Consultancy Services - Technical Services Provision to Support Component 1 (M…

Republic of Zambia

Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry

Zambia Agribusiness and Trade Project (ZATP) II

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

(CONSULTING SERVICES -FRAMEWORK AGREEMENT – FIRMS SELECTION)

COUNTRY: ZAMBIA

NAME OF PROJECT: ZAMBIA AGRIBUSINESS AND TRADE PROJECT (ZATP) II

LOAN NO./CREDIT NO./ GRANT NO.: P179507

ASSIGNMENT TITLE: TECHNICAL SERVICES PROVISION FOR SUPPORTING COMPONENT 1 (SUPPORT ACCESS TO MARKETS AND FINANCE)

REFERENCE NO. : ZM-MCTI-460021-CS-QCBS

The Government of the Republic of Zambia (GRZ) through the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry (MCTI) has received financing from the World Bank toward the cost of the Zambia Agribusiness and Trade Project (ZATP) II, and intends to apply part of the proceeds for above indicated consulting services.

The consulting services (“Technical Services Provision”) includes Support to access markets and finance and aims to address firm level challenges related to market linkages, access to finance, firm capabilities, climate mitigation and adaptation, profitability, growth, and eventually resilience for farmers and businesses in all ten provinces of Zambia. The assignment will be implemented for a period of two (02) years from 1st May, 2025 to 30th April, 2027.

The Terms of Reference (TOR) for the primary procurement stage for the assignment are attached to this request for expressions of interest Or can be found at the following website: (www.mcti.gov.zm and the UN Development Business online (UNDB Online) and the Bank’s external website or can be obtained at the address given below:

Attention: Head, Procurement and Supplies Unit

For/ Permanent Secretary

Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry

Government Complex 8th to 10th Floors

P.O. Box 31968, Lusaka, Zambia.

Tel: +260 211 228301/08

E-mail: [email protected], copy: [email protected]

The MCTI 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 required to demonstrate the Qualifications and Experience of the Consulting Firm are:

• Must be legally registered entity;

• Must have Audited Accounts for the past two years;

• Must be a firm with at least 5 years’ experience in similar assignments in Zambia, Sub-Sahara Africa or other similar Region;

• Experience in implementing capacity building programs, including but not limited to training, coaching and mentorship, for Agribusiness Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and smallholder farmers;

• Experience in creating linkages to financial services for Agribusiness SMEs and smallholder farmers;

• Demonstrated experience in creating sustainable market linkages for Agribusiness SMEs and smallholder farmers;

• Must have successfully completed a similar assignment in Zambia, Sub-Sahara Africa or other comparable Region in the past 3 years; and

• Possess strong understanding of challenges and capacity gaps of Agribusiness firms and smallholders in Zambia, Sub-Sahara Africa or other comparable Region.

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” September 2023 (“Procurement Regulations”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest. In addition, please refer to the following specific information on conflict of interest related to this assignment: Consultants shall not be hired for any assignment that would be in conflict with their prior or current obligations to other clients, or that may place them in a position of being unable to carry out the assignment in the best interests of the Borrower

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 Quality and Cost Based Selection Method (QCBS) based on Framework Agreement arrangements described in the Procurement Regulations and will be further set out in the Request for Proposals.

Expressions of interest must be delivered in a written form to the address below (in person, or by mail, or by fax, or by e-mail)

Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours from 0900 to 13:00 hours and from 14:00 hours to 1700 hours during working hours based on Central African Time.

Attention: Head, Procurement and Supplies Unit

For/ Permanent Secretary

Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry

Government Complex 8th to 10th Floors

P.O. Box 31968, Lusaka, Zambia.

Tel: +260 211 228301/08

E-mail: [email protected], copy: [email protected]