Consulting Services for ESIA for the rehabilitation and construction of three Ports in South Sudan – Transport Sector Development Project

Request for Expression of Interest (REOI)

Country: REPUBLIC OF SOUTH SUDAN

Name of Project: SOUTH SUDAN –TRANSPORT SECTOR DEVELOPMENT PROJECT

Reference: SS-MOT-387322-CS-CQS

• This Request for Expressions of Interest follows the approval and publication of the procurement plan for this project that appeared on the World Bank External Website on May 12, 2023.
• The Government of the Republic of South Sudan has received funding from the Bank (International Development Association, IDA) in the form of a Project Preparation Advance (PPA) for the Proposed South Sudan Transport Sector Development and Regional Integration Project (SS-TSDP) and intends to apply part of the proceeds towards the consulting services for the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment Study for the proposed dredging works in the Juba to Bor section of the River Nile.
• The objective of the assignment is to engage the services of a consulting firm to conduct an environmental and social impact assessment study for the proposed rehabilitation/construction of three (3) ports, including Juba, Mangalla, and Bor, the access roads to the ports, and river clearing (dredging) works in the Juba-Bor section of the River Nile. The consultant is expected to devise mechanisms to manage and monitor the associated potential risks and impacts and thereby ensure the project will be socially acceptable and environmentally sound. The ESIA Consultant will be required to carry out the analysis of the environmental and social risks and impacts of the project and apply the mitigation hierarchy to ensure that negative risks and impacts are identified, anticipated, and avoided; where not possible to avoid, that the risks and impacts are minimized or reduced to acceptable levels that can be mitigated; and where significant residual impacts remain after mitigation, that they are compensated or offset, where technically and financially feasible. The E&S assessment will promote improved environmental and social performance in ways that will recognize and enhance the capacity of the implementing agency.
• The consulting services shall consider, in an integrated manner, all relevant direct, indirect, and cumulative environmental and social risks and impacts that could result from the proposed road project upgrading works. Specifically, the ESIA consultant shall undertake the ESIA study in parallel with the design study works, in consultation with the requirements of the WB ESF, the WBG Environment, Health and Safety Guidelines, and the relevant E&S frameworks of the country. Methodologically, and as appropriate, a combination or elements of the tools and methods to be employed for the ESIA study includes: (i) Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) to assess and identify the potential environmental and social risks and impacts of the proposed project, evaluate alternatives, and design appropriate mitigation, management, and monitoring measures, (ii) Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) detailing the mitigation measures to eliminate or offset the identified adverse environmental and social risks and impacts or to reduce them to acceptable levels, and devise enhancement measures for the positive impacts to be implemented during the implementation of the project, and the specific actions to implement these measures, and (iii) Security Risk Assessment to aid in the identification, analysis, and control of risks and hazards associated with the presence of insecure conditions and dangerous materials at the project site. The consultant shall be required to adopt an integrated approach since separate consultants will undertake the Hydrodynamic and Bathymetric study, Pre-Feasibility study, Preliminary engineering design, and preparation of cost estimates for the Inland Water Transport (IWT) ports along the River Nile Additionally, the consultant shall include the following as annexes to the ESIA: (a) Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Plan; (b) Community Health and Safety Plan; (c) Ecosystem Management Plan; (d) Dredging Management Plan; (e) Security Risk Management Plan; and (e) Chance Find Procedures.

• The Ministry of Transport now invites eligible consulting firms 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 as follows:
• A minimum of fifteen (15) years of general experience as a consulting firm in the preparation and implementation of Environmental and Social Management and Monitoring Plans (ESMMPs) for infrastructural-related projects. Experience in carrying out E&S assessment and supervision on river dredging and port construction works in inland waterways projects is desired.
• Specific experience in successfully conducting at least three (3) similar projects for environmental and social assessments for river dredging works in inland waterways. Demonstrable experience with the World Bank Environmental and Social Framework and experience in areas of environmental and social planning, implementation, monitoring, and reporting on infrastructure projects related to the project Dispute and Grievance Resolution Mechanism and Monitoring Gender-Based Violence and Violence Against Children (GBV and VAC). NB: The experience in these areas may be obtained from the same assignment or different assignments, but all areas must be covered.
• In-depth knowledge of threat mitigation and high-risk operations in a post-conflict/conflict-affected environment, preferably with an international/local organization or bilateral/multilateral development organizations, and a proven experience in risk mitigation and security management with the capability to conduct a risk assessment and develop recommendations for security, risk mitigation projects, and procedures for operations in a high-risk environment.
• Documented evidence (list of contracts including description, value, year of commencement, year of completion, client, and contact person for reference) is accompanied by an acceptance letter that demonstrates consultant experience and successful projects undertaken, demonstrating sound understanding, knowledge, and experience of the assignment.
• The technical and managerial organization of the firm. Provide only the structure of the organization, general qualifications, and the number of key staff. Do not provide CVs of staff, and
• Duration: The consultant shall be in charge of all matters as detailed in the Terms of Reference (TOR), and the services are expected to be carried out tentatively over the duration of four (4) months.
• Consultants may associate with other firms in the form of a joint venture or a sub-consultancy to enhance their qualifications. The nature of the association, whether it is a joint venture or a sub-consultancy, should clearly be stated. In the case of a joint venture, the firm leading the joint venture should be mentioned.
• 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; and revised November 2017, July 2018 and November 2020 (“Procurement Regulations”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest.
• A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the procedures set out in the World Bank’s Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers, July 2016; and revised November 2017, July 2018 and November 2020: Section VII. Approved Selection Methods: Consulting Services - Consultants’ Qualifications (CQS).
• Interested Consultants may obtain further information at the address given below from 9:00 to 16:00 Hrs. on working days. (Monday through Friday)
• Deadline for Submission: Expression of interest (EOI) must be delivered to the address below by January 19, 2024, at 14:00 Hrs. Central African Time. ADDRESS:

Undersecretary,

Ministry of Transport

Attention:

Zubeir Taban Zakayo

Director General for River Transport,

Ministry of Transport, Jebel Kujur, Yei Road, Juba, South Sudan

Tel: +211 92 828 8891/+211 91 129 0220

E-mail: [email protected] with a copy to [email protected]