association is in the form of a joint venture and/or a sub-consultancy. In the case of a joint venture, all the partners in the joint venture shall be jointly and severally liable for the entire contract, if selected.
A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the CQS method set out in the Procurement Regulations.
Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours. Office hours are from 09:00 to 17:00 on working days from September 12 to September 29, 2026
Expressions of interest must be delivered in a written form to the address below (in person, or by mail, or by fax, or by e-mail) by 09:00 on September 30, 2026.
Tender Agency: China International Tendering Co., Ltd.
Attn: Zhang Zhi, Guo Hujun
Title: Project Manager
Address: Room 2003B, South Tower, Jinbin Tengyue Building, Huaxia Road No. 49-1, Tianhe District, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
Postal Code: 51000
Tel.: 010-81168424; 010-81168460
E-mail: zhangzhi5@cgci.gt.cn; guohujun@gt.cn
Employer: Guangdong Administration for Market Regulation
Attn: Chen Lin
Title: Special Cadre, World Bank Loan Project Office
Address: No. 363 West Huangpu Avenue, Tianhe District, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
Tel.: 020-38835493
E-mail: gdsjj_xietiaoyingji@gd.gov.cn
ANNEX: DETAILED TERMS OF REFERENCE (TOR)
TERMS OF REFERENCE
In order to ensure the effective implementation of PackageThird-Party Informatization Services (Special Security Evaluation and Acceptance Evaluation Services) under the above-mentioned project, and to achieve the targeted objectives of project information technology development, the Guangdong Administration for Market Regulation intends to select and engage qualified service institutions through public procurement to carry out the implementation of this project.
1. Project Background and Overview
The World Bank-financed China Food Safety Improvement Project took effect on March 21, 2024, with an implementation period ending on March 31, 2029. It aims to comprehensively enhance national and local modern food safety governance capacity. As a key implementing entity of this project in Guangdong Province, the Guangdong Administration for Market Regulation intends to apply for a World Bank loan of USD10,000,000. It will provide targeted support for the achievement of project objectives through the implementation of six core sub-projects, as detailed below:
First, develop a full-chain traceability platform with "ShangMa Su" for food in key sectors, which consists of 15 functional modules and 359 functional points to realize whole-process traceability and risk early warning.
Second, build the intelligent supervision system of "Internet-based Visualization Kitchen" of Guangdong Food Safety to realize intelligent video supervision covering canteens of elderly care institutions, campuses and other scenarios.
Third, upgrade and renovate the real-time emergency dispatching command system, and improve the emergency response mechanism for food safety incidents.
Fourth, launch a capacity improvement program for food-related personnel in the market supervision field, including the development of a learning and assessment system, the production of 75 course videos, and the organization of professional skills competitions.
Fifth, establish and promote a high-quality food standard system, develop no fewer than 30 standards within two years, and carry out corresponding quality monitoring work.
Sixth, provide full-process professional consulting services for project implementation.
To ensure the high-quality implementation of the above contents, relevant practices of other World Bank projects will be referenced to optimize procurement management and enhance the overall efficiency of service coordination. In the subsequent actual procurement process and without changing the total project budget, the special security evaluation and acceptance evaluation services of four sub-projects - namely, the full-chain food traceability platform project with“ShangMa Su”for key food sectors (categories), the Guangdong Food Safety “Internet-based Visualization Kitchen” system construction project, the upgrading, renovation and operation project of the real-time emergency dispatching command system, and the capacity improvement project for food-related personnel in the market supervision field - will be integrated into one single packaged project, so as to guarantee the smooth achievement of project objectives.
2.Project Objectives
Centered on the core objective of comprehensively improving the modern governance capacity of food safety, this project integrates the full-chain traceability platform with "ShangMa Su", the intelligent supervision system of "Internet-based Visualization Kitchen", the real-time emergency dispatching command system, and capacity improvement for food-related personnel in the market supervision field. It aims to establish a closed-loop full-chain management mechanism covering risk identification, early-warning response and disposal, so as to provide data foundation and institutional guarantee for scientifically calculating outcome indicators such as“proportion of early-warnings for which mitigation measures have been activated". Meanwhile, the learning and assessment system for capacity improvement program for food-related personnel enables systematic training for supervisors and quantifies the participation rate of female supervisor.
The core objectives are to carry out the non-destructive security evaluation by adopting methods such as simulated hacker attacks before system launch to comprehensively assess the protection capabilities of network, host, application and other layers, so as to ensure compliance with industrial safety management and control requirements and protect the security of sensitive information and public privacy; conduct multi-dimensional evaluation and compliance inspection covering functionality, performance, information security and compatibility before final project acceptance to strictly control project quality, so as to ensure that all indicators fully comply with the contract, requirement specification and construction specifications. This provides a solid guarantee for the smooth acceptance and safe operation of the project, ensures the collection, accounting and reporting of all indicator data conform to World Bank standards, and facilitates the efficient implementation of the World Bank project.
3. Scope of Services
Total investment for this project amounts to RMB 420,000.
3.1 Scope of Service Recipients
The scope of services of this project covers special security evaluation services and acceptance evaluation services for four information-based sub-projects, specifically as follows:
1.Full-chain food traceability platform project with "ShangMa Su" for key food sectors (categories);
2.Guangdong Food Safety "Internet-based Visualization Kitchen" system construction project;
3.Upgrading, renovation and operation project of the real-time emergency dispatching command system;
4.Capacity improvement project for food-related personnel in the market supervision field.
3.2 Service Content
3.2.1 Special Security Evaluation Service
Before the system launch on the Guangdong E-Government Cloud or domestic cloud, the service provider shall conduct a pre-launch security evaluation of the system. The security evaluation institution shall conduct non-destructive penetration testing on the system by simulating hacker attack methods. The objective is to attempt system intrusion and obtain system control privileges, and deliver a report to the Client documenting the intrusion process and details. The evaluation shall focus on networks, hosts, applications, data and the overall system, to assess whether the system has adequate capabilities of information security protection, meets the safety management and control requirements of the industry and competent authorities, can continuously provide secure, stable and efficient business support, and can safeguard sensitive information and public privacy.
3.2.2 Acceptance Evaluation Services
Before the final project acceptance, the service provider shall conduct pre-acceptance evaluation and compliance inspection for the informatization service project to strictly control project quality, so as to ensure that all indicators fully comply with the contract, requirement specification and construction specifications. The scope mainly includes functional testing, performance efficiency testing, information security testing, compatibility testing, reliability testing, usability testing, maintainability testing, portability testing, and documentation review, among others.
3.3 Service Period
The service period shall commence on the date of contract signing and end on the project closure date (March 31, 2029). The specific service schedule shall be implemented in phases in accordance with the system launch and acceptance progress of the four informatization sub-projects.
4.Deliverables, Review and Acceptance
4.1 Deliverables
The deliverables required under this project are set out below:
No. | Report Name | Submission Timing / Stage |
1 | Project Start Date | Start date for acceptance testing: subject to the project’s preliminary acceptance date; Start date for security testing: subject to the system launch date. |
2 | Acceptance Evaluation Plan | To be submitted within 10 working days after receipt of project documents. |
3 | Acceptance Test Issue Report | To be submitted within 5 working days upon completion of the first round of testing. |
4 | Acceptance Evaluation Report | To be submitted within 5 working days upon completion of regression testing. |
5 | Security Evaluation Plan | To be submitted within 10 working days after receipt of project documents. |
6 | Security Evaluation Issue Report | To be submitted within 5 working days upon completion of the first round of testing. |
7 | Security Evaluation Report | To be submitted within 5 working days upon completion of regression testing. |
4.2 Deliverable Review and Acceptance
After the Project Office reviews and approves submitted deliverable reports, the service provider shall cooperate with the Project Office to submit documents required for World Bank review, and the stage deliverables shall only be formally finalized upon receiving a no-objection opinion from the World Bank. All deliverables shall fully comply with the service requirements specified in this TOR, with standardized format, complete content and authentic, accurate data.
5.Institutional and Personnel Qualification Requirements
5.1 Institutional Qualifications
5.1.1 Qualification Requirements for the Service Provider
The service provider undertaking both special security evaluation and acceptance evaluation services shall hold valid qualifications: either the Certificates of Accreditation for Testing Laboratories (including CNAS Laboratory Accreditation Certificates) issued by the China National Accreditation Service for Conformity Assessment (CNAS), or the Certificate of Metrology Accreditation (CMA) issued by market supervision authorities at or above the provincial level. The service provider shall have independently completed no fewer than 5 projects of special security evaluation and acceptance evaluation services within the past three years. Such track records shall cover government informatization, software platform development, system integration, cybersecurity and other relevant categories, which can fully demonstrate the provider’s comprehensive service capacity to conduct pre-launch security evaluation and final quality control for complex informatization projects.
5.2 Personnel Qualifications
To ensure the quality of the special security evaluation service and acceptance evaluation service under this project, a dedicated service team shall be assigned. The job responsibilities, academic qualifications, working experience and professional competency requirements for each role are set out as follows:
No. | Team Role | Number of Staff | Job Responsibilities | Qualification Requirements |
1 | Project Manager | 1 | Overall project life-cycle coordination, resource allocation, cross-department communication; develop detailed evaluation implementation plan and schedule; fully control the quality of all deliverables including project start report, test plan and final evaluation report; conduct daily communication and reporting with the Client and supervision unit; organize project acceptance and assist in completing relevant filing work. | 1. Bachelor's degree or above; 2. Possess competency certificate for informatization project management. 3.Over 10 years of working experience in special security evaluation and acceptance evaluation services. |
2 | Project Technical Leader | 1 | Take the lead in developing the Acceptance Test Plan and technical plan for special security evaluation; provide technical oversight for on-site evaluation work; conduct in-depth analysis and risk grading for complex vulnerabilities identified during penetration testing and functional testing; propose practical technical solutions for rectification and hardening against system defects; review the objectivity, accuracy and logical rigor of test reports. | 1. Bachelor's degree or above; 2. Possess competency certificates in software, cybersecurity and related fields. 3.Over 10 years of working experience in cybersecurity and software acceptance. |
3 | Special Security Evaluation Team | 2 | Responsible for pre-launch special security evaluation of the system; conduct non-destructive penetration testing and vulnerability scanning on networks, hosts, applications, data and the overall system by simulating hacker attacks with professional tools; assess whether the system meets the safety management and control requirements of the industry and competent authorities; prepare the Security Test Report and Rectification Recommendations, and guide and cooperate with the rectification party to complete security hardening. | 1. Bachelor’s degree or above; 2. Possess national competency certificates in registered penetration testing, information security, network and related fields; 3. Familiar with mainstream penetration testing tools and have practical experience in security evaluation under the Guangdong E-Government Cloud or domestic cloud environment. |
4 | Acceptance Evaluation Team | 2 | Responsible for pre-acceptance evaluation and compliance inspection of the project; conduct functional testing, performance efficiency testing, information security testing, compatibility testing, reliability testing, usability testing, maintainability testing, portability testing, and documentation review in strict accordance with the requirement specification; record issues identified during testing process and prepare the Issue Report; summarize test results and prepare standardized Acceptance Test Report to ensure all indicators comply with construction standards. |
3. Familiar with national standards for software quality models and testing including national standard GB/T 25000.51, with practical experience in acceptance testing for large-scale government informatization projects. |
6. Facilities and Personnel Provided by the Client
The Client shall provide the following necessary support for smooth project implementation: relevant project documents, reports, annual work plans and other materials; dedicated staff assigned to liaise with the service provider for the implementation of relevant work.
"},{"id":"OP00468227","notice_type":"Request for Expression of Interest","noticedate":"10-Sep-2026","notice_lang_name":"English","notice_status":"Published","submission_deadline_date":"2026-09-30T00:00:00Z","submission_deadline_time":"09:00","project_ctry_name":"China","project_id":"P162178","project_name":"China Food Safety Improvement Project","bid_reference_no":"GD-FSS-GAMR-CS13","bid_description":"Guangdong Agricultural Product Quality and Safety Improvement (Demonstration) Project Information Technology Service Package II (Cybersecurity Level Protection Assessment Service and Commercial Cryptography Application Security Evaluation Service)","procurement_group":"CS","procurement_method_code":"CQS","procurement_method_name":"Consultant Qualification Selection","contact_address":"South Tower, Bld Jinbintengyue, Huaxia Road No.49-1, Tianhe District, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China","contact_ctry_name":"China","contact_email":"zhangzhi5@cgci.gt.cn","contact_name":"Zhang Zhi, Guo Hujun","contact_organization":"China International Tendering Co., Ltd.","contact_phone_no":"010 8116 8424","submission_date":"2026-09-10T00:00:00Z","notice_text":"REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY CYBERSECURITY LEVEL PROTECTION ASSESSMENT SERVICE AND COMMERCIAL CRYPTOGRAPHY APPLICATION SECURITY EVALUATION SERVICE
for
China Food Safety Improvement Project Guangdong Agricultural Product Quality and Safety Improvement (Demonstration) Project
Country: People's Republic of China
Name of Project: China Food Safety Improvement Project
Loan No.: IBRD-92130
Assignment Title: Guangdong Agricultural Product Quality and Safety Improvement (Demonstration) Project Information Technology Third-Party Service Package II (Cybersecurity Level Protection Assessment Service and Commercial Cryptography Application Security Evaluation Service)
Reference No.: GD-FSS-GAMR-CS13
The Guangdong Administration for Market Regulation has received financing from the World Bank toward the cost of the China Food Safety Improvement Project Guangdong Agricultural Product Quality and Safety Improvement (Demonstration) Project, and intends to apply part of the proceeds for consulting services. The total estimated amount for this project is RMB 0.56 million.
(I) Scope of Service
The service scope of this project covers the Cybersecurity Level Protection Assessment and Commercial Cryptography Application Security Assessment services required for four informatization projects, specifically including:
(II) Service Contents
1. Cybersecurity Level Protection Assessment Services
Based on the assessment results of security technology and security management controls, as well as the overall system assessment, the service agency shall conduct a comprehensive assessment of the information system in accordance with the corresponding level standards and provide relevant security review opinions. This specifically includes two aspects: First, security control assessment, which primarily evaluates the implementation and configuration of basic security controls required by the cybersecurity level protection standards within the information system. Second, overall system assessment, which primarily analyzes the overall security of the information system. The security control assessment serves as the foundation for the overall security assessment of the information system.
2. Commercial Cryptography Application Security Assessment Services
The service agency shall provide security assessment services for systems upgraded with domestic cryptography. For the upgraded national cryptographic systems, the agency shall formulate an assessment plan, conduct the assessment, propose rectification opinions, and track the rectification progress in accordance with national specifications, thereby providing a basis for project acceptance. Through this assessment service, the agency will comprehensively understand the current status of cryptography application in the relevant information systems and evaluate the gap between the current status and the corresponding levels stipulated in the Information Security Technology—Basic Requirements for Cryptographic Application of Information Systems (GB/T 39786-2021). This aims to achieve the goals of promoting construction, rectification, and application through assessment. On-site assessments and technical verifications will be conducted covering physical and environmental security, network and communication security, equipment and computing security, application and data security, key management, and security management. The agency will identify weak links and potential risk hazards in cryptographic applications, propose targeted rectification recommendations, and ensure the compliance, correctness, and effectiveness of cryptographic applications. Furthermore, cryptographic security protection measures will be precisely implemented to guarantee the authenticity, confidentiality, integrity, and non-repudiation of the information systems.
(III) Service Period
The service period for this project shall commence from the date of contract signing and continue until the project closing date (March 31, 2029). The specific service timeline will be implemented in phases based on the system launch schedule of the four informatization projects.
(IV) Deliverables
The deliverables required for this project are as follows:
No. | Report | Submission Date/Phase |
1 | Mobilization Report | Within 10 working days after contract signing and system launch (subject to the actual system launch date). |
2 | Information System Rectification List | Within 10 working days after the completion of the gap assessment. |
3 | Cybersecurity Level Protection Assessment Report | For Level 3 systems: Within 15 working days after the acceptance assessment is conducted upon the user's completion of rectification to meet the acceptance requirements. For the annual re-assessment report: The annual re-assessment must be initiated 3 months before the expiration of the previous year's assessment report, and the annual assessment report must be issued before the expiration of the previous year's report. |
4 | Filing Materials and Filing Receipt | Issued within 10 working days after the assessment report is stamped by both parties and submitted online to the cyber police department. |
5 | Commercial Cryptography Application Rectification List | Within 10 working days after the completion of the gap assessment. |
6 | Commercial Cryptography Application Security Assessment Report | For Level 3 systems: Within 15 working days after the acceptance assessment is conducted upon the user's completion of rectification to meet the cryptographic assessment acceptance requirements. For the annual re-assessment report: The annual re-assessment must be initiated 3 months before the expiration of the previous year's assessment report, and the annual assessment report must be issued before the expiration of the previous year's report. |
7 | Filing Materials and Filing Receipt | Issued within 10 working days after the assessment report is stamped by both parties and submitted to the Cryptography Administration. |
Upon receiving the deliverable reports submitted by the assessment service agency, the Project Management Office (PMO) shall review them. For deliverable documents that are required to be submitted to the World Bank for review according to regulations, the assessment service agency shall assist the PMO in completing the submission. The phased deliverables shall be officially considered closed only after obtaining the World Bank's "no objection." All deliverable reports must fully align with the service content specified in this Terms of Reference (TOR). They must be standardized in format, comprehensive in content, and authentic and accurate in data.
(V) Consultant Qualification Requirements
The service agency must possess the Cybersecurity Service (Level Protection Assessment) Certification Certificate issued by the Third Research Institute of the Ministry of Public Security, as well as the Commercial Cryptography Testing Agency (Commercial Cryptography Application Security Assessment) Qualification Certificate issued by the State Cryptography Administration. Within the past three years, the agency must have independently undertaken no fewer than five service projects for Cybersecurity Level Protection Assessment and Commercial Cryptography Application Security Assessment. The relevant performance records must cover related types such as government informatization, software platform construction, system integration, and network security. These records must sufficiently demonstrate the agency's capability in compliance assessment and comprehensive security services for informatization projects.
Regarding the assessment tools required for the service agency, different testing tools shall be equipped based on the testing content of this project. Examples include comprehensive management software for level protection assessment, network security inspection and early warning management software, quality monitoring management software for level protection assessment, level protection assessment management and risk assessment software, and commercial cryptography application security assessment management systems. The service agency shall provide an equipment plan for the testing tools to be used in this project within the technical proposal. (Note: For purchased assessment tools, procurement contracts and invoices must be provided; for self-developed tools, software copyrights or relevant patent certificates must be provided).
(VI) Expert Qualifications
The consulting service agency shall primarily deploy key personnel and teams, including the Project Manager, Technical Director, Level Protection Assessment Task Force, and Cryptographic Assessment Task Force. The qualification requirements and functional responsibilities for each key position are as follows:
No. | Expert Position | Qty. | Responsibilities | Qualifications |
1 | Project Manager | 1 | Responsible for overall coordination, resource allocation, and cross-departmental communication throughout the entire project lifecycle. Control the quality of all deliverables, including the mobilization report and assessment reports. Organize project acceptance and assist in completing the filing (record-keeping) process. | 1. Bachelor's degree or above; |
2 | Technical Director | 1 | Take the lead in drafting the implementation plans for level protection and cryptographic assessments. Provide on-site technical supervision, analyze complex hidden risks, provide technical solutions for rectification and reinforcement, and review the objectivity and accuracy of the assessment reports. | 1. Bachelor's degree or above; |
3 | Level Protection Assessment Task Force | 2 | Responsible for on-site investigation, asset inventory, penetration testing, and security control assessment. Draft the "Information System Rectification List" and the "Cybersecurity Level Protection Assessment Report," and assist in completing the filing with the cyber police department. | 1. Bachelor's degree or above; |
4 | Cryptographic Assessment Task Force | 2 | Responsible for compliance verification and risk identification of systems upgraded with national cryptography. Verify the compliance, correctness, and effectiveness of domestic cryptographic algorithm (SM2/SM3/SM4) invocations. Draft the "Commercial Cryptography Application Security Assessment Report" and rectification lists, and assist in completing the filing with the cryptography administration. | 1. Bachelor's degree or above; |
The detailed Terms of Reference (TOR) for the assignment are attached to this request for expressions of interest.
The Guangdong Administration for Market Regulation now invites eligible consulting firms (“Consultants”) to indicate their interest in providing the Services. Interested Consultants should provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Services. The shortlisting criteria are: the overall competence and strength of the Consultant, quality control and project management capabilities, understanding of the assignment, relevant experience and past performance, proposed team composition, preliminary work plan, and a brief technical approach. Key Experts will be evaluated at the shortlisting stage.
(VII) Contents of this Consultation
a.Expression of interest in undertaking the supervision services for this project;
b.Agency profile and core advantages;
c.List of project performance records;
d.Key points of the preliminary work plan and work schedule;
e.Preliminary staffing plan;
f.Proposed core team (including resume summaries of the Project Manager and key experts).
(VIII) Submission Materials
a."Expression of Interest Letter" (or "Feedback Letter") submitted by the supervision service agency;
b.Agency profile;
c.Summary of project performance records (specifying the project name, client, service content, and service period);
d.Simplified proposal (briefly outlining key points; a detailed proposal is not required);
e.Preliminary work schedule;
f.Key team experts (personnel profiles must be provided);
g.Any other materials deemed necessary by the supervision service agency.
Note: All the above materials must be stamped with the official seal of the consulting agency.
