The Islamic Development Bank The Republic of Suriname GENERAL PROCUREMENT NOTICE REPUBLIC OF SURINAME REFORMING THE TECHNICAL AND VOCATIONAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING (TVET) PROJECT SUR-0016/0017/0018 The Government of Suriname has received financing from the Islamic Development Bank toward the cost of Reforming the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Project. A total amount of US$ 15.77 million was secured with the following specification: (a) US$ 5.27 million was secured under the Istisna’a agreement No. SUR-0017 (b) ISFD loan of US$ 5.50 million and IDB loan of US$ 5.00 million under Loan Agreement No. SUR-0016 & 0018. The project objective is to contribute towards the development of skilled and competitive human resource. Specifically, the project objective is to create an enabling environment to enhance skills acquisition and employability of graduates. This will be realized through (i) reforming the legal and regulatory framework of Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and (ii) equipping of facilities in clustered Training Hubs/Practical Centers for more relevant practical training. The project includes the following components: Component 1: Establishing and Equipping Training Hubs Seven Training Hubs (Practical Centers) will be established and equipped in existing TVET secondary schools to serve as cluster of satellite schools each. Project activities for the hubs will include (i) refurbishing & equipping workshops, (ii) providing textbooks and reference materials, (iii) equipping ICT laboratories and providing Distance Education facilities. Component 2: Institutional development and capacity building This component will support the establishment of a National Training Authority (NTA) and build institutional capacity within the country. The current Working Group for the establishment of the NTA will be supported with technical assistance through consultancy services that will work on the (i) legal and regulatory framework for the NTA, including the financial feasibility and funding mechanism for sustainability, (ii) labor market needs assessment and analysis, (iii) curriculum review and development of competency based curricula, as well as a National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) qualification framework, and occupational standards, (iv) Labor Market Information System (LMIS), (v) reverse linkages (to IDB MCs) and study tours/exchanges (in the Caribbean and elsewhere), (vi) sensitization and awareness campaign for broad stakeholder buy-in and participation. The project will also construct and equip the NTA headquarters, which will consist of a two-story building with capacity for 60 offices, two conference/meeting rooms and associated accessories. Component 3: Support to Project Management This component will (k) recruit a Procurement Specialist to augment the capacity of Ministry staff designated to the Project Coordination Unit (PCU), (ii) provide operational and logistics support to the PCU for project activities, (iii) recruit an audit firm to conduct the required financial audits, (iv) support capacity building through the conduct of a start-up workshop and familiarization visit to IDB Headquarters. Procurement of Goods, Works and Services will be in accordance with the Guidelines for Procurement of Goods and Works under the Islamic Development Bank Financing (May 2009). Acquisition of the services of the consultants will follow the Guidelines for the Use of Consultants under the Islamic Development Bank Financing (May 2009). Procurement of Goods: Procurement of workshop equipment, tools, and furniture will be done through International Competitive Bidding. Procurement for Textbooks and reference materials will also be done through ICB. Procurement for ICT equipment will be done through NCB. Procurement of Works: Procurement of works will be done through National Competitive Bidding (NCB). Selection of Consultants Consultancy services for the establishment of the National Training Authority (NTA) and related services will be done through short list of international firms (QCBS). The procurement of Training services for air traffic control staff will be done through short list of international firms. The procurement of design and supervision of civil works as well as financial audit will be through short list of national firms. Interested bidders may obtain further information, and should confirm their interest in writing by contacting the following address: The Ministry of Education and Community Development, Suriname Project Coordination Unit Dr. S. Kafiluddistraat 117-123, Paramaribo, Suriname E-mail: erick.moertabat@education.gov.sr Notice: Potential bidders desiring additional information on the procurement or the project in general should, unless indicated otherwise, contact the Project Management Unit (PMU) and not the IDB