Invitation for Expression of Interest (IEOI)

 

Date: 11/08/2020

 

Preparation of Project Completion Report (PCR) of the IsDB funded project: Qom water supply project, Iran.

 

1. The Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) has approved an administrative budget for financing consulting services (the Services) for the above project.

 

2. The Terms of Reference (TOR) of the Services are in Appendix A. The Services will be provided by an individual national consultant (the Consultant) who may be a self-employed professional or an employee of a consulting firm.

 

3. IsDB will select and engage the Consultant in accordance with the IsDB Corporate Procurement Policy (Policy). The consultant for the assignment will be engaged based on a Fixed Budget Selection method.

 

4. IsDB now invites Expressions of Interest (EOI) from potential applicants for consideration by IsDB in selecting qualified candidates.

 

5. The Consultant should complete the EOI Form in Appendix B and submit it along with his/her CV.

 

6. The full set of documents should be submitted through email to the following authorized IsDB representative, not later than 27/08/2020 (08:00 PM GMT):

 

Mr Yousef Yousef

Email: YYousef@isdb.org

 

Appendix A: Terms of Reference of the Assignment

Appendix B: EOI Form

Appendix C: IsDB Table of Contents of Project Completion Report (PCR)

 

 

Appendix A: TERMS OF REFERENCE

Short Term Evaluation Consultancy Services for the Preparation of a Project Completion Report (PCR) of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) funded project

 

Project No1 Background:

 

1. The Government of Iran (GOl) requested, in July 2008, the assistance of lsDB to finance the implementation of the Qom Water Supply Project, which was appraised by the Bank in May 2009, and subsequently approved by the board of directors in July 2009.
2. The project scope comprises of the following components:

A.  Water Treatment Plant Expansion

B.   Pipeline System from Kouchery dam to Qom city

C.   Main Distribution Pipeline System

D.   Consultancy Services

E.   Project Management Consultant (PMC)

F.   Financial Auditing

G.  Project Start-up Workshop and Familiarization Visit

3. IsDB financing was earmarked to finance the Water treatment plant, the Main distribution Pipeline System, the PMC, the Financial audit and start-up workshop and familiarization visit to IsDB. 
4. The project was implemented by the Qom Regional Water Authority (QRWA), as the Executing Agency (EA), assisted by the Consultant “Gueno Consulting Engineers”, playing the role of PMC.
5. As the project was closed, the IsDB is required to conduct an ex-post evaluation of the project to capture overall achievements as compared to its intended outputs and outcomes. In addition, the PCR should identify and document knowledge, and lessons learned from the project implementation.

 

1. Description of the Assignment

1. Objectives

6. The Social Infrastructure Division of the Economic and Social Infrastructure Department, Global Practices, IsDB is seeking a consultant to assist in preparing a PCR of Qom Water Supply project (IRN 0075). The services shall be performed within a period of 2 months starting from first week of September 2020, or any other period as may be subsequently agreed by both parties in writing.

 

2. Expected Outputs of the Consultant

7. The Consultant will prepare the PCR according to IsDB standards, guidelines, and procedures. The Consultant's report of the assignment should be based on the IsDB standard template of PCR, which is attached in Appendix C.
8. A knowledge product will be prepared (around 15 pages) based on specific lessons learned.  

 

3. Scope of the assignment

The scope of the assignment is as follows:

9. Provide a detailed description of all aspects for completing the project, including any significant corrective measures to be implemented or continued by the various stakeholders.
10. Analyze the performance and achievements of the project in terms of implementation plans and objectives fixed during the initial evaluation. The analysis should address the following questions:

• To what extent did the project achieve its overall objectives?
• What and how much progress has been made towards achieving the overall outputs and outcomes of the project (including contributing factors and constraints)?
• To what extent were the results (impacts, outcomes and outputs) achieved?

11. Assess the project in terms of relevance, efficiency, effectiveness and sustainability.

 

The assessment shall answer the following questions:

 

i). Relevance – Assess the relevance of each project to the Government of Iran (GoI) and IsDB

• Was the project relevant to the identified needs and country’s strategy?
• Was the project relevant to the IsDB strategic priorities?
• Were the inputs and strategies identified, and were they realistic, appropriate and adequate to achieve the results?

ii). Effectiveness- Describe the management processes and their appropriateness in supporting delivery

• Was the project effective in delivering expected results (time and budget)?
• Was the project implemented according the schedule?
• How do the actual project implementation schedule compare with the initial schedule?
• What are the reasons for any deviations from the original schedule?
• What are the financial results of the project: the total cost, financing plan, and disbursements against the estimates made during the appraisal?
• How effective were the strategies and tools used in the implementation of the project?
• How effectively did the project respond to the need of the beneficiaries?

