IP Technical University of Moldova announces the competition for Training and user certification services for the "Advanced Manufacturing Technologies on CNC Machines (TAF-CNC)" Laboratory, GEAR 4.0 subproject

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST
(Consulting services – company selection)

Republic of Moldova

Sub-project name: Modernization of curricula for the training of professional skills in Engineering, Electronics, Automation and Robotics, in response to the requirements of Industry 4.0 (GEAR 4.0).

No. MD-MOED-6542-ASF-U-14 of 24.10.2022

Reference No.: MD-TECHUNI-354548-CS-CQS

Task title: Training and certification of users for the "Advanced Manufacturing Technologies on CNC Machines (TAF-CNC)" Laboratory

The Moldova Higher Education Project (MHEP) is a World Bank-funded project to be implemented between May 2020 and December 2025.

Within the framework of the implementation of the Higher Education Project in Moldova, financed by the World Bank, the Technical University of Moldova obtained the subproject Modernization of curricula for the training of professional skills in Engineering, Electronics, Automation and Robotics, in response to the requirements of Industry 4.0 - GEAR 4.0 and respectively signed the financing contract with the Ministry of Education and Research and intends to apply part of the sources for consulting services.

The subproject is part of the objectives of the Government of the Republic of Moldova, the Ministry of Education and Research of the Republic of Moldova, of interventions aimed at ensuring better alignment of the higher education system with the requirements of the labor market, as well as creating functional mechanisms that increase the employment chances of university graduates on the national and international labor market.

Following the implementation of the GEAR 4.0 subproject, the quality of study programs for the general field of study 071 - Engineering and engineering activities will be increased by reducing the gap between the educational offer provided by UTM and the requirements of the labor market, dictated by the digitalization of engineering activities and environmental challenges.

Taking into account the priority area of implementation, two specific objectives and areas of implementation were formulated, as follows:

• OS 1 – Redesign/revise the Curriculum for the general field of study Engineering and engineering activities in line with the requirements of Industry 4.0.
• OS 2 – Strengthening UTM's teaching/training and research-development capacities by equipping scientific, teaching and technology transfer laboratories/centers with modern manufacturing equipment and automation of production processes.

The time allocated to complete the task is 2 months.

The Terms of Reference (TOR) are attached to this call for expressions of interest or can be found on the following website:https://utm.md/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/cerere-de-exprimare-a-interesului.instruirea-si-certificarea-utilizatorilor-pentru-laboratorul-%E2%80%9Etehnologii-avansate-de-fabricare-pe-masini-cnc-taf-cnc.pdf or can be obtained at the address below esenia.turchin@adm.utm.md

The Public Institution Technical University of Moldova invites eligible consulting companies (“Consultants”) to express their interest in providing services for organizing two training activities for teaching staff and non-academic staff, which in the future will ensure the training of professional skills of specialists involved in the development of manufacturing technologies on numerically controlled machine tools for the Laboratory “Advanced Manufacturing Technologies on CNC Machines (TAF-CNC)”.

Interested consultants will submit information demonstrating that they have the necessary qualifications and relevant experience to provide the services mentioned.

Overall company experience

1. Minimum 5 years of experience in organizing training in the engineering field relevant to the task;
2. Capabilities for managing events with large groups of beneficiaries.

The company's specific experience in providing similar services

1. Minimum 3 years of experience in providing educational services to different categories of beneficiaries, including students, teachers, and engineering specialists;
2. At least 5 similar activities organized (workshops, trainings, training courses, etc.).

The professional experience of the team of experts involved in carrying out the task

1. The team of specialists involved in carrying out the task includes at least 3 people who hold higher education in the field of engineering.
2. The experts on the team have experience designing training programs for engineering specialists (from the educational or real sector).
3. At least one expert has at least 3 years of experience in organizing training activities for real sector specialists and/or teachers.

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 "Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers" July 2016, revised in November 2017 and August 2018 ("Procurement Regulations"), which sets out the World Bank's policy on conflict of interest.