Consultants shall not be hired for any assignment that would be in conflict with their prior or current obligations to other clients, or that may place them in a position of being unable to carry out the assignment in the best interests of the Borrower. Without limitation on the generality of the foregoing, Consultants shall not be hired under the circumstances set forth below:
a. a firm that has been engaged by the Borrower to provide Goods, Works, or Non-Consulting Services for a project (or an affiliate that directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with that firm), shall be disqualified from providing Consulting Services resulting from, or directly related to, those Goods, Works, or Non-Consulting Services. This provision does not apply to the various firms (Consultants, contractors, or suppliers), which together are performing the contractor’s obligations under a turnkey or design and build contract; a firm that has been engaged by the Borrower to provide Consulting Services for the preparation or implementation of a project (or an affiliate that directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with that Consulting firm), shall be disqualified from subsequently providing Goods, Works, or Non-Consulting Services resulting from, or directly related to those Consulting Services. This provision does not apply to the various firms (Consultants, contractors, or suppliers), which together are performing the contractor’s obligations under a turnkey or design and build contract;
b. neither a Consultant (including personnel and sub-consultants), nor an affiliate (that directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with that Consultant), shall be hired for any assignment that, by its nature, creates a conflict of interest with another assignment of the Consultant;
c. Consultants (including their experts and other personnel, and sub-consultants), that have a close business or family relationship with a professional staff of the Borrower, or of the project implementing agency, or of a recipient of a part of the Bank’s financing, or any other party representing or acting on behalf of the Borrower, that is directly or indirectly involved in any part of: i. the preparation of the ToR for the assignment; ii. the selection process for the contract; or iii. the supervision of the contract; may not be awarded a contract, unless the conflict stemming from this relationship has been resolved in a manner acceptable to the Bank throughout the selection process and the execution of the contract.
Consultants may associate with other firms to enhance their qualifications, but should indicate clearly whether the association is in the form of a joint venture and/or a sub-consultancy. In the case of a joint venture, all the partners in the joint venture shall be jointly and severally liable for the entire contract, if selected.
A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the CQS method set out in the Procurement Regulations.
Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours. Office hours are from 09:00 to 17:00 on working days from September 12 to September 29, 2026
Expressions of interest must be delivered in a written form to the address below (in person, or by mail, or by fax, or by e-mail) by 09:00 on September 30, 2026.
Tender Agency: China International Tendering Co., Ltd.
Attn: Zhang Zhi, Guo Hujun
Title: Project Manager
Address: Room 2003B, South Tower, Jinbin Tengyue Building, Huaxia Road No. 49-1, Tianhe District, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
Postal Code:51000
Tel.: 010-81168424; 010-81168460
E-mail: zhangzhi5@cgci.gt.cn; guohujun@gt.cn
Employer: Guangdong Administration for Market Regulation
Attn: Chen Lin
Title: Special Cadre, World Bank Loan Project Office
Address: No. 363 West Huangpu Avenue, Tianhe District, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
Tel.: 020-38835493
E-mail: gdsjj_xietiaoyingji@gd.gov.cn
Annex: Detailed Term of Reference (TOR)
TERM OF REFERENCE
To ensure the implementation of the World Bank China Food Safety Improvement Project Guangdong Agricultural Product Quality and Safety Improvement (Demonstration) Project Information Technology Third-Party Service Package II (Cybersecurity Level Protection Assessment Service and Commercial Cryptography Application Security Evaluation Service) of the Guangdong Administration for Market Regulationand to guarantee the achievement of the project's objectives, the Guangdong Administration for Market Regulation intends to select a service agency through procurement to be responsible for the implementation of this project.
I. Background and Description
The World Bank Loan China Food Safety Demonstration Project officially entered into force on March 21, 2024, with an implementation period until March 31, 2029. It aims to comprehensively enhance the modern governance capacity for food safety at both national and local levels. As a key implementer of this project in Guangdong Province, the Guangdong Administration for Market Regulation plans to apply for a World Bank loan of 10 million US dollars and will precisely support the achievement of the project goals through the construction of six core sub-projects:
i. Develop a full-chain traceability platform for "coding, tracing, and recalling" food in key areas, enabling whole-process traceability and risk early warning with 15 functional modules and 359 functional points;
ii. Build the "Internet + Clear Kitchen and Bright Stove" system under the Guangdong Food Safety initiative, covering intelligent video supervision of scenarios such as elderly care and campus canteens;
iii. Upgrade and transform the emergency real-time dispatching and command system, and improve the accident emergency response mechanism;
iv. Carry out a capacity improvement project for food-related personnel in the market supervision field, including the development of a learning and assessment system, the production of 75 course videos, and the organization of skill competitions;
v. Establish a high-quality food standard system and conduct promotion activities, developing no less than 30 standards and carrying out quality monitoring within two years;
vi. Provide professional consulting services throughout the entire project implementation process.
To ensure the high-quality implementation of the above-mentioned construction content, we plan to refer to advanced practices from other World Bank projects to further optimize procurement management and improve service coordination efficiency; in the next phase of actual procurement operations, while keeping the total project budget unchanged, we intend to integrate the network security level protection assessment services and commercial cryptography application security assessment services for these 4 projects—the "Coding, Tracing, and Recalling" Full-Chain Traceability Platform Project for Food in Key Areas (or Key Varieties), the Guangdong Food Safety "Internet + Clear Kitchen and Bright Stove" System Construction Project, the Emergency Real-Time Dispatching and Command System Upgrade, Transformation, and Operation Project, and the Capacity Improvement Project for Food-Related Personnel in the Market Supervision Field—into a single package for unified procurement and management, so as to ensure the smooth achievement of the project's construction goals.
II. Objectives
The core objective of this project is to comprehensively enhance the modern governance capacity for food safety. Through the in-depth integration and linkage of the "Code Tracing" full-chain traceability platform, the "Internet + Smart Kitchen & Bright Stove" intelligent supervision system, and the emergency real-time dispatch and command system, a full-chain management mechanism covering risk identification, early warning response, and closed-loop disposal will be established, providing a data foundation and institutional guarantee for scientifically calculating result indicators such as the "proportion of early warnings for which mitigation measures have been initiated." Additionally, the food-related personnel capacity improvement learning and assessment system will enable systematic training for regulatory personnel and quantify the participation proportion of female regulatory personnel.
The core purpose is to conduct a comprehensive and objective security assessment of the above-mentioned information systems in accordance with relevant national standards and norms, accurately identify and locate risks and weaknesses in the systems' network security and cryptographic applications, and propose targeted rectification suggestions accordingly. Through the approach of "promoting construction through assessment, promoting reform through assessment, and promoting application through assessment," it will ultimately ensure that all information systems meet the requirements of compliance, correctness, and effectiveness in terms of network security protection and cryptographic applications. This will provide a solid guarantee for the smooth acceptance and safe operation of the project, ensure that the collection, accounting, and reporting of all indicator data comply with World Bank norms, and help promote the efficient implementation of the World Bank project.
III. Service Overview
The total estimated amount for this project is RMB 0.56 million.
(I) Scope of Services
The service scope of this project covers the Cybersecurity Level Protection Assessment and Commercial Cryptography Application Security Assessment services required for four informatization projects, specifically including:
(II) Service Content
a. Cybersecurity Level Protection Assessment Services
Based on the assessment results of security technology and security management controls, as well as the overall system assessment, the service agency shall conduct a comprehensive assessment of the information system in accordance with the corresponding level standards and provide relevant security review opinions. This specifically includes two aspects: First, security control assessment, which primarily evaluates the implementation and configuration of basic security controls required by the cybersecurity level protection standards within the information system. Second, overall system assessment, which primarily analyzes the overall security of the information system. The security control assessment serves as the foundation for the overall security assessment of the information system.
b. Commercial Cryptography Application Security Assessment Services
The service agency shall provide security assessment services for systems upgraded with domestic cryptography. For the upgraded national cryptographic systems, the agency shall formulate an assessment plan, conduct the assessment, propose rectification opinions, and track the rectification progress in accordance with national specifications, thereby providing a basis for project acceptance. Through this assessment service, the agency will comprehensively understand the current status of cryptography application in the relevant information systems and evaluate the gap between the current status and the corresponding levels stipulated in the Information Security Technology—Basic Requirements for Cryptographic Application of Information Systems (GB/T 39786-2021). This aims to achieve the goals of promoting construction, rectification, and application through assessment. On-site assessments and technical verifications will be conducted covering physical and environmental security, network and communication security, equipment and computing security, application and data security, key management, and security management. The agency will identify weak links and potential risk hazards in cryptographic applications, propose targeted rectification recommendations, and ensure the compliance, correctness, and effectiveness of cryptographic applications. Furthermore, cryptographic security protection measures will be precisely implemented to guarantee the authenticity, confidentiality, integrity, and non-repudiation of the information systems.
(III) Service Period
The service period for this project shall commence from the date of contract signing and continue until the project closing date (March 31, 2029). The specific service timeline will be implemented in phases based on the system launch schedule of the four informatization projects.
IV Deliverables, Result Review and Acceptance
a.Deliverables
The deliverables required for this project are as follows:
No. | Report | Submission Date/Phase |
1 | Mobilization Report | Within 10 working days after contract signing and system launch (subject to the actual system launch date). |
2 | Information System Rectification List | Within 10 working days after the completion of the gap assessment. |
3 | Cybersecurity Level Protection Assessment Report | For Level 3 systems: Within 15 working days after the acceptance assessment is conducted upon the user's completion of rectification to meet the acceptance requirements. For the annual re-assessment report: The annual re-assessment must be initiated 3 months before the expiration of the previous year's assessment report, and the annual assessment report must be issued before the expiration of the previous year's report. |
4 | Filing Materials and Filing Receipt | Issued within 10 working days after the assessment report is stamped by both parties and submitted online to the cyber police department. |
5 | Commercial Cryptography Application Rectification List | Within 10 working days after the completion of the gap assessment. |
6 | Commercial Cryptography Application Security Assessment Report | For Level 3 systems: Within 15 working days after the acceptance assessment is conducted upon the user's completion of rectification to meet the cryptographic assessment acceptance requirements. For the annual re-assessment report: The annual re-assessment must be initiated 3 months before the expiration of the previous year's assessment report, and the annual assessment report must be issued before the expiration of the previous year's report. |
7 | Filing Materials and Filing Receipt | Issued within 10 working days after the assessment report is stamped by both parties and submitted to the Cryptography Administration. |
b. Result Review and Acceptance
After the Project Office reviews and approves the outcome report submitted by the assessment service agency, for the outcome documents that need to be submitted to the World Bank for review in accordance with regulations, the assessment service agency shall cooperate with the Project Office to complete the submission. The phased outcome shall be officially considered completed only after obtaining the World Bank's no-objection opinion. All outcome reports must fully align with the service content specified in this Terms of Reference, with standardized format, complete content, and true and accurate data.
V Agency and Personnel Qualification Requirements
a. Agency Qualification Requirements
The service agency must possess the Cybersecurity Service (Level Protection Assessment) Certification Certificate issued by the Third Research Institute of the Ministry of Public Security, as well as the Commercial Cryptography Testing Agency (Commercial Cryptography Application Security Assessment) Qualification Certificate issued by the State Cryptography Administration. Within the past three years, the agency must have independently undertaken no fewer than five service projects for Cybersecurity Level Protection Assessment and Commercial Cryptography Application Security Assessment. The relevant performance records must cover related types such as government informatization, software platform construction, system integration, and network security. These records must sufficiently demonstrate the agency's capability in compliance assessment and comprehensive security services for informatization projects.
Regarding the assessment tools required for the service agency, different testing tools shall be equipped based on the testing content of this project. Examples include comprehensive management software for level protection assessment, network security inspection and early warning management software, quality monitoring management software for level protection assessment, level protection assessment management and risk assessment software, and commercial cryptography application security assessment management systems. The service agency shall provide an equipment plan for the testing tools to be used in this project within the technical proposal. (Note: For purchased assessment tools, procurement contracts and invoices must be provided; for self-developed tools, software copyrights or relevant patent certificates must be provided).
b. Personnel Qualification Requirements
To ensure the quality of the network security level protection assessment service and commercial cryptography application security assessment service for this project, an exclusive full-time service team must be established. The specific requirements are as follows:
No. | Expert Position | Qty. | Responsibilities | Qualifications |
1 | Project Manager | 1 | Responsible for overall coordination, resource allocation, and cross-departmental communication throughout the entire project lifecycle. Control the quality of all deliverables, including the mobilization report and assessment reports. Organize project acceptance and assist in completing the filing (record-keeping) process. | 1. Bachelor's degree or above; |
2 | Technical Director | 1 | Take the lead in drafting the implementation plans for level protection and cryptographic assessments. Provide on-site technical supervision, analyze complex hidden risks, provide technical solutions for rectification and reinforcement, and review the objectivity and accuracy of the assessment reports. | 1. Bachelor's degree or above; |
3 | Level Protection Assessment Task Force | 2 | Responsible for on-site investigation, asset inventory, penetration testing, and security control assessment. Draft the "Information System Rectification List" and the "Cybersecurity Level Protection Assessment Report," and assist in completing the filing with the cyber police department. | 1. Bachelor's degree or above; |
4 | Cryptographic Assessment Task Force | 2 | Responsible for compliance verification and risk identification of systems upgraded with national cryptography. Verify the compliance, correctness, and effectiveness of domestic cryptographic algorithm (SM2/SM3/SM4) invocations. Draft the "Commercial Cryptography Application Security Assessment Report" and rectification lists, and assist in completing the filing with the cryptography administration. | 1. Bachelor's degree or above; |
VI. Facilities and Personnel Provided by the Client
To ensure the smooth implementation of the service, the Client will provide the following necessary assistance and services:
a. Relevant project documents, reports, annual work plans and other materials.
b.Designate or entrust staff to coordinate with the service provider and carry out related work.
"},{"id":"OP00467751","notice_type":"Request for Expression of Interest","noticedate":"10-Sep-2026","notice_lang_name":"English","notice_status":"Published","submission_deadline_date":"2026-09-29T00:00:00Z","submission_deadline_time":"09:00","project_ctry_name":"China","project_id":"P162178","project_name":"China Food Safety Improvement Project","bid_reference_no":"GD-FSS-GAMR-CS12","bid_description":"Guangdong Agricultural Product Quality and Safety Improvement (Demonstration) Project Information Technology Third-Party Service Package I (Supervision Services)","procurement_group":"CS","procurement_method_code":"CQS","procurement_method_name":"Consultant Qualification Selection","contact_address":"Address of EOI Submission: Huaxia Road No. 49-1, Tianhe District, Guangzhou, 51000, Guangdong, China","contact_ctry_name":"China","contact_email":"zhangzhi5@cgci.gt.cn","contact_name":"Zhang Zhi, Guo Hujun","contact_organization":"China International Tendering Co., Ltd.","contact_phone_no":"010 8116 8424","submission_date":"2026-09-10T00:00:00Z","notice_text":"REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SUPERVISION SERVICES
for China Food Safety Improvement Project Guangdong Agricultural Product Quality and Safety Improvement (Demonstration) Projec
Country: People's Republic of China
Name of Project: China Food Safety Improvement Project
Loan No.: IBRD-92130
Assignment Title: Information Technology Supervision Services
Reference No.: GD-FSS-GAMR-CS12
The Guangdong Administration for Market Regulation has received financing from the World Bank toward the cost of the China Food Safety Improvement Project Guangdong Agricultural Product Quality and Safety Improvement (Demonstration) Project, and intends to apply part of the proceeds for consulting services. The total estimated amount for this project is RMB 1.6003 million.
(I) Scope of Services
The service scope of this project covers the full-process supervision services for four informatization sub-projects, specifically including:
(II) Service Content
The supervision service agency shall provide full-process supervision services for the implementation of the aforementioned four informatization sub-projects, assisting the project undertaking company and the user party in carrying out their work to ensure the achievement of the predetermined project goals. In accordance with supervision work specifications, the agency shall implement full-process control over project quality, schedule, investment, contracts, and information security. This is to ensure that the construction activities are legal, compliant, reasonable, scientific, and economical, thereby reducing project construction risks and achieving both the overall project goals and the current phase goals.
(III) Service Period
The supervision service period for this project shall commence from the date of contract signing and continue until the project closing date (March 31, 2029).
(IV) Deliverables
Reports and outcome documents shall be submitted at specified dates and frequencies, including but not limited to: Mobilization Report, Supervision Plan, Detailed Supervision Implementation Rules, Supervision Weekly Report, Supervision Monthly Report, Supervision Notice, Meeting Minutes, Special Supervision Report, Supervision Work Summary Report, Project Acceptance Report, and other materials required by the construction unit and the project implementation party.
(V) Agency Qualification Requirements
The supervision service agency must have independently undertaken no fewer than ten information system engineering supervision services within the past three years. The relevant performance records must cover core business types such as government informatization, software platform construction, system integration, and network security. These records must sufficiently demonstrate the agency's comprehensive service capability in full-process supervision and coordination for multi-domain informatization projects.
Note: The service performance records refer to contracts signed on or after January 1, 2023.
(VI) Qualifications of the Staff
No. | Expert Position | Qty. | Responsibilities | Qualifications |
1 | Chief Supervisory Engineer | 1 | Fully preside over the supervision work of this project and manage the supervisory engineer team in a comprehensive manner. Responsible for the review and evaluation of major system changes in the project, and comprehensively in charge of risk management, information security, and data security management during the project implementation. | 1. Bachelor's degree or above; |
2 | Representative of Chief Supervisory Engineer | 1 | Responsible for the supervision work designated or assigned by the Chief Supervisory Engineer. Authorized by the Chief Supervisory Engineer, exercise part of the duties and powers of the Chief Supervisory Engineer, and carry out the project supervision implementation work. | 1. Bachelor's degree or above; |
3 | Specialty Supervisory Engineer | 4 | Responsible for carrying out the implementation work of informatization project supervision. | 1. Bachelor's degree or above; |
The detailed Terms of Reference (TOR) for the assignment are attached to this request for expressions of interest.
The Guangdong Administration for Market Regulation now invites eligible consulting firms (“Consultants”) to indicate their interest in providing the Services. Interested Consultants should provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Services. The shortlisting criteria are: the overall competence and strength of the Consultant, quality control and project management capabilities, understanding of the assignment, relevant experience and past performance, proposed team composition, preliminary work plan, and a brief technical approach. Key Experts will be evaluated at the shortlisting stage.
(VII) Contents of this Consultation
(VIII) Submission Materials
Note: All the above materials must be stamped with the official seal of the consulting agency.
Consultants shall not be hired for any assignment that would be in conflict with their prior or current obligations to other clients, or that may place them in a position of being unable to carry out the assignment in the best interests of the Borrower. Without limitation on the generality of the foregoing, Consultants shall not be hired under the circumstances set forth below:
Consultants may associate with other firms to enhance their qualifications, but should indicate clearly whether the association is in the form of a joint venture and/or a sub-consultancy. In the case of a joint venture, all the partners in the joint venture shall be jointly and severally liable for the entire contract, if selected.
A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the CQS method set out in the Procurement Regulations.
Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours. Office hours are from 09:00 to 17:00 on working days from September 11 to September 28, 2026
Expressions of interest must be delivered in a written form to the address below (in person, or by mail, or by fax, or by e-mail) by 09:00 on September 29, 2026.
Tender Agency: China International Tendering Co., Ltd.
Attn: Zhang Zhi, Guo Hujun
Title: Project Manager
Address: Huaxia Road No. 49-1, Tianhe District, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
Postal Code: 51000
Tel.: 010-81168424; 010-81168460
E-mail: zhangzhi5@cgci.gt.cn; guohujun@gt.cn
Employer: Guangdong Administration for Market Regulation
Attn: Chen Lin
Title: Special Cadre, World Bank Loan Project Office
Address: No. 363 West Huangpu Avenue, Tianhe District, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
Tel.: 020-38835493
E-mail: gdsjj_xietiaoyingji@gd.gov.cn
Annex: Term of Reference (TOR)
TERM OF REFERENCE
To ensure the implementation of the World Bank China Food Safety Improvement Project Guangdong Agricultural Product Quality and Safety Improvement (Demonstration) Project Information Technology Third-Party Service Package I (Supervision Services)of the Guangdong Administration for Market Regulationand to achieve the informatization construction goals of the project, the Guangdong Administration for Market Regulation intends to engage a third-party service agency to carry out the implementation of this project.
I. Background and Description
The World Bank Loan China Food Safety Demonstration Project officially entered into force on March 21, 2024, with an implementation period until March 31, 2029. It aims to comprehensively enhance the modern governance capacity for food safety at both national and local levels. As a key implementer of this project in Guangdong Province, the Guangdong Administration for Market Regulation plans to apply for a World Bank loan of 10 million US dollars and will precisely support the achievement of the project goals through the construction of six core sub-projects:
i. Develop a full-chain traceability platform for "coding, tracing, and recalling" food in key areas, enabling whole-process traceability and risk early warning with 15 functional modules and 359 functional points;
ii. Build the "Internet + Clear Kitchen and Bright Stove" system under the Guangdong Food Safety initiative, covering intelligent video supervision of scenarios such as elderly care and campus canteens;
iii. Upgrade and transform the emergency real-time dispatching and command system, and improve the accident emergency response mechanism;
iv. Carry out a capacity improvement project for food-related personnel in the market supervision field, including the development of a learning and assessment system, the production of 75 course videos, and the organization of skill competitions;
v. Establish a high-quality food standard system and conduct promotion activities, developing no less than 30 standards and carrying out quality monitoring within two years;
vi. Provide professional consulting services throughout the entire project implementation process.
