Institutional Capacity Building Project

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST
(CONSULTING SERVICES – FIRMS SELECTION)

 

Country: Republic of Uzbekistan

Project: Institutional Capacity Building Project

Credit No.: IDA 6431-UZ

Assignment Title: Selection of a Consultant to Provide Extensive Coverage of the Privatization Processes of State Assets for Sale.

 

Reference No.: PR-MOF-SAMA-CQS-2

 

The Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Uzbekistan has received financing from the World Bank toward the cost of the Institutional Capacity Building Project and intends to apply part of the proceeds for consulting services for the State Asset Management Agency (UzSAMA).

The main purpose of the assignment is information support and publication of positive articles Information support and reviews in authoritative international publications (Forbes, Bloomberg, FT, etc.) of the reforms carried out by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, active work conducted by the State Assets Management Agency and implementation of privatization plans with a focus on liberalizing the economy and improving the investment climate, liberalization of the economy and improvement of the investment climate in the Republic of Uzbekistan.

In order to achieve the objectives of this assignment, the consultant will be selected to provide extensive coverage of the privatization processes of state assets for sale. (hereinafter referred to as “Services”).

The Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Uzbekistan now invites eligible consulting firms (“Consultants”) 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 submitting directly to the piu_mof@mail.ru.

The qualification requirements for the Consultants are:

• At least 3 completed projects in the last 5 years, demonstrating extensive experience and achievements in the field of advertising, marketing, and public relations;
• Minimum 10 years’ experience on similar level projects and demonstrable achievements in public information and communications;
• Provide booklets, brochures, copies of contracts, links, etc. demonstrating visual abilities and achievements in the production of a wide range of information products;
• Work experience in the public sector, ideally with public authorities or institutions;

The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to Section III of the World Bank’s “Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers” dated July 2016, revised in November 2017 and August 2018 (“Procurement Regulations”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest.  In addition, please refer to the following specific information on conflict of interest related to this assignment: Consultants shall not be hired for any assignment that would be in conflict with their prior or current obligations to other clients, or that may place them in a position of being unable to carry out the assignment in the best interests of the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Consulting Qualification Selection (CQS) method set out in the Procurement Regulations.

Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours from 9:00 a.m. to 18:00 p.m. Tashkent time.

Expressions of interest must be delivered in a written form in English, Russian or Uzbek languages to the address below (in person, by mail, or by e-mail) by 18-00 (Tashkent time), April 15, 2022.

Project Implementation Unit under the
Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Uzbekistan

Attn: Foziljon Kalandarov, Manager of the PIU

Uzbekistan, 100017, Tashkent city, 29, Istiklol St.

Tel: +998907380050

E-mail: piu_mof@mail.ru

 

 

 

As part of the EOI, the consultant should include the following information:

• Consulting Firm Information

 

Date:	Country of Incorporation:
Consultant Name:	Acronym:
EOI Submission Authorized by:	Position

 

• Associations (Joint Venture or Sub-consultancy)

 

Consultant	Acronym	Country of Incorporation	Joint Venture (JV) or Sub-consultant	EOI Submission Authorized By	Position

 

Present the rationale for and benefits of working in association (JV or Sub-consultant) with others rather than undertaking the assignment independently (as appropriate). Describe the proposed management and coordination approach of the association and the role of each firm.

 

• Technical competence

Project References - highlight the technical qualifications of your entity/consortium in undertaking similar assignments. Provide details of past experiences working with similar project authorities

 

• Geographical experience

 

Project References, present experiences in similar geographic areas.

 

• Management Competence

• Describe standard policies, procedures, and practices that your entity has to assure quality interaction with clients and outputs. Please state if your company is ISO certified.
• How your firm/consortium handles complaints concerning the performance of experts or quality of the reports submitted for previous and future assignments? What internal controls are in place to address and resolve complaints.
• How you ensure the quality of your firm’s/consortium’s performance over the life of assignments.

