Conduct Environmental and Social Audit and Develop Waste Management Plan for …

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST (CONSULTING SERVICES– FIRMS SELECTION) | COUNTRY: | ETHIOPIA | NAME OF PROJECT: | Africa Centres for Disease Control Support Program to Combat Current and Future Public Health Threats Project (P178633) | Grant No.: | IDA-E1110 | ASSIGNMENT TITLE: | PROVISION OF CONSULTING SERVICE TO CONDUCT ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL AUDIT (ESA) AND DEVELOPMENT OF INFECTION CONTROL WASTE MANAGEMENT PLAN (ICWMP) FOR AFRICA CDC REFERENCE LABORATORY, ETHIOPIA | REFERENCE NO.: | ET-AUC-562955-CS-CQS | ISSUE DATE: | 23 JULY 2026 The African Union has received financing from the World Bank toward the cost of the Africa Centres for Disease Control Support Program to Combat Current and Future Public Health Threats Project.

The Project Development Objective is to enhance the capacity of Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) to support AU Member States in preventing, detecting, and responding to current and future public health threats and intends to apply part of the proceeds for consulting services. The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) Reference Laboratory in Ethiopia has been fully constructed and is intended to support advanced diagnostic, surveillance, and research activities for high-risk infectious pathogens of regional and continental public health importance.

Given the specialized nature of BSL-3 laboratories, their operation presents distinct environmental, social, occupational health and safety, and biosecurity risks, particularly related to infection control, hazardous and infectious waste management, laboratory biosafety, and community health. In line with the requirements of the international regulations, the World Bank Environmental and Social Framework (ESF), World Health Organization (WHO) laboratory biosafety guidance, and Africa CDC standards, an Environmental and Social Audit (ESA) and a standalone Infection Control Waste Management Plan (ICWMP) are required for the operational phase of the Africa CDC Reference Laboratory.

The ESA becomes necessary following confirmation that the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) was not conducted before the construction of the laboratory. The consulting services (“the Services”) include post-construction environmental and social compliance review and audit of the existing facility, Operational impacts, risks, and ongoing management practices, Assessment of laboratory biosafety and biosecurity systems and Development of a robust ICWMP tailored to BSL-3 laboratory operations.

The overall objective of this consultancy is to conduct an ESA and develop a site-specific ICWMP for the Africa CDC BSL-3 Laboratory to ensure environmentally sound, socially acceptable, and safe operation of the facility. It is expected that the consultancy will be undertaken within a period of 6-8 weeks with an estimated level of effort of 110 person days. The expected start date of the assignment is September 2026.

The detailed Terms of Reference (TOR) for the assignment can be obtained at the address given below. The African CDC now invites eligible consulting firms (“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 shortlisting criteria are: 1. Core business of the firm(s) and years in business 2. Relevant experience of the firm related to the assignment which should include the following: • Minimum of ten years of relevant institutional experience in environmental and social assessment, compliance auditing, environmental and social management planning, and occupational health and safety advisory services. • Proven experience in preparing Environmental and Social Audits, Environmental and Social Management Plans, Corrective Action Plans, and Infection Control Waste Management Plans for health care, laboratory, diagnostic, research, pharmaceutical, or similar facilities. • Demonstrated experience with biosafety, biosecurity, infection prevention and control, hazardous and infectious waste management, laboratory effluent management, and emergency preparedness in facilities handling infectious materials. • Experience undertaking assignments financed by or prepared in accordance with the requirements of multilateral development institutions, particularly the World Bank Environmental and Social Framework and Environmental, Health and Safety Guidelines.

• Technical and Managerial capability of the firm (Provide only the structure of the organization, general qualifications, and number of key staff. Do not provide CV of the staff. 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 World Bank’s “Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers” July 2016 Revised September 2025 (“Procurement Regulations”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest. 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.

A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Consultant’s Qualification-Based Selection method set out in the Procurement Regulations. Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours 8:00 to 17:00 hours, Addis Ababa Time. Expressions of interest must be delivered in a written form to the address below (by e-mail) before 6th August 2026 at 17:00 Hours Local Time, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Africa Centres for Diseases Control and Prevention Supply Chain Division Administration Directorate Lafto Square, Haile Garment, Africa CDC Office, 4th floor, Room No. 408 E-mail: PhiriW@africacdc.org cc:procurement@africacdc.org