Consulting Services for Management of the Business Plan Competition Grant Program

MINISTRY OF GENDER, LABOUR AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

GENERATING GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES AND PRODUCTIVITY FOR WOMEN ENTERPRISES (GROW) PROJECT

Grant No. 0920-UG

Request for Expressions of Interest

(Consulting Services – Firms Selection)

Consulting Services for Management of the Business Plan Competition Grant Program.

Reference No.: UG-MOGLSD-457430-CS-QCBS

Issued on: …

The Government of the Republic of Uganda has received financing from the World Bank towards the cost of implementing the Generating Growth Opportunities and Productivity for Women Enterprises (GROW) Project, and intends to apply part of the proceeds for Consulting Services.

The Consulting Services ("the Service") include the Management of Grant Support to Micro Enterprises through a Business Plan Competition. The implementation period is two years. The detailed Terms of Reference (TOR) for the assignment can be found at https://mglsd.go.ug/procurement/

The Ministry of Gender, Labor and Social Development 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 are:

• The grant management firm should have at least eight (8) years’ experience proven track record in providing grant and /or fund management services for a portfolio of at least $5 million.

• Experience of at least five (5) years in designing and implementing MSME, funding calls, business competitions, grant applications, proposal management, and grant awards management especially in providing these services for businesses owned by women and hard to reach areas.

• Strong knowledge and experience of at least five (5) years in executing remote business development services and technology-enabled solutions to support grantees' growth and development.

• The firm should have a proven track record in providing grant management services, preferably in donor-funded or Government programs.

• Expertise in fiduciary control, including but not limited to financial management and reporting, preparation of progress reports, internal control reports and audits, and monitoring project budgets.

• Experience in financial asset management.

• Experience with monitoring and evaluation methodologies and tools to track program progress and assess the impact of similar programs.

• Presence of key staff for the assignment. Qualifications and skills of key staff will not be evaluated at this stage

The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to Section III, paragraphs, 3.14, 3.16, and 3.17 of the World Bank Procurement Regulations for Investment Project Financing (IPF) Borrowers dated November 2020 (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 case of a joint venture, all the partners in the joint venture shall be jointly and severally liable for the entire contract, if selected

Consultants will be selected in accordance with the Quality and Cost Based Selection (QCBS) method set out in the Procurement Regulations.

Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours (0800 to 1700 hrs).

Expressions of interest must be delivered to the address below in a written form not later than …… at 11:00Hours. Consultants may make arrangements to have their Expressions of interest delivered by courier services. However, no liability will be accepted for loss or late delivery.

Expression of Interest should be Addressed to:

Permanent Secretary

Ministry of Gender, Labour, and Social Development.

Gender and Labour House, Plot 2, George Street,

7th Floor PDU

KAMPALA

Tel: +256 414 347 854

Email: [email protected]