• Projects references

 

 

 

N	Project	Project start date (year, month, mandatory)	Project end date (year, month, mandatory)	Client	Country	Firm	Participated experts in the project among the recommended personnel (full name)
1
2
…
…
…
10

 

• Summary for the Projects listed above

 

Project Title
Country / Region
Start Date
Completion Date
Continuous / Intermittent
Client
Participated experts in the project among the recommended personnel (full name)
Funding Source
Project description
The role of the consulting firm	(indicate your role and contribution in terms of men-months)

 

 

• Eligibility

 

We, the undersigned, certify to the best of our knowledge and belief:

 

• We have read the advertisement, including the terms of reference (TOR), for this assignment (YES/NO)

 

• Neither the consulting firm nor its JV member or sub-consultant or any of its experts prepared the TOR for this activity (YES/NO)

 

• We confirm that the project references submitted as part of this EOI accurately reflect the experience of the specified firm/consortium. (YES/NO)

 

• Ensuing assignment resulting from our work product under this assignment, our firm, JV member or sub-consultant, and the expert(s) will be disqualified from short-listing and participation in the assignment.

 

• The lead entity and JV member or sub-consultant are NOT currently sanctioned by or other MDBs. Neither the consulting firm nor the JV member or sub-consultant has ever been convicted of an integrity-related offense or crime related to theft, corruption, fraud, collusion or coercion.

 

 

 TERMS OF REFERENCE

for the Selection of a Consultant to Provide Extensive Coverage of the Privatization Processes of State Assets for Sale.

 

1. Background information.

According to Presidential Decree No. UP-6096 dated October 27, 2020 “On Measures to Accelerate the Reform of Enterprises with State Participation and Privatization of State Assets” and Decree No. UP-6167 dated February 11, 2021 "On Measures to Further Accelerate the Privatization Process of State Assets" and Decree dated March 18, 2022, No. PP-168 “On additional measures to further reduce state participation in the economy and accelerate privatization” in Uzbekistan, it has been started the practice of introducing modern methods of privatizing state assets with the involvement of international consulting, auditing and investment consultants,  investment banks, and other specialized companies (hereinafter – professional organizations)

In this regard, the State Asset Management Agency intends to engage an international audience, international and local media representatives to make the privatization process transparent, efficient, and attractive to foreign investors, and understandable for Uzbek citizens.

2. Goals.

Information support and publication of positive articles Information support and reviews in authoritative international publications (Forbes, Bloomberg, FT, etc.) of the reforms carried out by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Sh.M. Mirziyoyev, active work conducted by the State Assets Management Agency and implementation of privatization plans with a focus on liberalizing the economy and improving the investment climate, liberalization of the economy and improvement of the investment climate in the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Marketing of public assets for sale in the form of presentations, infographics, brochures, electronic newsletters, and analytical publications in Russian and English on an ongoing basis, to attract target audiences of investors, funds, intermediaries, and companies providing professional services for acquisitions and mergers in the international arena.

Holding investment and thematic forums, conferences, roundtables on privatization processes, with the participation of international partners, IFIs (WB, EBRD, ADB, etc.) audit companies, and consultants to widely publicize the results achieved, discuss methodological issues and study international experience, open dialogue with potential investors and stakeholders as well as national and international media.

Assist the Agency in building a clear communications strategy and action plan aimed at local Uzbekistan’s audience about ongoing economic transformation, helping to explain, in a clear and consistent manner, the essence of the SOE reform program and the long-term changes it will bring about, in particular as they relate to the role of the state, the shift to the private sector as the engine of growth and source of employment.