iii). Efficiency – of Project Implementation

• Do the deliveries of the project justify the costs incurred?
• Were the resources made available efficiently utilized?
• Did project activities overlap with and duplicate other similar interventions?
• Are there more efficient ways and means of delivering more and better results (outputs and outcomes) with the available resources?
• Could a different approach have produced better results?

iv). Sustainability- assess economic, environmental and social sustainability

• Does the project cause natural resources depletion in the long run?
• Were the local communities and stakeholders consulted during the project implementation?
• To what extent will the project revenues cover its O&M costs?
• Does the EA possess the technical capacity for the project operation?
• Did the project address the training needs for operation and maintenance?
• What is the likelihood of continuation and sustainability of the project outcomes and benefits after their completion?
• What are the key factors that will require attention in order to improve prospects of sustainability of project outcomes and the potential for replication of the approach?

v). Lessons learned- what are the lessons learned: The recommendations should provide comprehensive proposals for future interventions by answering inter alia the following questions:

• What are the main lessons that have emerged?
• What are the recommendations for similar future interventions?
• What are the problems and obstacles encountered during the implementation of the project?
• How did the project financial management processes and procedures affect implementation?
• What are the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of the project implementation process?
• What are the future intervention strategies and issues?

12. Evaluate the performance of the IsDB, GOI, consultants, contractors, and relevant stakeholders.
13. Visit the project site.
14.  Identify issues and lessons learned from the project and provide recommendations.
15. Complete the PCR as per the standard reporting template of the Bank incorporating visual (i.e. maps, photos, graphs, tables, posters, plans, etc.) on the project.
16. Prepare a knowledge product for the project.

 

4. Detailed tasks of the assignment

17. The tasks of the Consultant are as follows:
    1. Coordinate the communication to and interface with EA, the Ministry of Energy and other key stakeholders.
    2. Prepare a questionnaire for the stakeholders’ interviews of the project.
    3. Initiate the required meetings, interviews, and visits to the project area for close communication with key stakeholders.
    4. The draft PCR to be submitted to IsDB for review and clearance before proceeding to the field. They draft include, among other things: (i) the key information of the project; (ii) major changes in the country's economy and events which may have affected the sector and the project; (iii) known changes in the scope of the project; (iv) project output and outcome indicators to be quantified during the mission; and (vi) brief explanation in each section of the key elements/questions to be assessed during the field missions, stakeholders to be met, and challenges that the Consultant may face. The draft report will be reviewed by the Bank together with the Consultant virtually.
    5. Field visit: following the clearance of EA and IsDB, the Consultant proceeds with the field visit: (i) visit the site as per the scope of the project and expected outputs; (ii) hold thorough on-the-ground discussions with the stakeholders including the EA, Project Management Consultant, and end-beneficiaries; (iii) collect all necessary information concerning project implementation, outputs and outcomes; and (iv) collect photographs & videos of the project outputs and beneficiaries upon consent of the concerned parties.
    6. If necessary, the IsDB team may join the field visits and the consultant should provide/contribute all the required support to facilitate the discussions with all the stakeholders.
    7. The draft-2 PCR is a further elaboration and completion after the field visit of the Consultant and should point out and explain the eventual variations in terms of cost, implementation schedule, financing plan and stakeholders’ performance. On top of updating the information that is in the draft-1 PCR, it should include among other things: (i) evaluation of the performance of the executing agency, the Bank, the contractors, and the consultants based on available information; and (ii) lessons learnt along with the Consultant’s recommendation to the Bank and the Country concerning project implementation and sector interventions.
    8. The draft-2 PCR should draw attention to the variations from the position envisaged at the time of the appraisal and assess the results delivered by the project against the project outputs and outcomes detailed in the Results-Based Logical Framework (Annex 1).
    9. The draft-2 PCR should be shared with the EA for review and comments and capture the EA’s view of the challenges met during implementation and recommendation for future intervention.
    10. The final draft PCRs should be submitted to IsDB, and revised based on the field visits, feedback from IsDB and EA.
    11. Prepare a knowledge product of 15 pages on specific lessons learned and relevant annexes, such as graphs, photos, videos and maps.
    12. Prepare a short presentation highlighting key issues and lessons learned from the site visit (i.e. slide highlighting key issues and lessons learnt from the project summarizing the main findings of the exercise).
    13. Finalize the PCR based on the final feedback of the IsDB and the EA.

