CORPORATE FINANCIAL REPORTING ENHANCEMENT PROJECT (CFREP) - ALBANIA

The Government of Albania has received financing from the World Bank toward the cost of "Corporate Financial Reporting Enhancement Project (CFREP) – Albania TF098923" and intends to apply part of the proceeds for consultant services.

The overall objective of the consulting service is to strengthen the Capacity of the National Accounting Council. The Ministry of Finance is looking on behalf of the National Accounting Council, for an experienced international consultancy firm, that has the necessary capabilities in achieving this objective.

The services include:

?Technical assistance to enhance the standard setting process through improving its transparency and broader participation of stakeholders. This will support improvements in the standards setting process through technical assistance for establishing regulations and mechanisms and training of the members of the NAC with the objective to:
(i) enhance transparency in the standards setting process through the involvement of a broader range of stakeholders and consultations;
(ii) define the approach for further development of accounting standards for SMEs (National Accounting Standards).

?Creating sustainable mechanism for IFRS adoption, translation updates, as part of the process of endorsing IFRS for use in Albania. This goal is based on A&A ROSC recommendations and is included in the CAP. It will provide technical support with the objective of:

(i) enhancing NAC understanding of IFRS, particularly the most recent changes;
(ii) enhancing the translation process and publication of updated translation of IFRS;
(iii) enhancing understanding and awareness on IFRS for SME and recent developments in this area.

The implementation period is December 2011-December 2012. The complete Terms of Reference is posted on the website of Central Finance and Contracting Unit (implementing directory in the Ministry of Finance of Albania):
http://cfcu.minfin.gov.al/.

The Central Finance and Contracting Unit now invites eligible consultants to indicate their interest in providing the services. Interested consultants must provide information indicating that they are qualified to perform the services (brochures, description of similar assignments, experience in similar conditions, availability of appropriate skills among staff, etc.). Consultants may associate to enhance their qualifications.

Consultants may associate to enhance their qualifications. The "association" may take the form of a Joint Venture 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 partners and sub consultants in their application. Unclear expression of interests in terms of "in association with" and/or "in affiliation with" and etc. may not be considered for short listing. Keeping one expression of interest per firm as principle, a consultant firm may decide whether it wishes to participate as a sub consultant or as an individual consultant or as a partner in a joint venture. Please note that a firm shall submit only one EOI in the same selection process either individually as a consultant or as a partner in a joint venture. No firm can be a sub consultant while submitting an EOI individually or as a partner of a joint venture in the same selection process. A firm, if acting in the capacity of sub consultant in any consultant or JV, may participate in more than one consultant, but only in the capacity of a sub consultant.

A consultant will be selected in accordance with the procedures set out in the World Bank's Guidelines for the Selection and Employment of Consultants, May 2004, modified in October 2006 and May 2010, under Quality and Cost Based Selection Method.

Interested consultants may obtain further information at the address below during office hours 8.00 A.M to 16.00 PM (local time).

Expressions of interest must be delivered to the address below by 10th of October 2011.

Contact: Ministry of Finance.
Blvd: Deshmoret e Kombit, No. 4, Tirana, Albania.
Mrs. Anila Tanku, Director General .
Central Finance and Contracting Unit (CFCU).
Tel/Fax: +355 42 451 180.
E-mail: cfcu@minfin.gov.al