Consulting services to conduct feasibility study to identifymodels,costs,legal andregulatory issues, financing (grants or matching grants),and the outline of a communications strategy to enable efficient agent banking network development by financial Inst

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

(CONSULTING SERVICES – FIRMS SELECTION)

DATE OF ISSUE: 8th October,2024

COUNTRY: Republic of Sierra Leone

NAME OF PROJECT: Sierra Leone Second Financial Inclusion Project-SLSFIP

Assignment Title: CONSULTING SERVICE TO CONDUCT FEASIBILITY STUDY FOR ENABLING EFFICIENT AGENT BANKING NETWORK (ABN) DEVELOPMENT

Reference No. SL-BSL-434371-CS-QCBS

The Bank of Sierra Leone-BSL through the Sierra Leone Second Financial Inclusion Project-SLSFIP has received financing from the World Bank toward the cost of conducting a feasibility Study for Enabling Efficient Agent Banking Network (ABN) Development and intends to apply part of the proceeds for consulting services.

The consulting services (“the Services”) will involve engaging the services of a firm to conduct a comprehensive technical and financial data-driven field analysis on the challenges and solutions to developing an Agent Banking Network (ABN) and increasing usage thereof. The feasibility study shall identity opportunities for financial institutions to increase agency banking networks, including outreach to small towns and rural areas.

The Project Implementation Unit of the Sierra Leone Second Financial Inclusion Project 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, including availability of appropriate skilled experts, and experience in similar conditions. The shortlisting criteria are: core business and years in business, relevant experience, technical and managerial capability of the firm. 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” July 2016 Revised November 2017, August 2018, November 2020 and 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 Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Quality and Cost Based Selection (QCBS) method set out in the Procurement Regulations.

Further information and detailed Terms of Reference can be obtained at the address below during office hours between 09:00 to 16:00 hours or via email at [email protected] and copy: [email protected]

Expressions of interest must be delivered in a written form to the address below by e-mail on or before Tuesday 22nd October, 2024 at 11:00 GMT.

Project Implementation Unit

Sierra Leone Second Financial Inclusion Project-SLSFIP

Bank of Sierra Leone

Attn: Head of PIU

5th Floor Sam Bangura Building

Gloucester Street

Freetown

Sierra Leone

E-mail:[email protected]