OBJECTIVES OF THE CONSULTANCY ASSIGNMENT  

General Objective

The aim of the assignment is to undertake an appraisal of the existence and use of PPP frameworks in the COMESA region. Following the appraisals, the consultant will identify existing gaps, propose good practices to plug the gaps and develop a Model PPP framework which will be used as a reference guide to provide guidance on what PPP practitioners should know and aid in decision making when implementing PPP projects in infrastructure. The general objective is to develop a Model PPP framework that when adopted and adapted by COMESA/TDB Member States will:

• Enable more private investment in infrastructure by increasing project financing options;
• Enable harnessing of private sector innovation and efficiency in the delivery and provision of infrastructure;
• Result in the Integration of the public investment management (PIM) and PPP processes;
• Achieve Value for Money in the provision of infrastructure and public services;
• Ensure affordability of the services, including thorough assessment and management of the fiscal commitments and contingent liabilities emanating from projects;
• Ensure disclosure of material and relevant information about the PPP program and individual projects in the public domain;
• Ensure incorporation of climate mitigation and adaptation measures in projects;
• Improve accountability in the provision of infrastructure and public services;
• Ensure that the long-term delivery and management of PPPs is sustainable, especially when stakeholders change over time (political actors, champions, representatives in ministries or PPP units); and
• Stimulate growth and development in the COMESA/TDB regions.

Specific Objectives

The specific objectives are:

• To undertake an assessment of the current situation on the application and use of PPP Frameworks in identification, selection, appraisal, structuring, tendering and contract management of PPP projects in COMESA/TDB Member States and define the gaps that can be improved, The process is achieved by selecting a sample of at least 5 COMESA/TDB Member States that represent the status of the whole region to do country visits and the rest of the countries are analyzed through a desktop review. Conclusions are drawn based on the findings to generalize the status of the region;
• Develop a Model PPP Framework such that if adopted and adapted by COMESA/TDB Member States it will:
  • Integrate and streamline the PIM and PPP processes
  • Close the gaps identified in Member States’ PPP processes and help foster PPP best practices in policy, regulatory, and institutional frameworks in the COMESA/TDB region;
  • Signal a stable and consistent way of PPP projects delivery based on a fair, transparent and competitive processes that are intended to gain the confidence of the private infrastructure investors;
  • Embed climate considerations (both mitigation and adaptation) in PPP projects;
  • Define sustainable Public Sector PPP project funding support schemes through core financing and risk mitigation while transparently accounting for and managing the resultant fiscal commitments and contingent liabilities;
  • Build the foundation for a robust monitoring and evaluation of the PPP programme in a way that fosters knowledge capture and sharing of lessons learnt;
  • Provide for disclosure of information on the PPP program and projects in the public domain in a time bound and structured manner.
• During the process of developing the PPP Model Framework, COMESA/TDB Member States will be requested to submit typical PPP projects and the consultant to provide Technical Support to 5 Member States to guide them in the preparation of the identified potential PPP projects;
• Provide Capacity Building through workshops to help Member States in adapting, adopting and domesticating the Model PPP Framework;

The detailed Terms of Reference (TOR) for the assignment are attached to this request for expressions of interest.

The COMESA Secretarait now invites eligible consulting firms (“consultants”) to indicate their interest in providing the services.  Interested consultants must provide information indicating that they are qualified to perform the services (brochures, description of similar assignments, experience in similar conditions, general qualifications and number of key staff, and so forth). The implementation period for this assignment is 94 Weeks.

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.