 

3. Scope of work.

The implementation of these Terms of Reference (TOR) will take 24 months. The activities of the TOR will be carried out in the following sequence:

 

Marketing
No	Activity	Timeline*	Type of communication	Expected outcome
1.1	Development of a Privatization Guide for investors	1 month after signing the contract	In the field (Uzbekistan)   Remotely (Skype, Zoom) + phone interviews, emails	Key details of the privatization plan will be covered from 2021 to 2025
1.2	Designing and creating a new landing page for the SAMA website	1 month after signing the contract	In the field (Uzbekistan)   Remotely (Skype, Zoom) + phone interviews, emails	Key details of the privatization plan 2021-2025 will be presented, its dynamics will be indicated, and communication with stakeholders and investors will be facilitated
1.3	Creating a promo video	2-2.5 months after signing the contract	In the field (Uzbekistan)   Remotely (Skype, Zoom) + phone interviews, emails	A 3-5-minute video that aims to educate the target audience about the privatization plan. The video will be optimized for posting on the new webpage and distribution on social media
1.4	Interaction with the media	2 months after signing the contract	In the field (Uzbekistan)   Remotely (Skype, Zoom) + phone interviews, emails	Raise awareness of the privatization program as well as media coverage of the new plan. Organize interviews for Agency officials with key local and international journalists.
1.5	Preparation of infographics	1 month after signing the contract	In the field (Uzbekistan)   Remotely (Skype, Zoom) + phone interviews, emails	ready-made brochures, e-newsletters, and analytical publications of state assets for sale

*) from the date of signing the contract

 

Local Communications Campaign
No	Activity	Timeline*	Type of communication	Expected outcome
2.1	Carry out opinion research (quick survey and focus groups) to gauge various stakeholders’ understanding of the current state of SOE reform, identifying regions/sectors/relevant target audiences for the launching of local PR campaigns	2 months after signing the contract	In the field (Uzbekistan)   Remotely (Skype, Zoom) + phone interviews, emails	Stakeholders’ opinion report
2.2	Produce a communications strategy and action plan (with SAMA) explaining Uzbekistan’s economic transformation, the essence of SOE reform program, privatization, the long-term changes that it will bring about, in particular as they relate to the role of the state, the shift to the private sector as the engine of growth and source of employment and the subsequent implications for SOEs and citizens of Uzbekistan	3 months after signing the contract	In the field (Uzbekistan)   Remotely (Skype, Zoom) + phone interviews, emails	Local communications strategy and action plan
2.3	Provide key messages to be used in all press and PR materials issued by SAMA   Develop a template for internal communications and change management to be tailored by individual SOEs slated for reform.	3-3.5 months after signing the contract	In the field (Uzbekistan)   Remotely (Skype, Zoom) + phone interviews, emails	Templates for PR Materials for SAMA and individual SOEs
2.4	Propose a mechanism to coordinate communications activities with other government agencies (MOF, in particular), individual SOEs, and other relevant stakeholders	4 months after signing the contract	In the field (Uzbekistan)   Remotely (Skype, Zoom) + phone interviews, emails	Note outlining coordination mechanisms to be agreed with SAMA management
1.5	When appropriate, generate relevant media coverage, including articles and interviews, in Uzbekistan, regionally, and internationally;   Provide public speaking, presentation, and media training/ workshops to SAMA’s spokespersons, as well as to other relevant staff, including management from key SOEs;   Create timelines and measuring tools to further monitor, report, and evaluate communications activities/outcomes.	Regularly	In the field (Uzbekistan)   Remotely (Skype, Zoom) + phone interviews, emails	Ready-made presentations, articles, talking points, and speeches Measuring tools for communication monitoring and evaluation of outcomes

*) from the date of signing the contract

 

Holding investment and thematic forums, conferences, roundtables
No	Activity	Timeline*	Type of communication	Expected outcome
2.1	Forum	3 months after signing the contract	In the field (Uzbekistan)   Remotely (Skype, Zoom) + phone interviews, emails	Broad coverage of the results achieved in the privatization process
2.2	Roadshow for investors and advisory companies	regularly	In the field (Uzbekistan)   Remotely (Skype, Zoom) + phone interviews, emails	Presenting opportunities for participation in the privatization of state assets
2.3	Round table	4-5 months after signing the contract	In the field (Uzbekistan)   Remotely (Skype, Zoom) + phone interviews, emails	open dialogue with potential investors and stakeholders, as well as national and international media.

