Government of The Gambia EXPRESSION OF INTEREST Notice Type : General Procurement Notice Procurement Type: International Competitive Bidding (ICB) Sector: ICT Country: The Gambia Issuing Date: 27th October 2011 Last Date of Submission: 10th November 2011 Status : Open Project Profile The Government of The Gambia, (GoTG) through Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs (MOFEA) has received a Loan from the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) in the amount of US$ 27.32 million towards the implementation of the National component of the ECOWAS Regional Backbone and e-Governance Program (ECOWAN)- in The Gambia – “ECOWAN –The Gambia Project”. The Loan will be used to fulfill payments for goods, works, and consulting services which will be procured under this project. With regard to Consultancy services, part of the proceeds of this financing would be applied to cover the following consultancy services: 1. Consultancy Services Ref: ECO-GAM/01/SERV/2011 i. Detailed review of the technical feasibility study (recently carried out by GAMTEL) for the development of a proposed National fiber optic Backbone, (ECOWAN–Gambia links) – 817 km fiber optic links and a Wimax last mile access network in Banjul. The detailed review shall evaluate the adequacy of the proposed network infrastructure design, specifications and drawings, detailed cost estimates etc. Preparethe bidding documents for the development of the proposed ECOWAN–The Gambia links, and assist the client in the evaluation of bids for the development of ECOWAN-Gambia links up to the award of Contract, ii. Upon satisfactory completion of the above tasks, consultant may be contracted to supervise works (construction and deployment of fiber optic and WIMAX network) and commissioning of ECOWAN-Gambia project. 2. Consultancy Services Ref: ECO-GAM/02SERV/2011 i. Perform a market demand/traffic assessment of wholesale ICT services (telecoms/internet - in particular broadband services) in The Gambia. ii. Examine and determine pricing structures (taking into account Open Access Regime) and mechanism using different models for the ICT sector (in particular broadband services),. iii. Prepare a competitive business model and a Strategic Business Plan to enable the successful transition of Gamtel into an NGN environment, including implementation timelines. The executing agency, Gambia Telecommunications Company Limited (Gamtel), in collaboration with the Ministry of Information and Communication, now invites eligible consultants to express their interest in providing one or more of the above Consultancy services Ref (ECO-GAM/01SERV/2011, ECO-GAM/02/SERV/2011. Interested consultants must provide information indicating that they are qualified to perform the services (brochures, description of similar assignment, experience in similar conditions, general qualification and number of key staff etc). Consultants may associate to enhance their qualification. Procurement of contracts financed under the project will be conducted through the procedures specified in the Islamic Development Bank’s Procurement Guidelines for the Use of Consultants (May, 2009). A Consultant will be selected through a short list of qualified international Consultants under International Competitive Bidding (ICB), in accordance with the Islamic Development Bank’s Procurement Guidelines. Expression of interest from eligible bidders who wish to be considered on the mailing list to receive Request for Proposal (RfP) and/or wish to receive a copy of the advertisement requesting expressions of interest including any additional information should contact the address below from 9:00am to 4:00pm local time, Monday to Thursday and 9.00am to 12.30pm Friday. Expression of interest must be delivered to the address below no later than 4.00 pm (16.00 hrs) local time on last date (10th November 2011) of submission. The Project Coordinator ECOWAN-The Gambia Project Gamtel Serre-kunda Exchange Kairaba Avenue The Gambia Tel: 00220 4228666 00220 9961900 Fax:00220 4224777 Email: ecowan_gambia@gamtel.gm