UPDATE - Education Modernization Project: Development of the requirements for examination of textbooks, curricula, and conducting professional development training of the experts

This notice was posted on 15 May 2019 and has been updated on 4 November 2019. Please note that the deadline has changed from 6 June to 18 November 2019.

Project ID: P153496
Borrower/Bid No: KZEMP/QCBS-01

Kazakhstan - P153496 - Education Modernization Project - KZEMP/QCBS-01

Country: Kazakhstan

Project Id: P153496

Project Name: Education Modernization Project

Loan/Credit/TF Info.: IBRD-87090

Notice Version No.: 1

General Information

Contact Information on Advertisement

Detailed Information for Advertisement

Consulting Services for Developing Textbook Evaluation Requirements and Capacity-Building of Experts, Contract KZEMP/QCBS-01

EXPRESSION OF INTEREST

KAZAKHSTAN

EDUCATION MODERNIZATION PROJECT

CONSULTING SERVICES

Title of assignment: Consulting Services for Developing Textbook Evaluation Requirements and Capacity-Building of Experts, Contract KZEMP/QCBS-01.

Education Modernization Project (hereinafter – the Project) is a joint initiative co-financed by the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan and International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (hereinafter – the World Bank) to be implemented within the period from 2018 to 2022. Its objective is to improve quality and equity in primary and secondary education, particularly in rural and disadvantaged schools. The executive agency is the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan (hereinafter – MoES).

MoES intends to use a part of the proceeds for consulting services for developing textbook evaluation requirements and capacity-building of experts.

Goal:  

Strengthening national system for textbook review and approval  to assure textbook quality.

Expected duration of assignment:

11 months

Scope of work:

Stage 1. Develop methodologies and standards (requirements) for textbooks

Stage 2. Improve effectiveness of evaluation of textbooks, teaching materials and e-books in a digital interactive format

Stage 3. Training textbook experts

Deliverables:

The Consultant should provide the following deliverables:

1. a prepared and agreed on work plan for the provision of consulting services;
2. a schedule of the round-table discussions with the prospect experts: teachers, curriculum specialists, faculty of higher education institutions and employees of the research and education centers;
3. a conceptual model of modern textbooks based on the conducted analysis and the best international practices;
4. requirements and criteria for evaluating textbooks, teaching materials and e-books by the level of education and the subject areas;
5. training programs for experts that correspond to the teaching materials;
6. trained course trainers;
7. trained experts in the assessment of textbook, teaching materials, and e-book quality.

MoES invites eligible companies to provide their expression of interest in performance of this assignment. Interested companies shall provide information indicating that they are qualified to perform the services (brochures, experience of implementation and description of similar assignments, availability of appropriate qualified staff, etc.). Criteria for selection of the companies into the short list are as follows:  

1. Consultant’s (Firm) qualification requirements

1)            at least five years of experience in the provision of services for the development of textbook requirements (standards) and textbooks evaluations, experience in implementing training programs in the professional development of experts (provide portfolio, contracts and services rendered);

2)            at least five years of work experience in participating in international and/or national projects of developing textbooks and e-books (provide portfolio, contracts and services rendered);

3)            international experience in textbook publishing (knowledge of how the publishing industry works) (achieved results and services rendered);

4)            having knowledge of well-functioning textbook publishing systems. 

The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to Paragraph 1.9 of the World Bank Guidelines: Selection and Employment of Consultants by the WB Borrowers (edition of January 2011, revisions of July 2014), setting forth the World Bank policy on conflict of interest.

The companies may associate to enhance their qualifications.

The company will be selected using the Quality and Cost based selection method in accordance with the procedures set forth in the World Bank Guidelines: Selection and Employment of Consultants by the WB Borrowers (edition of January 2011, revisions of July 2014).

All interested companies may submit their Expressions of interest signed by authorized manager in the PDF format to thee-mail: m.kazybayev@eduproject.kz or deliver to the address below by the deadline of June 6, 2019.

Attn: Mr. Sultan Zh., National Project Coordinator

Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan

Republic of Kazakhstan, 010000Astana, Dostyk str., 18, Business center “Moscow”, 6th floor, office 630, Education Modernization Project

For additional questions , please, contact Project Management Unit by e-mail: m.kazybayev@eduproject.kz or tel: +7 7172 645 794

·         Consulting Firm Information

·         Associations (Joint Venture or Sub-consultancy)

Present the rationale for and benefits of working in association (JV or Sub-consultant) with others rather than undertaking the assignment independently (as appropriate). Describe the proposed management and coordination approach of the association and the role of each firm.

·         Technical competence

Project References - highlight the technical qualifications of your entity/consortium in undertaking similar assignments. Provide details of past experiences working with similar project authorities

·         Geographical experience

Project References, present experiences in similar geographic areas.

·         Management Competence

-      Describe standard policies, procedures, and practices that your entity has to assure quality interaction with clients and outputs. Please state if your company is ISO certified.

-      How your firm/consortium handles complaints concerning the performance of experts or quality of the reports submitted for previous and future assignments? What internal controls are in place to address and resolve complaints.

-      How you ensure the quality of your firm’s/consortium’s performance over the life of assignments.

·         Projects references

Present relevant projects to demonstrate the firm’s technical qualifications and geographical experience (maximum 10 projects).

·         Summary for the Projects listed above

·         Eligibility

We, the undersigned, certify to the best of our knowledge and belief:

-      We have read the advertisement, including the terms of reference (TOR), for this assignment (YES/NO)

-      Neither the consulting firm nor its JV member or sub-consultant or any of its experts prepared the TOR for this activity (YES/NO)

-      We confirm that the project references submitted as part of this EOI accurately reflect the experience of the specified firm/consortium. (YES/NO)

-      Ensuing assignment resulting from our work product under this assignment, our firm, JV member or sub-consultant, and the expert(s) will be disqualified from short-listing and participation in the assignment.

-      The lead entity and JV member or sub-consultant are NOT currently sanctioned by or other MDBs. Neither the consulting firm nor the JV member or sub-consultant has ever been convicted of an integrity-related offense or crime related to theft, corruption, fraud, collusion or coercion.