To ensure the high-quality implementation of the above-mentioned construction content, we plan to refer to advanced practices from other World Bank projects to further optimize procurement management and improve service coordination efficiency; in the next phase of actual procurement operations, while keeping the total project budget unchanged, we intend to integrate the supervision services of the four projects—the "Coding, Tracing, and Recalling" Full-Chain Traceability Platform Project for Food in Key Areas (or Key Varieties), the Guangdong Food Safety "Internet + Clear Kitchen and Bright Stove" System Construction Project, the Emergency Real-Time Dispatching and Command System Upgrade, Transformation, and Operation Project, and the Capacity Improvement Project for Food-Related Personnel in the Market Supervision Field—into a single package for unified procurement and management, so as to ensure the smooth achievement of the project's construction goals.
II. Objectives
To ensure the high-quality implementation of the informatization sub-projects under the World Bank Loan Guangdong Agricultural Product Quality and Safety Improvement (Demonstration) Project, third-party supervision services will be provided throughout the entire process for four informatization sub-projects: the "Coding, Tracing, and Recalling" full-chain traceability platform, the "Internet + Clear Kitchen and Bright Stove" intelligent supervision system, the emergency real-time dispatching and command system, and the learning and assessment system for capacity improvement of food-related personnel. Through full-cycle, closed-loop management and control covering quality, progress, investment, changes, contract compliance, safety, intellectual property, multi-party collaboration, and documentation during project construction, we will ensure that project construction activities are legal, compliant, economical, and scientific; strictly control risks such as project overspending, delays, and quality defects; and guarantee the project is completed with high quality within the agreed schedule and budget. With the core goal of comprehensively enhancing modern governance capacity for food safety, we will build a full-chain management mechanism covering risk identification, early warning response, and closed-loop disposal through the system construction and coordinated advancement of the informatization sub-projects. This will provide a solid data foundation and institutional guarantee for the scientific calculation of the "proportion of early warnings for which mitigation measures have been initiated," realize systematic training for food safety inspectors and supervisors while quantifying the participation ratio of female supervisors, comprehensively improve the quality and management level of project implementation, ensure that the collection, accounting, and reporting of all indicator data comply with World Bank standards, and help promote the efficient implementation of the World Bank project.
III. Service Overview
The total estimated amount for this project is RMB 1.6003 million.
(I) Scope of Services
The service scope of this project covers the full-process supervision services for four informatization sub-projects, specifically including:
(II) Service Content
The supervision service agency shall provide full-process supervision services for the implementation of the aforementioned four informatization sub-projects, assisting the project undertaking company and the user party in carrying out their work to ensure the achievement of the predetermined project goals. In accordance with supervision work specifications, the agency shall implement full-process control over project quality, schedule, investment, contracts, and information security. This is to ensure that the construction activities are legal, compliant, reasonable, scientific, and economical, thereby reducing project construction risks and achieving both the overall project goals and the current phase goals.For details:
Adopt a full-process control mechanism of pre-prevention, in-process management and control, and post rectification. Control the quality of system development in accordance with regulatory standards, project contracts and design documents; regularly review project documents, issue supervision briefs and conduct quantitative evaluation; assist in reviewing design schemes and software selection, and supervise software testing, installation and commissioning links; formulate project acceptance standards and disposal plans, urge the implementation unit to rectify quality defects and follow up the operation and maintenance services during the warranty period. Simultaneously control the training quality, review the training plan, supervise the implementation of training and recheck the training summary.
Establish a standardized project meeting mechanism, organize weekly meetings, demand coordination meetings, technical special meetings, problem notification meetings and phased acceptance meetings, and completely retain meeting minutes; coordinate the work relations among the construction unit, business departments, development and implementation units and software and hardware suppliers, and build a normalized communication channel; coordinate to solve various problems such as demand differences, development (stuck points), testing disputes, etc., and simultaneously implement the project safety supervision objectives.
(III) Service Period
The supervision service period for this project shall commence from the date of contract signing and continue until the project closing date (March 31, 2029).
IV Deliverables, Result Review and Acceptance
a.Deliverables
Supervision Service Institution’s Key Report Deliverables During the Project Implementation Periodfor details,
NO. | Report Name | Submission Date/Frequency | Note |
1 | Site Entry Report | Submitted within the specified time limit after the contract is signed | Clarify the implementation plan for each work item |
2 | Supervision Plan | In the early stage of project initiation | Compiled under the organization of the Chief Supervision Engineer, reviewed by the company's technical department, and then submitted to the construction unit |
3 | Supervision Implementation Rules | In the early stage of project initiation | Compiled by the Professional Supervision Engineer, approved by the Chief Supervision Engineer, and then submitted to the construction unit |
4 | Weekly Supervision Report | One copy submitted per week | Report on project dynamics, supervision status, existing problems and suggestions |
5 | Monthly Supervision Report | One copy submitted per month | Report on project dynamics, supervision status, existing problems and suggestions |
6 | Supervision Notice | One copy submitted each time it is issued | After obtaining the consent of the construction unit, issue supervision instructions to the project implementation party |
7 | Meeting Minutes | One copy submitted after each meeting | Cover project regular meetings, coordination meetings, technical seminars, etc., and distributed to all participating units |
8 | Special Supervision Report | Submitted according to the actual needs of the project | Special report or suggestion submitted to the construction unit for specific project situations |
9 | Materials requiring approval by the construction unit | Submitted according to the actual project milestones | Including engineering changes, implementation plans, various progress schedules, project progress payments, opinions on quality accident handling, construction period extension reports, etc. (the supervisor shall issue opinions first) |
10 | Other materials declared by the project implementation party | Submitted according to the actual project milestones | Other materials declared by the project implementation party that require approval by the construction unit |
11 | Materials requiring joint review and signature by multiple parties | Submitted according to the actual project milestones | Materials requiring joint review and signature by the construction unit, supervisor, implementation party and other parties |
12 | Supervision Work Summary Report | Submitted before the end of the contract | Including project implementation overview, supervision contract performance, control status from various dimensions, supervision work effectiveness, summary evaluation and suggestions, etc. |
13 | Project Acceptance Report | Submitted when the supervised project passes acceptance | After the supervised project passes acceptance, a formal acceptance report is formed |
14 | Other Service Deliverables | Output as needed | Other materials required by the construction unit |
b. Result Review and Acceptance
After the Project Office reviews and approves the deliverable reports submitted by the supervision service agency, for the deliverable documents that need to be submitted to the World Bank for review in accordance with regulations, the supervision service agency shall cooperate with the Project Office to complete the submission. The phased deliverable shall be formally considered completed only after obtaining the World Bank's no-objection opinion. All deliverable reports must fully conform to the service content specified in this Terms of Reference, with standardized format, complete content, and true and accurate data.
V Agency and Personnel Qualification Requirements
a. Agency Qualification Requirements
The supervision service agency must have independently undertaken no fewer than ten information system engineering supervision services within the past three years. The relevant performance records must cover core business types such as government informatization, software platform construction, system integration, and network security. These records must sufficiently demonstrate the agency's comprehensive service capability in full-process supervision and coordination for multi-domain informatization projects.
b. Personnel Qualification Requirements
NO. | Expert Position | Qty | Responsibilities | Qualifications |
1 | Chief Supervisory Engineer | 1 | Fully preside over the supervision work of this project and manage the supervisory engineer team in a comprehensive manner. Responsible for the review and evaluation of major system changes in the project, and comprehensively in charge of risk management, information security, and data security management during the project implementation. | 1. Bachelor's degree or above; |
2 | Representative of Chief Supervisory Engineer | 1 | Responsible for the supervision work designated or assigned by the Chief Supervisory Engineer. Authorized by the Chief Supervisory Engineer, exercise part of the duties and powers of the Chief Supervisory Engineer, and carry out the project supervision implementation work. | 1. Bachelor's degree or above; |
| Specialty Supervisory Engineer | 4 | Responsible for carrying out the implementation work of informatization project supervision. | 1. Bachelor's degree or above; |
VI. Facilities and Personnel Provided by the Client
To ensure the smooth implementation of the service, the Client will provide the following necessary assistance and services:
a. Relevant project documents, reports, annual work plans and other materials.
b.Designate or entrust staff to coordinate with the service provider and carry out related work.
"},{"id":"OP00467697","notice_type":"Request for Expression of Interest","noticedate":"09-Sep-2026","notice_lang_name":"English","notice_status":"Published","submission_deadline_date":"2026-09-24T00:00:00Z","submission_deadline_time":"09:00","project_ctry_name":"China","project_id":"P162178","project_name":"China Food Safety Improvement Project","bid_reference_no":"GD-FSS-GAMR-CS11","bid_description":"Guangdong Agricultural Product Quality and Safety Improvement (Demonstration) Project Consulting Service","procurement_group":"CS","procurement_method_code":"CQS","procurement_method_name":"Consultant Qualification Selection","contact_address":"Address of EOI Submission: Huaxia Road No.49-1, Tianhe District, P/C 51000, Guangzhou, China","contact_ctry_name":"China","contact_email":"zhangzhi5@cgci.gt.cn","contact_name":"Zhang Zhi, Guo Hujun","contact_organization":"China International Tenderding Co., Ltd.","contact_phone_no":"010 8116 8424","submission_date":"2026-09-09T00:00:00Z","notice_text":"REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST
CONSULTING SERVICE for China Food Safety Improvement Project Guangdong Agricultural Product Quality and Safety Improvement (Demonstration) Project
Country: People's Republic of China
Name of Project: China Food Safety Improvement Project
Loan No.: IBRD-92130
Assignment Title: Consulting Service
Reference No.: GD-FSS-GAMR-CS11
The Guangdong Administration for Market Regulation has received financing from the World Bank toward the cost of the China Food Safety Improvement Project Guangdong Agricultural Product Quality and Safety Improvement (Demonstration) Project, and intends to apply part of the proceeds for consulting services.
The consulting services (“the Services”) include:
1. Scope of Services:
Provide comprehensive professional consulting services throughout the implementation period of this project, to facilitate the smooth execution of each construction sub-project.
2. Estimated Amount: CNY 1.4147 million
3. Scope of Services:
The services aim to provide comprehensive consulting and on-site management support covering the entire process for the World Bank Project Office of the Guangdong Provincial Administration for Market Regulation. The scope of work encompasses core tasks including project management, procurement and contract management, monitoring and evaluation (M&E), IT consulting, and translation. Specifically, the services include:
Assisting the Project Office with the interpretation of World Bank policies, document preparation, daily liaison, and the drafting of various plans and reports;
Guiding procurement and bidding processes, overseeing bid evaluations, and managing contract performance;
Conducting regular surveys on project indicator data and preparing monitoring and evaluation reports;
Providing technical proposal reviews and acceptance guidance for the development of IT platforms such as food traceability systems and "transparent kitchens";
Handling on-site affairs including daily coordination and communication with the World Bank and relevant competent authorities, report translation, document archiving, and meeting organization, to fully ensure the compliant and efficient advancement of the project.
4. Service Duration:
The term of consulting services for this project shall commence on the date of contract signing and expire on the project closing date (March 31, 2029).
5. Deliverables:
The consulting services shall be delivered in an orderly manner in accordance with the contract and World Bank requirements. The deliverables will cover the entire project cycle, including inception reports, annual plans, quarterly/semi-annual progress reports, procurement technical documents, mid-term adjustment reports, management tools, completion reports, and summary reports. Each deliverable corresponds to a specific milestone (e.g., inception report within 1 month after contract signing, quarterly reports within 1 month after the end of the quarter, and completion reports prior to the project closing date), forming a complete delivery chain from preliminary planning to final summary.
During the review and acceptance phase, all deliverables must first be audited by the Project Office. If submission to the World Bank is required, the deliverables must obtain a "No Objection" from the World Bank before formal completion. Furthermore, all deliverables must strictly align with the scope of services outlined in the Terms of Reference (TOR), ensuring standardized formatting, comprehensive content, and authentic, accurate data. This is to guarantee that the outputs at each stage not only meet procedural compliance requirements but also possess substantial reference and practical value.
6. Qualifications
The consulting firm shall primarily assign the following key personnel: Project Management Expert, Procurement, Contract Management and Monitoring & Evaluation Expert, IT Management Consulting Expert, and On-site Engineer. The qualifications and responsibilities for each key position are as follows:
No. | Expert Position | Qty. | Responsibilities | Qualifications |
1 | Project Management Expert | 1 | To coordinate all consulting and translation services, manage team allocation, and oversee service progress and quality for the Project Office. Responsible for compiling and reviewing various deliverables, coordinating the resolution of project issues, and facilitating World Bank reviews. | 1. Over 15 years of project management experience, including at least 5 years of experience in managing loan/grant projects; |
2 | Procurement, Contract Management, and M&E Expert | 1 | Responsible for procurement execution, contract management, and monitoring & evaluation (M&E) for projects financed by International Financial Organizations (IFOs). | 1. Over 5 years of procurement experience in projects financed by IFIs/IFOs; |
3 | IT Management Consulting Expert | 1 | Responsible for consulting on the development and design of IT platforms. | At least 10 years of experience in IT platform development and design. |
4 | On-site Engineer | 1 | Stationed at the Project Office to handle daily liaison and coordination with the World Bank and competent authorities; assist in drafting work plans and various progress reports. Support the drafting of the Terms of Reference (TOR), bid reviews, IT acceptance, and M&E data collection. Undertake on-site support tasks including document archiving, daily translation, and meeting organization to ensure the compliant advancement of the entire project process. | 1. Bachelor’s degree or above; |
The detailed Terms of Reference (TOR) for the assignment are attached to this request for expressions of interest.
The Guangdong Administration for Market Regulation now invites eligible consulting firms (“Consultants”) to indicate their interest in providing the Services. Interested Consultants should provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Services. The shortlisting criteria are: the overall competence and strength of the Consultant, quality control and project management capabilities, understanding of the assignment, relevant experience and past performance, proposed team composition, preliminary work plan, and a brief technical approach. Key Experts will not be evaluated at the shortlisting stage.
Contents of this Request for Expressions of Interest:
Required Submission Documents:
1. Letter of Expression of Interest (or Letter of Response) submitted by the consulting firm;
2. Company profile;
3. Summary of past project performance (specifying the project name, client, scope of services, and service duration);
4. Simplified technical approach (briefly outlining key points; a detailed proposal is not required at this stage);
5. Preliminary work plan;
6. Key team experts (personnel profiles must be provided);
7. Any other documents the consulting firm deems necessary to provide.
Note: All the above-mentioned documents must be stamped with the official seal of the consulting firm.
Consultants shall not be hired for any assignment that would be in conflict with their prior or current obligations to other clients, or that may place them in a position of being unable to carry out the assignment in the best interests of the Borrower. Without limitation on the generality of the foregoing, Consultants shall not be hired under the circumstances set forth below:
a. a firm that has been engaged by the Borrower to provide Goods, Works, or Non-Consulting Services for a project (or an affiliate that directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with that firm), shall be disqualified from providing Consulting Services resulting from, or directly related to, those Goods, Works, or Non-Consulting Services. This provision does not apply to the various firms (Consultants, contractors, or suppliers), which together are performing the contractor’s obligations under a turnkey or design and build contract; a firm that has been engaged by the Borrower to provide Consulting Services for the preparation or implementation of a project (or an affiliate that directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with that Consulting firm), shall be disqualified from subsequently providing Goods, Works, or Non-Consulting Services resulting from, or directly related to those Consulting Services. This provision does not apply to the various firms (Consultants, contractors, or suppliers), which together are performing the contractor’s obligations under a turnkey or design and build contract;
b. neither a Consultant (including personnel and sub-consultants), nor an affiliate (that directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with that Consultant), shall be hired for any assignment that, by its nature, creates a conflict of interest with another assignment of the Consultant;
c. Consultants (including their experts and other personnel, and sub-consultants), that have a close business or family relationship with a professional staff of the Borrower, or of the project implementing agency, or of a recipient of a part of the Bank’s financing, or any other party representing or acting on behalf of the Borrower, that is directly or indirectly involved in any part of: i. the preparation of the ToR for the assignment; ii. the selection process for the contract; or iii. the supervision of the contract; may not be awarded a contract, unless the conflict stemming from this relationship has been resolved in a manner acceptable to the Bank throughout the selection process and the execution of the contract.
Consultants may associate with other firms to enhance their qualifications, but should indicate clearly whether the association is in the form of a joint venture and/or a sub-consultancy. In the case of a joint venture, all the partners in the joint venture shall be jointly and severally liable for the entire contract, if selected.
A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the CQS method set out in the Procurement Regulations.
Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours from 09:00 to 17:00 on working days from September 9 to September 23, 2026
Expressions of interest must be delivered in a written form to the address below (in person, or by mail, or by fax, or by e-mail) by 09:00 on September 24, 2026.
Tender Agency: China International Tendering Co., Ltd.
Attn: Zhang Zhi, Guo Hujun
Title: Project Manager
Address: Huaxia Road No. 49-1, Tianhe District, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
Postal Code: 51000
Tel.: +86 10-81168424; +86 10-81168460
E-mail: zhangzhi5@cgci.gt.cn; guohujun@gt.cn
Employer: Guangdong Administration for Market Regulation
Attn: Chen Lin
Title: Special Cadre, World Bank Loan Project Office
Address: No. 363 West Huangpu Avenue, Tianhe District, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
Tel.: 020-38835493
Annex: detailed Terms of Reference (TOR)
TERMS OF REFERENCE
To ensure the smooth implementation of consulting services for the China Food Safety Improvement Project Guangdong Agricultural Product Quality and Safety Improvement (Demonstration) Project , and to guarantee the achievement of the project's informatization goals, the Guangdong Administration for Market Regulation intends to engage a third-party service provider to carry out the project implementation.
I. Project Background and Description
The World Bank-funded China Food Safety Improvement Project aims to enhance national and local food safety management and reduce food safety risks along selected value chains. At the national level, the project will be jointly implemented by the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA). At the local level, it will be carried out by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of Guangdong Province, the Guangdong Administration for Market Regulation, and the Bureau of Ocean Development and Fisheries of Yantai City, Shandong Province. The loan agreement for the project entered into force on March 21, 2024. The project has an implementation period of five years, with a closing date of March 31, 2029.
The Guangdong Administration for Market Regulation takes the comprehensive enhancement of modern food safety governance capacity as its core objective in this project. By systematically constructing and collaboratively advancing six sub-projects, it precisely supports and effectively drives the achievement of the project goals. The Guangdong Provincial Administration for Market Regulation plans to apply for a World Bank loan of USD 10 million for this project. The main construction contents of the project include:
1. Building a full-chain traceability platform ("Scan-to-Trace") for key food categories, achieving full-chain traceability and risk early warning through 15 functional modules and 359 functional points;
2. Building the "Yue-Shi-An Internet Plus Open Kitchens" system, providing intelligent video supervision for scenarios such as elderly care canteens and school cafeterias;
3. Upgrading the emergency real-time dispatch and command system to improve the emergency response mechanisms for food safety incidents;
4. Implementing a capacity building program for food-related personnel in the field of market regulation, including the development of a learning and assessment system, the production of video content for 75 courses, and skills competitions;
5. Establishing a high-quality food standards system and promotional campaigns, developing no fewer than 30 standards within two years and conducting quality monitoring;
6. Providing professional consulting services throughout the entire project implementation process.
II. Project Objectives
To meet the demand for professional consulting services throughout the entire implementation process of the World Bank-funded Guangdong Agricultural Product Quality and Safety Improvement (Demonstration) Project, strengthen project process management, facilitate the smooth progress of various tasks, and promote the efficient implementation of the World Bank project, the Guangdong Administration for Market Regulation plans to engage a professional project management consulting agency. The agency will provide consulting services in project management, procurement management, contract management, monitoring and evaluation, and informatization management, as well as daily English translation services and the issuance of corresponding outcome reports.
This project takes the comprehensive enhancement of modern food safety governance capacity as its core objective. By systematically constructing and collaboratively advancing six sub-projects, it precisely supports and effectively drives the achievement of various core performance indicators:
At the outcome indicator level, relying on the deep integration and linkage of the "Scan-to-Trace" full-chain traceability platform, the "Internet Plus Open Kitchens" intelligent supervision system, and the emergency real-time dispatch and command system, a full-chain management mechanism covering risk identification, early warning response, and disposal closure will be established. This will provide a solid data foundation and institutional guarantee for scientifically calculating the "proportion of warnings with mitigation measures initiated."
At the output indicator level, through the capacity building program for food-related personnel, systematic training will be provided to food safety inspectors and regulatory personnel, and the proportion of female regulatory personnel participating will be quantified. Through the high-quality food standards system construction project, no fewer than 30 standards will be developed, 6 demonstration model enterprises will be built, and 700 batches of quality monitoring will be completed. These will directly support the realization of key output indicators such as the "number of enterprises receiving project support to improve food safety management."
Through the project consulting services, the technical feasibility, economic rationality, and environmental and social sustainability of the project will be ensured, and the project design and implementation capabilities will be enhanced. Meanwhile, the consultants will assist in identifying potential risk factors of the project, propose corresponding mitigation measures, and strengthen project risk management capabilities. Furthermore, it will ensure that the collection, accounting, and reporting of all indicator data comply with World Bank specifications, thereby enhancing the international compliance and transparency of the project, facilitating the smooth progress of various tasks, and promoting the efficient implementation of the World Bank project.
III. Service Overview
The total investment amount for this project is RMB 1.4147 million.
(I) Scope of Services
During the implementation period of this project, the service provider shall provide comprehensive professional consulting services to the project implementation unit and assist in the smooth progress of various construction projects.
(II) Service Content
1. Project Management Consulting
Assist the Project Management Office (PMO) in collecting and organizing World Bank-related policies and materials: Collect and organize World Bank policy documents related to project management, provide policy interpretations, and ensure that the project implementation team has a clear understanding of the policies to offer policy consulting for project execution. Assist the PMO in establishing operational procedures and detailed management system rules for this project, ensuring compliance with World Bank and national requirements, and determining management workflows. Assist the PMO in organizing preliminary historical data related to this project to provide necessary references for subsequent implementation. Be responsible for daily liaison work, including communication with the World Bank team, the Provincial Development and Reform Commission, the Provincial Department of Finance, and other relevant departments, as well as various project construction service agencies.
