Integrated Nutrient Pollution Control Project – Additional Financing: Consulting services for setting-up and running a Knowledge Transfer Network to promote good agricultural practice and reduce the risk of nitrate pollution in the North-East and South-East Development Regions

ROMANIA

Integrated Nutrient Pollution Control Project – Additional Financing

Loan No.: 8.597 RO

Assignment Title: Consultancy services for setting-up and running a Knowledge Transfer Network to promote good agricultural practice and reduce the risk of nitrate pollution in the North-East and South-East Development Regions

 Reference No. (as per Procurement Plan): 01/QBS/2018 

Romania has received financing from the World Bank toward the cost of the INTEGRATED NUTRIENT POLLUTION CONTROL PROJECT-ADDITIONAL FINANCING, and intends to apply part of the proceeds for consulting services.

The consulting services ("the Services") include Consultancy services for setting-up and running a Knowledge Transfer Network to promote good agricultural practice and reduce the risk of nitrate pollution in the North-East and South-East Development Regions. Detailed information, including duration of the assignment, is provided in the related terms of references (ToRs) published on http://apepaduri.gov.ro and www.inpcp.ro. Please note that relevant answers to clarifications requests will be published on http://apepaduri.gov.ro and www.inpcp.ro 

The implementing agency of the Project, the Ministry of Waters and Forests now invites eligible consulting firms / farmers` organizations / clusters (formed between research institutes / universities and farmers) / research institutes / universities / NGOs / Local Action Groups or an association in the form of a Joint-Venture (JV) with or without sub-consultancy, or in the form of a sub-consultancy, formed between 2 or more of such entities, (hereinafter called "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 paragraph 1.9 of the World Bank's Guidelines: Selection and Employment of Consultants under IBRD Loans and IDA Credits&Grants by World Bank Borrowers, January 2011 revised July 2014. ("Consultant Guidelines"), setting forth the World Bank's policy on Conflict of Interest .

 In addition please refer to the provisions of paragraph 1.11, 1.12 and 1.13 regarding Eligibility from the Consultant Guidelines: According to the provisions of paragraph 1.13 (b), Government-owned enterprises or institutions of the Borrower's country[1][1] may participate in the Borrower's country only if they can establish that they (i) are legally and financially autonomous, (ii) operate under commercial law, and (iii) are not dependent agencies of the Borrower or Sub-Borrower[1][2] . Exceptions to the provisions of paragraph 1.13 (b) are the cases detailed in para 1.13 (c).

 The Expression of Interest must contain detailed information regarding the address, contact person, number and country of registration and information regarding Consultant's Profile. 

The criteria for the evaluation of the Expressions of Interest are as follows:

general qualifications - 30 points

Consultants shall provide information on: core business and years in business, presentation of services provided which are relevant for this assignment, references. In the context of the assignment's ToRs, summarize the relevant technical and financial qualifications (indicating the value of annual turnover and the profit for the last 2 financial years of your firm/organization/NGO/or for any of the members of the joint-venture/sub-consultancy);

Indicate the most relevant projects on working with farmers on agriculture or environment issues that the firm/ organization/NGO /joint venture/sub-consultancy or any member of a joint venture/sub-consultant implemented during the last 5 years.

specific experience - 40 points

Consultants shall provide information on minimum 2 similar projects (on information dissemination and/or training activities related to farming environmental friendly practices) or any other experience in similar conditions. The Consultant should also demonstrate previous experience on information dissemination and/or training activities, preferably in the targeted region .

Availability of appropriate skills among staff - 30 points

Consultants shall provide relevant information regarding the availability of appropriate skills among their staff, as requested in the ToRs. Consultants shall provide relevant information regarding their Human Resources capacity, in terms of number of employed experts and/or freelance collaboration experts and their relevant skills, as necessary for implementing the requested services.

Consultants may associate to enhance their qualifications. The "association" may take the form of a Joint Venture and/or a sub-consultancy. In case of a Joint-Venture (JV), all members of the JV will be evaluated jointly for the purpose of short listing and shall be jointly and severally liable for the assignment and shall sign the contract in case of award is made to that JV group. Interested consultants should clearly indicate the structure of their "association" and the duties of the members and sub consultants in their Expression of Interest. Please note that a firm shall submit only one Expression of Interest in the same selection process, either individually as a consultant, or as a member in a joint venture.  

A short-list will be prepared in accordance with the provisions of paragraphs 2.6, 2.7 and 2.8 of the Consultant Guidelines.

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

Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours Monday-Thursday from 08:30 to 17:00 hours and Friday from 08:30-14:30 hours.

Expressions of interest must be delivered in a written form to the address below (in person, by mail or by e-mail) by March 22nd 2018, 11:00 local time. 

Ministry of Waters and Forests

Integrated Nutrient Pollution Control Project Management Unit

Attn: Ms. Naiana MILEA, PMU Director

Calea Plevnei 46-48; Corp Clădire/Etajul/Camera: Corp E, et. 1, cam. 11

Bucharest, sector1, Code: 010233, Romania

Tel:  +40 756 036 082; +40 0756 091 082

E-mail: naiana.milea@map.gov.ro; catalina.criveanu@map.gov.ro; raluca.mateescu@map.gov.ro; anna.mares@map.gov.ro ;    

[1][1] România

[1][2] To be eligible, a government-owned enterprise or institution shall establish to the Bank's satisfaction, through all relevant documents, including its Charter and other information the Bank may request, that it: (i) is a legal entity separate from the government; (ii) does not currently receive any subsidies or budget support; (iii) operates like any commercial enterprise, and, inter alia, is not obliged to pass on its surplus to the government, can acquire rights and liabilities, borrow funds and be liable for repayment of its debts, and can be declared bankrupt; and (iv) is not bidding for a contact to be awarded by the department or agency of the government which under their applicable laws or regulations is the reporting or supervisory authority of the enterprise or has the ability to exercise influence or control over the enterprise or institution