REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST
(CONSULTING SERVICES – FIRMS SELECTION)
Country: Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia
Name of Project: Eastern Africa Regional Digital Integration Project (EARDIP)
Project ID: P180931
Assignment Title: Consultancy Service for Development of a Commercial Transaction Manual for Commissioning and Deployment of Digital Communications Infrastructure.
Reference No.: ET-MINT-442529-CS-QCBS
The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia has received financing from the World Bank toward the cost of the Eastern Africa Regional Digital Integration Project (EARDIP) and intends to apply part of the proceeds for consulting services.
The consulting services (“the Services”) include Consultancy Service for Development of a Commercial Transaction Manual for Commissioning and Deployment of Digital Communications Infrastructure.
- Introduction
Ethiopia currently faces challenges in regional connectivity due to deficits in cross-border, in-land fiber networks limiting transmission capacity. Recent conflict has also damaged key ICT infrastructure. Though, Safaricom has recently joined the telecom market remains dominated by the state-owned enterprise Ethio Telecom limiting competition and resulting in high prices for consumers. There are also gender gaps in digital access and skills. The project aims to address these challenges through strategic investments and technical assistance.
2. Scope of Work
The scope of services involves the development of a Commercial Transaction Manual (CTM) that can serve as a guide to the tendering mechanisms and the approach of evaluation in awarding subsequent EARDIP-II project funds to the network operators to commercially deploy and sustain last-mile infrastructure while also putting in matching investments. The CTM should clearly articulate the preferred bidding process, various approaches to be considered on the best practice models for open access networks, potential benefits to the Government, network operators (including incentives) as well as dispute resolution procedures.
3. Objectives
The objective of this assignment is to develop a Commercial Transaction Manual (CTM).
4. Specific Tasks
The specific tasks will include the following:
- Propose key telecom sector framework principles
- Identify an optimal commercial model for the priority routes and sites
- Work with the separate Technical Feasibility Study consultancy (within the EARDIP’s infrastructure focus)
- Develop CTM/guidelines for competitive bidding process in accordance with national procurement legislation, international best practices and World Bank procurement guidelines
- Prepare a tender strategy and draft bidding documents
- Support the implementation of the tendering process
- Training and Capacity
The detailed Terms of Reference (TOR) for the assignment can be found on the following website: www.dfp.gov.et or can be obtained at the address given below.
Ministry of Innovation and Technology- Eastern Africa Regional Digital Integration Project now invites eligible Consulting firms to indicate their interest in providing the Services. Interested Consultants should provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the services. The shortlisting criteria are: core business and years in business, relevant experience in the field of assignment, technical and managerial capability of the firm.
The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to paragraph 3.14, 3.16, and 3.17 of the World Bank’s Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers dated September 2023 (“Procurement Regulation”), 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 the 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 QCBS (Quality and Cost Based Selection) method set out in the Procurement Regulations.
Interested and qualified consultants may obtain further information at the address below during office hours 08:30 to 12:00 & 14:30 to 17:00, Mondays to Thursdays; and 08:30 to 11:00 & 14:30 to 17:00 on Fridays.
Expressions of interest must be delivered in a written form to the address below (in person, or by e-mail) on or before March 28th, 2025.
Ministry of Innovation and Technology (MInT)
Eastern Africa Regional Digital Integration Project
Attn: Focal Person, Project Implementation Unit (PIU)
Address: Arada Sub-city, Tracon Building 6th floor, in front of Tikur Anbessa Secondary School,
Telephone No.: +251-911-229367/911-815731/913-603899,
Email address: tessedf@gmail.com , wondwosseny@mintprojects.gov.et and
zayedec@mintprojects.gov.et
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.