Meanwhile, based on project management needs, be responsible for drafting annual work plans, quarterly, semi-annual, and annual project progress reports, annual comprehensive evaluation reports, daily liaison work, mid-term evaluation and adjustment reports, and training work plans.
2. Procurement Management Consulting
Assist the Project Management Office (PMO) in preparing procurement plans, drafting Terms of Reference (TOR), reviewing bidding documents, supervising bid evaluations, and managing contract negotiations and performance. This is to ensure that procurement activities adhere to the principles of economy, efficiency, transparency, and fair competition, thereby reducing compliance risks and guaranteeing the compliant use of project funds and smooth project implementation.
3. Contract Management Consulting
Assist the PMO in formulating an overall procurement plan aligned with the project construction content based on project activities, and make timely adjustments according to project progress and requirements from all parties. As requested by the PMO, assist in drafting the TOR for consulting service activities required for this project, revise and improve them according to the World Bank's feedback, and obtain the Bank's "no objection." Assist the procurement agency in handling various matters during the bidding process and reviewing project procurement bidding documents, and assist the PMO in responding to and implementing the World Bank's feedback on the review of bidding documents (technical aspects). After the project activities have completed the procurement procedures required by the World Bank, and during the implementation of sub-project contracts, assist the PMO in strengthening contract management and acceptance work.
4. Project Monitoring and Evaluation
In accordance with the project results framework indicators specified in the project assessment documents, regularly conduct surveys on project monitoring indicator data, draft annual monitoring and evaluation reports, and assist the PMO in explaining issues related to the survey methodology and data reliability of the monitoring and evaluation data to the World Bank.
5. Informatization Management Consulting
Provide consulting services and technical guidance for the construction of informatization platforms in this project, including the "Scan-to-Trace" full-chain traceability platform for food, the "Yue-Shi-An Internet Plus Open Kitchens" system, and the emergency real-time dispatch and command system. Services include assisting in the preparation and review of technical proposals, helping to resolve technical issues encountered during the procurement of information platforms, supervising the platform supervision work, assisting in the acceptance of informatization platforms, and providing professional technical guidance regarding the design, implementation, operation, and promotion of these platforms.
6. Translation Services
Based on project management needs, the service provider shall handle the translation of emails exchanged with the World Bank, World Bank memos, and various reports submitted to the World Bank. The original formats, such as PDF, Word, and Excel, must be preserved. Terminology must comply with industry or World Bank standards. The translation shall meet localization and proofreading requirements, adapt to the World Bank's official terminology database, and undergo multiple rounds of review to ensure compliance with World Bank document specifications.
7. On-site Services
The service provider shall participate in the daily management of the World Bank project throughout the entire process. The main responsibilities include daily liaison and coordination with the World Bank and relevant competent authorities; assisting in drafting work plans, procurement plans, and various progress reports; cooperating in completing the drafting of Terms of Reference (TOR), bid reviews, informatization platform acceptance, and monitoring and evaluation data collection; and undertaking tasks such as file archiving, daily translation, and meeting organization. The on-site support will be provided to ensure the compliant advancement of the entire project process.
(III) Service Period
The consulting service period for this project shall commence from the date of contract signing and continue until the project closing date (March 31, 2029).
IV. Deliverables, Deliverable Review, and Acceptance
(I) Deliverables
No. | Report | Submission Date |
1 | Consulting Service Inception Report | Within 1 month after contract signing |
2 | Annual Project Work Plan, Procurement Plan, Fund Utilization Plan, and Capacity Building Plan | By December 31 each year, as required by the World Bank |
3 | Project Quarterly Progress Report | Within 1 month after the end of each quarter |
4 | Project Semi-annual Progress Report | By March 1 and September 1 each year, as required by the World Bank |
5 | Terms of Reference (TOR) and Technical Requirement Documents for Procurement Activities | As specified by the Project Management Office (PMO) |
6 | Mid-term Adjustment Report | As required by the World Bank |
7 | Official Version of Project Management Tools | Within 3 months after mobilization |
8 | Project Completion Report | Before the project closing date |
9 | Consulting Service Summary Report | Within 2 months prior to contract completion |
(II) Deliverable Review and Acceptance
Upon receiving the deliverable reports submitted by the consulting service provider, the Project Management Office (PMO) shall review them. For deliverable documents that are required to be submitted to the World Bank for review according to regulations, the consulting service provider shall assist the PMO in completing the submission. The phased deliverables shall be officially considered closed only after obtaining the World Bank's "no objection."
All deliverable reports must fully align with the service content specified in this Terms of Reference (TOR). They must be standardized in format, comprehensive in content, and authentic and accurate in data.
V. Qualification Requirements for the Agency and Personnel
(I) Agency Qualification Requirements
The service provider must have independently undertaken project management consulting services for no fewer than two projects funded by loans or grants from international financial organizations within the past five years. The relevant performance records must fall within the scope of similar project management consulting, and sufficiently demonstrate the agency's comprehensive service capability in full-process compliance control and coordination for international financial organization projects. Priority will be given to candidates with experience in implementing similar projects within Guangdong Province.
(II) Personnel Qualification Requirements
The consulting service provider shall primarily deploy key personnel, including a Project Management Expert, Procurement, Contract Management, and Monitoring & Evaluation Experts, an Informatization Management Expert, and On-site Engineers. The qualification requirements and functional responsibilities for each key position are as follows:
No. | Expert Position | Qty. | Responsibilities | Qualifications |
1 | Project Management Expert | 1 | To coordinate all consulting and translation services, manage team allocation, and oversee service progress and quality for the Project Office. Responsible for compiling and reviewing various deliverables, coordinating the resolution of project issues, and facilitating World Bank reviews. | 1. Over 15 years of project management experience, including at least 5 years of experience in managing loan/grant projects; |
2 | Procurement, Contract Management, and M&E Expert | 1 | Responsible for procurement execution, contract management, and monitoring & evaluation (M&E) for projects financed by International Financial Organizations (IFOs). | 1. Over 5 years of procurement experience in projects financed by IFIs/IFOs; |
3 | IT Management Consulting Expert | 1 | Responsible for consulting on the development and design of IT platforms. | At least 10 years of experience in IT platform development and design. |
4 | On-site Engineer | 1 | Stationed at the Project Office to handle daily liaison and coordination with the World Bank and competent authorities; assist in drafting work plans and various progress reports. Support the drafting of the Terms of Reference (TOR), bid reviews, IT acceptance, and M&E data collection. Undertake on-site support tasks including document archiving, daily translation, and meeting organization to ensure the compliant advancement of the entire project process. | 1. Bachelor’s degree or above; |
VI. Facilities and Personnel Provided by the Client
To facilitate the smooth implementation of these services, the Client will provide the following necessary assistance and services:
(I) Relevant project documents, reports, annual work plans, and other related materials.
(II) Designate or assign staff to liaise with the service provider to carry out related work.
"},{"id":"OP00467562","notice_type":"Request for Expression of Interest","noticedate":"08-Sep-2026","notice_lang_name":"English","notice_status":"Published","submission_deadline_date":"2026-10-05T00:00:00Z","submission_deadline_time":"17:00","project_ctry_name":"Lebanon","project_id":"P181954","project_name":"GFPP for Lebanon Digital Acceleration Project","bid_reference_no":"LB-OMSAR-568786-CS-QCBS","bid_description":"Priority Upstream Feasibility – Directorate General of Civil Status eServices Digitisation","procurement_group":"CS","procurement_method_code":"QCBS","procurement_method_name":"Quality And Cost-Based Selection","contact_address":"Beirut, Lebanon","contact_ctry_name":"Lebanon","contact_email":"mhammoud@omsar.gov.lb","contact_name":"Mirvat Hammoud","contact_organization":"Office of the Minister of State for Administrative Reform","contact_phone_no":"+961 (1) 371 505","submission_date":"2026-09-08T00:00:00Z","notice_text":"REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST
(CONSULTING SERVICES – FIRMS SELECTION)
Lebanon
GFPP for Lebanon Digital Acceleration Project (LDAP) - P181954
Loan No./Credit No./ Grant No.: TF-C8895
Assignment Title: Phase 1: Priority Upstream Feasibility – Directorate General of Civil Status eServices Digitisation
Reference No. (as per Procurement Plan): LB-OMSAR-568786-CS-QCBS
The Office of the Minister of State for Administrative Reform (OMSAR) has received financing from the World Bank toward the cost of the Preparation Grant for the Lebanon Digital Acceleration Project (LDAP), and intends to apply part of the proceeds for consulting services.
The consulting services (“the Services”) include undertaking a rapid, practical and evidence-based assessment of the institutional, technical, operational, legal and readiness conditions required to digitise priority DGCS services and preparing the foundation for subsequent use-case design and the civil registration platform build. The assignment is expected to be completed within a maximum of three months (approximately 12 weeks) from contract signature.
The detailed Terms of Reference (TOR) for the assignment is attached to this REOI.
The Office of the Minister of State for Administrative Reform (OMSAR) now invites eligible consulting firms (“Consultants”) to indicate their interest in providing the Services. Interested Consultants should provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Services. The shortlisting criteria are:
Key Experts will not be evaluated at the shortlisting stage.
The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to Section III, paragraphs, 3.14, 3.16, and 3.17 of the World Bank’s “Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers” dated September 2025 (“Procurement Regulations”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest. In addition, please refer to the following specific information on conflict of interest related to this assignment:
In accordance with World Bank Procurement Regulations regarding Conflict of Interest, the consulting firm selected for this Phase 1 feasibility and design assignment will be disqualified from subsequently bidding on or providing goods, works, or non-consulting services for the downstream implementation phases (Phases 2 and 3).
Consultants may associate with other firms to enhance their qualifications, but should indicate clearly whether the association is in the form of a joint venture and/or a sub-consultancy. In the case of a joint venture, all the partners in the joint venture shall be jointly and severally liable for the entire contract, if selected.
A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Quality and Cost-based Selection (QCBS) method set out in the Regulations method set out in the Procurement Regulations.
Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours (09:00 AM to 04:00 PM, Beirut Time).
Expressions of interest must be delivered in a written form to the address below (in person, or by mail, or by e-mail) by COB 5 October, 2026.
Office of the Minister of State for Administrative Reform (OMSAR)
Technical Unit – Preparation Grant for Lebanon Digital Acceleration Project
Attn: Ms. Mirvat Hammoud – Procurement Specialist
Address: STARCO Building, Bloc A, 5th Floor
Omar Daouk Street, Mina El Hosn Sector
Beirut, Lebanon
Tel: +961 (1) 371 505; ext. 160
E-mail: mhammoud@omsar.gov.lb
Terms of Reference
PREPARATION GRANT FOR LEBANON DIGITAL ACCELERATION PROJECT (P181954)
Phase 1: Priority Upstream Feasibility – Directorate General of Civil Status eServices Digitisation
Background
Lebanon is facing a protracted, multidimensional crisis that has impaired state institutions and public service delivery. Fragmented digital systems, reliance on paper-based processes, and limited trust in electronic transactions continue to hinder efficiency, transparency, and accountability across the public and private sectors. These challenges are compounded by gaps in digital governance, incomplete regulatory activation, and limited institutional capacity to operationalize key digital enablers.
In response, the Government of Lebanon, with support from the World Bank, as part of the Lebanon Digital Acceleration Project (LDAP), is undertaking a strategic investment aimed to modernize Lebanon’s public sector through digital transformation, stimulate private sector growth, and accelerate the development of a robust digital economy is under preparation with World Bank support. The Lebanon Digital Acceleration Project (the “Project”) will establish secure, scalable, and resilient digital infrastructure including cloud services, data platforms, and cybersecurity systems that are essential for attracting investment and fostering innovation. By strengthening digital ID, e-signature capabilities, and the legal framework for digital transactions, the Project will improve the ease of doing business and enable trusted, efficient engagement between the public and private sectors. In parallel, the Project will advance key regulatory reforms in telecom, data protection, e-signature, and artificial intelligence (AI), while investing in Lebanon’s digital talent pool. Together, these measures will lay the foundation for a more competitive, dynamic, and inclusive economy.
The World Bank’s Grant Facility for Project Preparation (GFPP) has been extended to OMSAR to support Project preparation. The GFPP grant will be implemented by a Technical Unit (TU) housed within OMSAR.
Within this broader digital transformation agenda, the modernization and digitization of civil registration services represents an important priority and a key enabler for trusted digital service delivery. The Directorate General of Civil Status (DGCS), under the Ministry of Interior and Municipalities (MoIM), is the national owner of Lebanon’s civil registration and National ID databases. Civil registration operations are centrally governed but highly decentralised, with Civil Status Qalams (CSQs), Mukhtars and other actors playing critical roles in registration, certification and issuance of civil status documents. The digitization level of CSQs is quite low with the Beirut Qalam slightly higher where a portion of the archived documents are scanned or microfished.
A June 2026 Directorate General of Civil Status – eServices Digitisation Priorities assessment identified significant opportunities to improve citizen-facing services and internal workflows through digital processes, interoperability, digital identity, electronic signatures and secure exchange of official information. It also identified important prerequisites, including assessment of existing systems and data sources, readiness of local civil status offices, digital skills of key actors, legal and institutional constraints, and transaction volumes. The assessment proposes a phased procurement approach in which Phase 1 provides the upstream evidence needed to sequence and cost subsequent use-case design and the downstream civil registration platform.
Phase 1 is intended to be implemented rapidly under the World Bank Grant Facility for Project Preparation (GFPP) during 2026. It is deliberately focused on cross-cutting readiness and feasibility questions rather than detailed use-case-specific solution design, which will be addressed under the subsequent phases. The assignment will therefore establish an evidence base for investment decisions, confirm critical dependencies and constraints, and provide a prioritised roadmap and requirements for the downstream phases.
Assignment and Objectives
The objective of this assignment is to undertake a rapid, practical and evidence-based assessment of the institutional, technical, operational, legal and readiness conditions required to digitise priority DGCS services and to prepare the foundation for subsequent use-case design and the civil registration platform build.
The specific objectives are to:
Scope of Work and Deliverables
The Consultant shall undertake the following tasks. Activities shall be conducted in parallel whenever possible in close coordination with DGCS/MoIM and relevant government stakeholders and shall respect applicable institutional mandates.
Task 1: Current Systems, Data and Integration Landscape
Task 2: Local Office Digital Readiness Assessment
Task 3: Data Readiness Assessment
Task 4: Digital Skills and Institutional Capacity
Task 5: Digitisation of the Mukhtar Local Logbook
Task 6: Business Process Analysis
Task 7: Business Process Reengineering
Task 8 : Cross-Cutting Feasibility, Dependencies and Investment Roadmap
Deliverables
The Consultant shall produce concise, decision-oriented deliverables suitable for use by DGCS/MoIM, OMSAR and the World Bank in preparing subsequent investments. All deliverables shall be submitted in editable formats together with PDF versions.
Commencement Date: The Commencement Date of the contract to start the assignment shall be the contract signature date by both parties.
Deliverable | Content | Indicative timing (from contract signature) |
D1 – Inception Report and Work Plan | Methodology, sampling approach, stakeholder engagement plan, data/information collection instruments, detailed work plan, risks and quality-assurance approach. | Week 2 |
D2 – Upstream Readiness and Baseline Assessment | Consolidated assessment covering systems/data, local-office readiness, skills/capacity, key findings, dependencies, gaps, risks and priority recommendations. | Week 9 |
D3 – Priority Feasibility and Downstream Investment Roadmap | Final cross-cutting feasibility assessment; prioritisation and sequencing; high-level target requirements; legal/institutional and technical dependencies; validation Workshop summaries; recommended pilots; indicative cost drivers; procurement inputs and roadmap for Phases 2 and 3. | Week 12 |
Key Stakeholders and Consultation Requirements – Access facilitated by MoIM
Approach and Methodology
Qualifications and Experience
The selected advisory firm should demonstrate the following minimum qualifications:
Team Composition and Key Personnel Qualifications:
The Consultant shall deploy a multidisciplinary team with the appropriate expertise to deliver the assignment within the required timeframe. The team must be composed of core members who possess the technical, operational, and institutional knowledge necessary to conduct rapid assessments across Lebanon’s decentralized civil registry system.
The following key positions are required for the duration of the assignment. The Consultant may propose additional supporting staff as necessary.
1. Team Leader / Senior Digital Government Expert
Role: The Team Leader will serve as the primary point of contact for the Grant Coordinator and the Technical Committee. This individual will oversee the entire assignment, ensure the quality and timeliness of all deliverables, manage the team’s work plan, and lead stakeholder engagement at the senior government level.
Minimum Qualifications:
2. Senior Civil Registration / Identity Systems Specialist
Role: Responsible for the technical assessment of the existing DGCS systems (civil register, National ID), and for defining the requirements for interoperability, workflow digitisation, and National ID verification services (Tasks 1, 5, 6).
Minimum Qualifications:
3. Public Sector Digital Transformation / Business Process Expert
Role: Responsible for the analysis of current workflows (As-Is) and the design of target operating models. This role leads the assessment of digital skills, institutional capacity, and the digitisation of Mukhtar and marriage registration processes (Tasks 3, 4, 8).
Minimum Qualifications:
4. Digital Readiness and Field Assessment Specialist
Role: Responsible for the design and execution of the representative sample survey, conducting field visits to CSQs and Mukhtar offices, assessing connectivity, equipment, and operational practices (Task 2 & Task 7).
Minimum Qualifications:
5. Legal / Institutional Framework Expert
Role: Responsible for identifying legal, regulatory, and institutional constraints affecting the digitisation of civil registration processes (Cross-cutting dependencies, e-Signatures, Data Protection, Task 9 & 10).
Minimum Qualifications:
Additional Team Requirements:
Compliance, Data Protection and Environmental and Social Requirements
The Consultant shall perform all services in accordance with:
In addition, the consultant must comply with the following Environmental and Social (E&S) requirements aligned with the World Bank Environmental and Social Framework (ESF) and the Project commitments:
The Consultant shall comply with the World Bank’s 'Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers' and the 'Guidelines on Preventing and Combating Fraud and Corruption in Projects Financed by IBRD Loans and IDA Credits and Grants'.
Please note: In accordance with World Bank Procurement Regulations regarding Conflict of Interest, the consulting firm selected for this Phase 1 feasibility and design assignment will be disqualified from subsequently bidding on or providing goods, works, or non-consulting services for the downstream implementation phases (Phases 2 and 3).
Project Oversight, Reporting, and Contract Management
A Technical Committee (TC) will be established to provide strategic direction, oversight, and effective management of the engagement. Chaired by the Grant Coordinator and composed of members from DGCS/MoIM, OMSAR and other relevant government representatives, as appropriate. The Consultant shall report to the designated Grant/Project Coordinator and shall work closely with the DGCS focal point.
The Consultant shall submit brief progress updates and participate in periodic review meetings. Any issue that may materially affect scope, schedule, cost or downstream procurement readiness shall be escalated promptly.
The TC Approval Gate/ Grant Coordinator and Deliverable Acceptance
The Grant Coordinator, in consultation with the TC and relevant public entities, is the sole authority empowered to formally accept and approve project deliverables. The following administrative process applies to every milestone:
Payment Schedule and Invoicing
Payments will be made upon the satisfactory acceptance of the deliverables specified in the below Timeframe table. To initiate payment, the Consultant must submit an administrative phase containing the Official Invoice, evidence of delivery, and the Acceptance Notice delivered by the TC Chairperson.
Payments will be processed within thirty (30) days after the submission of the official invoice along with the formally accepted deliverable.
Intellectual Property and Confidentiality
Indicative Schedule and Payment Milestones
The assignment is expected to be completed within a maximum of three months (approximately 12 weeks) from contract signature. The Consultant shall undertake the ten tasks in parallel, with D2 targeted for Week 9 to provide sufficient time for fieldwork, stakeholder consultations and technical assessments. Approximately three weeks shall then be reserved for consolidation, prioritisation, sequencing, validation and preparation of D3.
Milestone | Deliverable | Target | Indicative payment |
1 | D1 – Inception Report and Work Plan | Week 2 | 20% |
2 | D2 – Upstream Readiness and Baseline Assessment | Week 9 | 40% |
3 | D3 – Priority Feasibility and Downstream Investment Roadmap | Week 12 | 40% |
REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST - CONSULTANT’S QUALIFICATIONS BASED SELECTION (CQS)
Name of Project | Fiji Energy Transformation Project Preparation (P515153) |
Loan No/Credit No/Grant Number | GFPP Grant No. TF0D0728 |
Assignment Title | Gap analysis for National Control Center (NCC) with higher level of Variable Renewable Energy (VRE) systems, and propose initial design of the new NCC for EFL |
Procurement Plan Ref Number | FJ-EFL-567211-CS-CQS |
Reference No. | EOI-02/2026 |
Country of Delivery | Republic of Fiji |
The Republic of Fiji, acting through Energy Fiji Limited (EFL), has received financing from the World Bank toward the costs of the Fiji Energy Transformation Project Preparation (P515153), and intends to apply part of the proceeds for the following consulting services.
The consulting services ("the Services") comprise a comprehensive gap analysis of EFL's National Control Centre (NCC) at Vuda Back Road, Nadi, and the definition of an initial design and modernisation roadmap for a future NCC capable of securely operating the Fiji grid at high levels of variable renewable energy penetration. EFL is the primary electricity provider in Fiji, serving Vitilevu, Vanualevu, Ovalau and Taveuni. Demand on the main VLIS grid currently exceeds 213 MW and is expected to exceed 300 MW within ten years, while EFL's Renewable Energy Roadmap targets the installation of 165 MW of solar capacity and over 40 MW of battery energy storage within five years. The NCC's current infrastructure, systems and operating procedures must be assessed against this future state.