 

Information support and publication of positive articles and reviews in reputable international media
No	Activity	Timeline*	Type of communication	Expected outcome
3.1	Training for representatives of the Agency to work with international journalists;	regularly	In the field (Uzbekistan)   Remotely (Skype, Zoom) + phone interviews, emails	Agency staff learn how to answer questions clearly and correctly during interviews and briefings with foreign journalists without jeopardizing the agency's reputation.
3.2	Editorial Articles	Regularly	In the field (Uzbekistan)   Remotely (Skype, Zoom) + phone interviews, emails	the publication of an article by the head of the UzSAMA. Possible topics include 1) the privatization program and how it will improve the efficiency of the Uzbek economy 2) Uzbekistan's efforts to strengthen corporate governance, and 3) Uzbek corporations beginning to make environmental, social and governance gains

*) if necessary

Principles of work organization.

1. The project shall be implemented in accordance with the project program and the above-mentioned work plan, on time and within the allocated budget;

2. The project should be effectively implemented and well managed in accordance with all World Bank procedures;

3. Effective interaction with all parties involved in the project (integrated communications organization, consultancy company public relations and investor relations consulting company, marketers, State Asset Management Agency, etc.);

4. In order to fulfill this TOR, the Consultant shall liaise with the Agency regarding all technical and organizational aspects.

Consultant performance indicators.

The performance of the Consultant will be measured by the timely preparation of plans/reports under this TOR and in accordance with point 3 “Scope of work” of this TOR.

4. Expected outcome.

The quality of marketing materials on state assets to be privatized will be improved and brought in line with foreign standards.

The privatization process will be widely publicized through marketing and PR to ensure that more investors are involved in the process.

Agency staff will gain relevant experience in working with the general public, including representatives of foreign media.

A qualitative and quantitative increase in the number of dedicated investors to the privatization of state assets.

Understanding of the SOE reform by the citizens and local stakeholders will improve.

5. Qualification requirements for the consultant(s).

• At least 3 completed projects in the last 5 years, demonstrating extensive experience and achievements in the field of advertising, marketing, and public relations;
• Minimum 10 years’ experience on similar level projects and demonstrable achievements in public information and communications;
• Provide booklets, brochures, copies of contracts, links, etc. demonstrating visual abilities and achievements in the production of a wide range of information products;
• Work in the public sector, ideally with public authorities or institutions;

Have a team of highly qualified geopolitical and corporate communications professionals with many years of experience in advising governments.

6. Duration of the contract.

The Duration of the contract shall be 24 months from the date of its signing. The contract can be extended if independent circumstances (e.g. epidemiological situation) have a negative effect on the contract duration.

7. Resources provided by (public authorities).

7.1. Establishment of a working group from among the Agency's specialists, to liaise with the consultant in the implementation of this TOR;

7.2. Ensuring liaison and interaction of the consultant with the state authorities, business associations with a state share in the assessment of the status as well as in the implementation of the project.

8. Terms of service funding:

Sources of funding for services may include funds from international financial institutions and the Agency's own resources.

The consultant will report to the Agency in accordance with the Work Plan and will submit statements of completion. In the case of the World Bank financing of services, the relationship between the consultant and the Agency and the Project Implementation Unit (PIU) under the Ministry of Finance will be through the Agency as appropriate. In doing so, the consultant shall:

1. At the time of submitting the developed materials referred to in point 3 “Scope of work” of these TOR;

2. Provide summary reports on the progress of the project, within 5 working days after the reporting period;

3. Develop a final project report in a format acceptable to the World Bank and the Agency within two weeks of project completion.

All plans/reports should be written in Russian and English and emailed to the World Bank and UzSAMA.