Feasibility Study for Second Submarine Cable — Western Africa Regional Digital Integration Program (WARDIP)

WESTERN AFRICAN REGIONAL DIGITAL INTEGRATION PROGRAM (WARDIP)

Request for Expressions of Interest for Consulting Services

Country: The Republic of The Gambia

Project Name: Western Africa Regional Digital Integration Program

Project ID: P176932

Grand No: IDA-V4020

Contract Ref: WARDIP/2022/CS-QCBS001

Consultancy Title: Feasibility Study for Second Submarine Cable for the Gambia

Procurement Method: Quality Cost Base Selection (QCBS)

Number of Firm: 1 (One)

Assignment Duration: Three (3) Months

Deadline: 1600hrs (local Time) 22nd September, 2022

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

To support Digitization process, the World Bank (WB) is financing the preparation of The Western Africa Regional Digital Integration Program (WARDIP) – The Gambia for an amount of US$ 45 million and for five years. The project is expected to be submitted for World Bank board approval by July 2022. Notwithstanding, it will be tabled for appraisal by May 2022.

The design of the proposed program considers the need for The Gambia to transform into a digital economy while also aligning and integrating into a regional single and harmonized digital market. This will be done through a logical chain consisting of the following:

• A single connectivity market, which will remove barriers to regional telecoms infrastructure and services deployment to encourage investment, improve performance, eliminate pricing and quality differentials between coastal and landlocked countries, as well as expand access to connectivity to all.

• A single data market, which will enable secure exchange, storage and processing of data across borders to support regional deployment and access to data-driven services and innovation.

• A single online market, which will allow government, firms and individuals to access and deliver both public and private services online, as well as to make online sales and purchases seamlessly from anywhere in the region. Core enablers for the online layer are digital financial services (DFS) and electronic signature.

Part of the proceeds of this support is applied to fund consulting services. The consulting services (“the Services”) include the services of a Firm to conduct Feasibility Study for Second Submarine Cable for the Gambia.

National Nutrition Agency (NaNA), the Agent supporting the Fiduciary aspect of this project, now invites eligible Firms (“Consultants”) to indicate their interest in providing the Services. Key personnel will not be evaluated, only the qualification, experience and capacity of the consultant as a firm will be evaluated at the Shortlisting stage. Therefore, Interested Consultants should provide information backed by enough evidence demonstrating that they have the required qualifications, relevant experience and capacity to perform the Assignment. The shortlisting criteria will be based on the qualification and experience of the firm as detailed below:

Minimum Qualification and Experience of Consultant as a Firm:

The Firm must demonstrate capacity and capabilities in the following

• Demonstrate Experience in providing financial, technical, economic, and regulatory expertise in the deployment of subsea cable with a focus on wholesale capacity infrastructure.
• Demonstrate Track Record of completing at least two similar assignments in the last 10 years in Africa.
• Demonstrate a clear understanding of the assignment and plan for its successful execution.
• Demonstrate prior experience in preparing detailed cost-benefit analysis for digital infrastructure investment decision and/or advising on related transactions is highly desirable.

Duration of the Assignment

The feasibility study will be implemented over a period of three months.

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 1st, 2016, revised in November 2017 and August 2018) (“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 Quality and Cost Based Selection (QCBS) method set out in the Procurement Regulations.

Further information and complete ToR can be obtained at the address below during office hours from 08:00 to 16:00 GMT Mondays to Thursdays and from 0800 to 12:30 GMT on Fridays.

Expressions of interest must be delivered in a written form to the address below by Thursday 22nd September, 2022, to the address below clearly marked “Expression of Interest to conduct Feasibility Study for Second Submarine Cable for the Gambia”.

Executive Director, Fiduciary Agent on behalf of MoCDE

Western African Regional Digital Integration Program (WARDIP)

C/o National Nutrition Agency

Office of the Vice President

Mile 7, Bakau

The Gambia, West Africa

Note:

Only Shortlisted firms will be consulted