Consultants may partner with other companies to enhance their qualifications, but should clearly indicate whether the partnership is in the form of a joint venture and/or a sub-consultancy contract. In the case of a partnership, all partners in the partnership will be jointly and severally liable for the entire contract, if selected.

The consulting company will be selected in accordance with the selection method – “Selection based on the qualification of consultants”, provided for in the Procurement Regulation.

Additional information can be obtained at the address below during working hours esenia.turchin@adm.utm.md , between the hours: 08.00-17.00.

Proposals must be sent to the address below (in person, by post, or by e-mail) by: 26.03.2025, 14:00, (local time of Moldova), indicating the title of the task for which they are applying (Redesign of the curriculum and curricular content for the Mechanical Engineering - IM bachelor's degree program).

Address: Chisinau city, 168 Stefan cel Mare blvd., office 108

Phone: +373 69668248, 022-23-51-59

Email: esenia.turchin@adm.utm.md

Signature of the Chairman of the evaluation committee

Last name First name___________________

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

Reference No.: MD-TECHUNI-354548-CS-CQS 

Country : Republic of Moldova

Technical University of Moldova

Project name: Higher Education Project in Moldova

Project ID: P167790

Sub-project name: Modernization of curricula for the training of professional skills in Engineering, Electronics, Automation and Robotics, in response to the requirements of Industry 4.0 (GEAR 4.0).

No. Sub-financing Agreement: No. MD-MOED-6542-ASF-U-14 of 24.10.2022 

Name of Consulting Services:

Training and certification of users for the "Advanced Manufacturing Technologies on CNC Machines (TAF-CNC)" Laboratory

Date: 05.03.2025

Technical University of Moldova

Sub-project name: Modernization of curricula for the training of professional skills in Engineering, Electronics, Automation and Robotics, in response to the requirements of Industry 4.0 (GEAR 4.0).

Public Institution Technical University of Moldova

Reference No.: MD-TECHUNI-354548-CS-CQS

TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR

Training and certification of users for the "Advanced Manufacturing Technologies on CNC Machines (TAF-CNC)" Laboratory

1. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SUBPROJECT

The Moldova Higher Education Project (MHEP) is a project financed by the World Bank, to be implemented between May 2020 and December 2025.

Within the framework of the implementation of the Higher Education Project in Moldova, financed by the World Bank, the Technical University of Moldova obtained the subproject Modernization of curricula for the training of professional skills in Engineering, Electronics, Automation and Robotics, in response to the requirements of Industry 4.0 (GEAR 4.0) and respectively signed the financing contract with the Ministry of Education and Research and intends to apply part of the sources for consulting services.

The subproject is part of the objectives of the Government of the Republic of Moldova, the Ministry of Education and Research of the Republic of Moldova by ensuring the alignment of the higher education system with the requirements of the labor market, as well as the creation of functional mechanisms that will increase the employment chances of university graduates on the national and international labor market.

Following the implementation of the GEAR 4.0 subproject, the quality of study programs for the general field of study 071 - Engineering and engineering activities will be increased by reducing the gap between the educational offer provided by UTM and the requirements of the labor market, dictated by the digitalization of engineering activities and environmental challenges.

The field of Engineering and Engineering Activities is one of the national priority areas of the Republic of Moldova, established in the national strategic and policy documents. The subproject will contribute to increasing the positive impact on the professional training of teachers in the higher education system through strategic interventions, anchored in the framework of national and institutional priorities in the education sector.

2. SUBPROJECT OBJECTIVES

The general objective of the subproject is to increase the quality of vocational training programs in higher education for the general field of study 071 Engineering and engineering activities by reducing the gap between the educational offer, provided by UTM, and the requirements of the labor market, dictated by the intense digitalization of engineering activities and environmental challenges. In this context, the modernization of the curriculum for the training of professional skills in Engineering, Electronics, Automation and Robotics, in accordance with the requirements of Industry 4.0 - GEAR 4.0 will contribute to the alignment of the higher education system with the requirements of the labor market, improving the employment chances of graduates in the national and international labor market. In turn, the modernization of the curriculum cannot be achieved without modern, well-trained, open-minded teaching staff.

