Independent verification agent (IVA) for solar home systems, stand-alone solar PV systems for public facilities and mini-grid.

Republic of Liberia

Rural and Renewable Energy Agency (RREA)

Request for Expression of Interest Consultancy Services for Independent Verification Agent for Results Based Finance Facilities for Stand-alone solar PV rooftop systems, Solar Home Systems and Isolated Mini Grids

(CONSULTING SERVICES – FIRM SELECTION)

Liberia Electricity Sector Strengthening & Access Project (LESSAP) II

Contract Reference No: LR-RREA-480460-CS-CQS

Issue Date: May 8, 2025

Deadline: May 22, 2025

1.0 Background

The Government of Liberia, through the Rural and Renewable Energy Agency (RREA), is implementing Phase II of the Liberia Energy Sector Strengthening & Access Project (LESSAP II), supported by the World Bank. This phase focuses on accelerating off-grid electrification to achieve universal electricity access by 2030 under the National Electrification Strategy (NES), using both grid and off-grid solutions. To reach underserved rural populations, the NES outlines a least-cost approach that includes mini-grids, stand-alone solar systems, and electrification of public institutions. Under this framework, the World Bank is supporting Liberia through the multi-phase Liberia Energy Sector Strengthening and Access Project (LESSAP). The current phase (LESSAP II) focuses on accelerating off-grid access through public-private partnerships, with targeted support for schools, health facilities, households, and productive uses of energy. This effort aligns with the Government’s Mission 300 initiative and broader development goals under the ARREST Agenda.

2.0 Objective of the Assignment

The objective of the assignment is to conduct an independent verification of connections claim made as per specified milestones under results-based financing mechanisms, where:

• Integrated solar home system kits for productive use of energy and households’ electrification: distributed/installed and claimed systems are confirmed (through various verification means) to exist, being in use by the specified end users and are functional as per warranty terms & conditions and service contracts. The verifications will serve as a trigger for disbursements by RREA LESSAP II PIU to the participating off-grid companies with through the Fund Manager contracted under the project. The IVA will establish validity and correctness of the distribution/installation claims submitted by the participating off-grid companies for systems eligible under the program.

• Stand-alone solar PV rooftop systems(public institutions through energy as a service) and isolated mini-grids: the assignment also entails verification(through various means) of acquisition of construction permit (including relevant legal & regulatory requirements) & provisional license (as applicable), delivery of equipment at site, customer connections and quality and reliable electricity service as per regulatory requirements as required for the stand-alone solar PV rooftop systems and mini grid systems under the project.

3.0 Scope of the Assignment:

The IVA will carry out verification activities based on agreed upon milestones, methodologies, sampling, thresholds, mix, relevant four-eye checks/approvals, verification analysis report along with requirements on pass, fail, pending, conditionally passed, inconclusive, pending, rejected, failed, exclusion following verification activities and templates with the RREA LESSAP II PIU with input from the Fund Manager, which will facilitate the implementation of the project.

The following are some suggested approaches for the verification; however, the IVA may propose improvements or alternative approaches based on best practices, level of verification risks and associated risks of fraud and understanding of the sector and the operational context for this assignment The Independent Verification Agent (IVA) will be responsible for conducting a robust, multi-tiered verification process of claims submitted by off-grid companies under the LESSAP II Results-Based Financing (RBF) mechanism. This includes remote phone/digital verification and field visits, both guided by the Operations Manual and coordinated through the Fund Manager and LESSAP II PIU. Phone verification will involve sampling end users from off-grid company databases, confirming user identity, location, product details, payment status, and service conditions, while also assessing potential risks of fraud. The IVA will use standardized questionnaires and report findings in English, flagging cases for follow-up or rejection as needed. Where possible, real-time system data via API integration will support verification efforts.

If over 10% of sampled users are unreachable via phone, the IVA will initiate field verifications, selecting locations based on clustering and flagged concerns. Field visits will validate energy access, capture GIS coordinates, gather photographic evidence, and conduct interviews in local languages. For areas outside GSM coverage, the IVA will apply enhanced methods to minimize fraud risks. Should inconsistencies arise or claims fail system audits, a full audit will be triggered, involving a deeper review of company records and data systems to detect errors or fraud. Full details on verification methods, sampling strategies, and reporting requirements are outlined in the Terms of Reference (ToR).

4.0 Qualification, Experience and Competencies for Consulting firm Requirements

The consultancy firm with the following qualifications are invited to participate in the independent verification agent assignment:

• The IVA will be a top tier consulting firm with services including audit, digital monitoring and system/operational performance monitoring test inspection for off-grid electrification infrastructure with a minimum of five (5) years operational existence as an organization.

• Minimum of two (2) similar assignments in the last five (5) years having done verification through various means for at least 5,000 solar home system connections, 500 stand-alone solar PV systems connections and 500 mini-grid connections.

• Capacity to verify transactions:

• Demonstrated experience in verification exercises through digitally remote/phone and field means, socio-economic studies and field /on-site studies

• Proof of audit and system & operational performance for off-grid electrification infrastructure will be essential

• Experience in organizational and project assessments including systems review

• Past roles in project transaction verification will be an advantage

• Ability to minimally deploy resource persons efficiently in multiple & clustered rural locations if and as necessary

• The persons carrying out the tasks should be fluent in local languages and English

• Experience with the rural economy through past assignments. Familiarity with rural energy interventions will be advantageous including engagement with energy product or service providers

• Excellence in computer skills is mandatory for all proposed staff

• Ability to deploy a robust data collection and management system with capacity to track GIS coordinates for the field visits evidence of similar deployment in the past will be essential

The RREA now invites eligible Firms to indicate their interest in providing the Services. Interested Consultants must provide information indicating that they are qualified to perform the services (profile, description of similar assignments, experience in similar conditions, availability of appropriate skills, etc.) Submissions must be in a single file and should not exceed 10 megabytes (MB) in total size.

The attention of interested Consulting firm is drawn to Section III, paragraphs, 3.14, 3.16, and 3.17 of the World Bank’s “Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers” dated July 2016, revised November 2017, and August 2018, November 2020, September 2023 and revised in February 2025 setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest. Please refer to paragraph 3.17 of the Procurement Regulations on conflict of interest related to this assignment which is available on the Bank’s website at http://projectsbeta.worldbank.org/en/projects-operations/products-and-services/brief/.

A Consulting Firm will be selected in accordance with Consultant Qualification Selection (CQS) method set out in the Procurement Regulations.

Further information and the detailed Terms of Reference (TOR) for the assignment can be obtained electronically at the following email addresses and Website, from Mondays to Fridays, from 0900 to 1600 hours GMT:

Email: [email protected],[email protected],[email protected],[email protected],[email protected] Website: www.rrealiberia.org, [email protected].

Expression of Interest clearly marked Consultancy Services for Independent Verification Agent for Results Based Finance Facilities for Stand-alone solar PV rooftop systems, Solar Home Systems and Isolated Mini Grids must be delivered in an electronic/mail copy to the address below, on or before 4:00 p.m. Local Time, on May 22, 2025.

Attn: Samuel Bocay Nagbe Jr.

Executive Director

Rural and Renewable Energy Agency

LEC Sub-station, Newport Street

1000 Monrovia 10, Liberia

Email: samuelnrrealiberia.org

Electronic submission should also be copied to the following addresses:

[email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected],[email protected],[email protected], [email protected].

Only the highest ranked firm will be issued the Request for Proposals.