The Services will cover:
The assignment requires desktop review, stakeholder consultations, site visits and physical inspection of the control room and backup facilities, and benchmarking against international best practice (e.g. IEEE, IEC, ENTSO-E).
Implementation period: the assignment is expected to be completed within a maximum of seven (7) months from contract signature. Expected start date: October 2026.
Terms of Reference: The detailed Terms of Reference (TOR) for the assignment can be found at the following website: https://www.tenderlink.com/efl(opens in new window) and is also attached to this REOI as Appendix 1.
Energy Fiji Limited now invites eligible consulting firms ("Consultants") to indicate their interest in providing the Services. Interested Consultants should provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Services.
The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to paragraphs 3.14, 3.16 and 3.17 of the World Bank's Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers, latest’s edition, ("the Regulations"), setting forth the World Bank's policy on conflict of interest.
EOI Evaluation Criteria
Criterion | Weight |
1. General experience of the firm in power systems, electricity utility modernization, control centres and/or related power-sector advisory services | 20% |
2. Relevant experience in SCADA/EMS and National/Regional Control Centre assignments, particularly gap assessments, modernization, design or upgrading of control centre systems | 40% |
3. Relevant experience in renewable energy integration and grid modernization, including high-VRE grids, BESS, grid stability and/or associated Grid Code work | 20% |
4. Relevant experience in developing technical specifications, procurement strategies and/or bidding documents for complex SCADA/EMS, control centre or comparable power-system investments | 20% |
Total | 100% |
Form and content of the Expression of Interest: Expressions of interest should not exceed 10 pages, excluding annexes, and should contain only the information necessary to assess the criteria set out above. Consultants are not required to submit technical proposals, methodologies, work plans, staffing schedules, CVs of experts, or financial proposals at this stage. In accordance with the Regulations, the qualifications and experience of Key Experts do not form part of this evaluation, and any such material submitted will not be evaluated.
Consultants may associate with other firms to enhance their qualifications but shall indicate clearly whether the association takes the form of a joint venture and/or a sub-consultancy. In the case of a joint venture, all members shall be jointly and severally liable, and the lead member shall be identified.
The firm assessed as best qualified against the above criteria will be invited to submit a technical and financial proposal and invited to negotiate a contract in accordance with the Regulations.
Submission
Further information can be obtained by emailing to tenders@efl.com.fj during office hours 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM (Fiji Time), Monday to Friday clear 3 days from the closing date of this EOI.
Expressions of interest must be uploaded to the EFL e-Tender Portal (TenderLink) at https://www.tenderlink.com/efl(opens in new window), by registering your company, by 4:00 PM (1600 hrs) Fiji Time on Tuesday, 22 September 2026.
Tender documents may be viewed and downloaded from www.efl.com.fj(opens in new window) or https://www.tenderlink.com/efl(opens in new window).
Submissions by email or facsimile will not be accepted and will be deemed null and void. Hard copy submissions to the tender box at EFL Head Office, Suva, will not be accepted.
Appendix 1 – Terms of Reference
Terms of Reference (ToR) for Gap Analysis
EFL’s National Control Centre (NCC)
EOI-02/2026
This document outlines the Terms of Reference (TOR) for conducting a comprehensive Gap Analysis of the National Control Centre (NCC) of Energy Fiji Ltd. The purpose is to assess the current state of infrastructure, technology, processes, and personnel against international best practices and future utility requirements , whilst adhering to the best environmental and social safeguard practices to ensure sustainable development.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction & Background. 4
1.1 The Renewable Energy Implementation Journey. 4
2. Objectives of the Assignment 4
3. Scope of Work. 4
3.1. Technical Infrastructure (SCADA/EMS/IT). 5
3.2. Operational Processes, Procedures & Readiness. 5
3.3. Cybersecurity & Physical Security. 6
3.4. Human Resources & Competence. 6
3.5. Environmental & Social Safeguards. 6
4. Methodology. 6
5. Key Deliverables. 7
6. Timeline. 7
7. Required Expertise. 8
7.1. Power Systems Automation & SCADA/EMS Specialist 8
7.2. Power Systems Protection & Telecommunications Engineer. 9
7.3. Grid Code & Regulatory Specialist 9
7.4. Cyber Security (OT/Critical Infrastructure) Specialist 9
7.5. International Procurement & Bidding Expert 9
Appendix: Current Technical Profile. 11
A. Hardware Infrastructure. 11
B. Software & Licensing Baseline. 12
1. Introduction & Background
Energy Fiji Limited (EFL) is the primary electricity provider in Fiji, responsible for the generation, transmission, and retail of electricity across the four (4) main islands of Vitilevu, Vanualevu, Ovalau & Taveuni. Formerly known as the Fiji Electricity Authority (FEA) which was established under the Electricity Act in 1966, it was corporatized in 2018 to operate as a public company limited by shares.
Energy Fiji Ltd (EFL) operates a National Control Centre in Vuda Back Road, Nadi on the North-Western side of Vitilevu which is responsible for real-time monitoring and control of the national electricity grid. As demand grows, and renewable energy integration increases, the current NCC infrastructure and operational procedures require assessment to ensure efficiency, security, and reliability are not compromised and are operating well in optimum conditions.
1.1 The Renewable Energy Implementation Journey
EFL is currently embarking on a Renewable Energy Implementation Journey mainly focused on Variable Renewable Energy Sources (VRES) particularly, hydro, solar and wind which is intended over the next ten (10) years, majority of it will be solar.
Modernized equipment is vital to ensure continuous forecasting, real-time grid stabilization, voltage management, and optimal battery dispatch to protect power grid inertia and prevent blackouts.
2. Objectives of the Assignment
The primary objective of this assignment is to identify technical, operational, and structural gaps between the NCC’s current capabilities and the required "future state". The future state must support a modern, secure grid running on 90% or more renewable energy as per EFL's national targets
3. Scope of Work
The selected consultant will complete the following tasks:
To complete above tasks, the consultant shall perform a comprehensive, multi-dimensional assessment covering the following areas:
3.1. Technical Infrastructure (SCADA/EMS/IT)
3.2. Operational Processes, Procedures & Readiness
3.3. Cybersecurity & Physical Security
Audit compliance with Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) standards, including electronic security perimeters and access controls
3.4. Human Resources & Competence
3.5. Environmental & Social Safeguards
4. Methodology
The consultant is expected to carry out the following as part of the Gap Analysis:
The outputs expected during and at the end of this consultancy are specified below
6. Timeline
The total duration of the assignment is expected to be a maximum of seven (7) /months from contract signing with rough timelines set below
Activity | Duration | Expected Deliverables where applicable |
Inception & Data Collection | 2-3 weeks | Inception Report; Data Request Checklist; Stakeholder Engagement Plan. |
Existing NCC GAP Assessment | 4-5 weeks | "As-Is" Operational Technology Audit Report; Cyber Security Baseline Assessment. |
Substation, Feeder & Generation Assessment | 2-3 weeks | Field Telemetry & Signaling Matrix (covering 22 stations, 39 substations, 150 feeders). |
Renewable Readiness Assessment | 2-3 weeks | Dynamic Stability & AGC (Automatic Generation Control) Requirement Report for Hydro/Solar integration. |
Future NCC Architecture Development | 2-3 weeks | "To-Be" SCADA/EMS Functional Architecture; Telecom & Network Topology Design. |
Grid Code Review & Finalization | 2-3 weeks | Draft Amended Grid Code; Compliance Matrix for IPPs; Technical Consultative Memo. |
Procurement strategy and Draft Bidding Documents | 4 weeks | Technical Specifications (Employer's Requirements); Bill of Quantities (BoQ); Draft EPC Tender Package. |
Review Workshops & Finalization | 2 weeks | Presentation to Management on Findings |
Total | 21-28 weeks | Adjusting adds a 3-to-4 week buffer to protect against regulatory and data collection delays. |
Consultant engaged need to state expected submission dates, and timelines once engaged. EFL review periods, and corresponding payment milestones
7. Required Expertise
The consultancy firm should be shown to have expertise in the following areas:
7.1. Power Systems Automation & SCADA/EMS Specialist
This core expert evaluates the existing NCC and defines the future-state operational technology.
7.2. Power Systems Protection & Telecommunications Engineer
This domain ensures that control signals travel safely, reliably, and instantaneously across Fiji's geographical terrain.
7.3. Grid Code & Regulatory Specialist
This expert translates the technical capabilities of the new NCC into legal and operational compliance frameworks.
7.4. Cyber Security (OT/Critical Infrastructure) Specialist
Modernizing an NCC introduces digital vulnerabilities that must be mitigated from day one.
7.5. International Procurement & Bidding Expert
This specialist converts the technical GAP analysis into an actionable, legally binding international tender.
Appendix: Current Technical Profile
Equipment | Specifications |
Server Hardware | 2 x NX-1465 G7 Nutanix blocks. Each block has 4 servers. |
Specifications for each node | Nutanix NX-1465 G7 |
| 2 x Intel Skylake Processor 2.2GHz 10-core Skylake 4114CPU |
| 384GB RAM (12 x 32GB per node) |
| 1 x 1.92TB SSD & 2 x 6TB HDD |
| 1 x 10GbE Dual RJ45 |
Hypervisor | VMWare vSphere |
Virtual Machine OS | Windows Server 2016 |
|
|
Client Hardware | 6 workstations. Each workstation has 4 displays |
| CPU: Intel Core i7-9700 |
| RAM:32GB |
| Hard Drive: 500GB SSD - M.2 |
| 24” LED/LCD Display |
ORDER SUMMARY - SOFTWARE | |||
Item | Product Description | Qty | Software Description |
1 | PROFICY IFIX ICLIENTS License | 1 | iClient v2024 Thick Runtime Only English iPower |
1 | PROFICY IFIX License | 1 | iFix v2024 Plus Runtime 10000 Points English |
1 | PROFICY IFIX License | 1 | iFix v2024 Plus Development 300 Points English iPower |
1 | PROFICY HISTORIAN License | 1 | Historian v2022 Essential 1000 Points Add On |
1 | IO DRIVERS License | 1 | Drivers DNP- DNP3 Master Protocol for 1000 Points |
1 | PROFICY HISTORIAN License | 1 | Historian v2024 Essential 1000 Points Add On |
2 | PROFICY HISTORIAN License | 1 | Historian v2022 Essential 1000 Points Add On |
2 | PROFICY IFIX License | 1 | iFix v2023 Plus Runtime 300 Points English iPower |
2 | PROFICY HISTORIAN License | 1 | Historian v2024 Essential 500 Points Add On |
3 | PROFICY IFIX License | 1 | iFix v2024 Plus Runtime Unlimited Points English SCADA Synchronization iPower |
3 | IO DRIVERS License | 1 | Drivers DNP- DNP3 Master Protocol for 1000 Points |
3 | PROFICY HISTORIAN License | 1 | Historian v2022 Essential 500 Points Add On |
3 | PROFICY HISTORIAN License | 1 | Historian v2023 Essential 100 Points Add On |
3 | Operations Hub Monitoring & Analysis License | 1 | Operations Hub v2024 Ultimate Windows 1 Number of Clients Add On |
4 | IO DRIVERS License | 1 | Drivers DNP- DNP3 Master Protocol for 5000 Points |
4 | PROFICY HISTORIAN License | 1 | Historian v2022 Essential 500 Points Add On |
4 | PROFICY HISTORIAN License | 1 | Historian v2024 Essential 1000 Points Add On |
5 | PROFICY IFIX License | 1 | iFix v2024 Plus Runtime 900 Points English iPower |
5 | PROFICY HISTORIAN License | 1 | Historian v2022 Essential 1000 Points Add On |
5 | Operations Hub Monitoring & Analysis License | 1 | Operations Hub v2024 Ultimate Windows 1 Number of Clients Add On |
6 | PROFICY IFIX License | 1 | iFix v2024 Plus Development Unlimited Points English SCADA Synchronization iPower |
6 | PROFICY IFIX License | 1 | iFix v2022 Plus Runtime 900 Points English iPower |
6 | PROFICY HISTORIAN License | 1 | Historian v2022 Essential 100 Points Add On |
6 | PROFICY HISTORIAN License | 1 | Historian v2024 Essential 500 Points Add On |
7 | IO DRIVERS License | 1 | Drivers IGS- Industrial Gateway Server for Basic Points DNP- DNP3 Master Protocol for 50000 Points Backup License |
8 | IO DRIVERS License | 1 | Drivers IGS- Industrial Gateway Server for Basic Points DNP- DNP3 Master Protocol for 50000 Points |
8 | Operations Hub Monitoring & Analysis License | 1 | Operations Hub v2024 Ultimate Windows 1 Number of Clients Add On |
9 | PROFICY HISTORIAN License | 1 | Historian v2024.0 Standard 10000 Points 2500 Additional CALs Backup License |
10 | PROFICY IFIX ICLIENTS License | 1 | iClient v2024 Thick Runtime Only English iPower |
10 | Operations Hub Monitoring & Analysis License | 1 | Operations Hub v2024 Ultimate Windows 1 Number of Clients Add On |
11 | PROFICY IFIX ICLIENTS License | 1 | iClient v2024 Thick Runtime Only English iPower |
11 | IO DRIVERS License | 1 | Drivers DNP- DNP3 Master Protocol for 1000 Points |
11 | PROFICY HISTORIAN License | 1 | Historian v2024 Essential 1000 Points Add On |
12 | PROFICY IFIX ICLIENTS License | 1 | iClient v2024 Thick Runtime Only English iPower |
12 | IO DRIVERS License | 1 | Drivers DNP- DNP3 Master Protocol for 1000 Points |
12 | Operations Hub Monitoring & Analysis License | 1 | Operations Hub v2024 Ultimate Windows 1 Number of Clients Add On |
13 | PROFICY IFIX ICLIENTS License | 1 | iClient v2024 Thick Runtime Only English iPower |
14 | PROFICY IFIX ICLIENTS License | 1 | iClient v2024 Thick Runtime Only English iPower |
15 | PROFICY IFIX ICLIENTS License | 1 | iClient v2024 Thick Runtime Only English iPower |
16 | PROFICY IFIX ICLIENTS License | 1 | iClient v2024 Thick Runtime Only English iPower |
17 | PROFICY IFIX ICLIENTS License | 1 | iClient v2024 Thick Runtime Only English iPower |
18 | PROFICY IFIX ICLIENTS License | 1 | iClient v2024 Thick Runtime Only English iPower |
19 | Proficy WebSpace License | 1 | WebSpace v6.0 iFIX 3 Clients Stand Alone Server Independent Server English |
20 | Proficy WebSpace License | 1 | WebSpace v6.0 iFIX 3 Clients Stand Alone Server Independent Server English Backup License |
21 | PROFICY HISTORIAN License | 1 | Historian v2024.0 Standard 10000 Points 2500 Additional CALs |
"},{"id":"OP00467076","notice_type":"Request for Expression of Interest","noticedate":"04-Sep-2026","notice_lang_name":"English","notice_status":"Published","submission_deadline_date":"2026-09-04T00:00:00Z","submission_deadline_time":"16:45","project_ctry_name":"Western and Central Africa","project_id":"P500628","project_name":"Western Africa Regional Digital Integration Program - Series of Projects 2","bid_reference_no":"LR-MOPT-536338-CS-QCBS","bid_description":"Hiring of Consultant for Legal Advisory Services and Amendment of the Telecommunications Act (2007) Development of a Dig-One policy, and Drafting Infrastructure Sharing Regulations.","procurement_group":"CS","procurement_method_code":"QCBS","procurement_method_name":"Quality And Cost-Based Selection","contact_address":"McDonald & Carey Streets\n1000 Monrovia, 10 Liberia","contact_ctry_name":"Liberia","contact_email":"swaraymas@mopt.gov.lr","contact_name":"Mohammed Swaray","contact_organization":"Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications","contact_phone_no":"+231 88 652 4425","submission_date":"2026-09-04T00:00:00Z","notice_text":"
Republic of Liberia Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications Western African Regional Digital Integration Project – Series of Projects 2 Liberia (WARDIP SOP2-Liberia) |
Project ID: P500628
Terms of Reference
For
Recruitment of a firm to conduct Legal & Transaction Advisor for the Structuring and Capitalization of the Amilcar Cabral Cable Consortium of Liberia (AC3-Liberia)
Post Title: | Legal and Transaction Advisory Consultant for AC3-Liberia. |
Location of Post: | Monrovia, Liberia
|
Contract Duration: | 36 weeks |
Reporting Line: | WARDIP Liberia/PIU through the PIU Coordinator
|
Recruitment Type: | Local
|
Type of Contract | Individual Consultant X Consulting Firm (QCBS, CQS, LCS) Non-Consulting Service (Competitive Bidding)
|
1. PROJECT BACKGROUND
The Government of Liberia (GoL) has received financing from the World Bank for the preparation of the West Africa Regional Digital Integration Project - Series of Projects 2 Liberia (WARDIP SOP2-Liberia). This project, which will be implemented at the national level, seeks to facilitate increased broadband access and usage in preparation for regional digital markets integration in West Africa.
WARDIP SOP2-Liberia is the second phase of the Western Africa Regional Development Integration Program series of projects (DTfA – WARDIP), which builds consensus and momentum around the vision for achieving a Single Digital Market (SDM) in Africa. It is envisioned that the project will lead to an increased secure flow of digital services within and between participating countries in Western Africa. By the end of the SOP, foundations of a SDM in Western Africa in line with the AU SDM are expected to be in place.
WARDIP SOP2 builds on, and will run parallel to, investments in DTfA/WARDIP SOP1, further extending cross-border and backbone connectivity, data markets and online market environment in additional countries. It aims to increase broadband access and usage in participating countries and to advance the integration of digital markets in Western Africa and is structured to have 5 components.
Access to affordable, reliable, and resilient international internet connectivity is essential for Liberia’s digital transformation, economic growth, and social inclusion. Over the past decade, Liberia has significantly strengthened its digital infrastructure through its connection to the Africa Coast to Europe (ACE) submarine cable system, financed under the World Bank–supported West Africa Regional Communications Infrastructure Program (WARCIP). The ACE system has substantially expanded international bandwidth capacity, reduced wholesale prices, and enabled growth across Liberia’s digital economy.
Despite these improvements, Liberia currently relies almost entirely on a single submarine cable. As demand for data and digital services continues to rise—driven by increased mobile data usage, digital government rollout, enterprise connectivity needs, and cloud adoption—dependence on one international link exposes the country to serious risks, including outages, rising operational costs, and vulnerability to disruptions. Strengthening the redundancy, diversity, and resilience of Liberia’s international connectivity has therefore become a national priority.
To address this strategic need, the Government of Liberia, through the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications (MoPT) and with support under the West Africa Regional Digital Integration Program (WARDIP), is advancing plans for a second international submarine cable landing in Liberia. While the specific system has not yet been finalized, the new submarine cable initiative is expected to provide the country with additional capacity, enhanced redundancy, improved competition, and greater resilience—supporting Liberia’s long-term digital transformation ambitions.
Planning for the second cable has been informed by a multi-country technical and financial feasibility assessment conducted by TACTIS, which examined future international capacity needs, technology options, landing site considerations, commercial structures, and governance arrangements across participating West African countries. For Liberia, the assessment confirmed that a second submarine cable is both technically viable and commercially justified. It identified strong and growing bandwidth demand and the need to reduce the risks associated with dependence on ACE. These findings reinforce the urgency of establishing a second connection and the importance of designing a sound ownership, governance, and financing structure.
To ensure efficient, transparent, and sustainable management of Liberia’s stake in the future cable system, the Government and private sector actors have agreed to establish a dedicated Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV)—the Amilcar Cabral Cable Consortium of Liberia (AC3-Liberia). Liberia’s major Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) and Internet Service Providers (ISPs) have signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) expressing their intention to jointly establish and capitalize the SPV. The Government of Liberia will participate as a minority shareholder, providing policy alignment and strategic oversight while e
nsuring that ownership and operational control remain led by the private sector—consistent with global best practices for submarine cable wholesale governance.
The SPV will ultimately hold Liberia’s ownership interest in the second submarine cable system, including the landing station and any associated terrestrial infrastructure. To become operational, AC3-Liberia requires a complete set of legal, regulatory, commercial, and financial structuring actions, including incorporation, preparation of foundational corporate instruments, design of governance arrangements, valuation of contributions (including in-kind assets), financial modeling, assessing the need for additional investors, and preparing the SPV for financial close. The SPV must be designed to remain fully viable even if no external investors join initially, while retaining flexibility to accommodate new private-sector or development finance institution (DFI) participation in the future.
To support this effort, the Government of Liberia seeks to engage a single qualified advisory firm to provide integrated legal and transaction advisory services. The Advisor will assist the Government and the prospective shareholders in establishing AC3-Liberia as a legally compliant, financially sound, and commercially sustainable SPV capable of achieving financial close for the second submarine cable. The integrated nature of the assignment ensures that legal, commercial, and financial dimensions are fully aligned, reducing risks and enabling the creation of a robust and professionally governed entity that will safeguard Liberia’s long-term international connectivity.
2. OBJECTIVE OF THE ASSIGNMENT
The objective of this assignment is to structure AC3-Liberia as a financially viable, commercially sustainable, and operationally sound Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) that reflects a majority private-sector ownership model with the Government of Liberia participating as a minority shareholder. The Advisor will provide integrated legal, commercial, and financial structuring support to ensure that the SPV is established on a sound foundation and is capable of achieving financial close and operational readiness for the new cable landing.
