Telecommunications and ICT Technical Assistance Project

UPDATE: 23 September 2013

This notice has been cancelled as of 22-Sep-2013. Please do not respond.

Assignment Title: CapacityBuilding and Restructuring of National Telecommunications Authority (NTA).
The Republic of the Marshall Islands hasapplied for financing from the World Bank toward thecost of the Telecommunications and ICT Technical Assistance Project and intends to apply part of the proceeds for consulting services.  
 
The consulting services ("the Services") include the assignment of Capacity Building and Restructuring of National Telecommunications Authority (NTA), expected implementation period of 9months. In addition to related implementation tasks, the Services include (1) developing firm options for consideration byGovernment on a restructuring of NTA, including options to promote cost-based and non-discriminatory access to internationalconnectivity via the HANTRU1 submarine cable system; and (2) assistance and options for strengthening NTA's operational andfinancial readiness to operate in a competitive market.

The Ministry of Finance now invites eligible consulting firms ("Consultants") to indicate theirinterest in providingthe Services. Interested Consultants should provide information demonstrating that they have the requiredqualifications and relevant experience to perform the Services. The shortlisting criteria are:
.         Thorough understanding of applicable financial, legal, technical, management consultingand accounting advisory services.
·         Significant experience of the ownership and operation of submarine cable systems,financial restructuring, optionsfor the introduction of core private sector investors into a partially privatizedtelecommunications operator, and the preparation of an incumbent telecommunications operator for the introduction ofcompetition.
·        Knowledge andexperience of telecommunications sector issues, including corporate restructure and essential facilities access issues, in Pacificisland countries or similar.
 
The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to paragraph 1.9 ofthe World Bank's Guidelines: Selection and Employment of Consultants [under IBRD Loans and IDA Credits &Grants] by World Bank Borrowers of January 2011 ("Consultant Guidelines"), setting forth the World Bank's policy on conflictofinterest.  In addition, please refer to the following specific information onconflict of interest related to this assignment:

(a)          Conflict between consulting activities and procurement of goods,works, or non-consulting services (i.e., services other than consulting services covered by these Guidelines): A firm thathas been engaged by the Borrower to provide goods, works, or non-consulting services for a project, or any affiliate that directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under commoncontrol with that firm, shall be disqualified from providing consulting services resulting fromor directly related to those goods, works, or non-consulting services. Conversely, a firmhired to provide consulting services for the preparation (before Loan effectiveness) or implementation of a project, or any affiliate that directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or isunder common control with that firm, shall be disqualified from subsequently providing goods, works, or services (other thanconsulting services covered by these Guidelines) resulting from or directly related to the consulting services for such preparationor implementation. This provision does not apply to the various firms (consultants, contractors,or suppliers) which together are performing the Contractor'sobligations under a turnkey or design and buildcontract.

(b)         Conflict among consulting assignments: Neither consultants (includingtheir personnel and sub-consultants), nor any affiliate that directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under commoncontrol with thatfirm, shall be hired for any assignment that, by its nature, may be in conflict with another assignment ofthe consultants. As an example, consultants assisting a client in the privatization of public assets shall neither purchase, noradvise purchasers of, such assets. Similarly, consultants hired to prepare Terms of Reference (TOR) for anassignment shall not behired for the assignment in question.

(c)          Relationship with Borrower's staff: Consultants (including their experts and other personnel, and sub-consultants) thathave a close business or family relationship with a professional staff of the Borrower (or of theproject implementing agency, or of a recipient of a part of the loan) who are 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 suchcontract may not be awarded a contract, unlessthe conflict stemming from this relationship has been resolved in a manner acceptableto the Bank throughout the selection process and the execution of the contract.

(d)         A consultant shall submit only one proposal, either individually or as a joint venturepartner in another proposal. If a consultant, including a joint venture partner, submits or participates in more than one proposal,all such proposals shall be disqualified. This doesnot, however, preclude a consulting firm to participate as a sub-consultant, oran individual to participate as a team member, in more thanone proposal when circumstances justify and if permitted by the RFP.
 

Consultants may associate with other firms in the form of a joint venture or a subconsultancy toenhance their qualifications.
 

A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Quality Based Selection (QBS) method set outin the Consultant Guidelines.
 

Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours from 0900 to1600.
 

Expressions of interest must be delivered in a written form to the address below by e-mail byOctober 11, 2013.