Options Study on Connectivity Solutions for Principe Island — Central African Backbone Project - CAB 2

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF SAO TOME AND PRINCIPE

PROJECT "Central African Backbone - CAB 2"

Ministério das Obras Públicas e Recursos Naturais

SERVICE CONSULTANTS

DON: H 642 ST

Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe received a grant from the World Bank for the Project "Central African Backbone - CAB 2", and intends to apply part of the amount for the service of consultants. The Central African Backbone Program (CAB) is a World Bank Group regionalinstrument aimed at catalyzing private sector investment to improve connectivity in Central Africa. The cable has physically arrived in STP on November 15, 2011 and is expected to go into operation in late 2012. The current ACE cable does not include a landing station in the Príncipe island, as this would have required a very significant investment.  The two islands are connected by a 34 Mbps microwave link owned by CST. An options study to inform future investment decisions is needed to determine the best solution for Príncipe so as to obtain an appropriate, good quality and accessible solution.

The service is estimated to achieve 20 man / day during the month of March 2012 and is to support the Government to develop an options study on the connectivity solutions for the Príncipe island and namely (i) identify, analyze and evaluate the technical options available for Principe  to upgrade its international connection, (ii) provide support on the most appropriate management and structuring options for such investments, so as to achieve open and  affordable connectivity at the most accessible rates, and (iii) to perform a quick financial analysis of the various options available andto analyze the different sources of funding (current and future operators, public funding, other investors.

The Agencia Fiduciária e de Administração de Projectos (Fiduciary Agency for Project Administration) invites eligible consultants to indicate their interest in providing the services described above. Interested consultants must provide information indicating thatthey are qualified to perform the services (CV, description of similar assignments, and experience in similar conditions ...), Including:

• Be an expert in the area of ICT, and combine technical understanding of the options available with the capability to conduct financial modeling, business and strategic analysis of the investments.

• Have extensive international experience in the area of ICT and have conducted similar assignments.

• Be highly knowledgeable and have access to information on national connectivity initiatives in the region. Be able to develop and use a network of contacts to obtain the required data in the short term period available for the assignment.

• Have excellent writing skills in English, knowledge of French or Portuguese would be an advantage.

An Individual Consultant will be selected in accordance with the procedures specified in the Guidelines: Selection and Employment of Consultants by World Bank Borrowers (current edition).

Interested consultants may obtain further information about the documents to the address below and at the following times: 8 to 12 and 15 to 17 hours (local time) Monday to Friday.

Expressions of interest must be delivered to the address below no later than February 13, 2012.

Agência Fiduciária e de Administração de Projectos

Caixa Postal 1029, Largo das Alfandegas,

Edifício da Planificação Económica 1º Esq.

S. Tome, S. Tomé e Príncipe

Tel.: + 239 222 52 05

Fax: + 239 222 56 65

E-mail: [email protected]