A core objective is the legal establishment and operationalization of AC3-Liberia. The Advisor will lead the drafting of all corporate legal instruments—including the Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws, Shareholders’ Agreement, Subscription Agreements, Governance Framework, and related documentation—and will manage the full registration process with the Liberia Business Registry and other national authorities. The assignment includes ensuring compliance with Liberian company law, telecommunications regulations, tax requirements, and all World Bank/WARDIP obligations, including safeguards, transparency, and good governance standards.
In parallel, the assignment aims to design and structure AC3-Liberia as a financially sustainable and bankable entity. The Advisor will assess capital requirements, develop a comprehensive financial model, and design a capital structure that reflects a majority private-sector ownership model with the Government participating as a minority shareholder. This includes valuing all shareholder contributions, incorporating the Government’s confirmed cash equity contribution, and identifying and valuing potential in-kind contributions that could strengthen the SPV’s capital base. The SPV must remain fully viable even if no additional investors join initially, while retaining flexibility to accommodate new private-sector investors or Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) should such participation later be deemed beneficial.
A third objective is to support investor readiness and capital mobilization options. The Advisor will assess whether attracting additional private investors or DFIs could bring financial, operational, or strategic value to the SPV. If justified, the Advisor will conduct targeted market sounding and provide recommendations on next steps. Any competitive investor selection process will only be undertaken if clearly warranted and approved by the Consortium.
A fourth objective is to ensure strong alignment between financial structuring and legal documentation. The Advisor will integrate legal and transaction advisory functions so that corporate instruments, commercial agreements, capitalization arrangements, IRU structures, risk allocation provisions, and governance mechanisms are coherent and mutually reinforcing. The assignment includes guiding the Government and private operators through negotiations, ensuring that all agreements are commercially sound, enforceable, and aligned with the long-term sustainability of the SPV.
Finally, the Advisor will guide AC3-Liberia through the process of achieving financial close and becoming fully operational. This includes preparing conditions precedent, capitalization steps, subscription arrangements, and the full set of documentation required by investors and financiers. The Advisor will prepare a complete financial close package and provide a clear roadmap for implementation, ensuring that AC3-Liberia is positioned to execute the submarine cable project effectively.
3. SCOPE OF WORK
The Consultant will provide comprehensive legal, commercial, and financial advisory services necessary for the establishment, structuring, operationalization, and capitalization of the Amilcar Cabral Cable Consortium of Liberia (AC3-Liberia). The scope covers all tasks required to (i) incorporate the SPV as a legally compliant entity, (ii) design and negotiate its governance and capital structure, (iii) prepare it for financial close, and (iv) ensure long-term sustainability and readiness to manage Liberia’s second international submarine cable landing.
This engagement includes, but is not limited to the following:
Phase 1: Corporate & Regulatory Foundations
Phase 2: Financial Feasibility, Commercial Model Options, and SPV Capital Structure
Support AC3 members in reviewing these options and facilitate consensus toward the preferred commercial structure. Once a model is agreed, translate it into the necessary financial assumptions and structuring parameters for the SPV.
Phase 3 – SPV Incorporation, Corporate Structuring, and Legal-Commercial Alignment
No process will be launched unless explicitly requested by AC3-Liberia.
Phase 4 –Negotiation, Document Finalization, and Financial Close Preparation
Phase 5 – Final Report and Handover
Prepare and submit a consolidated final report, including:
4. DURATION, DELIVERABLES OF THE ASSIGNMENT, AND PAYMENT SCHEDULE
The assignment is expected to last 12 months (365 days) or until financial close of AC3-Liberia, whichever occurs first.
Payments will be made upon acceptance of the following deliverables:
Timeline | Deliverables | Payment (%) |
Commencement + 2 weeks | Inception Report and Immediate Readiness Actions
| 10% |
Commencement + 8 weeks | Financial Feasibility, Commercial Structure Options, and Draft Capital Structure
| 20% |
Commencement + 12 weeks | Preferred Commercial Structure & Validated Financial Model
| 20% |
Commencement + 16 weeks | Full Draft Corporate Legal Documentation Package
| 20% |
Commencement + 22 weeks | Negotiation Support and Revised Legal & Commercial Documents
| 15% |
Commencement + 30 weeks | Financial Close Package and Final Documentation
| 10% |
Commencement + 36 weeks | Final Report and Handover
| 5% |
5. QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
The selected firm must demonstrate the capacity to deliver both legal advisory and financial/transaction advisory services under a single contract, with proven experience in structuring and operationalizing infrastructure SPVs. Specifically, the firm must meet the following criteria:
Experience working in West Africa or similar environments is an advantage.
Ability to deploy a multidisciplinary team fluent in English, available throughout the assignment.
5.1 KEY EXPERTS
The consulting firm shall provide the following key experts for the assignment:
The firm may propose additional non-key experts (e.g., Tax Advisor, Telecom Market Specialist, etc.) as needed to deliver the assignment. These will not be scored individually but will be considered in assessing the overall adequacy of the proposed team.
6. CONFIDENTIALITY
By accepting to take part in the invitation, the Consultant agrees to keep in confidence all information shared by the Liberian government authorities and the World Bank, whether written or oral, concerning the invitation and/or in relation to the government organizations’ business involved in this assignment which is not of public domain. The Consultant also agrees to use it only for the purposes of this activity and for no other reasons and not to disclose any of the said information to any third party.
"},{"id":"OP00466976","notice_type":"Request for Expression of Interest","noticedate":"04-Sep-2026","notice_lang_name":"English","notice_status":"Published","submission_deadline_date":"2026-09-17T00:00:00Z","submission_deadline_time":"18:00","project_ctry_name":"Uzbekistan","project_id":"P181956","project_name":"Project Preparation Assistance: Enhancing Access to Tertiary Education through Student Loan Mechanis","bid_reference_no":"UZ-MEF-16-CS-CQS","bid_description":"Assessment of the digital student loan platform in Uzbekistan","procurement_group":"CS","procurement_method_code":"CQS","procurement_method_name":"Consultant Qualification Selection","contact_address":"1, Niyozbek yo'li Street, Yunusabad District, Tashkent 100017, Republic of Uzbekistan","contact_ctry_name":"Uzbekistan","contact_email":"gfppp181956@gmail.com","contact_name":"A. Abdurakhmonov","contact_organization":"Ministry of Economy and Finance of the Republic of Uzbekistan","contact_phone_no":"+998 97 447-86-11","contact_web_url":"info@imv.uz","submission_date":"2026-09-04T00:00:00Z","notice_text":"
REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST
Country | Republic of Uzbekistan |
Client / Borrower | Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) |
Implementing Agency | Education Loan Financing Fund Management Department (ELFFMD) within MEF |
Program | EduImkon: Redesigning Opportunity, Delivering Education Equity Program |
Grant Number | Grant . TF0C8875 |
Assignment Title | Assessment of the digital student loan platform in Uzbekistan |
Selection Method | Consultant Qualification Selection (CQS) — World Bank Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers |
Assignment Duration | 2 to 3 months from the date of contract signing |
REOI Reference | UZ-MEF-16-CS-CQS |
EOI Submission Deadline | September 17, 2026, at 18:00 hours Tashkent time |
The Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan is implementing reforms to expand equitable access to higher education and strengthen the effectiveness and inclusiveness of student financing. In this context, the US$2 million World Bank-financed Grant Facility for Project Preparation (GFPP) supports the preparation and implementation readiness of the Student Loan Program through analytical work, institutional capacity building, implementation support, and policy development.
As the Student Loan Program increasingly relies on digital processes, a comprehensive assessment of the Digital Student Loan Platform is required to evaluate its functionality, usability, accessibility, interoperability, data governance, privacy, cybersecurity, and technical and operational performance. The assessment will identify key gaps and bottlenecks and provide practical, prioritized recommendations to improve the platform, strengthen digital integration and data management, enhance security and user experience, and support efficient, inclusive, and user-centred delivery of student financing services.
To this end, the Government intends to engage a qualified Digital/IT Consulting Firm or specialized technology company to conduct the assessment and develop an evidence base and roadmap for the further digital transformation and development of the Student Loan Program.
DLI | DLR | Description and Formula | Disbursement Value |
DLI 1 | Inception report and Work plan | Inception Report presenting the detailed methodology, assessment framework, data and information requirements, stakeholder engagement approach, quality assurance procedures, risk management measures, and detailed work plan for the assignment. The report shall confirm the proposed approach to assessing platform functionality, accessibility and user experience, interoperability and data governance, privacy and cybersecurity, technical and operational performance, and international benchmarking. | 10% |
DLI 2 | Digital Student Loan Platform Assessment Report | A comprehensive assessment report presenting the findings of the review of the Digital Student Loan Platform. The report shall cover platform functionality and digital business processes; accessibility, usability, user experience and inclusive digital services; system integration and interoperability; data governance, data ownership, data quality, data retention and data sharing; privacy and data protection; cybersecurity and information security; technical architecture, system performance, operational resilience and business continuity; and key technical, operational and user-related challenges. The report shall also include the results of international benchmarking against relevant GovTech good practices and comparable digital student financing platforms, where appropriate.
| 30% |
DLI 3 | Digital Transformation Recommendations and Reform Priorities | Based on the assessment findings, the Consulting Firm shall prepare a consolidated set of evidence-based recommendations for improving the Digital Student Loan Platform and supporting digital processes. The recommendations shall address functional, technical, operational, accessibility, user experience, interoperability, data governance, privacy, cybersecurity, institutional, and capacity-related improvements. The deliverable shall include a prioritized implementation framework covering short-term (1–2 years), medium-term (3–5 years), and long-term (5+ years) measures, including proposed sequencing, institutional responsibilities, implementation dependencies, indicative timelines, resource and capacity requirements, and key implementation risks. The recommendations shall incorporate relevant stakeholder feedback received through the validation process.
| 40% |
DLI 4 | Final Assessment Report and Policy Recommendations | Consolidated Final Report incorporating the findings and recommendations from the preceding deliverables and comments received from the Client, MEF, PIU, the World Bank, and other relevant stakeholders. The Final Assessment Report shall include an executive summary, key assessment findings, identified gaps and risks, international benchmarking results, prioritized recommendations, and conclusions regarding the future development and improvement of the Digital Student Loan Platform.
| 15% |
DLI 5 | Capacity Building Workshop and Presentation of Final Results | Documentation of the structured knowledge-transfer workshop for government staff, including workshop materials, participant list, and summary note. The Consulting Firm shall prepare and deliver: Technical Presentation (up to 30 slides) summarizing the assessment methodology, analytical findings, conclusions, recommendations, and supporting evidence for technical stakeholders. Executive Presentation (up to 10 slides) including an Executive Summary for consultations with international experts, senior government officials, the World Bank, and other development partners. | 5% |
The objective is to engage a qualified consulting firm to serve as to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the Digital Student Loan Platform and the digital processes supporting the Student Loan Program in the Republic of Uzbekistan. The assessment will examine the platform's functionality, usability, accessibility, interoperability, data governance, privacy, cybersecurity, and technical and operational performance, with a focus on identifying gaps, bottlenecks, risks, and opportunities for improvement. The assignment will provide an evidence base for strengthening the platform's effectiveness, reliability, security, inclusiveness, and user-centred service delivery.
SERVICES REQUIRED
The selected firm will be required to perform the following main tasks, as detailed in the Terms of Reference (TOR) to be provided to the shortlisted firm:
1. Assessment of platform functionality and digital business processes with covering of the full digital student loan lifecycle, including registration, application submission, document management, verification, application processing, approval, loan administration, application tracking, notifications, reporting, workflow management, user roles, and automation of administrative processes.
2. Assessment of accessibility, user experience and inclusive digital services of the Digital Student Loan Platform from the perspectives of students and other relevant users.
3. Assessment of integration, interoperability, data governance, privacy and cybersecurity with relevant government, education, financial, identity, employment, tax, and other information systems, as well as its data governance, privacy, data protection, and cybersecurity arrangements.
4. Technical and operational performance assessment and international benchmarking including the technical architecture, infrastructure, scalability, availability, reliability, performance, maintenance, technical support, operational resilience, and business continuity of the Digital Student Loan Platform.
5. Development of digital policy recommendations and reform priorities addressing functional, technical, operational, accessibility, user experience, interoperability, data governance, privacy, cybersecurity, institutional, and capacity-related issues identified through the assessment.
6. Final Presentation and Validation of Recommendations with the assessment findings, international benchmarking results, conclusions, and proposed digital policy recommendations and reform priorities to MEF, MHESI, PIU, the World Bank, participating financial institutions, higher education institutions, and other relevant stakeholders.
The assignment shall be completed within 2 to 3 months from contract signing. Deliverables include: (i) Inception report and Work plan; (ii)Digital Student Loan Platform Assessment Report; (iii)Digital Transformation Recommendations and Reform Priorities; (iv) Final Assessment Report and Policy Recommendations; (v)Capacity Building Workshop and Presentation of Final Results and (vi) Supporting Annexes.
This assignment is open to legally registered consulting firms, research organizations, and audit firms. Individual consultants are not eligible to apply.
Firms duly registered in the Republic of Uzbekistan or with a registered local presence (branch, representative office, or subsidiary) are encouraged to confirm this in their EOI. Foreign firms without local registration may still apply but must demonstrate a credible plan for establishing local registration or a teaming arrangement with a locally registered entity prior to contract award, in accordance with the applicable legislation of Uzbekistan. MEF reserves the right to require evidence of local registration or a signed teaming agreement as a condition of contract award.
The firm must not appear on the World Bank's list of debarred firms and individuals. Firms from all countries, except those subject to restrictions under applicable World Bank policies, may apply.
Firms that have been involved, directly or through affiliated entities, in the design, development, or implementation of any of the systems or programs whose results are to be verified under this assignment are not eligible to apply. Any actual or potential conflict of interest must be disclosed in the EOI.
Given the nature of this assignment, both the firm's organizational experience and the qualifications of the proposed key personnel are material to the shortlisting decision. Verification assignments under PforR instruments are highly dependent on the specific knowledge and competence of individual experts, and a strong institutional profile does not compensate for insufficiently qualified key staff. For this reason, ELFFMD will assess team composition at the shortlisting stage on a pass/fail threshold basis, alongside the firm-level criteria. The full scored evaluation of key personnel will be conducted at the proposal stage in accordance with the RFP evaluation criteria.
The shortlisting criteria are structured in two parts: Part A covers firm-level qualifications assessed on a scored basis; Part B covers key personnel assessed on a pass/fail threshold basis. Only firms satisfying all Part B thresholds will be placed on the shortlist, regardless of their Part A score.
Part A: Firm-Level Qualifications (Scored)
# | Criteria | Max Points | Evidence Required |
General Technical Expertise — Minimum 5 years of experience in digital transformation, information systems, GovTech, IT advisory, or related fields, with capacity to manage multidisciplinary technical teams. | 10 | Company profile; relevant contracts/references; technical reports or deliverables | |
Digital Platform & Systems Assessment — Demonstrated experience assessing, designing, developing, modernizing, or improving digital platforms and information systems, including technical/functional assessment, business processes, architecture, workflows, performance, and operations. | 15 | Relevant assignment descriptions; contracts/references; sample deliverables | |
Integration, Data & Cybersecurity — Proven expertise in interoperability, APIs, data exchange, data governance, privacy, personal data protection, cybersecurity, access management, backup/recovery, and business continuity. | 15 | Relevant contracts/ references; technical reports or deliverables | |
Comparable Assignments — Successful completion of at least three (3) comparable assignments involving digital platform/system assessment, modernization, integration, or transformation. | 20 | Assignment list with client, scope, dates and value;contracts/ completion certificates/ references | |
Public-Sector & Institutional Integration Experience — At least one government/public-sector digital platform assignment involving interoperability or integration with other institutional systems, preferably involving government, financial, and/or education institutions. | 15 | Contracts/references; assignment descriptions | |
UX, Accessibility & Inclusive Digital Services — Experience in UX, usability, accessibility, user journey analysis, stakeholder consultations, and inclusive digital services, including services for persons with disabilities. | 10 | Relevant assignment descriptions; reports/references | |
Public Service & Sector Experience — Experience with education, student financing, social protection, financial services, GovTech, or other large-scale public service delivery platforms. | 5 | Relevant assignment list; contracts/references | |
Regional & International Experience — Experience in Uzbekistan/Central Asia or comparable transition economies, and/or assignments financed by the World Bank, ADB, EBRD, UN agencies, or other international development partners. | 10 | Contracts/references; client list; assignment descriptions | |
| TOTAL | 100 |
Part B: Key Personnel Threshold Assessment (Pass / Fail)
Firms must submit brief CVs (maximum two pages each) for the proposed Team Leader and Information Systems Architect / Interoperability Expert. These two positions are assessed on a pass/fail basis against the minimum thresholds below. A firm that does not meet all thresholds for both positions will not be shortlisted, regardless of its Part A score. CVs for the Data Governance and Cybersecurity Expert, Digital Accessibility and User Experience (UX) Expert and Digital Public Services / Business Process Analyst are not required at the EOI stage but will be required in full at the proposal stage.
Position | Minimum Threshold | Pass / Fail | Evidence |
|
B.1 — Team Leader / Digital Transformation and GovTech Expert | ||||
Education | Master’s degree or higher in IT, Computer Science, Digital Transformation, Public Administration, Information Systems, or related field. | Pass / Fail | Signed CV + degree certificate |
|
General experience | Minimum 10 years of professional experience in digital transformation, GovTech, information systems, or digital public services. | Pass / Fail | Signed CV |
|
Leadership & GovTech experience | Demonstrated experience leading complex digital platform assessments, digital transformation programmes, or information systems projects, including coordination of multidisciplinary teams and stakeholders. | Pass / Fail | CV + contract / reference |
|
Public-sector experience | Experience working with government/public-sector institutions and/or international development partners. | Pass / Fail | CV + contract / reference |
|
B.2 — Information Systems Architect / Interoperability Expert | ||||
Education | Master’s degree or higher in Computer Science, Information Systems, Software Engineering, Enterprise Architecture, or related field. | Pass / Fail | Signed CV + degree certificate |
|
General experience | Minimum 8 years of professional experience in systems architecture, enterprise architecture, system integration, interoperability, or digital platform development. | Pass / Fail | Signed CV |
|
Architecture & integration | Demonstrated experience assessing complex information systems and working with APIs, data exchange, interoperability frameworks, and enterprise architecture. | Pass / Fail | CV + contract / reference |
|
Public-sector systems | Experience integrating government, financial, education, identity, tax, employment, or other large-scale institutional information systems. | Pass / Fail | CV + contract / reference |
|
Note: The pass/fail thresholds above are minimum eligibility requirements for shortlisting purposes only. Firms that pass all thresholds will proceed to Part A scoring. The full scored evaluation of all five key personnel positions will be conducted at the proposal stage in accordance with the detailed criteria set out in the RFP.
Interested firms must submit their Expression of Interest in English. The EOI shall not exceed 30 pages, excluding CVs and supporting annexes, and must include the following:
CVs for the Data Governance and Cybersecurity Expert, Digital Accessibility and User Experience (UX) Expert and Digital Public Services / Business Process Analyst are not required at the EOI stage. All five key personnel CVs will be required in full at the proposal stage.
This assignment is procured using the Consultant Qualification Selection (CQS) method under the World Bank Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers. The estimated contract value of US$80,000 falls below the applicable prior review threshold; accordingly, this assignment is subject to World Bank post review only. MEF is responsible for conducting the selection process in accordance with the Procurement Regulations, and the World Bank may review procurement records at any time during post review supervision.
The selection process will proceed as follows. ELFFMD will evaluate all EOIs received against the shortlisting criteria in Section 7. Firms that do not meet all Part B pass/fail thresholds will be excluded from further consideration. Among the remaining firms, ELFFMD will rank them against the Part A scored criteria and identify the firm with the best overall qualifications. The highest-ranked qualified firm will be invited to submit a combined technical and financial proposal and, if found satisfactory, to enter into contract negotiations. MEF reserves the right to approach the next-ranked firm if the first-ranked firm's proposal is found unsatisfactory or if negotiations are unsuccessful.
MEF reserves the right to annul this selection process at any stage without incurring any obligation to applicants.
Attention | Manager, Project Implementation Unit (PIU) for the project "Expanding Opportunities and Ensuring Equity in Education" under the Ministry of Economy and Finance of the Republic of Uzbekistan |
Organization | Ministry of Economy and Finance, Republic of Uzbekistan |
Physical Address | 1, Niyozbek yo'li Street, Yunusabad District, Tashkent 100017, Republic of Uzbekistan |
Telephone | +998 97 447-86-11 |
gfppp181956@gmail.com | |
Submission Deadline | September 17, 2026, at 18:00 hours Tashkent time |
Submission Format | Electronic submission by email (PDF, with signed cover letter scanned) or hand delivery in a sealed envelope marked with reference UZ-MEF-16-CS-CQS |
Language | English |
EOIs received after the specified deadline will not be considered. MEF shall not be responsible for any costs incurred by firms in the preparation and submission of an Expression of Interest. This notice does not constitute a commitment by MEF to proceed with procurement or to contract any firm.
This selection is governed by the World Bank Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers (Seventh Edition, September
2023). The World Bank Anti-Corruption Guidelines applicable to Program-for-Results Financing (dated February 1, 2012, revised July 10, 2015) apply to all aspects of this process. Interested firms and their personnel are expected to observe the highest standards of ethics throughout.
