Request For Expressions Of Interest (REOI) for Consultancy Service for Commercial Transaction Manual for Broadband Infrastructure Deployment

The Federal Government of Somalia has received a grant from the International Development Association (IDA) of the World Bank toward the cost of the Regional Digital Integration Project (EA-RDIP). The Ministry of Communications and Technology (MoCT) in the Federal Government of Somalia is the implementing agency for the Regional Digital Integration Project (EA-RDIP) in Somalia.

The Regional Digital Integration Project (EA-RDIP) is to address connectivity needs for countries in the Horn of Africa region. The proposed program aims to advance the regional integration of digital markets in Eastern Africa through supporting cross-border connectivity, harmonization of data and e-commerce regulations and policies, and removal of trade barriers, with the vision of establishing a Single Digital Market (SDM).

Therefore, the Ministry of Communications and Technology intends to apply part of the proceeds of these Grants to engage consultant firm to provide Commercial Transaction Manual for Broadband Infrastructure Deployment, and the awarded consulting firm will work with the Ministry of Communications and Technology and the assignment will be implemented in Somalia.

The consulting services (“Services”) is required to be undertaken as an external consultant firm supporting the Ministry of Communications and Technology to carry out the implementation of Commercial Transaction Manual for Broadband Infrastructure Deployment. The consultant firm will undertake all the specific required tasks detailed out in the Terms of Reference (ToR) . The consultant service is expected to be conducted and reports delivered within 8 months from commencement of the contract.

The detailed Terms of Reference (ToR) for the assignment can be found at the following website: https://moct.gov.so/en/ea-rdip/ or it can be provided upon submission of application in person or by e-mail. The e-mail address is provided below.

The Ministry of Communications and Technology now invites eligible consultant firms (“Consultant”) to indicate their interest in providing the Services. Interested Consultant firms should provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant

experience to perform the Services (brochures, description of similar assignments, experience in similar conditions, availability of appropriate skills among staff, etc.).

The short-listing criteria are as follows:

1.       Core business of the firm and years in business should be at least 10 years in general.

2.       Experience of conducting similar assignments. The Consultant firm should have at least

5 years of experience in providing similar assignments in telecommunications/ICT sector and should demonstrate at least 3 similar assignments successfully implemented during the last 5 years in broadband infrastructure deployment and related work in the developing world through an experience in the Horn of Africa region would be highly desirable; Also, the Consultant firm should have specific experience on the development of market studies, cost benefit analysis and analytical financial models is required, considering both supply and demand sides related with telecommunications services; and in addition should demonstrate technical expertise regarding broadband networks, government or private owned, including on modalities of deployment aerial/buried, via OPGW or other models. The Consultant firm shall provide the name and contact address of the Client (office and e-mail address and telephone number), date(s) of execution, name (s) of lead and associate firms, contract amount and financing sources.

3.       Experience of relevant services in an environment similar to that of Somalia.

4.       The technical and managerial organization of the firm. (Provide only the structure of the Firm organization) Do not provide CVs of staff. Key experts will not be evaluated at the shortlisting stage.

The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to paragraphs 3.14, 3.16 and 3.17 of the World Bank’s Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers: Procurement in Investment Financing - Goods, Works, Non-Consulting and Consulting Services dated July 2016 and revised in 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 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 Consultant Guidelines.

Interested Consultant may obtain further information in a written communication to the address below during office hours from 8:30am to 3.30pm Mogadishu time (Excluding public holidays).

Expressions of interest (EOI) should be submitted electronically (by e-mail) to the address below on, or before, January 13, 2024 at 4.00pm, Saturday (Mogadishu, Somalia Local Time).

Attn: Procurement Office, EA-RDIP

Project Coordination Unit (PCU)

The Ministry of Communications and Technology (MoCT)

Federal Government of Somalia

E-mail: [email protected]

Jamhuuriya road, Boondheere district,

Mogadishu, Somalia