REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

(CONSULTANT SERVICES – SELECTION OF FIRMS)

 

Country                                  : Azerbaijan

Name of Project                     : “Construction of the Main Irrigation Canal from the Maiden Tower

                                                    Reservoir Project”

Name of the Beneficiary       : Azerbaijan State Water Resources Agency, Administration of

                                                    Facilities under Construction PLE

Name of the Assignment       : Capacity Building Program for Institutional Capacity and Livelihood Development

Mode of Financing                : Installment Sale and IsDB Grant

Financing No                         : AZE 1024

 

The Government of Azerbaijan represented by the Ministry of Finance for the benefit of the Azerbaijan State Water Resources Agency, Administration of Facilities under Construction PLE has received financing from the Islamic Development Bank toward the cost of the “Construction of the Main Irrigation Canal from the Maiden Tower Reservoir Project” and intends to apply part of the proceeds for Consultant Services.

The services include the following tasks ensuring full consistency with the TOR attached in this REOI:

• Develop and implement comprehensive capacity building and training programs for farmers, local communities, and relevant institutions;
• Deliver training on modern irrigation technologies, water-saving agricultural practices, soil fertility management, and climate change adaptation techniques;
• Conduct practical field-based training, including demonstration plots, on-farm water management, and soil conservation practices;
• Strengthen agricultural research institutions through technical training and recommendations for improving analytical and operational capacities;
• Introduce and promote the use of digital agriculture tools, including GIS, remote sensing, and data-driven decision-support systems;
• Enhance linkages between research institutions, extension services, and farmers;
• Support the development and piloting of Water User Association (WUA) models and participatory water management approaches;
• Provide capacity building for government institutions, including the Azerbaijan State Water Resources Agency, Amelioration and Hydrometeorology Agencies, and the Ministry of Agriculture;
• Deliver training on operation and maintenance (O&M) of irrigation infrastructure, financial and administrative management, and entrepreneurship;
• Support local communities, including women and youth, to enhance their role in irrigation management and livelihood development;
• Assess and recommend the design of a Digital Water Management Platform integrating relevant institutions and data sources;
• Provide recommendations on sustainable service delivery and extension models, including cost-recovery mechanisms;
• Organize local and international training programs and ensure practical application of acquired knowledge.

The Azerbaijan State Water Resources Agency, Administration of Facilities under Construction PLE now invites eligible consulting firms (“Consultants”) to indicate their interest in providing the services. Interested Consultants must provide specific information demonstrating that they are fully qualified to perform the services (brochures, description of similar assignments, experience in similar conditions, availability of appropriate skills among staff, etc.).

 

The shortlisting criteria are:

 

Company Information:

• Company profile including name, legal status, address, contact details, and year of establishment;
• Average annual turnover for the last three (3) years (2022–2024) with a minimum of USD 1.2 million;
• Number of permanent and part-time staff and areas of expertise;
• A list of ongoing assignments including start and end dates and personnel involved.

 

General Experience:

• Minimum three (3) years of relevant experience in capacity building, agricultural development, water management, rural development, or similar fields.

 

Specific Experience:

The Consultant should demonstrate relevant experience in assignments covering the following areas:

• Capacity Building and Training:
  Experience in designing and delivering training programs, workshops, or knowledge transfer activities for farmers, communities, institutions, or public sector entities.
• Irrigation, Water Management and Agricultural Practices:
  Experience in delivering capacity building, training, or advisory services related to irrigation systems, water management, and agricultural practices, including field-based applications such as demonstration plots or on-farm training.
• Institutional and Community Development:
  Experience in working with government institutions, public agencies, Water User Associations (WUAs), or community-based organizations, including stakeholder engagement and institutional strengthening.
• Innovation and Systems Development:
  Experience in the application of innovative tools and systems in agriculture or water management, including GIS, remote sensing, digital agriculture tools, or extension/service delivery models.

Experience may be demonstrated under a single assignment covering multiple areas.

The Consultant may associate with other firms or include sub-consultants to cover all required areas of expertise. Experience may be demonstrated collectively by the Consultant and its partners.

 

International Experience:

• Experience in international projects or projects financed by international organizations or development partners will be considered an advantage.

 

Administrative Requirements:

• Letters of recommendation or references for submitted assignments;
• A list of ongoing assignments;
• Form of association (joint venture or sub-consultancy), if applicable, with identification of the leading firm.

 

Key Experts will not be evaluated at the shortlisting stage.

 

The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to Paragraphs 1.23 and 1.24 of the Guidelines for Procurement of Consultant Services under Islamic Development Bank Project Financing (the “Procurement Guidelines”), setting forth IsDB’s policy on conflict of interest.

 

Consultants may associate with other firms to enhance their qualifications. In the case of a joint venture, all partners 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 Procurement Guidelines.

 

Interested consultants may obtain further information at the address below during office hours 09:00 to 17:00 (local time).

Expressions of interest must be delivered in written form to the address below (in person, by mail, or by e-mail) by 10th of July 2026.

 

Azerbaijan State Water Resources Agency
Administration of Facilities under Construction PLE

Attention: Mr. Fuad Abishev, Deputy Chairman of the Board
69 A Moscow Ave, Baku, Azerbaijan, AZ1012, 5th floor

Fax: +994 12 4935165
E-mail: fuad.abishev@toom.gov.az