"},{"id":"OP00466458","notice_type":"Request for Expression of Interest","noticedate":"02-Sep-2026","notice_lang_name":"English","notice_status":"Published","submission_deadline_date":"2026-09-15T00:00:00Z","submission_deadline_time":"18:00","project_ctry_name":"Uzbekistan","project_id":"P181956","project_name":"Project Preparation Assistance: Enhancing Access to Tertiary Education through Student Loan Mechanis","bid_reference_no":"UZ-MEF-12-CS-CQS","bid_description":"Conducting a gender and social inclusion assessment of the student loan program and beneficiary experience evaluation","procurement_group":"CS","procurement_method_code":"CQS","procurement_method_name":"Consultant Qualification Selection","contact_address":"1., Niyozbek yo'li street, 100017, Tashkent, Uzbekistan","contact_ctry_name":"Uzbekistan","contact_email":"gfppp181956@gmail.com","contact_name":"Abdurashid Abdurakhmanov","contact_organization":"Ministry of Economy and Finance of the Republic of Uzbekistan","contact_phone_no":"+99897 447-86-11","contact_web_url":"info@imv.uz","submission_date":"2026-09-02T00:00:00Z","notice_text":"REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST
Country | Republic of Uzbekistan |
Client / Borrower | Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) |
Implementing Agency | Education Loan Financing Fund Management Department (ELFFMD) within MEF |
Program | EduImkon: Redesigning Opportunity, Delivering Education Equity Program |
Grant Number | Grant . TF0C8875 |
Assignment Title | Conduct a gender and social inclusion assessment of the student loan program and beneficiary experience evaluation |
Selection Method | Consultant Qualification Selection (CQS) — World Bank Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers |
Assignment Duration | 2 to 3 months from the date of contract signing |
REOI Reference | UZ-MEF-12-CS-CQS |
EOI Submission Deadline | September 15, 2026, at 18:00 hours Tashkent time |
The Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan is implementing comprehensive reforms aimed at expanding equitable access to higher education, strengthening human capital, and improving the effectiveness and inclusiveness of public support mechanisms for students. As part of these reforms, the Student Loan Program has become one of the key financial instruments designed to reduce economic barriers to higher education and provide students with greater opportunities to pursue tertiary education.
Since its introduction, the Student Loan Program has supported thousands of students in financing their education and has contributed to increasing access to higher education across the country. As the programme continues to expand, it is important to understand not only its operational performance but also its impact on the lives of beneficiaries and their families, particularly in terms of educational opportunities, financial well-being, social inclusion, and future employment prospects.
While administrative data provide valuable information on programme implementation, they do not fully capture beneficiaries' experiences throughout the student loan journey, including the challenges encountered during the application process, access to information, interactions with participating institutions, financial and social circumstances before receiving the loan, and the changes experienced after obtaining financial support. In addition, there is a need to assess whether the programme effectively responds to the needs of different population groups and provides equitable access and benefits for women and men, students from different socio-economic backgrounds, and other vulnerable or underserved groups.
DLI | DLR | Description and Formula | Disbursement Value |
DLI 1 | Inception Report and Work Plan | Submission of the Inception Report describing the research methodology, implementation approach, sampling methodology, stakeholder engagement strategy, data collection instruments, quality assurance measures, ethical considerations, and detailed work plan. | 10 % |
DLI 2 | Beneficiary Profile and Gender & Social Inclusion Assessment Report | Submission of the analytical report presenting the beneficiary profile, beneficiary segmentation, Gender and Social Inclusion (GESI) assessment, programme accessibility, socio-economic characteristics, financial vulnerability, drivers for applying for student loans, and baseline indicators for impact assessment. | 20 % |
DLI 3 | Beneficiary Journey Assessment Report | Submission of the assessment report describing beneficiaries' experience throughout the Student Loan Program, including awareness, application and approval process, institutional interaction, digital service experience, post-loan experience, beneficiary satisfaction, and Beneficiary Journey Mapping. | 20% |
DLI 4 | Socio-economic, Educational and Employment Impact Assessment Report | Submission of the impact assessment report covering educational outcomes, socio-economic impact, education-to-employment transition, financial preparedness, repayment readiness, long-term aspirations, and overall programme impact. | 20 % |
DLI 5 | Final Assessment Report and Policy Recommendations | Submission of the Final Assessment Report consolidating findings from all components of the assignment, including evidence-based policy recommendations, stakeholder-specific recommendations, and supporting annexes. | 30 % |
Total | 100 % |
The objective is to engage a qualified consulting firm to serve as to conduct a comprehensive Gender and Social Inclusion Impact Assessment of the Student Loan Program in Uzbekistan by evaluating the experiences, accessibility, inclusiveness, and socio-economic outcomes of student loan beneficiaries. The assessment shall examine beneficiaries' journey before, during, and after receiving a student loan, identify barriers and enabling factors affecting access to the programme, assess its impact on education and livelihoods, and develop evidence-based recommendations to strengthen the inclusiveness, responsiveness, and effectiveness of the Student Loan Program.
The selected firm will be required to perform the following main tasks, as detailed in the Terms of Reference (TOR) to be provided to the shortlisted firm:
1. Research Design and Inception including development of a comprehensive research framework and methodology for conducting the Gender and Social Inclusion Impact Assessment of the Student Loan Program.
2. Beneficiary Profile and Gender & Social Inclusion Assessment of the socio-demographic profile of Student Loan Program beneficiaries, evaluate the gender and social inclusiveness of the programme, and examine the socio-economic circumstances, needs, and factors that influenced beneficiaries' decision to apply for a student loan.
3. Beneficiary Journey Assessment of beneficiaries' experience throughout the entire Student Loan Program journey, from awareness of the programme and the decision to apply, through the application and loan approval process, to loan utilization, interaction with participating institutions, including access to complaints, grievance, feedback, and appeal mechanisms, and beneficiaries' expectations regarding their future education, employment, and loan repayment.
4. Assessment of the Socio-economic, Educational and Employment Impact of the Student Loan Program on beneficiaries' educational attainment, socio-economic well-being, financial resilience, and transition to employment.
5. Development of Policy Recommendations and Beneficiary-Centred Improvement Measures with consolidation of the findings from all the assessment’s results and develop practical, evidence-based recommendations to strengthen the effectiveness, accessibility, inclusiveness, and sustainability of the Student Loan Program. During this activity the Consulting Firm shall prepare presentation materials summarizing the assessment methodology, analytical findings, conclusions, and recommendations for different target audiences.
The assignment shall be completed within 2 to 3 months from contract signing. Deliverables include: (i) Inception Report and Work Plan; (ii) Beneficiary Profile and Gender & Social Inclusion Assessment Report; (iii) Beneficiary Journey Assessment Report; (iv)Socio-economic, Educational and Employment Impact Assessment Report; (v) Final Assessment Report and Policy Recommendations and (vi) Supporting Annexes.
This assignment is open to legally registered consulting firms, research organizations, and audit firms. Individual consultants are not eligible to apply.
Firms duly registered in the Republic of Uzbekistan or with a registered local presence (branch, representative office, or subsidiary) are encouraged to confirm this in their EOI. Foreign firms without local registration may still apply but must demonstrate a credible plan for establishing local registration or a teaming arrangement with a locally registered entity prior to contract award, in accordance with the applicable legislation of Uzbekistan. MEF reserves the right to require evidence of local registration or a signed teaming agreement as a condition of contract award.
The firm must not appear on the World Bank's list of debarred firms and individuals. Firms from all countries, except those subject to restrictions under applicable World Bank policies, may apply.
Firms that have been involved, directly or through affiliated entities, in the design, development, or implementation of any of the systems or programs whose results are to be verified under this assignment are not eligible to apply. Any actual or potential conflict of interest must be disclosed in the EOI.
Given the nature of this assignment, both the firm's organizational experience and the qualifications of the proposed key personnel are material to the shortlisting decision. Verification assignments under PforR instruments are highly dependent on the specific knowledge and competence of individual experts, and a strong institutional profile does not compensate for insufficiently qualified key staff. For this reason, ELFFMD will assess team composition at the shortlisting stage on a pass/fail threshold basis, alongside the firm-level criteria. The full scored evaluation of key personnel will be conducted at the proposal stage in accordance with the RFP evaluation criteria.
The shortlisting criteria are structured in two parts: Part A covers firm-level qualifications assessed on a scored basis; Part B covers key personnel assessed on a pass/fail threshold basis. Only firms satisfying all Part B thresholds will be placed on the shortlist, regardless of their Part A score.
Part A: Firm-Level Qualifications (Scored)
# | Criteria | Max Points | Evidence Required |
A.1 | At least three (3) successfully completed comparable assignments involving socio-economic research, beneficiary assessments, impact evaluations, education sector studies, or public policy analysis. | 20 | List of relevant assignments, including client, assignment title, scope, country, dates, and contract value, supported by references, completion certificates, or contracts where available. |
A.2 | Demonstrated experience in Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) assessments, including analysis of gender, social and economic barriers to access and participation. | 15 | Description of relevant GESI assignments, scope, methodology, key outputs, and client; supported by reports, references, or contracts. |
A.3 | Demonstrated experience in education sector analysis, student financing, financial inclusion, and/or related social sector programmes. | 20 | List and description of relevant assignments, including client, scope, role, country, dates, and key outputs; supported by references or contracts. |
A.4 | Demonstrated experience in large-scale or nationwide surveys and primary data collection, including beneficiary surveys, sampling, interviews, focus groups, and stakeholder consultations. | 15 | Description of relevant survey assignments, including sample size, methodology, geographic coverage, target population, and role in implementation; supported by reports or references. |
A.5 | Demonstrated experience in labour market analysis, youth employment, graduate outcomes, or related socio-economic research, with capacity to develop evidence-based policy recommendations. | 15 | Relevant assignment descriptions, analytical reports, policy recommendations, and client references. |
A.6 | Experience working with government institutions, international financial institutions, development partners, or donor-funded programmes, preferably in Uzbekistan, Central Asia, or comparable socio-economic contexts. | 15 | List of relevant contracts/assignments identifying the client, country, scope of work, dates, and role; supported by references or contracts. |
| Total — Part A | 100 |
|
Part B: Key Personnel Threshold Assessment (Pass / Fail)
Firms must submit brief CVs (maximum two pages each) for the proposed Team Leader and Research Methodology and Survey Expert. These two positions are assessed on a pass/fail basis against the minimum thresholds below. A firm that does not meet all thresholds for both positions will not be shortlisted, regardless of its Part A score. CVs for the Monitoring, Evaluation and Data Analysis Expert, Field and Logistics Coordinator and Enumerators are not required at the EOI stage but will be required in full at the proposal stage.
Position | Minimum Threshold | Pass / Fail | Evidence |
B.1 — Team Leader / Senior Research Expert | |||
Qualifications | Master’s degree or higher in Economics, Public Policy, Social Sciences, Education, Development Studies, or related field. | Pass / Fail | Signed CV + degree certificate |
General experience | Minimum 10 years of relevant professional experience in socio-economic research, impact assessment, programme evaluation, or policy analysis. | Pass / Fail | Signed CV |
Leadership experience | Demonstrated experience leading comparable assignments for governments, international financial institutions, or development partners, including management of multidisciplinary teams. | Pass / Fail | CV + contract / reference |
Analytical capacity | Demonstrated experience preparing high-quality analytical reports and policy recommendations. | Pass / Fail | CV + relevant assignment / reference |
B.2 — Research Methodology and Survey Expert | |||
Qualifications | Master’s degree or higher in Statistics, Sociology, Economics, Public Policy, Social Sciences, or related field. | Pass / Fail | Signed CV + degree certificate |
General experience | Minimum 7 years of professional experience in survey design, mixed-methods research, impact assessment, or statistical analysis. | Pass / Fail | Signed CV |
Survey methodology | Demonstrated experience in questionnaire development, sampling methodology, research instruments, data collection protocols, and analytical reporting. | Pass / Fail | CV + contract / reference |
Note: The pass/fail thresholds above are minimum eligibility requirements for shortlisting purposes only. Firms that pass all thresholds will proceed to Part A scoring. The full scored evaluation of all five key personnel positions will be conducted at the proposal stage in accordance with the detailed criteria set out in the RFP.
Interested firms must submit their Expression of Interest in English. The EOI shall not exceed 30 pages, excluding CVs and supporting annexes, and must include the following:
CVs for the Data Analyst and IT Systems Specialist are not required at the EOI stage. All four key personnel CVs will be required in full at the proposal stage.
This assignment is procured using the Consultant Qualification Selection (CQS) method under the World Bank Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers. The estimated contract value of US$160,000 falls below the applicable prior review threshold; accordingly, this assignment is subject to World Bank post review only. MEF is responsible for conducting the selection process in accordance with the Procurement Regulations, and the World Bank may review procurement records at any time during post review supervision.
The selection process will proceed as follows. ELFFMD will evaluate all EOIs received against the shortlisting criteria in Section 7. Firms that do not meet all Part B pass/fail thresholds will be excluded from further consideration. Among the remaining firms, ELFFMD will rank them against the Part A scored criteria and identify the firm with the best overall qualifications. The highest-ranked qualified firm will be invited to submit a combined technical and financial proposal and, if found satisfactory, to enter into contract negotiations. MEF reserves the right to approach the next-ranked firm if the first-ranked firm's proposal is found unsatisfactory or if negotiations are unsuccessful.
MEF reserves the right to annul this selection process at any stage without incurring any obligation to applicants.
Attention | PCO Coordinator, Education Loan Financing Fund Management Department (ELFFMD) |
Organization | Ministry of Economy and Finance, Republic of Uzbekistan |
Physical Address | 1, Niyozbek yo'li Street, Yunusabad District, Tashkent 100017, Republic of Uzbekistan |
Telephone | +998 97 447-86-11 |
gfppp181956@gmail.com | |
Submission Deadline | September 15, 2026, at 18:00 hours Tashkent time |
Submission Format | Electronic submission by email (PDF, with signed cover letter scanned) or hand delivery in a sealed envelope marked with reference UZ-MEF-12-CS-CQS |
Language | English |
EOIs received after the specified deadline will not be considered. MEF shall not be responsible for any costs incurred by firms in the preparation and submission of an Expression of Interest. This notice does not constitute a commitment by MEF to proceed with procurement or to contract any firm.
This selection is governed by the World Bank Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers (Seventh Edition, September
2023). The World Bank Anti-Corruption Guidelines applicable to Program-for-Results Financing (dated February 1, 2012, revised July 10, 2015) apply to all aspects of this process. Interested firms and their personnel are expected to observe the highest standards of ethics throughout.
"},{"id":"OP00466051","notice_type":"Request for Expression of Interest","noticedate":"31-Aug-2026","notice_lang_name":"English","notice_status":"Published","submission_deadline_date":"2026-09-01T00:00:00Z","submission_deadline_time":"17:00","project_ctry_name":"Eastern and Southern Africa","project_id":"P178633","project_name":"Africa Centres for Disease Control Support Program to Combat Current and Future Public Health Threat","bid_reference_no":"ET-AUC-545053-CS-INDV","bid_description":"Hire individual consultant to develop emergency response plan to address all foreseeable threats/Incidence that may affect staff in HQ and 5 RCC offices","procurement_group":"CS","procurement_method_code":"INDV","procurement_method_name":"Individual Consultant Selection","contact_address":"Africa Union HeadquartersP.O.BOX 3243Tel: 251-11-5-517700webmaster: webmaster@africa-union.orgAddis","contact_ctry_name":"Ethiopia","contact_email":"olugbilem@africacdc.org","contact_name":"Michael Opeyemi Olugbile","contact_organization":"Africa Union Commission","contact_phone_no":"0985806583","submission_date":"2026-08-31T00:00:00Z","notice_text":"Loan No./Credit No./ Grant No.: IDA-E1110
Reference No.: ET-AUC-545053-CS-INDV
(CONSULTING SERVICES– Individual SELECTION)
Country: African Union
Name of Project: Africa Centres for Disease Control Support Program to Combat Current and Future Public Health Threats Project (P178633)
1. Background
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), a specialized technical institution of the African Union, is committed to ensuring a safe, secure, and healthy work environment for its staff, partners, and visitors. As part of its Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) efforts, Africa CDC aims to strengthen its preparedness and response capacity for emergencies across its Headquarters (HQ) and Regional Collaborating Centres (RCCs).
In line with this commitment, and in compliance with the World Bank Environmental and Social Framework (ESF), particularly ESS2 (Labor and Working Conditions), ESS4 (Community Health and Safety), and ESS10 (Stakeholder Engagement), Africa CDC recognizes the critical importance of safeguarding personnel against a wide range of potential threats. These include, but are not limited to, physical hazards, natural disasters, public health emergencies, and security-related incidents.
To address these risks, Africa CDC seeks to develop a comprehensive Emergency Response Plan (ERP) that will provide a structured and coordinated framework for emergency management. The ERP will outline clear procedures and protocols for the prevention of, preparedness for, response to, and recovery from emergencies and occupational threats, in Africa CDC Headquarters in Addis Ababa and all five Regional Collaborating Centers (RCCs), ensuring applicability across diverse operational settings. It will also define roles and responsibilities, communication mechanisms, and response actions to ensure timely, effective, and well-coordinated interventions.
The development and implementation of the ERP will enhance organizational resilience, minimize risks to staff and operations, and ensure that Africa CDC is adequately prepared to respond to emergencies in a consistent and efficient manner.
2. Objective of the Assignment
The overall objective of this consultancy is to develop a comprehensive, practical, and compliant Emergency Response Plan (ERP) aligned with international OSH standards and best practices.
Specific objectives include:
3. Scope of Work
The expert shall undertake the following key activities:
3.1 Situational Analysis
3.2 Stakeholder Engagement
3.3 Development of the Emergency Response Plan
The ERP should include, but not be limited to:
3.4 Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
3.5 Training and Capacity Building
3.6 Monitoring and Evaluation Framework
The consultant is expected to deliver:
The consultancy is expected to be completed within 8 – 12 weeks upon signing of the date of contract. The consultant shall provide periodic progress reports, including interim drafts and feedback sessions, at pre-agreed intervals (bi-weekly).
The consultant will report to Director of Administration and work closely with other relevant Business Units and provide regular updates on progress, challenges, and recommendations.
The consultant is expected to propose a participatory and practical approach, including desk review of documents, key informant interviews, site assessments, workshops and validation meetings.
8. Payment Schedule
Payments will be made based on deliverables as follows:
9. Confidentiality
All documents, data, and information obtained during the assignment shall be treated as confidential and remain the property of Africa CDC. The consultant shall not use, reproduce, or disclose any information without prior written authorization
10. Required Qualifications and Experience
The consultant should have:
The consultant should meet the following minimum requirements:
Education
Technical Competencies
Institutional and Regional Experience
11. Application Requirements
Interested consultants should submit:
12. Evaluation Criteria
Proposals will be evaluated based on:
Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours 8:00 to 17:00 hours, Addis Ababa Time.
CVs must be delivered on email in written form following the above shortlisting criteria to procurement@africacdc.org before 17:00 Local Time on 01 September 2026
Subject line: Consultancy for the Development of an Emergency Response Plan (ERP) for Africa CDC
African CDC,
Attn: Supply Chain Management Division
Administration Directorate
Africa CDC Office Building, Tower B2, Floor 4th, Room Number 408.
Haile Garment Area, Lafto Square.
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
E-mails: procurement@africacdc.org
"},{"id":"OP00455611","notice_type":"Request for Expression of Interest","noticedate":"28-Aug-2026","notice_lang_name":"English","notice_status":"Published","submission_deadline_date":"2026-09-11T00:00:00Z","submission_deadline_time":"11:00","project_ctry_name":"Ukraine","project_id":"P504171","project_name":"Lifting Education Access and Resilience in times of Need in Ukraine Program","bid_reference_no":"LEARN-IC-ECEDO-05","bid_description":"ECPE Model Diversification Expert","procurement_group":"CS","procurement_method_code":"INDV","procurement_method_name":"Individual Consultant Selection","contact_address":"01135, Kyiv, Beresteiskiy ave, 10","contact_ctry_name":"Ukraine","contact_email":"oleksandr.radchenko@uiherp.org","contact_name":"Oleksandr Radchenko","contact_organization":"Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine","contact_phone_no":"+380661716013","contact_web_url":"https://mon.gov.ua/","submission_date":"2026-08-28T00:00:00Z","notice_text":"
REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST
(LEARN-IC-ECEDO-05 – ECPE Model Diversification Expert)
Market Approach - Open, National
UKRAINE
Lifting Education Access and Resilience in Times of Need in Ukraine Program
Grant URFT TF0D0612
Assignment Title: ECPE Model Diversification Expert
Reference No. LEARN-IC-ECEDO-05
Ukraine with the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the International Development Association (hereinafter referred to as the World Bank) have signed the agreements for the Program “Lifting Education Access and Resilience in times of Need in Ukraine” (hereinafter referred to as the LEARN or Operation).
LEARN was developed to address critical challenges and provide essential support to the education sector, aligning with the Ministry of Education and Science’s (MoES) Strategic Action Plan. The objectives of the Operation are to (i) improve teaching and learning conditions; and (ii) strengthen management capacity of the education system.
The objective of this assignment is to support hromadas during the first phase of the implementation of the “First Steps Forward” program in selecting and developing diversified service delivery models in the field of preschool education (ECE) that best respond to local needs. The Expert will ensure that the diversified service delivery models are feasible for implementation, comply with national legislation, are child-centered, and are suitable for further scaling at the national level. The Expert will provide support to hromadas in identifying appropriate options for diversification of preschool education services, as well as ensure technical guidance on service delivery models and develop recommendations for their practical application.
The Consultant will be contracted through competitive selection in line with the World Bank’s “Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers” September 2025 (“Procurement Regulations”).
The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to Section III, paragraphs, 3.14, 3.16, and 3.17 of the Procurement Regulations, setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest.
