Training in Tour Guiding — IFPA-CD Uganda Project

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST (CONSULTING SERVICES – FIRMS SELECTION) UGANDA INVESTING IN FORESTS AND PROTECTED AREAS FOR CLIMATE SMART DEVELOPMENT (IFPA-CD) PROJECT PROJECT ID NO: 170466 ASSIGNMENT TITLE: CONSULTANCY SERVICES TO TRAIN COLLABORATIVE FOREST MANAGEMENT GROUP MEMBERS IN TOUR GUIDING SKILLS IN BUDONGO, BUGOMA, ECHUYA AND KALINZU CENTRAL FOREST RESERVES. REFERENCE NUMBER: NFA-IFPA-CD/CONS/23-24/00019 UG-NFA-401580-CS-CQS DATE OF ISSUE:2ND MAY, 2024 • The Government of Uganda (GOU) represented by National Forestry Authority has received financing from the World Bank towards the cost of the Investing in Forests and Protected Areas for Climate Smart Development (IFPA-CD Project), and intends to apply part of the proceeds for consulting services.

The project is being implemented by the Ministry of Water and Environment (MWE, Lead Agency), the Uganda Wildlife Authority and the National Forest Authority with the involvement of the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities in tourism-related activities. 2. The consulting services (“the Services”) include training Collaborative Forest Management group members in tour guiding skills in Budongo, Bugoma, Echuya and Kalinzu Central Forest Reserves for a duration of twelve (12) weeks.

The main objective of this assignment is to train and build capacity of Collaborative Forest Management (CFM) group members in tour guiding skills to enhance tourist experiences which is expected to generate greater opportunities for the community members and increase visitors’ numbers, translating also into improved livelihoods of the forest adjacent communities. 3. The detailed Terms of Reference (TOR) for the assignment can be found at the following website: www.nfa.go.ug.

• The National Forestry Authority 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: - A minimum of 5 years’ experience of the firm in training Community groups in tour guiding skills in the East African region (evidenced by 5 (five) copies of contract agreements for similar assignments and completion certificates). - Good understanding of community-based sustainable tourism and nature sensitivity to the impacts of tourism. - Extensive track-record of providing similar training experiences with local and/or indigenous communities adjacent to conservation areas. (Minimum of three (03) similar assignments, as evidenced by copies of contract agreements) - The company organogram demonstrating the availability of key experts.

The Qualification and experience of Key Experts will not be evaluated at the shortlisting stage. 5. 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” 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 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 Consultant’s Qualifications based Selection (CQS) Method set out in the Procurement Regulations available at www.worldbank.org/procurement. 8. Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours from 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (local time) on Mondays to Fridays.

• Expressions of interest must be delivered in a written form to the address below (in person or by e-mail) by 17th May, 2024 at 11:00am (Ugandan Time); Address: Manager Procurement and Disposal Unit Investing in Forests and Protected Areas for Climate Smart Development (IFPA-CD) Project National Forestry Authority Plot 10/20, Spring Road, Bugolobi, Kampala P.O. Box 70863 Kampala, Uganda Telephone: 0312-264035/6 Electronic mail address:agnes.kamagaju@nfa.go.ug, nantikka@gmail.com EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR