Technical assistance for Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA)

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

Environment and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) of a Submarine Cable Project for Sao Tome and Principe

Finance Agreement Reference: IDA-E0730

Project No. P177158

Assignment Title: Technical assistance for the environmental and social impact study of a Submarine cable Project for S. Tomé and Principe

Reference No. 15/C/DSTP/2023

The Government of São Tomé and Príncipe (GoSTP) has received a grant from the International Development Association (IDA) to cover the cost of the DIGITAL SÃO TOMÉ E PRÍNCIPE Project (DSTP) and intends to apply a portion of such grant for payments under the contract to recruit a specialized consulting firm to PROVID the Technical assistance for the environmental and social impact study of a Submarine cable Project for S. Tomé and Principe.

The island of Sao Tome is currently connected to the Africa Coast to Europe (ACE) international submarine cable system, both via the ACE North system to North Africa and the separate ACE South system that connects to Southern Africa. The additional proposed connection to Principe will complete the submarine network between the islands and bring improved international connectivity to the population on Principe.

As part of the preparation for the submarine cable, a full Environment and Social Safety Impact Assessment (ESIA) needs to be developed.

This assignment will be to undertake the development of the ESIA and ESMP, and potentially an associated Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) if needed, and to support the Project team in attaining approval of the deliverables with both the Government and the World Bank.

DSTP now invites eligible consultants to indicate their interest in providing these services. Interested consultants must provide information indicating that they are qualified to perform the services (brochures, description of similar assignments, experience in similar conditions, availability of appropriate skills among staff, etc.). Consultants may constitute joint-ventures to enhance their chances of qualification.

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” November 2020 (“Procurement Regulations”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest.

A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the QCBS – Quality Cost Based Selection method set out in the Procurement Regulations.

Interested consultants may obtain the Terms of Reference through the email provided below.

Expressions of interest must be delivered in a written form to address below or in pdf format sent to the e-mail address included, by August 14, 2023 at 11:50 am (local time) and should mention “FIRM TO PROVID the Technical assistance for the environmental and social impact study of a Submarine cable Project FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF SAO TOME AND PRINCIPE”:

STP Digital Project Implementation Unit

Attn: Daniel Neto Vaz – Coordenador do Projecto

C. P. 130

Avenida 12 de Julho, Sao Tome, Sao Tome e Príncipe

E-mail: [email protected] / [email protected]

STP Digital Project Implementation Unit, 26 July 2023.

The Project Coordinator,

_____________________

Daniel Neto Vaz