Feasibility Study on the Establishment of a Regional Regulatory Forum for the Information and Communication Technologies (ICT Sector) of IGAD Member States

Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD)

Request for Expression of Interest

(Consulting Services – Firms Selection)

Country: IGAD Secretariat

Name of project: Eastern Africa Regional Digital Integration Project

Project No.: P176181

Grant No.: IDA-E1670

Assignment Title: Feasibility Study on the Establishment of a Regional Regulatory Forum for the Information and Communication Technologies (ICT Sector) of IGAD Member States

Reference/Contract No.: DJ-IGAD-408677-CS-QCBS

• The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) has received financing from the World Bank towards the cost of the Eastern Africa Regional Digital Integration Projectand intends to apply part of the proceeds for consulting services.
• The consulting services (“the Services”) include conduct a feasibility study to look into the intricacies of establishing a a regional forum for Regulators for the Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) Sector in the Horn of Africa region. The study is expected to depend on drawing lessons from the success of similar initiatives, including the East African Communications Organization (EACO), West Africa Telecommunications Regulators Assembly (WARTA) and ensuring a tailored approach to the unique challenges and opportunities within the region.
• The assignment is expected to take Five (5) calendar months from the date of contract commencement.
• The detailed Terms of Reference (TOR) for the assignment can be found at the following website: https://igad.int/consultancies or can be obtained at the address given below.

• The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) 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:

• Core business and years in business: The firm shall be registered/incorporated as a consulting firm with extensive experience in the global legal aspects of telecommunication policy and regulatory reforms with experience advising on the establishment and strengthening of a national/regional ICT regulator.
• Relevant experience:
• The firm shall demonstrate as having successfully executed and completed similar assignments in the last ten (10) years. A demonstrated track record of successfully completing similar assignments, with a focus on relevance and recent experience. This includes legal reviews, the development of legal frameworks, and formulating actionable recommendations to enhance regulatory coordination based on recognized standards.
• Comprehensive knowledge of international and regional best practices of different regulatory association models, and prior experience working on the organizational aspects and mandates of existing similar regulatory associations/commissions.
• Knowledge of and practical experience with local and Regional legal systems and regulatory frameworks.
• Prior experience of working closely with public sector especially in the ICT development
• Demonstrated familiarity with the Horn of Africa context.

Details of similar assignments -Name and address of the client, scope, value, and period should be provided and submitted. Expression of Interest should include an enumeration of these similar past assignments.

(C)Technical and managerial capability of the firm: The firm shall demonstrate as having the requisite technical capacity including relevant equipment, tools, software etc. and managerial capacity to undertake the assignment in the submitted company profile(s). Key Experts will not be evaluated at the shortlisting stage.

Key Experts will not be evaluated at the shortlisting stage.

• 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” First Published July 2016 and revised Fifth Edition September 2023 (“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 Consulting firm will be selected in accordance with the Quality and Cost-Based Selection method set out in the Procurement Regulations.

• Further information can be obtained at the address below during the following office hours 0900 and 1600 hours from Monday to Friday excluding lunch hour (1300 to 1400hours East African Time (EAT) and public holidays.

• Expression of interest must be delivered in a written form to the address below by 15/3/2024 at 1100hours EAT using one of the following modalities: (i) deposit in the IGAD Office in the address below or (ii) send by e-mail to: [email protected] with copy to [email protected] and quote the Assignment title and Contract No ( Feasibility Study on the Establishment of a Regional Regulatory Forum for the Information and Communication Technologies (ICT Sector) of IGAD Member States Contract No DJ-IGAD-408677-CS-QCBS) in the subject row. For expressions of interest that will be deposited at IGAD Office in Djibouti the packages should be clearly marked with assignment title and reference/contract No. as mentioned above. Address:

IGAD Secretariat

P.O Box 2653, Ave Georges Clemenceau

Djibouti, Republic of Djibouti