Preparation of the Commercial Transaction Manual for DZAP

DIGITAL ZAMBIA ACCELERATION PROJECT

(DZAP

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

(CONSULTING SERVICES – FIRMS SELECTION)

Country: Zambia

Name of Project: The Digital Zambia Acceleration Project (DZAP)

Loan No./Credit No./ Grant No.: P505094

Name of Implementing Agency: Smart Zambia Institute (SZI)

Assignment Title: Consultancy services for preparation of the Commercial Transaction Manual (CTM) for the Digital Zambia Acceleration Project (DZAP)

Reference No.: ZM-SZ-539204-CS-QCBS

Background

The Government of the Republic of Zambia (GRZ) has received financing from the World Bank to accelerate countrywide digital transformation through the Digital Zambia Acceleration Project (DZAP) and intends to use part of the proceeds of the credit to accelerate country-wide digital transformation under the Digital Zambia Acceleration Project (DZAP) and intends to apply part of the proceeds for consulting services for preparation of the Commercial Transaction Manual (CTM) for the Digital Zambia Acceleration Project (DZAP).

The scope of the consulting services (“the Services”) involves development of a Commercial Transaction Manual (CTM) that can serve as a guide to the tendering mechanisms and the approach of evaluation in awarding subsequent DZAP project funds to the Internet Service Providers (ISP) to commercially deploy and sustain last-mile infrastructure while also attracting matching investments from the private sector. Further, CTM should clearly articulate the most appropriate procurement process, various approaches to be considered on the best practice models for open access networks, potential benefits to the Government, ISPs (including incentives) as well as dispute resolution procedures.

The SZI now invites eligible consulting firms (“Consultants”) to indicate their interest in providing the Services by submitting Expressions of Interest (EOI). Interested Consultants should submit EOI complete with information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the required Services (historical information and support documents such as brochures, description of similar assignments, experience in similar conditions, general qualifications and number, names and positions of key staff (at this stage only those of the Directors and Principles of the firm should be submitted. Details of key staff that may potentially be proposed in future if the firm is shortlisted and invited to prepare and submit a proposal should not be submitted at this EOI and Short List Stage).

Consultants may associate with other firms to enhance their qualifications and experience. In doing so, the Consultants should indicate clearly the type of association – that is, if the association is in the form of a joint venture (JV) and / or a sub-consultancy. In the case of a joint venture, all the partners in the joint venture will be required to submit a joint venture agreement and the firms forming the JV shall be jointly and severally liable for the entire contract, if selected.

The firm will be selected using Open International Selection” through Quality Cost Based Selection (CQBS) as specified in the World Bank’s “Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers - Procurement in Investment Projects Financing” Seventh edition, September 2025”.

Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours from 08:00 hours to 13:00 hours and 14:00 hours to 17:00 hours Central African Time (CAT) or by email.

Expressions of Interest must be delivered in written form and deposited in the tender box at the address below on or before 24th March, 2026 at 10:00 hours CAT to the address indicated below:

The National Coordinator

Office of the President, E-Government Division,

SMART Zambia Institute,

Corner of Nationalist Road and Independence Avenue

P.O. Box 31998,

Lusaka, ZAMBIA.

City: Lusaka

ZIP Code:10101

Country: Zambia

Telephone: +260-211-254478, 253438,

253652, 254599, 254657