 

5. Deliverables:

18. The Consultant will produce the following major outputs:

1. An Inception Report detailing methodology and work plan.
2. Supporting documents including:

• Semi-structured interviews questionnaires
• List of interviewees
• Brief note summarizing the interviews

3. The first draft PCR as per the IsDB PCR standard format.
4. The Final PCR based on the feedback of the IsDB and the EA.
5. A knowledge product of 15 pages on specific lessons learned.

 

6. Time Frame of the Assignments:

1. The assignment shall be over 2 months (September to October 2020), with a total duration of 22 working days.
2. The IsDB Social Infrastructure Division - Global Practice (SID-GP), Water Sector Team will supervise the Consultant. The SID-GP Team will provide overarching supervision to the process and will provide feedback and guidance to achieve the goal and specific objectives of the consultancy.
3. All deliverables are expected to be finalized through rigorous consultative meetings and in-depth discussions with the EA, the Ministry of Energy and other key stakeholders, at the national and provincial levels.

 

7. Qualification and Requirements:

19. The Consultant should have the following minimum qualifications and skills:

1. MSc degree in Civil Engineering, or relevant field in the water sector or another related field in Economics, Environmental Engineering, etc.;
2. Work experience in handling similar consultancy assignments in preparation of projects or PCRs, project evaluation and project management, financed by Multilateral Development Banks will be an asset;
3. Language skills: fluency in written and spoken English and Persian;
4. Knowledge of analytical and statistical tools.

 

8. Evaluation Criteria:

20. The consultant will be selected according to the Fixed Budget Method of selection. As such, the contract will be awarded to the highest-ranked technical proposal within the available budget. Financial proposals exceeding the budgetary limit shall not be considered. The following criteria will be used for evaluation of technical proposals (detailed criteria in Annex-2):

• General Qualifications                                       20 points
• Adequacy for the Assignment                          50 points
• Experience in the Sector                                    30 points
• Total                                                                     100 points

 

1. Budget and Payment Schedule

21. The total estimated budget for this assignment is Euro 6,500, and the financial proposal shall not exceed this amount. Payments are linked to deliverables as defined below:

1. First payment in the amount of 20% of the Contract Price upon receipt by the Bank, of the Inception Report detailing methodology and work plan;
2. Second progress payment in the amount of 30% of the Contract Price upon receipt and written acceptance of the first draft PCR by the Bank; and
3. Final payment in the amount of 50% of the Contract Price upon receipt and written acceptance of the Final Report and the knowledge product by the Bank.

22. The remuneration perceived by the Consultant includes all his/her costs and profits as well as any tax obligations that may be imposed on the Consultants.

10. Contract Administration:

• Client's Input: the SID-GP team will provide access to all required documents (i.e. Bank's standard template for Project Completion Report (PCR), Project Appraisal Document, PAD-RRP, Detailed Technical Documents, Project Progress Reports, Relevant Official Communications on the project, etc.). IsDB will also facilitate the assignment remotely by introducing the consultant to the EA, and providing any official support, which may be required. The Bank will equally provide support through its field representative in Iran.
• Logistics: The Consultant will coordinate with the EA to make necessary arrangements for the logistics of the field visit. The visit’s related expenses shall be borne by the Consultant.
• Confidentiality: The Consultant shall not, during the term of this Contract and within 3 years after its expiration, disclose any proprietary or confidential information relating to the Services, this Contract or the IsDB's business or operations without the prior written consent of the IsDB;
• Ownership of Material: Any studies, reports or other material, graphic, software or otherwise, prepared by the Consultant for the IsDB under this Contract shall belong to and remain the property of the IsDB.

 

 

 

Annex 1. Results-Based Logical Framework

 

Annex 2. Detailed Evaluation Criteria

#

Criteria

Maximum score

   

1.0

General Qualifications

20

 

1.1

Academic Background

10

 

1.2

Language skills

10

 

 

 

 

 

2.0

Adequacy for the Assignment

50

 

2.1

General Experience

20

 

2.2

Experience with similar assignments

30

 

 

 

 

 

3.0

Experience in the Sector

30

 

3.1

Sector and relevant sub-sectors

20

 

3.2

Multilateral /International Organizations

10

 

 

Total Score:

100

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Appendix B

Expression of Interest (EOI) by Applicant

 

Preparation of Project Completion Report (PCR) of Qom water supply Project, Iran

 

Date: ________________

 

Mr Yousef Yousef

Email: YYousef@isdb.org

 

 

Dear Mr. Yousef Yousef.