3. SUBPROJECT ACTIVITY FIELD

Providing services for organizing and conducting 2 training activities and certifying teaching staff and non-academic staff, who in the future will ensure the training of professional skills of specialists involved in the development of manufacturing technologies on numerically controlled machine tools.

60 teachers and non-academic staff will benefit from the training. The expert group will organize 2 sessions for 10 days (total 40 hours). Each session will be held over 5 days, 4 hours per day. Within each activity, a group of teachers and non-academic staff of 25-35 people will be trained.

4. SPECIFIC TASKS

The consultant will have the following specific tasks:

1. Developing the training agenda for the regulated duration of 40 hours, specifying the topics proposed for examination, the methods, tools and specific objectives for each topic addressed, the time frames, and coordinating it with the subproject manager.
2. Coordination of the training program with the subproject manager, to ensure the efficient organization and planning of activities, establishing the spaces, equipment and materials necessary for the process.
3. Developing, multiplying and distributing teaching materials for each subject within the training program, to ensure quality learning.
4. Logistical organization of activities, including setting the agenda, organizing coffee breaks (drinking water, tea/coffee, biscuits), to ensure their smooth running.
5. Carrying out training activities for teaching staff and non-academic staff.
6. Ensuring the evaluation of the activities carried out and the analysis of feedback.
7. Presentation of the final report.

5. QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS AND EVALUATION BASIS (evaluation criteria)

Overall company experience

1. Minimum 5 years of experience in organizing training in the engineering field relevant to the task;
2. Capabilities for managing events with large groups of beneficiaries.

The company's specific experience in providing similar services

1. Minimum 3 years of experience in providing educational services to different categories of beneficiaries, including students, teachers, and engineering specialists;
2. At least 5 similar activities organized (workshops, trainings, training courses, etc.).

The professional experience of the team of experts involved in carrying out the task

1. The team of specialists involved in carrying out the task includes at least 3 people who hold higher education in the field of engineering.
2. The experts on the team have experience designing training programs for engineering specialists (from the educational or real sector).
3. At least one expert has at least 3 years of experience in organizing training activities for real sector specialists and/or teachers.

To confirm the requested qualification requirements, Qualification Certificates, completed contracts, CVs of individuals or any other supporting documents will be presented.

The basic requirements/qualifications/experience of each core team member will be indicated.

Key experts will be evaluated in detail at the technical evaluation stage of the offer and may be subject to negotiations.

6. DURATION OF THE TASK, ESTIMATED TIME FOR STARTING AND COMPLETION OF THE TASK

The provision of services is estimated to commence in April 2025 with the deliverables presented as follows:

The documents, prepared in Romanian, will be presented in Word and PDF format, both in printed version (one copy) and electronic version.

Reporting will be done within 15 days of the completion of each session.

7. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS AND INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS

The team leader will provide reports to the sub-project manager and the institutional coordinator. The sub-project manager will be responsible for supervising the process of providing consultancy services and managing the implementation of the contract.

The beneficiary will provide the contracted company with the necessary support to carry out the tasks, providing information about the institutional structures, study programs, educational spaces necessary for carrying out the activities, etc.

8. PRIVACY STATEMENT 

All data and information received for the purpose of carrying out this assignment must be treated confidentially and shall be used only in connection with the execution of these Terms of Reference. All intellectual property rights arising from the execution of these Terms of Reference shall belong to the Technical University of Moldova. The content of the written materials obtained and used during the performance of this assignment may not be disclosed to any third party without the prior express written authorization of the Technical University of Moldova.

9. ELIGIBILITY

The Consultant will have to be eligible according to the "Public Procurement Regulation". The Consultant will sign the Declaration on Conflict of Interest.