MOES now invites qualified interested persons to submit their expression of interest in Ukrainian and English as provided in the Terms of reference.
The detailed Terms of Reference and submission modalities for the assignment are available at the link https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OUwDhh3ej4tt-E1Rl9inN165bglo06wR/view?usp=drive_link
The deadline for submission of applications is 11:00 am Kyiv time September 11, 2026.
"},{"id":"OP00462495","notice_type":"Request for Expression of Interest","noticedate":"28-Aug-2026","notice_lang_name":"English","notice_status":"Published","submission_deadline_date":"2026-09-18T00:00:00Z","submission_deadline_time":"14:00","project_ctry_name":"Ukraine","project_id":"P504171","project_name":"Lifting Education Access and Resilience in times of Need in Ukraine Program","bid_reference_no":"LEARN-2.3-VET-SB","bid_description":"Consultancy Services for Establishment and Operationalisation of Supervisory Boards in Vocational Education Institutions","procurement_group":"CS","procurement_method_code":"CQS","procurement_method_name":"Consultant Qualification Selection","contact_address":"10 Beresteiskyi Avenue, Kyiv, 01135, Ukraine","contact_ctry_name":"Ukraine","contact_email":"kateryna.kovtun@mon.gov.ua","contact_name":"Kateryna Kovtun","contact_organization":"Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine","contact_phone_no":"+380 44 481 32 21","contact_web_url":"https://mon.gov.ua/","submission_date":"2026-08-28T00:00:00Z","notice_text":"
REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST
(CONSULTING SERVICES - FIRMS SELECTION)
Country: Ukraine
Name of Project: Lifting Education Access and Resilience in Times of Need in Ukraine Program
Grant No.: TF0C5794
Assignment Title: Consultancy Services for Establishment and Operationalisation of Supervisory Boards in Vocational Education Institutions
Reference No. (as per Procurement Plan): LEARN-2.3-VET-SB
Ukraine has received financing from the World Bank toward the cost of the Lifting Education Access and Resilience in Times of Need in Ukraine Program, and intends to apply part of the proceeds for consulting services.
The consulting services (hereinafter – the Services) include supporting the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine in scaling up the establishment and operationalisation of at least 300 Supervisory Boards (SBs) in vocational education (VE) institutions nationwide. Supervisory Boards are intended to serve as structured platforms for cooperation between VE institutions, founders (local authorities), employers, and local communities. Their role includes strategic oversight, support to institutional development, and facilitation of alignment between training provision and labour market needs.
The Services are expected to commence in autumn 2026 and will be provided over a period of 12 months.
The required objective of the Services must be achieved by the Consultant within the agreed program and in accordance with the Ukrainian legislation, the World Bank’s policies and rules and requirements of the Terms of Reference (TOR), which is attached.
Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine (hereinafter – Client/MOES) now invites eligible consulting firms (hereinafter – Consultants) to indicate their interest in providing the Services. Interested Consultants should provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Services.
The evaluation of the expressions of interest provided by the Consultants will be carried out based on the following criteria:
Legal status
Core Business and Experience
In case of a JVCA, the Lead Member shall demonstrate substantial compliance with the above requirements, including at least:
The JVCA as a whole must meet all qualification requirements.
Financial stability
In case of JVCA:
Audited financial statements or verified financial documents shall be provided.
Experience with Donor-Funded Projects
Staff
Key Experts will not be evaluated at the shortlisting stage.
Only the Consultant with the highest ranking, determined in accordance with the established Consultant qualification evaluation criteria, will be required to confirm the qualifications and experience of the key experts.
The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to Section III, paragraphs, 3.14, 3.16, and 3.17 of the World Bank’s «Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers» September 2023 with amendments of September 2025 (hereinafter – Procurement Regulations), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest.
Consultants may associate with other firms to enhance their qualifications, but should indicate clearly whether the association is in the form of a joint venture and/or a sub-consultancy. In the case of a joint venture, all the partners in the joint venture shall be jointly and severally liable for the entire contract, if selected. In the case of foreign company, the representative office/JV/consortium with local firm should exist by the date of the Contract signing.
A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Selection Based on Consultants’ Qualifications (CQS) method described in the Procurement Regulations.
Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Expressions of interest must be delivered in a written form, in Ukrainian or English, to the address below by e-mail by September 04, 2026, 2:00 pm local time.
Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine
Attn: Anastasiia Sofiienko - Project Coordinator
E-mail: uiherp@mon.gov.ua CC: serhiy.artemenko@uiherp.org, kateryna.kovtun@mon.gov.ua
Expressions of interest to be clearly marked: «LEARN-2.3-VET-SB: Expression of Interest».
TERMS OF REFERENCE
Consultancy Services for Establishment and Operationalisation of Supervisory Boards in Vocational Education Institutions
Contract LEARN-2.3-VET-SB
I. BACKGROUND
Ukraine with the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the International Development Association (hereinafter referred to as the World Bank) have signed the agreements for the Program “Lifting Education Access and Resilience in times of Need in Ukraine” (hereinafter referred to as the LEARN or Operation).
LEARN was designed to address critical issues and provide the necessary support to the education sector in accordance with the Strategic Action Plan of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine until 2027, approved by the Order of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine dated 07.03.2024 No. 276 (hereinafter referred to as the Strategic Plan).
The Operation focuses on supporting the priorities “1. Early Childhood and Preschool Education” and “2. Reform of the “New Ukrainian School”” stipulated in the Strategic Plan.
The LEARN objectives are: (i) to improve teaching and learning conditions; and (ii) to strengthen the management capacity of the education system. The total LEARN financing amounts to US$451 million provides a combination of the World Bank financing instruments: Program for Results (PforR) and Investment Project Financing (IPF).
The Program-for-Results (PforR) is implemented through a US$235 million loan provided by Bank resources, supported by loan enhancement from the Advancing Needed Credit Enhancement for Ukraine (ADVANCE Ukraine) Trust Fund, which is backed by the Government of Japan. This is formalized under the Loan Agreement between Ukraine and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development for the Program (LOAN No 9721-UA). An additional US$150 million is provided under the Special Program for Ukraine and Moldova Recovery (SPUR) of the International Development Association (IDA) Crisis Facility, as outlined in the Financing Agreement between Ukraine and the International Development Association for the Program (CREDIT No 7626-UA). On July 1, 2025, the Financing Agreement (Additional Financing: Lifting Education Access and Resilience in Times of Need in Ukraine Program) between Ukraine and the International Development Association (CREDIT No 7905-UA) was signed in the amount of US$4.9 million.
Furthermore, US$30 million in Investment Project Financing (IPF) is secured under the Grant Agreement between Ukraine and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the International Development Association, acting as the administrator of the Ukraine Relief, Recovery, Reconstruction, and Reform Multi-Donor Trust Fund (URTF GRANT No TF0C5794). On December 19, 2025, the Grant Agreement (Additional Financing for Lifting Education Access and Resilience in Times of Need in Ukraine Project) between UKRAINE and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the International Development Association jointly acting as a Supervising Entity for the Global Partnership for Education Fund and as administrator of the Ukraine Relief, Recovery, Reconstruction and Reform Multi-Donor Trust Fund (GPE GRANT No TF0D0613, URTF GRANT No TF0D0612) was signed in the amount of US$31.1 million.
More detailed information about the LEARN program is provided at https://projects.worldbank.org/en/projects-operations/project-detail/P504171
The latest additional grant agreement provides for expanded support for reforms in the education sector, in particular by:
• financing activities for the development of preschool education;
• providing grant support of the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) aimed at strengthening the institutional capacity of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine to implement educational reforms.
In accordance with the provisions of the agreements concluded, the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine is responsible for the overall implementation, coordination, monitoring and reporting on the Project activities, in particular those aimed at strengthening the institutional management capacity of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine. Such activities include the provision of technical assistance, the development and implementation of information systems, conducting training activities in the field of vocational (technical) education, as well as the implementation of initiatives in cross-sectoral areas, in particular inclusive education, European integration, education infrastructure management and strategic planning.
Under the GPE-financed institutional capacity activities Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine (hereinafter referred to as MoES) intends to engage a qualified Consultant to support the nationwide establishment and operationalisation of at least 300 Supervisory Boards in VE institutions. The Assignment will focus on scaling up implementation, strengthening institutional capacities, providing structured communication and training support, and introducing standardised monitoring and analytical tools to ensure evidence-based policy development.The Assignment shall be implemented over a period of twelve (12) months from the Effective Date of the Contract.
The Assignment is expected to be implemented in line with World Bank Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers and applicable Ukrainian legislation.
II. OBJECTIVE
The objective of the Assignment is to support the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine in scaling up the establishment and operationalisation of at least 300 Supervisory Boards (SBs) in vocational education (VE) institutions nationwide.
Supervisory Boards are intended to serve as structured platforms for cooperation between VE institutions, founders (local authorities), employers, and local communities. Their role includes strategic oversight, support to institutional development, and facilitation of alignment between training provision and labour market needs.
Initial regulatory groundwork has already been undertaken by the Ministry. Model provisions, standard documentation templates, and role descriptions for Supervisory Boards have been developed or are under finalisation. Policy signalling and initial communication regarding SB establishment have been launched at the national level.
However, large-scale operationalisation of Supervisory Boards across VE institutions requires structured support. Challenges remain in consistent interpretation and application of the regulatory framework at the regional and institutional level; ensuring that trained individuals are those who will actively serve on Supervisory Boards; providing practical, legal and facilitation support during the first operational cycle of Boards; and establishing a unified monitoring and feedback mechanism connecting institutional governance to national policy refinement.
Specifically, the Assignment aims to:
1. facilitate the practical implementation of the existing regulatory framework governing Supervisory Boards;
2. strengthen institutional capacities of VE institution directors, designated SB secretaries, founders and SB members for effective governance;
3. provide structured legal, methodological and facilitation support during the first operational cycle of Supervisory Boards;
4. ensure coherent nationwide rollout through strategic communication and regional engagement;
5. introduce standardized data collection and digital monitoring mechanisms to assess SB functionality;
6. generate analytical evidence and policy recommendations to support further institutionalisation of Supervisory Boards within the national vocational education reform framework.
The Consultant shall achieve the above objectives in full compliance with applicable Ukrainian legislation, relevant regulations of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, and procurement and implementation requirements of the World Bank.
III. SCOPE OF SERVICES
The Consultant shall provide comprehensive technical, organizational and analytical support to MoES for the nationwide establishment and operationalisation of Supervisory Boards (SBs) in VE institutions.
The Assignment shall include, but not be limited to, the following activities.
3.1 Overall Approach
The Assignment shall build upon the regulatory framework and standard documents already developed by MoES. It shall not redesign Supervisory Boards from scratch but shall focus on large-scale operationalisation, capacity building, and system-level integration.
The implementation logic shall follow a structured sequence:
The Consultant shall ensure that all training participants are directly involved in the establishment or operation of Supervisory Boards to guarantee immediate practical applicability.
3.2 Components
Component 1. Development of Scale-up Plan and Mobilisation of Expert Team
The Consultant shall:
The scale-up plan shall include measurable milestones and a clear allocation of responsibilities.
Component 2. Strategic Communication and Stakeholder Engagement
The Consultant shall design and implement a targeted communication campaign to support nationwide rollout of Supervisory Boards.
The communication shall:
To achieve the above, the Consultant shall:
Activities shall include publications, media materials, infographics, regional briefings, and one national conference. The MoES agreement to all communication materials shall be obtained prior to publishing.
Component 3. Capacity Building
The Consultant shall design and deliver a structured capacity-building programme consisting of:
The training programme shall be designed in accordance with adult learning principles and the European approach to micro-credentials, and approved by MoES prior to launch. Each regional training seminar shall comprise a total of 12 academic hours (1 academic hour = 45 minutes), including 6 academic hours of in-person instruction and 6 academic hours of independent preparatory work, equivalent to 0.4 ECTS credits. For each training seminar, the Consultant shall define: target groups and participant eligibility criteria; measurable learning outcomes assessed against transparent standards; form of participation and type of assessment; and a Quality Assurance Plan incorporating participant and peer feedback as a basis for continuous improvement. The training shall be learner-centred and directly relevant to the operational needs of Supervisory Board members. Upon successful completion, participants shall receive certificates confirming the achieved learning outcomes.
The online course shall be designed in accordance with the European approach to micro-credentials and adult learning principles. The total notional workload of the online course shall comprise 30 academic hours (1 academic hour = 45 minutes), equivalent to 1 ECTS credit. The Consultant shall ensure that the course includes the following elements:
The online course shall be designed in close cooperation with MoES as a standalone micro-credential with the possibility of stacking with other learning achievements within the broader VE governance professional development framework.
The trainings and online course shall focus on:
The MoES agreement to a proposed online course curriculum shall be obtained prior to launch.
Component 4. Operationalisation, Monitoring and Policy Integration
This component shall focus on ensuring that Supervisory Boards are not only formally established but also function effectively.
The Consultant shall:
This Scope ensures that Supervisory Boards are operationalised at scale, supported during their first implementation cycle, monitored through standardized tools, and embedded into long-term governance reform of the VE sector.
IV. DELIVERABLES
The Consultant shall deliver the following key deliverables during the implementation of the Assignment.
Deliverable 1. Inception Report
This deliverable encompasses the foundational planning and organisational outputs required to launch the Assignment effectively, including a comprehensive scale-up plan, mobilised expert team, and an approved implementation framework that will guide all subsequent components of the Assignment.
Within 30 calendar days from the Effective Date of the Contract, the Consultant shall submit a Draft Inception Report, including:
MoES shall provide comments within 14 calendar days. The Consultant shall submit the Final Inception Report within 7 calendar days after receiving comments.
Deliverable 2. Strategic Communication and Stakeholder Engagement Report (Interim Report 1)
The following outputs shall be produced under Deliverable 2:
A consolidated Strategic Communication and Stakeholder Engagement Report (Interim report 1) shall be submitted upon completion of the campaign, including information on outreach, stakeholder participation, and recommendations for further communication support.
Deliverable 3. Capacity Building Report (Interim report 2)
The Consultant shall deliver:
A draft of consolidated Capacity Building Completion Report (Interim report 2) shall be submitted upon completion of the training cycle (both in-person training and online course) no later than 1 month.
Deliverable 4. Final Completion Report
The following outputs shall be delivered under this component and documented in the Final Completion Report:
The Consultant shall submit a Draft Final Completion Report no later than one month before completion of the Assignment, summarizing overall implementation results; achievement of objectives and targets; key lessons learned; recommendations for further institutionalisation and sustainability.
Reports Submission and Acceptance Procedure
The following procedure shall apply to all reports submitted under this Assignment: the Inception Report (Deliverable 1), the Strategic Communication and Stakeholder Engagement Report - Interim Report 1 (Deliverable 2), the Capacity Building Report - Interim Report 2 (Deliverable 3), and the Final Completion Report (Deliverable 4).
The exact format of the reports will be discussed and agreed upon with MoES, Implementation group, and where applicable with the World Bank, upon contract signing and before the commencement of the Assignment. All reports and deliverables will be submitted in minimum 2 (two) hard copies in English and 2 (two) hard copies in Ukrainian language. Materials developed for Ukrainian-speaking audiences (including training and communication materials) shall be submitted in Ukrainian only, without translation, and included as annexes to the relevant reports. All materials developed under this Assignment shall become the property of MoES.
The Consultant shall submit:
the draft version of the Inception Report - within 30 calendar days from Effective Date;
the draft version of the Interim Report 1 - no later than the 14th calendar day after completing the delivery of Component 2 activities according to the Work Schedule;
the draft version of the Interim Report 2 - no later than the 14th calendar day after completing the delivery of Component 3 activities according to the Work Schedule;
the draft version of Final Report - at latest 30 calendar days before the completion of the services.
The draft of each report package shall be drawn up in electronic (Word/Excel and PDF) format and sent to the Client's email address specified in the Contract.
The Client will review the draft of the report package within 14 calendar days from the date of its receipt and provide comments and suggestions for finalizing the draft report or confirm the efficiency and quality of the Assignment implementation and its correspondence with the requirements of this Terms of Reference.
The Consultant, within 7 calendar days from the date of receipt of comments from the Client, will process them and submit the revised report package in electronic and paper format to the Client, together with a table indicating, for each comment, the method of its consideration or justification for the deviation.
If the Client has no comments on the revised report, the report shall be deemed approved, which shall be confirmed by signed Acceptance certificate for services.
If the Client does not respond with comments on the draft report and proposals for its revision within the above-mentioned period, the draft report shall be deemed accepted, and the Consultant shall be obliged to send the report in electronic PDF format and paper format to the Client.
If required by MoES, the Consultant shall provide ad-hoc reports within 3-7 calendar days, depending on the complexity of the request.
V. REQUIREMENTS
5.1 Consultant
The Consultant must be a legally registered firm or a Joint Venture / Consortium of firms.
Minimum Qualification Requirements (Pass/Fail Basis)
Failure to meet any of the requirements below shall result in disqualification.
Core Business and Experience
In case of a JVCA, the Lead Member shall demonstrate substantial compliance with the above requirements, including at least:
The JVCA as a whole must meet all qualification requirements.
Financial Capacity
In case of JVCA:
Audited financial statements or verified financial documents shall be provided.
Experience with Donor-Funded Projects
5.2 Staff
The Consultant shall provide suitably qualified professionals in terms of expertise and time allocation to complete the activities required under the scope of work and to finally achieve the objectives of the project in terms of time, costs and quality, within the agreed timeframe.
The Consultant shall also provide adequate administrative staff (secretary, translators, drivers etc.) needed to support the expert team.
The minimum expected staff inputs for Assignment are summarized below:
Experts | Working Man-Months* | ||
Preparatory work and reporting | Training | Total | |
Key Experts | |||
Project Manager | 10 | 2 | 12 |
Expert (Governance and Institutional Development) | 6 | 2 | 8 |
Expert (Training and Capacity Building) | 2 | 4 | 6 |
Expert (Monitoring and Policy Analysis) | 6 | 2 | 8 |
Total Key Experts man-months: | 24 | 10 | 34 |
Non-Key Experts | |||
Legal Expert | 1 | 5 | 6 |
Communication specialist | 11 |
| 11 |
IT Specialist | 6 |
| 6 |
Trainer |
| 9 | 9 |
Total Non-Key Experts man-months: | 19 | 13 | 32 |
Supporting Staff | |||
Financial assistant | 6 |
| 6 |
Total Supporting Staff man-months: | 6 | 0 | 6 |
TOTAL MINIMUM EXPECTED STAFF INPUTS: | 49 | 23 | 72 |
* For the purposes of this Assignment, one (1) man-month is equivalent to twenty-two (22) man-days, and one (1) man-day equals eight (8) working hours.
The proposed team shall include the following Key Experts.
5.2.1 Key Experts
KE1. Team Leader / Project Manager
Responsibilities:
Qualifications:
KE2. Governance and Institutional Development Expert
Responsibilities:
Qualifications:
KE3. Training and Capacity Building Expert
Responsibilities:
Qualifications:
KE4. Monitoring and Policy Analysis Expert
Responsibilities:
Qualifications:
5.2.2 Non-Key Experts
The Consultant shall mobilize additional experts as required, including but not limited to:
CVs for Non-Key Experts shall be provided prior to mobilization and subject to MoES approval.
5.2.3. Administrative support staff
The Consultant shall provide adequate administrative staff: secretary, translators, drivers etc., needed to support the expert team.
5.3 Implementation Arrangements
The Client shall be responsible for the implementation of the overall Project and the Consultant’s Assignment shall be managed and monitored by the Client’s Implementation group.
The Consultant shall:
MoES shall:
All materials produced under the Assignment shall become the property of MoES.
VI. PAYMENT SCHEDULE
Payment for Consultancy Services shall be made upon completion of components and acceptance of the respective reports by MoES, in accordance with the following deadlines for submission of the reports:
Deliverable | Estimated Submission Timeline for Reports | Percentage of Total Contract Value |
Deliverable 1. Inception Report | Draft version should be submitted within 30 calendar days and final version - within 51 calendar days from Effective Date | 20% |
Deliverable 2. Strategic Communication and Stakeholder Engagement Report (Interim report 1) | Draft version should be submitted no later than the 14th calendar day, and final version - no later than the 35th calendar day after completing the delivery of the set of activities of the Component 2 "Strategic Communication and Stakeholder Engagement" according to the Time Schedule. | 30% |
Deliverable 3. Capacity Building Completion Report (Interim report 2) | Draft version should be submitted no later than the 14th calendar day, and final version - no later than the 35th calendar day after completing the delivery of the set of activities of the Component 3 "Strategic Communication and Stakeholder Engagement" according to the Time Schedule. | 30% |
Deliverable 4. Final Completion Report | Draft version should be submitted at latest 30 calendar days before the completion of the services, and final version - at latest 9 calendar days before the completion of the services. | 20% |
Total | 100% |
VII. IMPLEMENTATION TIMELINE (12 MONTHS)
The Assignment shall be implemented over a period of twelve (12) months from the Effective Date of the Contract.
Implementation shall follow the phased approach outlined below.
Component 1 – Development of Scale-up Plan and Mobilisation of Expert Team (Months 1-2)
Key activities:
Key milestone:
Component 2 – Strategic Communication and Stakeholder Engagement (Months 2-4)
Key activities:
Key milestone:
Component 3 – Capacity Building (Months 2-6)
Key activities:
Key milestones:
Component 4 – Operationalisation, Monitoring and Policy Integration (Months 5-12)
Key activities:
Key milestone:
Implementation Overlap
Given the scope and scale of the Assignment, activities across Components 2, 3 and 4 shall run in parallel to ensure efficiency, continuity of support, and nationwide coverage within the 12-month timeframe.
"}]}