Fiji Social Protection COVID-19 Response and System Development Project: Design an integrated Adaptive Social Protection Strategy (ASP) and implementation plan

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

(CONSULTING SERVICES)

Country: Fiji

Name of project: Fiji Social Protection COVID-19 Response and System Development Project

Credit No: 6828-FJ

Assignment Title: Development of an Adaptive Social Protection Strategy and Implementation Plan (Firm Contract)

Reference No: (as per Procurement Plan): MWCPA CS FIRM 1

The Ministry of Economy has received financing from the World Bank towards the cost of the Fiji Social Protection COVID-19 Response and System Development Project, and intends to apply part of the proceeds for consulting services.

The consulting services (“the Services”) includes the development of an Adaptive Social Protection Strategy and Implementation Plan for Fiji, with a view to enable key government agencies – MOE and MWCPA in particular – to respond to covariate shocks (such as natural disasters) by investing in the capacity of poor and vulnerable households, to prepare for, cope with, and adapt to shocks. The task will be expected to build on a series of consultative workshops as well as comprehensive background research, and will involve support to the Government in the approval and dissemination process. The implementation period for the project is an estimated duration of three (3) years and the expected start date of the assignment for the contracted firm is by October 2021.

The Project Management Unit based at the Ministry of Economy now invites eligible consulting firms (“Consultants”) to indicate their interest in providing the Services. Interested Consultants should provide the relevant information as per the Terms of Reference (TOR) demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Services. Prospective firms will be required to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI). This EOI will be used in the shortlisting process. The criteria to be used for shortlisting may normally include: core business and years in business, relevant experience, technical and managerial capability of the firm. Key personnel/experts are not evaluated at the EOI stage. The final shortlist will be communicated to all firms that expressed interest, as well as any other firm or entity that request this information. An invitation will be sent to the Shortlisted firms to submit a Request for Proposal (RFP) via the eTender portal.

A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Quality and Cost-Based Selection method set out in the Procurement Regulations during the evaluation of the RFP.

The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to Section III, paragraphs, 3.14, 3.16, and 3.17 of the World Bank’s “Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers” November 2020 (“Procurement Regulations”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest.

https://pubdocs.worldbank.org/en/178331533065871195/Procurement-Regulations.pdf

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.

Only electronic submissions will be accepted. The EOI must be uploaded to the Ministry of Economy’s eTender Portal at www.tenderlink.com/economyfiji/  before the stated closing time and date in the portal.  The uploaded files must quote the firm name and “EOI - MWCPA CS FIRM 1”.

EOI submissions submitted after the closing time and date will not be opened.

For any clarification, please contact Mr. Ashwin Singh, Senior Procurement Analyst/Procurement Specialist on ashwin.singh@economy.com.fj or telephone 3221243.

Refer below link to see the EOI details:

https://portal.tenderlink.com/economyfiji/tenderdetails/2659.692621/?checksum=215124319685