I have read your Invitation carefully for Expression of Interest (IEOI) for the captioned assignment/project and find the Terms of References (TOR) and Scope of Work match my skill mix and experiences for providing the services required in the TOR. I would like to express my interest in being considered for the assignment. I understand that IsDB does not have an obligation that I must be selected.

 

I have attached to this EOI my Curriculum Vitae (CV) for your consideration. Some of the key information is highlighted below:

 

I.          Personal Profile

 

Nationality:

 

Date of Birth:

 

Permanent Address:

 

Phone No.:

 

Email:

 

 

 

 

 

 

II.        Past Consultancy Assignment References

[Notes to consultant: Please select most relevant consultancy assignments you have recently completed to demonstrate your technical qualifications and experience.]

Period

Client

Project

Country

Your role (As lead consultant or as member of a team?)

Value of the

Contract

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

         

 

 

 

 

 

III.       Availability

I shall be available for the services from ____________ to____________.

 

 

IV.       Eligibility Declaration

I, the undersigned, certify to the best of my knowledge and belief:

 

☐ I have read terms of reference (TOR) and Scope of Work (Appendix A), for this assignment.

 

☐ I confirm that the project references submitted as part of this EOI accurately reflect the experience of myself.

 

☐ I confirm that I have ever been convicted of an integrity-related offense or crime related to theft, corruption and fraud.

 

☐ I understand that any misrepresentations that knowingly or recklessly mislead, or attempt to mislead may lead to the automatic rejection of the proposal or cancellation of the contract, if awarded, and may result in further remedial action, in accordance with IsDB’s Integrity and Anti-corruption Policy.

 

 

{day/month/year}

 

Name of the Applicant                       Signature                                                   Date

 

 

 

 

Financial Proposal Format

 

No.

Item

Unit

Qty

Unit Cost

(Euro)

Total

(Euro)

1

Professional Fees (unit rate) per day[1]

Man. days

 

 

 

2

Expenses during the field visits

Man. days

 

 

 

3

Expenses for domestic travel

Lump-sum

 

 

 

 

Total:

 

 

 

 

 

 

{day/month/year}

 

Name of the Applicant                       Signature                                                   Date

 

 

 

 

 

Curriculum Vitae (CV)

 

Position Title and No.:                               {Individual Consultant for Preparation PCR}

 

Name of Expert:                                                                  {Insert full name}

 

Date of Birth:                                                                        {day/month/year}

 

Country of Citizenship/Residence:

 

Contact information:

___

Education:

{List college/university or other specialized education, giving names of educational institutions, dates attended, degree(s)/diploma(s) obtained}

 

Employment record:

{Starting with present position, list in reverse order. Please provide dates, name of employing organization, titles of positions held, types of activities performed and location of the assignment, and contact information of previous clients and employing organization(s) who can be contacted for references. Please mark if the assignment is considered relevant to the assignment.}

 

Period

Employing organization and title/position. Contact information for references

Country

Summary of activities

(Comment if relevant to the Assignment)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Membership in Professional Associations and Publications: ___

 

Skills (language, technical, computer, others): ___

 

Certification:

I, the undersigned, certify that to the best of my knowledge and belief, this CV correctly describes myself, my qualifications, and my experience, and I am available to undertake the assignment in case of an award. I understand that any misstatement or misrepresentation described herein may lead to my disqualification and/or sanctions by the Bank.

 

{day/month/year}

 

Name of Expert                                   Signature                                                   Date

 

 

 

Yes / No

1. I am employed by the concerned Agency / (ies) related to this consultancy assignment

 

☐

2. I was involved with the preparation of the terms of reference for this consultancy assignment

 

☐

3. I am not currently debarred by a multilateral development bank or other similar institutions (If yes, identify who)

 

☐

 

 

 

 

 

 

Appendix C

 

IsDB Table of Contents of Project Completion Report (PCR)

 

 

Table of Contents

 

S. No.

Item

Page

 

Abbreviation

 

 

Currency equivalents

 

 

Executive summary

 

1

Project information

 

2

Project performance assessment

 

3

Bank’s performance

 

4

Beneficiary performance

 

5

Performance of other stakeholders

 

6

Lessons learnt

 

7

Recommendations and follow-up actions

 

8

Knowledge Product (Summary)

 

9

Compliance with financing covenants

 

10

Overall score and rating

 

 

(Note: Full version of IsDB Standard Template of Project Completion Report (PCR) will be provided to the Consultant upon the signing of the Contract)

 

[1] Includes any overhead costs while working at place of residence.